Stage names:
Kataoka Nizaemon VII
Yamazawa Kunigorô
Asao Kunigorô II
Nakamura Matsusuke
Other name: Kataoka Gadô I
Guild: Matsushimaya
Line number: SHICHIDAIME (VII)
Poetry names: Manmaro, Bairi, Gadô (1)
Crest: the ideogram for two (2 horizontal bars) in a circle
Existence: 1755 ~ 1 March 1837
Connections:
Brother: Asao Kunigorô I
Masters: Asao Tamejûrô I, Nakamura Jûzô I
Sons: Kataoka Ainosuke I, Kataoka Shimamaru
Adopted sons: Kataoka Nizaemon VIII, Kataoka Ayame, Kataoka Matsusuke II
Grandsons: Kataoka Gatô II, Kataoka Ichizô III, Mimasu Inezô I
Disciples: Kataoka Ichizô I, Kataoka Chôdayû III
Career:
1755 ~ 1787: born in Ôsaka. He is recruited and trained by Nakamura Jûzô I, playing under the name of Nakamura Matsusuke in Ôsaka in a troupe of children actors (Kodomo Shibai). The star Asao Tamejûrô I takes him as a disciple and gives him the name of Asao Kunigorô II. After a few years, he is expelled from the Asao clan because of a quarrel with his master. He takes the name of Yamazawa Kunigorô.
August 1787: Namiki Gohei I's drama "Taikô Shinkenki", which was premiered in March 1787 at the Naka no Shibai [casting], is staged for the first time in Kyôto; Kunigorô plays the role of Kyôgoku no Takumi [casting].
1787: Kunigorô receives both the pardon of Asao Tamejûrô I and the honor to take the prestigious name of Kataoka Nizaemon.
September 1789: the actor Miogi Gizaemon II dies. He receives posthumously the name of Kataoka Nizaemon VI.
July 1791: Nizaemon plays the prestigious role of Danshichi Kurobei in the drama "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami", which is produced by Kameya Kumenojô and staged in its full length (nine acts) at the Kitagawa no Shibai. His stage partners are Arashi Kichisaburô II (Issun Tokubei) and Nakamura Tôzô I (Tsuribune Sabu, Mikawaya Giheiji).
November 1791: Nizaemon plays the role of Tawara no Tôta in the drama "Hakubai Genji Shugi no Hajime", which is produced by Anegawa Kumajirô at the Nishigawa no Shibai.
July 1792: Nizaemon plays the role of Izumi no Saburô in the drama "Yoshitsune Koshigoejô", which is staged at the Kitagawa no Shibai. The role of Gotobei is played by Kanô Hinasuke I.
Fall 1794: Nizaemon, Nakamura Noshio II and the playwright Namiki Gohei I travel together and settle in Edo.
November 1794: Nizaemon takes part in the kaomise "Uruô Tosshi Meika no Homare", which is staged at the Miyakoza.
January 1795: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Sasano Sangobei in the drama "Godairiki Koi no Fûjime". His stage partners in the role of Satsuma Gengobei and the courtesan Koman are the 2 Edo stars Sawamura Sôjûrô III and Segawa Kikunojô III.
April 1795: Nizaemon plays the roles of Kô no Moronô, Ono Kudayû and Amakawaya Gihei in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which is staged in the same theater.
September 1795: Nizaemon plays in the same theater 2 roles in the drama "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami".
January 1796: Nizaemon plays in the same theater in the drama "Furiwakegami Aoyagi Soga".
April 1796: Nizaemon plays at the Miyakoza the roles of Matsunaga Daizen and Zesai in the drama "Gion Sairei Shinkôki".
July 1796: Nizaemon plays at the Miyakoza the roles of Fujiwara no Shihei, Kakuju and Shiratayû in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".
September 1796: the play "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi" is staged for the first time in Edo, simultaneously at the Kiriza and the Miyakoza; Nizaemon plays the role of Kyôgoku no Takumi in the latter theater [casting].
November 1796: third kaomise at the Miyakoza; Nizaemon performs in the drama "Seiwa Nidai Ôyose Genji".
May 1797: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Kajiwara Heiji and Gonshirô in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki".
August 1797: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Hojô Tokimasa, Inage Zenji and Wadahei in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".
November 1797: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka. He plays 2 roles in the drama "Mote Hayasu Manryô no Tachibana ", which is produced by Nakayama Yosaburô II at the Kado no Shibai.
January 1798: his rank in the Ôsaka hyôbanki, jitsuaku section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
May 1798: Nizaemon plays the great role of Danshichi Kurobei in the drama "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami", which is performed in its full length (nine acts) in the same theater. His stage partners are Nakayama Bunzô (Issun Tokubei), Seki Sanjûrô I (Tsuribune Sabu), Yamashita Kinsaku II (Okaji) and Yoshizawa Iroha I (Otatsu).
July 1798: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the prestigious role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".
November 1798: the kaomise program "Tsuki Yuki Hana no Kaomise" that was supposed to be produced by Nakayama Yosaburô II at the Kado no Shibai is in fact performed in Kyôto at the Minamigawa no Shibai. Nizaemon replays Kumagai in "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".
January 1799: Nizaemon plays in the same theater 2 roles in the drama "Keisei Hina no Shimabara", which is produced by Hayagumo Chôdayû.
