Stage names:

Ichikawa Monnosuke V
Ichikawa Shinsha I
Matsumoto Shichizô III
Iwai Kumetarô
Segawa Michitarô

Guild: Takinoya

Line number: GODAIME (V)

Poetry names: Fûsha, Shinsha

Existence:1821 ~ 12 September 1878

Connections:

Masters: Ichikawa Ebizô V, Matsumoto Kôshirô VI, Iwai Hanshirô V, Segawa Kikunojô V

Sons: Ichikawa Fusamaru, Ichikawa Benzô

Adopted son: Ichikawa Metora I

Career:

1821 ~ 1844: born in Edo. His father manages a restaurant in the district of Higashi-Ryôgoku. He starts his career as a disciple of the actor Segawa Kikunojô V, who gives him the name of Segawa Michitarô. Later on, he joins the Iwai clan, becoming a disciple of Iwai Hanshirô V and performing under the name of Iwai Kumetarô. Following his master in a Kamigata tour, he meets the young actor Matsumoto Kôshirô VI, who welcomes him as a disciple and gives him the name of Matsumoto Shichizô III.

January 1845: Matsumoto Shichizô III becomes disciple of Ichikawa Ebizô V and takes the name of Ichikawa Shinsha I at the Kawarazakiza, playing in the drama "Sakigake Genji Soga no Tehajime".

Spring 1853: tour in Nagoya and Ise.

February 1870: Ichikawa Shinsha I takes the name of Ichikawa Monnosuke V at the Ichimuraza, playing in the drama "Hôrai Soga Shima Monogatari".

March 1873: premiere at the Murayamaza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Taiko no Oto Chiyû Sanryaku"; Monnosuke plays the role of Fushiya [casting].

August ~ September 1878: he works with his son Ichikawa Benzô for the reopening of the Ichimuraza but he suddenly falls ill and dies.

Comments:

Ichikawa Monnosuke V was a talented supporting actor, who played a major role in the transmission of the art and kata of the Bunka/Bunsei era to the Meiji rising stars. He was trained as a onnagata in the two most important Edo onnagata clans (Segawa and Iwai), and had the chance to share many stages in Kamigata with the actor Nakamura Tomijûrô II. He was specialized in spouse or fukeoyama roles, in sewamono or jidaimono dramas. In his latter years, he also performed tachiyaku roles. He was highly praised by the star Ichikawa Danjûrô IX.

Ichikawa Monnosuke V playing the role of Osetsu in the drama "Ura Omote Yanagi no Uchiwae", which was staged in August 1875 at the Nakamuraza (print made by Toyohara Kunichika)

Print made by Toyohara Kunichika

Print made by Utagawa Yoshitsuya in 1862

Print made by Utagawa Utagawa Toyokuni in 1864

The Ichikawa Monnosuke line of actors