Stage names:
Seki Sanjûrô IV
Ichikawa Yaozô VI
Seki Hanasuke I
Other name: Ichikawa Chûsha VI
Real name: Seki Kihei
Guild: Owariya
Poetry names: Chûsha (6), Kijaku, Kazan
Line number: YODAIME (IV)
Existence: 1835 ~ 10 July 1889
Connection:
Adopted father: Seki Sanjûrô III
Son: Seki Sanjûrô V
Career:
March 1862: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Aoto Zôshi Hana no Nishikie" (commonly called "Shiranami Gonin Otoko"); Hanasuke plays the role of Sônosuke [casting].
January 1863: Seki Hanasuke I takes the name of Ichikawa Yaozô VI at the Nakamuraza, playing the roles of Danzaburô, Kinuya Yaichi, Sukeichi and the otokodate Mamushi no Jirokichi in the drama "Tamakushige Akebono Soga".
September 1865: Yaozô performs at the Nakamuraza in the dances "Kadomatsu" [print], "Tsuri Gitsune", "Saruwaka" and "Shimbochi Taiko".
December 1870: his adopted father Seki Sanjûrô III dies.
March 1873: Ichikawa Yaozô VI takes the name of Seki Sanjûrô IV at the Murayamaza, playing 3 roles in the drama "Taiko no Oto Chiyû Sanryaku" and the role of Gengo in the drama "Wakaidori Kasamatsu Tôge". He also performs in the dance "Yanagi ni Kaze Fukiya no Itosuji", which mixes Tomimoto, Kiyomoto and Gidayû musical ensembles. His stage partners are Kawarazaki Gonnosuke VII, Onoe Kikugorô V, Bandô Kakitsu I, Nakamura Tokizô I, Bandô Mitsugorô VI, Ichikawa Monnosuke V, Kawarazaki Kunitarô II, Yamazaki Ennosuke, Onoe Kikunosuke II and Nakamura Karoku II (who celebrates also his shûmei).
February 1886: Sanjûrô plays the role of Senoo Tarô at the Ichimuraza in the drama "Heike Nyogo-ga-Shima". His stage partners are Nakamura Fukusuke IV (Chidori), Nakamura Shikan IV (Shunkan) and Kataoka Gadô III (Tanzaemon Motoyasu).
April 1886: Sanjûrô appears on stage for the last time in Tôkyô, at the Ichimuraza, playing the roles of Sudahei and Nishikito in the drama "Shin Kiyomizu Hana no Goshozome".
1886 ~ 1889: Sanjûrô is either on sick leave or on tour.
10 July 1889: he dies in the city of Mito.
Comments:
Seki Sanjûrô IV was a good tachiyaku actor, able to play in either jidaimono or sewamono dramas. His field of excellence was jitsuaku.
Seki Sanjûrô IV playing the role of Baba Mino-no-Kami in the drama "Taiko no Oto Chiyû Sanryaku", which was staged in March 1873 at the Murayamaza (print made by Toyohara Kunichika)
Print made by Utagawa Yoshitsuya in 1862
Print made by Utagawa Kunisada in 1865
Print made by Toyohara Kunichika in 1873
The Ichikawa Chûsha line of actors
The Seki Hanasuke line of actors
The Ichikawa Yaozô line of actors
The Seki Sanjûrô line of actors