September 1799: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays the roles of Higuchi Jirô Kanemitsu and Kajiwara Heiji in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki", which is produced by Arashi Otokichi at the Ônishi no Shibai. He also plays the role of Kurofune in the drama "Kurofune Deiri Minato".
November 1799: Nizaemon is supposed to play at the Naka no Shibai but the performance is in fact staged in Kyôto at the Kitagawa no Shibai. He plays the roles of Zesai, Yamaguchi Kurojirô and Matsunaga Daizen in the drama "Gion Sairei Shinkôki". His stage partners are Sawamura Sôjûrô III (Tôkichi), Nakamura Utaemon III (Gumpei) and Nakayama Ittoku I (Princess Yuki). He also plays the role of Sasano Sangobei in the drama "Godairiki Koi no Fûjime".
November 1799: Nizaemon moves to the Minamigawa no Shibai. He plays the roles of Mitsuhide and Rampei in the dramas "Ama ga Shita shiru Kikyô no Hataage" and "Saiwai Ariwara Keizu".
January 1800: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays 3 roles in the drama "Hana Ikada Yodogawa Banashi", which is produced by Nakamura Somenosuke at the Naka no Shibai.
March 1800: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto and plays the roles of Sasaki Takatsuna, Wadahei and Hojô Tokimasa in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata", which is staged at the Kitagawa no Shibai.
November 1800: Nizaemon plays the roles of Saisaki Iga no Kami and Masamune in the drama "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari", which is produced in the same theater by his son Kataoka Ainosuke.
January 1801: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays 2 roles in Chikamatsu Tokuzô's drama "Tsugiawase Koshiji no Ume", which is produced by Yamashita Tokujirô at the Naka no Shibai.
February 1801: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto and plays the roles of Takechi Samagorô and Kajisuke in the drama "Keisei Kakehashi Monogatari", which is produced by his Kataoka Ainosuke at the Kitagawa no Shibai.
August 1801: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays the roles of Shima no Koheiji and Kajiwara Shinjûrô in the dramas "Yamato Kotoba Suikoden" and "Meisaku Kiriko no Akebono", which are staged at the Naka no Shibai.
October 1801: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Karaki Masaemon in the drama "Igagoe Norikake Gappa", which is produced by Yamashita Tokujirô.
November 1801: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto, replaying the role of Karaki Masaemon in the drama "Igagoe Norikake Gappa", which is produced by Arashi Kumanosuke at the Minamigawa no Shibai.
January 1802: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays 2 roles in the drama "Keisei Midori no Hayashi", which is produced by Anegawa Kamesaburô at the Kado no Shibai to celebrate the arrival in Ôsaka of the Edo star Ichikawa Danzô IV.
February 1802: Nizaemon is supposed to perform in the same theater but he suddenly falls ill and has to be replaced by Ôtani Tomoemon II and Mimasu Daigorô III.
March ~ May 1802: Nizaemon is back on stage and plays the roles of En'ya Hangan and Teraoka Heiemon in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which is staged in the same theater and stars Ichikawa Danzô IV in seven roles!
May 1802: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Rampei in the drama "Saiwai Ariwara Keizu". The troupe has to move at the end of the month to a different theater, the Kita-Shinchi no Shibai, and performs in the dramas "Saiwai Ariwara Keizu", "Heike Nyogo-ga-Shima" and "Gokusaishiki Musume Ôgi", which are produced by Onoe Yatarô.
September 1802: Nizaemon moves to the Naka no Shibai to play the role of Takechi Mitsuhide in the drama "Ehon Taikoki", which is produced by Yamashita Tokujirô.
November 1802: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto, playing the role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki", which is staged in the precinct of the temple Inaba Yakushiji. At the end of the month, he takes part in the kaomise of the Minamigawa no Shibai, playing the roles of Hanaregoma Chôkichi and Jûjibei in the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki".
January 1803: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays the roles of Matsuemon, Higuchi Jirô Kanemitsu and Kajiwara Heiji in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki", which is produced by Anegawa Kumajirô at the Naka no Shibai.
February 1803: Nizaemon moves to the Kado no Shibai to play the roles of Matsuômaru, Kakuju and Shiratayû in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", which is produced by Yamashita Tokujirô.
May 1803: Nizaemon plays the role of Chôemon in the drama "Atsurae Ori Shusu no Obiya", which is staged in the same theater. His partner in the role of Ohan is Segawa Rokô III.
July 1803: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto to play the roles of Matsuemon, Higuchi Jirô Kanemitsu and Kajiwara Heiji in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki", which is produced by Azuma Tomijirô at the Kitagawa no Shibai.
August 1803: Nizaemon plays the role of Tokichi is the drama "Gion Sairei Shinkôki", which is staged in the same theater. He also plays the roles of Kurofune and Koman in "Sugata Kurabe Deiri no Minato".
September 1803: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Monogusa Tarô and Hanzaemon in the drama "Monogusa Monogatari".
October 1803: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Matsuômaru and Kakuju in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".
November 1803: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka to participate in the kaomise produced by Nakamura Noshio III at the Kado no Shibai. He plays the role of the yakko Tsunehei in the kaomise drama "Hatsu Yagura Kogane no Manmaku". The troupe moves to the Kita-Shinchi Shibai in December to perform the same program for 10 days.
January 1804: Nizaemon plays the roles of Isoroku and Nagaoka Yusai in the drama "Keisei Hako Denju", which is staged in the same theater. He also plays the role of Matsuômaru in some scenes of "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", which end the program.
