Stage names:
Arashi San'emon VI
Arashi Matsujirô I
Guild: Yoshidaya
Line number: ROKUDAIME (VI)
Poetry names: Ranshi, Bunsha
Existence: 1760 ~ 26 August 1785
Connection:
Masters: Arashi Hinasuke I, Arashi San'emon V/Arashi Sanjûrô II (???)*Career:
1760 ~ 1773: according to the book "Kabuki Jinmei Jiten", he starts his career as a disciple Arashi Sanjûrô II* who gives him the name of Arashi Matsujirô I and trains him as a wakashugata. Later on, he joins Arashi Hinasuke I at an unknown date.
November 1773: Matsujirô becomes zamoto and produces the kaomise drama "Itari Yaitari Mukadeyama" at the Naka no Shibai.
May 1774: Matsujirô produces in the same theater the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata". He also becomes wakaonnagata.
August 1774: Matsujirô produces in the same theater the drama "Katakiuchi Ganryûjima".
September 1774: Matsujirô produces in the same theater the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".
November 1774: Matsujirô produces in the same theater the drama "Gosho Zakura Horikawa no Youchi".
January 1775: Matsujirô produces in the same theater the drama "Kumetono Aiaigasa".
April 1775: Matsujirô produces in the same theater the drama "Hana Kurabe Ise Monogatari".
July 1775: Matsujirô produces in the same theater the drama "Otokodate Itsutsu Karigane".
November 1777: Matsujirô plays at the Kado no Shibai the role of Princess Yachiyo in the kaomise drama "Ôiri Kabuki no Tsuitachi", which is produced by Ogawa Kichitarô I.
November 1778: Matsujirô achieves a great success at the Kado no Shibai by playing the role of female fox Kojorô in the kaomise drama "Gempei Tatoezukushi", which is produced by Ogawa Kichitarô I.
January 1779: Matsujirô's rank in the Ôsaka hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, is jô-jô (superior - superior).
September 1779: Arashi Matsujirô I takes the name of Arashi San'emon VI, dancing in duo with his master in the shosagoto "Ôtsue no Shosagoto".
Fall 1779: San'emon and his master go to Kyôto.
November 1779: San'emon plays in the kaomise drama "Kaikei Kikkegawara", which is produced in Kyôto by Somematsu Shichisaburô II.
January 1780: Matsujirô's rank in the Kyôto hyôbanki, wakaonnagata section, is jô-jô (superior - superior).
June 1781: tour in the Kishû province with his master Arashi Hinasuke I.
September 1781: San'emon plays the role of Ofude in the epic drama "Hirakana Seisuiki", which is produced par Yamashita Yaozô I at the Kitagawa no Shibai. His stage partners are Arashi Hinasuke I (Kajiwara Heiji Kagetaka, Matsuemon, Higuchi no Jirô Kanemitsu), Onoe Kikugorô I (Enju, Shigetada), Arashi Sangorô II (Kajiwara Genta Kagesue), Sawamura Kunitarô I (Chidori), Shibazaki Rinzaemon II (Takatsuna, Gonshirô) and Anegawa Minato II (Oyoshi).
January 1784: premiere at the Naka no Shibai of Namiki Gohei's drama "Keisei Yamato Zôshi"; San'emon plays the roles of the keisei Konohana and the koshimoto Matsugae [casting].
August 1785: San'emon appears on stage for the last time, playing the roles of Asagiku and Okabei's sister in the drama "Gokusaishiki Musume Ôgi", which is produced by Arashi Tanin in Ôsaka at the Wakadayû no Shibai.
Comments:
Arashi San'emon VI was a promising wakaonnagata actor, who had a good potential but unfortunately died too young, before reaching the peak of his art. He spent his short career only in Kamigata theaters, excelling in Princess and Maiden roles.
(*) We believe that his master was Arashi Koroku I (the future Arashi San'emon V), not Arashi Sanjûrô II because the latter actor died in 1750, 10 years before the birth of the future Arashi San'emon VI.
Arashi San'emon VI as depicted in the book "Santo Yakusha Omokage Zukushi" published in Ôsaka in 1784 by Yamatoya Kaemon
The Arashi San'emon line of actors