March 1804: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto to play the role of the King of thieves Ishikawa Goemon in the drama "Sanmon Gosan no Kiri", which is produced in Kyôto by Hayagumo Chôdayû and Kameya Kumenojô at the Kitagawa no Shibai. The role of Mashiba Hisayoshi is played by Ichikawa Danzô IV. The 2 stars, in the company of Nakamura Utaemon III, Arashi Sangorô III and Yamashita Yaozô I, perform together in "Kanadehon Chûshingura", Nizaemon playing the roles of En'ya Hangan and Teraoka Heiemon.
May 1804: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Umesuke in "Yadonashi Danshichi Shigure no Karakasa". His stage partners are Nakamura Utaemon III (Danshichi) and Segawa Rokô III (Otomi).
August 1804: Nizaemon moves back to Ôsaka to perform in the drama "Hana Ise Monogatari", which is produced by produced by Nakamura Noshio III at the Kado no Shibai. He also plays the role of Kanroku in "Shimpan Utasaimon".
September 1804: final performance in Ôsaka for the Edo star Segawa Rokô III, who plays the prestigious role of Kuzu-no-Ha in the drama "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami", which is staged in the same theater. Nizaemon is his stage partner for the roles of Dôman and Yakampei.
October 1804: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Hanzaemon in "Monogusa Monogatari".
November 1804: Nizaemon moves to the Naka no Shibai to takes part in the kaomise "Minoriyoshi Kane no Naruki", which is produced by Yoshizawa Enjirô. His stage partners are Ichikawa Danzô IV, Arashi Sangorô III, Asao Kuzaemon I and Yoshizawa Iroha I.
December 1804: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Tôkichi in the drama "Gion Sairei Shinkôki", which is produced by Anegawa Kamesaburô.
January 1805: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Sôzaemon in "Keisei Ama no Hagoromo".
March 1805: Nizaemon moves to the Kado no Shibai to play in the productions of Arashi Torasaburô.
August 1805: tour in Nagoya. Nizaemon plays the role of Shunkan in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Heike Nyogo-ga-Shima", which is performed in the precinct of the Seijuin Temple. His stage partners are Nakamura Utaemon III (Tanzaemon), Fujikawa Tomokichi I (Chidori) and Ôtani Tomoemon II (Senoo Tarô).
September 1805: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto to play the role of Sôroku in the drama "Go Taiheiki Shiraishi Banashi", which is produced by Fujikawa Tomosaburô at the Kitagawa no Shibai. He also plays the role of Magoemon in "Keisei Sandogasa", sharing the stage with Nakamura Utaemon III (Kameya Chûbei) and Fujikawa Tomokichi I (the courtesan Umegawa).
Fall 1805: Nizaemon moves to the Shimonomori Shibai to play the roles of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane and Rampei in the dramas "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki" and "Rampei Monogurui".
August 1806: Nizaemon plays the roles of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane and Rokuyata in the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki", which is produced by Nakamura Karoku I in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai.
December 1806: Nizaemon takes part in the kaomise of the Kado no Shibai, with Ichikawa Danzô IV and Nakamura Utaemon III. The three stars perform together in the drama "Ôsakazuki Asahi no Hôrai", which is produced by Yoshizawa Minosuke.
January 1807: Nizaemon plays in the same theater 3 roles in "Keisei Takasago Matsu".
March 1807: tour in Nagoya; Nizaemon plays in the dramas "Monogusa Tarô Monogatari" (roles of Monogusa Tarô and Hanzaemon), "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami" (Matsuômaru, Kakuju, Shiratayû) and "Hirakana Seisuiki" (Matsuemon, Higuchi Jirô Kanemitsu, Kajiwara Heiji).
August 1807: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka to play the role of Koheiji in the drama "Yamato Kotoba Suikoden", which is produced by Asao Okujirô at the Naka no Shibai.
November 1807: Nizaemon plays the roles of Akizuki Daizen and Masamune in the drama "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari", which is produced in the same theater by Ogawa Kichitarô.
January 1808: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Sampachi and Umezu Kamon in "Keisei Shina Sadame".
March 1808: Nizaemon moves to the Kado no Shibai to play 3 roles in the drama "Tengajaya-Mura".
May 1808: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Ishikawa Goemon in the drama "Konoshita Kage Hazama Gassen".
June 1808: tour in Nagoya.
August 1808: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka to perform at the Kado no Shibai.
September 1808: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Sadanoshin, Shigenoi and Edohei in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna". He also plays the role of Iwanaga Saemon in "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki".
November 1808: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto for the kaomise at the Minamigawa no Shibai. He plays the roles of Sadanoshin, Sanai, Shigenoi and Edohei in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna". He also plays the role of Iwanaga Saemon in "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki". His stage partners are Nakayama Tomisaburô I (Akoya) and Nakayama Bunshichi III (Shigetada)
January 1809: his rank in the Kyôto hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is dai-jô-jô-kichi (grand - superior - superior - excellent).
May 1809: Nizaemon returns in Ôsaka and plays the roles of Benkei and Matsuômaru in the dramas "Gosho Zakura Horikawa no Youchi" and "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", which are produced at the Naka no Shibai by Arashi Kamesaburô.
August 1809: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Yokozô and Takasaka Danjô in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô".
September 1809: Nizaemon moves to the Kado no Shibai to play the role of the king of thieves Ishikawa Goemon in the drama "Sanmon Gosan no Kiri", which is produced by Mimasu Kumesaburô. The role of Mashiba Hisayoshi is played by Nakayama Shinkurô III.
October 1809: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Sôroku in the drama "Go Taiheiki Shiraishi Banashi". The roles of Miyagino and Shinobu are played by Nakayama Yoshio I and Kanô Minshi I.
November 1809: Nizaemon settles in Kyôto and takes part in the kaomise produced by Kameya Kumenojô at the Minamigawa no Shibai. He plays the roles of Takasaka Danjô and Yokozô in the jidaimono "Honchô Nijûshikô". He also perform with Nakayama Yoshio I and Arashi Sangorô III in the drama "Sumiyoshi Monogatari".
December 1809: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays the roles of Matsuemon, Higuchi Jirô Kanemitsu and Kajiwara Heiji in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki", which is produced par Onoe Tokujirô at the Horie Ichigawa no Shibai.
January 1810: Nizaemon moves to the Kado no Shibai and plays the roles of Nagasaki Shirozaemon, Tokuzô and Asakawa Kuranosuke in the drama "Keisei Sato no Funauta". His stage partners are Yoshizawa Ayame V, Arashi Kichisaburô II and Nakayama Hyakka.
March 1810: tour in Ise in the company of Nakayama Yoshio I and Nakayama Hyakka. Nizaemon plays the role of Yokozô in the classic "Honchô Nijûshikô", 5 roles in "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna" and the role of Raigen in "Hime Komatsu Ne-no-Hi no Asobi".
June 1810: tour in Nagoya. Nizaemon plays at the Tachibana no Shibai.
August 1810: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka. He plays at the Kado no Shibai in the drama "Hakone Reigen Izari no Adauchi", which is produced by Arashi Tomisaburô.
September 1810: Nizaemon plays the roles of Tokaiya Gimpei, Taira no Tomomori and Igami no Gonta in the classic "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura", which is staged in the same theater.
November 1810: Nizaemon settles in Kyôto. He performs in the drama "Hakone Reigen Izari no Adauchi", which is produced by Hoteiya Umenojô at the Kitagawa no Shibai.
January 1811: Nizaemon returns in Ôsaka and plays 2 roles in the drama "Keisei Umayaji no Ume" produced by Fujikawa Tatsuzô at the Naka no Shibai.
February 1811: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Abe no Sadato in the drama "Ôshû Adachi-ga-Hara". He also plays the roles of Koman and Shôbei in "Sugata Kurabe Deiri no Minato".
April 1811: Nizaemon performs in the precinct of the Shukuin temple in Sakai. He plays several roles in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".
Summer 1811: tour in the province of Bichû.
September 1811: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays the roles of Gempachi and Gonkurô in the drama "Sanjukkoku Yobune no Hajimari", which is staged at the Naka no Shibai. The same play is performed with the same casting in November at the Kitagawa no Shibai in Kyôto.
December 1811: Nizaemon is back at the Naka no Shibai.
January 1812: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Koshino Kanzaemon in the drama "Keisei Yamato Zôshi", which is produced by Nakamura Daikichi.
February 1812: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the prestigious role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".
March ~ April 1812: tour in Nagoya with Asao Kuzaemon I, Nakamura Karoku I, Nakamura Daikichi and Onoe Shinshichi. They perform in the precinct of the Inari shrine.
August 1812: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto, playing the roles of Nagasaki Shirozaemon, Tokuzô and Asakawa Kuranosuke in the drama "Keisei Sato no Funauta", which is staged at the Minamigawa no Shibai. He also performs in "Sumidagawa Yukari no Gonichi".
January 1813: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays 4 roles in the drama "Ane Imôto Date no Ôkido", which is produced by Ichikawa Zentarô at the Kado no Shibai.
October 1813: Nizaemon plays the role of Yokozô in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô", which is staged in Ôsaka at the Horie Ichigawa no Shibai.
November 1813: Nizaemon plays the roles of En'ya Hangan, Teraoka Heiemon and Amakawaya Gihei in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which is staged in Kyôto at the Kitagawa no Shibai. Nizaemon goes back to Ôsaka at the end of the month to play the roles of Sasaki Takatsuna and Wadahei in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata", which is performed at the Naka no Shibai.
January 1814: Nizaemon plays the roles of Namiroku, Nanagusa Shirô and Yodohei in the play "Keisei Kane ga Sakura", which is staged at the Naka no Shibai.
March 1814: Nizaemon plays in the same theater in the drama "Katakiuchi Nitô Eiyûki".
April 1814: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Jisuke in "Yadonashi Danshichi Shigure no Karakasa".
October 1814: tour in Nagoya. Nizaemon plays notably the role of Gotobei in the drama "Yoshitsune Koshigoejô", which is performed at the Ôsu no Shibai.
November 1814: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto, playing the roles of Sawai Shirogorô and Karaki Masaemon in the drama "Tsugi Awase Ekiji no Ume", which is staged at the Kitagawa no Shibai.
January 1815: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and performs in the drama "Akiba Gongen Kaisen Banashi", which is produced by Kataoka Ichimatsu at the Naka no Shibai.
August 1815: Nizaemon moves to the Kado no Shibai and plays the roles of Sadaka and Fukashichi in the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin".
Fall 1815: tour in Nagoya. Nizaemon performs in the precinct of the Seijuin temple, playing among others 5 roles in the dance "Rokkasen" and 4 roles in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".
January 1816: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays the role of Karaki Masaemon in the drama "Igagoe Norikake Gappa", which is produced by Nakamura Utagorô at the Kado no Shibai. He also plays the role of Yonegorô in "Kintai Bashi".
February 1816: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Magoemon in "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai".
May 1816: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Harunaga and Masakiyo in the drama "Gion Sairei Shinkôki".
September 1816: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of the wicked priest Narukami in the drama "Hana no Kumo Narukami Fudô" (the role of Princess Taema is played by Nakayama Yoshio I). He also plays 3 roles in the drama "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" and 2 roles in "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".
Winter 1817: Nizaemon and several Kamigata actors, including Bandô Jûtarô, travel together up to Edo.
March 1817: Nizaemon performs at the Kiriza, playing in "Shinbutai Megumi no Ishizue", "Azuma Kagami Soga Sewagoto" and "Asa Zakura Sumida no Hakkei". His Edo stage partners are Suketakaya Takasuke II, Ichikawa Dannosuke III and Iwai Kumesaburô II.
April 1817: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Yokozô and Takasaka Danjô in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô".
May 1817: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Oniwakamaru and Kiichi Hôgen in the drama "Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki".
June 1817: Nizaemon leaves the Kiriza and settles in the district of Kobiki-chô.
August 1817: Nizaemon plays at the Kawarazakiza the roles of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane and Rokuyata in the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki". His stage partners are Ichikawa Danjûrô VII and Segawa Kikunojô V.
September 1817: Nizaemon triumphes in the same theater where he plays 2 roles in Tsuruya Namboku IV's drama "Ganryûjima Shôbu no Miyamoto".
October 1817: Nizaemon ends his second stay in Edo by playing the roles of Shigenoi and Hinuka no Hachizô in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna", which is staged in the same theater. He also plays 5 roles in the dance "Yosooi Rokkasen".
November 1817: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto, playing at the Minamigawa no Shibai the roles of Sadanoshin, Sanai and Shigenoi in "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna". He also performs the dance "Rokkasen" at the end of the program.
January 1818: Nizaemon moves to the Kitagawa no Shibai and plays the roles of Matsuômaru and Kakuju in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami". He also plays the main role in "Waka Gaeru Shiraga no Kintoki" and the role of the yakko Ihei in "Oriawase Tsuzure no Nishiki".
March 1818: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays the role of Yokozô in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô", which is produced by Asao Tamesaburô at the Kado no Shibai. He also plays the roles of Monogusa Tarô and Hanzaemon in "Monogusa Monogatari". His stage partners are Ichikawa Danzô V, Nakayama Shinkurô III, Nakamura Matsue III and Arashi Sangorô III.
May 1818: tour in Ise. Nizaemon performs at the Furuichi no Shibai in the dramas "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", "Gion Sairei Shinkôki" and "Rokkasen". He moves later to Nagoya and performs in "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", "Oriawase Tsuzure no Nishiki", "Raiden Gempachi" and "Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki".
January 1819: his rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is goku-jô-jô-kichi (extreme - superior - superior - excellent).
Spring 1819: Nizaemon plays the role of the King of thieves Ishikawa Goemon in the drama "Ishikawazome", which is staged in Kyôto at the Minamigawa no Shibai. His stage partners are Ichikawa Danzô V (Yagorô, Hisatsugu, Hisayoshi) and Nakamura Karoku I (Yodomachi Gozen, Oritsu). The theater is destroyed in a fire and the troupe moves to Ôsaka to perform the same play at the Horie Ichigawa no Shibai.
July 1819: Nizaemon plays the roles of En'ya Hangan, Yuranosuke and Teraoka Heiemon in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which is staged at the Naka no Shibai. He also plays the roles of Matsuemon, Higuchi Jirô Kanemitsu and Kajiwara Heiji in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki".
August 1819: Nizaemon moves to the Kado no Shibai.
November 1819: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Jûjibei in the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki".
January 1820: Nizaemon plays in the same theater 4 roles in the drama "Keisei Hana no Konoshita".
March 1820: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Tokaiya Gimpei, Taira no Tomomori and Kajiwara no Kagetoki in the classic "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura". He also plays the roles of Isonoya Jûnai and Jinza in the dramas "Koina Hanbei Sato no Iroage" and "Sumidagawa Gonichi no Omokage".
March ~ April 1820: tour in Nagoya in the company of Ichikawa Danzô V and Asao Kuzaemon I. They perform together in the precinct of the Seijuin Temple in the classics "Imoseyama Onna Teikin", "Ishikawazome", "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura" and "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".
May 1820: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto, playing at the Kitagawa no Shibai 3 roles in "Katakiuchi Ganryûjima" and the role of Genzaemon in "Onna Hachinoki".
Spring 1821: Nizaemon, Ôtani Tomoemon II and Nakayama Shinkurô III perform together in the precinct of Inaba Yakushiji temple in Kyôto, playing in "Imoseyama Onna Teikin", "Hinin Adauchi", "Oriawase Tsuzure no Nishiki" and "Deiri no Minato".
August 1821: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka, performing at the Horie Ichigawa no Shibai.
September 1821: Nizaemon moves to the Kado no Shibai to play 2 roles in the drama "Katakiuchi Nitô Eiyûki", which is produced by Nakamura Matsuyo.
November 1821: Nizaemon moves to the Naka no Shibai to participate in the kaomise, playing 2 roles in the drama "Sanjukkoku Yobune no Hajimari" and the role of Sengoku Gombei in "Kotobuki Hôraisan".
December 1821: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Magosaburô in the drama "Sugata Kurabe Deiri no Minato".
January 1822: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Takemura Sadanoshin, Yuruki Saemon and Fukushima Masanori in the drama "Keisei Somewake no Tazuna".
February 1822: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Hayakawa Takakage and Mashiba Hisayoshi in the drama "Kinmon Gosan no Kiri". His stage partner in the role of Ishikawa Goemon is Nakamura Utaemon III. Nizaemon also plays the role of An no Heibei in "Otokodate Itsusu Karigane".
March 1822: Nizaemon plays in the same theater in the dramas "Ôishizuri Sakura Tanzaku", a play based on the "Chûshingura" world, and "Yodoyabashi no Kenka".
July 1822: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Shima no Koheiji in "Yamato Kotoba Suikoden".
August 1822: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Shundô Jirôemon in the drama "Oriawase Tsuzure no Nishiki".
September 1822: short stay in Kyôto. Nizaemon plays the roles of Oniwakamaru and Kiichi Hôgen in the drama "Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki", which is performed at the Minamigawa no Shibai. He also plays the role of Magoemon in "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai", sharing the stage with Arashi Tomisaburô II (Umegawa) and Ichikawa Danzô V (Kameya Chûbei).
November 1822: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays the roles of Matsuômaru, Kakuju and Shiratayû in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", which is performed at the Naka no Shibai. His stage partners are Arashi Kitsusaburô II, Arashi Koroku IV and Arashi Tomisaburô II.
January 1823: Nizaemon plays 2 roles in the same theater in "Keisei Shina Sadame". He also plays the role of Tawara Matatarô in "Sumiyoshi Hakkei".
March 1823: Nizaemon plays 3 roles in the same theater in "Katakiuchi Noriai Banashi".
November 1823: Nizaemon plays the role of Jûjibei in the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki", which is performed in the same theater. His stage partners are Arashi Kitsusaburô II, Nakamura Karoku I and Asao Gakujûrô. Nizaemon also plays the role of the God Daikokuten in "Naka ni Atatte Kogane no Kurairi".
January 1824: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto, performing at the Kitagawa no Shibai in the drama "Keisei Koi no Hikifune".
March 1824: Nizaemon performs in the same theater in "Tsukushi no Tsumagoto".
April 1824: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Adachi Tomonoshin in the drama "An'ei Roku".
May ~ June 1824: tour in Tsu in the company of Nakamura Karoku I and Asao Gakujûrô. Nizaemon plays in "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna", "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai", "Imoseyama Onna Teikin" and "Oriawase Tsuzure no Nishiki".
September ~ October 1824: tour in Nagoya with the same troupe. Nizaemon plays in "Akiba Gongen Kaisen Banashi" and "Kenmawashi Kuruwa no Daitsû" at the Wakamiya no Shibai.
February 1825: Nizaemon is back in Kyôto, playing the roles of Nippon Daemon and Tamashima Ittô in the drama "Akiba Gongen Kaisen Banashi" staged at the Minamigawa no Shibai.
May 1825: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka, playing in the dramas "Akiba Gongen Kaisen Banashi", "Yûzen Zome Zashiki Hakkei" and "Meisaku Kiriko no Akebono", which are produced at the Naka no Shibai by Arashi Kichinosuke.
June ~ July 1825: tour in Tsu in the company of Arashi Kitsusaburô II, Ichikawa Ebijûrô I, Sawamura Kunitarô II and Nakamura Karoku I. Nizaemon plays the roles of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane and Gotobei in the dramas "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki" and "Yoshitsune Koshigoejô". He also performs in "Kigokoro no Funabashi", "Meisaku Kiriko no Akebono" and "Hirakana Seisuiki".
July ~ August 1825: tour in Nagoya. Nizaemon plays the roles of Gotobei and the warrior Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the dramas "Yoshitsune Koshigoejô" and "Gempei Nunobiki no Taki", which are performed at the Tachibana no Shibai. He also plays the roles of En'ya Hangan, Teraoka Heiemon and Tonase in "Kanadehon Chûshingura" and 4 roles in "Igagoe Norikake Gappa".
January 1826: Nizaemon and a troupe of Kamigata actors including Arashi Shichigorô IV, Kataoka Matsusuke, Kiriyama Monji III and Arashi Kamenojô II settle in Edo and perform in the drama "Mitsu Ireko Soga no Kaomise", which is produced at the Kawarazakiza. Nizaemon's Edo stage partners are Ichikawa Danjûrô VII and Segawa Kikunojô V.
May 1826: Nizaemon gives a great demonstration of his talent in the same theater by performing several roles in the best scenes of the plays "Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi", "Sekitori Senryô Nobori", "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna", "Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki", "Oriawase Tsuzure no Nishiki", "Imoseyama Onna Teikin", "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi", "Yoshitsune Koshigoejô", "Ôtô-no-Miya Asahi no Yoroi", "Hirakana Seisuiki", "Shimpan Utasaimon" and "Kamagafuchi Futatsu Domoe".
June 1826: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Gotobei in "Yoshitsune Koshigoejô". He also plays the role of Sangobei in "Gozonji Godairiki", sharing the stage with Ichikawa Danjûrô VII (Gengobei) and Segawa Kikunojô V (Koman).
August 1826: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Teraoka Heiemon, Kakogawa Honzô and En'ya Hangan in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".
September 1826: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Shundo Jiroemon in the drama "Oriawase Tsuzure no Nishiki". He also plays the roles of Matsunaga Daizen and Yamaguchi Kurojirô in "Gion Sairei Shinkôki", sharing the stage with Segawa Kikunojô V (Princess Yuki) and Ichikawa Danjûrô VII (Tôkichi).
November 1826: Nizaemon plays in the same theater in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô".
January 1827: his rank in the Edo hyôbanki is shigoku-jô-jô-kichi (exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent). Nizaemon plays the roles of Gosho Gorômaru and Kudô Saemon at the Kawarazakiza in the drama "Ôichiza Soga no Shimadai", sharing the stage with Onoe Kikugorô III (Nagoya Sanza, Soga Jûrô), Ichikawa Danjûrô VII (Kagekiyo, Fuwa Banzaemon, Soga Gorô), Matsumoto Kôshirô V (Jigokudani no Oniô, Shôsuke, Seibei) and Iwai Hanshirô V (Akoya, Okuni, Muragumo). He also plays the role of Fukashichi in "Imoseyama Onna Teikin", which ends the program.
June 1827: premiere at the Kawarazakiza of Tsuruya Namboku IV's play "Hitori Tabi Gojûsan Tsugi", in which Nizaemon plays the role of Fujikawa Kandayû.
July 1827: Nizaemon moves to the Ichimuraza to play the roles of Kô no Moronô, Ono no Kudayû and Horibe Yajibei in "Kanadehon Chûshingura".
September 1827: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of the painter Tosa no Shôgen Mitsunobu in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's play "Keisei Hangonkô". His stage partners are Ichikawa Danjûrô VII (Matahei), Iwai Kumesaburô II (Otoku), Ichimura Uzaemon XII (Shurinosuke) and Bandô Hikosaburô IV (Utanosuke).
November 1827: Nizaemon is back at the Kawarazakiza and play 4 roles in the drama "Muro no Ume Hôgan Biiki".
January 1828: his rank in the Edo hyôbanki, jitsuaku section, is kô-goku-jô-jô-kichi (achieve - extreme - superior - superior - excellent).
February 1828: Nizaemon plays the role of Ôe no Onizura in the drama "Toki no Hana Date no Kikigaki", which is based on the "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" world and is staged at the Kawarazakiza. He also plays the role of Maboroshi Takeemon in the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki", which ends the program.
March 1828: Nizaemon plays the roles of Benkei and Kajiwara Kagetoki in the drama "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura", which is staged in the same theater.
May 1828: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Sawai Shirogorô in the drama "Igagoe Norikake Gappa".
June 1828: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Koshiji in "Honchô Nijûshikô". He also plays the role of Tebagawa Kichibei in "Sekitori Senryô Nobori".
December 1828: Nizaemon goes back to Kamigata.
January 1829: his rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki is shigoku-jô-jô-kichi (exceedingly - superior - superior - excellent). Nizaemon plays the roles of Akizuki Daizen and Masamune in the drama "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari", which is produced by his son Kataoka Shimamaru in Ôsaka at the Naka no Shibai. His stage partners are Arashi Rikan II, Fujikawa Tomokichi II, Ôtani Tomoemon II, Ichikawa Sukejûrô III and Bandô Jutarô I.
March 1829: Nizaemon plays in the same theater in "Keisei Yanagi Zakura".
April 1829: Nizaemon and the troupe performing at the Naka no Shibai move to Kyôto in order to play in "Keisei Yanagi Zakura" at the Kitagawa no Shibai.
May 1829: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Gotobei in "Yoshitsune Koshigoejô". The role of Izumi no Saburô is played by Arashi Rikan II. Nizaemon also plays the role of Shôya Shichirobei in "Go Taiheiki Shiraishi Banashi".
July 1829: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and replay the role of Shôya Shichirobei in the drama "Go Taiheiki Shiraishi Banashi", which is produced by Nakamura Umematsu at the Kado no Shibai. He also plays the roles of Senoo Jûrô Kaneuji and Kizu Kampei in the dramas "Gempei Nunobiki no Taki" and "Kizugawa Hakkei".
September 1829: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of the painter Tosa no Shôgen Mitsunobu in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's play "Keisei Hangonkô". His stage partners are Nakamura Utaemon III (Matahei), Nakamura Matsue III (Otoku) and Arashi Rikan II (Utanosuke). The troupe plays also in the drama "Matsushita Kaheiji Renga Hyôban". The same program is performed with the same casting in November at the Kitagawa no Shibai in Kyôto.
January 1830: his rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki is murui (literally "unequaled"). He shares the same rank with 2 others stars: Nakamura Utaemon III and Matsumoto Kôshirô V. Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka in order to play with Matsumoto Kôshirô V, Nakamura Utaemon III, Ichikawa Hakuen II, Arashi Rikan II and Nakamura Matsue III in the dramas "Keisei Setsugekka" and "Keisei Fukamagafuchi", which are staged at the Kado no Shibai.
March 1830: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Ono Kudayû and Amakawaya Gihei in the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura". He also plays in the dramas "Mitsugumi Homare no Kagekiyo" and "Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba".
April 1830: Nizaemon plays in the same theater in the dramas "Ôtô-no-Miya Asahi no Yoroi" and "Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba".
August 1830: Nizaemon and all the actors of the Kado no Shibai move to the Naka no Shibai. They perform in "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi" and "Seishû Akogi-ga-Ura".
September 1830: the troupe is back at the Kado no Shibai and performs in the drama "Ashiya Dôman Ôuchi Kagami".
October 1830: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Yazaemon in the "Sushiya" scene of "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura".
November 1830: Nizaemon settles in Kyôto. He plays the roles of Shiratayû and Fujiwara no Shihei in the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", which is performed at the Kitagawa no Shibai. He also plays the role of Yazaemon in the "Sushiya" scene of "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura", which ends the program.
January 1831: Nizaemon's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki is rôkô murui (literally "unequaled veteran"). He's back in Ôsaka and plays 2 roles in "Keisei Sato no Odamaki", which is produced by Arashi Tokusaburô III at the Kado no Shibai, sharing the stage with Onoe Kikugorô III, Arashi Rikan II and Asao Gakujûrô. He also plays the role of Uesugi Shirobei in "Azuma Miyage Inazuma Zôshi".
February 1831: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Eirakuya in "Sumidagawa Gonichi no Omokage".
March ~ May 1831: tour in Ise in the company of Bandô Hikosaburô IV, Arashi Rikan II, Arashi Tokusaburô III, Fujikawa Tomokichi II, Nakayama Nanshi II and Arashi Sangorô IV. Nizaemon plays in the drama "Ise Monogatari", "Sumidagawa Gonichi no Omokage", "Gempei Nunobiki no Taki" and "Satomi Isuke". He plays also for the last time the role of Gotobei in the drama "Yoshitsune Koshigoejô" at the Naka-no-Jizô Shibai.
July 1831: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays the role of Hojo no Tokimasa in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata", which is produced by Arashi Tokusaburô III at the Kado no Shibai. He also plays the roles of Shinjûrô and Hansai in "Meisaku Kiriko no Akebono" and "Katsuragawa Renri no Shigarami" (the latter play replacing in the program the former which was not successful).
September 1831: Nizaemon plays the roles of Daitôji Nisaku and Tashiro Sagosaemon in the drama "Chûkô Homare no Futamichi", which is staged in the same theater.
November 1831: the Kado no Shibai troupe moves to Kyôto. Nizaemon plays the roles of Kakogawa Honzô and Ishidô Umanojô in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which is produced at the Kitagawa no Shibai.
January 1832: Nizaemon's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki is murui-rôkô-jô-jô-kichi (unequaled veteran - superior - superior - excellent. He's back in Ôsaka and plays the roles of Kasahara Shinsaburô, the peasant Shichisuke and Katô Kiyomasa in the drama "Katakiuchi Nitô Eiyûki", which is produced by Arashi Kitsunosuke at the Ônishi no Shibai.
March 1832: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the roles of Otama and Yuminosuke in the drama "Tsukushi no Tsumagoto Asagao Nikki".
May 1832: Nizaemon plays in the same theater the role of Tsuribune Sabu in the drama "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami". His stage partners are Arashi Rikan II (Danshichi Kurobei) and Iwai Shijaku I (Issun Tokubei). He also plays in "Yoshiwara Saiken no Zu".
June 1832: tour in the province of Hyôgô. Nizaemon plays among others the roles of Enju and Gonshirô in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki".
August 1832: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka and plays in the drama "Ehon Tengajaya-Mura", which is produced by Arashi Takejirô at the Naka no Shibai.
May 1834: Nizaemon plays at the Naka no Shibai the role of Enju in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki".
January 1836: premiere at the Naka no Shibai of Nishizawa Ippô's drama "Hana no Ani Tsubomi no Yatsufusa" Nizaemon plays the role of Yamanouchi Akisada [casting].
November 1836: Nizaemon appears on stage for the last time, playing the role of Yasojima no Tsubone in the drama "Hachijin Shugo no Honjô", which is performed in Kyôto at the Minamigawa no Shibai.
Spring 1837: Nizaemon is back in Ôsaka. He is supposed to play at the Kado no Shibai but he falls seriously ill and dies in March. His tombstone is located in the precinct of the Yakuôji temple (Ôsaka).
Comments:
Kataoka Nizaemon VII was an outstanding tachiyaku actor and a leading star for the Kamigata Kabuki at the end of the eighteenth and the first half of the nineteenth centuries. He toured a lot in the Nagoya area and spent several long stays in Edo, where his talent was appreciated as much as it was in Ôsaka or Kyôto.
His forte were the katakiyaku, jitsugotoshi and oyajigata roles. He was also a good onnagata, especially in the role of Shigenoi in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".
His best roles: Yokozô ("Honchô Nijûshikô"), Higuchi Jirô Kanemitsu ("Hirakana Seisuiki"), Shigenoi ("Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna"), Gotobei ("Yoshitsune Koshigoejô") and Matsuômaru/Kakuju/Shiratayû ("Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami").
Kataoka Nizaemon VII in the drama "Gion Sairei Shinkôki", which was performed in May 1816 in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai
Print made by Katsukawa Shunkô
Print made by Utagawa Toyokuni in 1796
Print made by Shunkôsai Hokushû in 1814
Print made by Shunkôsai Hokushû in 1820
The Kataoka Nizaemon line of actors