Stage names:

Nakamura Shikan III
Nakamura Tsurusuke II
Nakamura Komanosuke I
Nakamura Saizô

Guild: Kagaya

Line number: SANDAIME (III)

Poetry name: Gangyoku

Existence: 1810 ~ 2 November 1847

Connections:

Grandfather: Nakamura Tôzô I

Father: Nakamura Tôzô II

Adopted father: Nakamura Utaemon III

Father-in-law: Nakamura Hashinosuke I

Adopted brother: Nakamura Utaemon IV

Sons: Nakamura Tamashichi I, Nakamura Tsurusuke V

Career:

Summer 1815: he makes his first appearance on stage in Edo at the Nakamuraza, receiving the name of Nakamura Saizô and playing the role of a monkey in the dance "Kotobuki Utsubo Zaru".

September 1818: Saizô is adopted by his grandfather Nakamura Utaemon III and takes the name of Nakamura Komanosuke I at the Nakamuraza, playing in the drama "Taiheiki Chûshin Kôshaku".

Fall 1819: Komanosuke and Nakamura Utaemon III go back together to Ôsaka.

November 1825: Nakamura Tsurusuke I and Nakamura Komanosuke I respectively take the names of Nakamura Shikan II and Nakamura Tsurusuke II.

January 1836: Nakamura Shikan II and Nakamura Tsurusuke II respectively take the names of Nakamura Utaemon IV and Nakamura Shikan III in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai. The new Shikan plays the roles of Yoshirô and Shizuma in the dramas "Keisei Haru no Tori" and "Igagoe Dôchû Sugoroku".

January 1840: Shikan's rank in the Kyôto hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is jô-jô-(shiro)kichi (superior - superior - (white) excellent).

June 1840: Shikan plays the role of Tanzaemon Motoyasu at the Sakai Shinchi no Shibai (Ôsaka) in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Heike Nyogo-ga-Shima". His stage partners are Fujikawa Kayû III (Chidori), Arashi Rikaku II (Naritsune), Ichikawa Danzô V (Shunkan) and Nakamura Rankurô (Senoo Tarô).

November 1843: Shikan plays at the Chikugo no Shibai the role of the fox Genkurô in the "Yoshinoyama" and "Shi-no-Kiri"scenes of the classic "Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura", which is produced by Ichikawa Suketarô. The roles of Shizuka Gozen and Yoshitsune are played by Arashi Rikaku II and Mimasu Tanin IV.

March 1845: Shikan plays at the Chikugo no Shibai the role of Hayase Iori in the drama "Ehon Tengajaya-Mura". His stage partners are Nakamura Shibazô I (Motoemon), Arashi Rikaku II (Yasuke), Sawamura Kitô (Somenoi) and Kataoka Ichizô I (Tôma Saburôemon).

October 1846: Shikan plays at the Chikugo no Shibai the role of Hiranoya Tokubei in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Sonezaki Shinjû"; The role of the courtesan Temmaya Ohatsu is played by Sawamura Kijaku.

May 1847: Shikan plays at the Ônishi no Shibai the prestigious roles of Watônai and Danshichi Kurobei in the dramas "Kokusen'ya Gassen" and "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami".

October 1847: Shikan appears on stage for the last time, at the Ônishi no Shibai, playing the roles of Yosaku, the yakko Ippei, Hachizô's wife and the sumô wrestler Tetsugadake in the drama "Tôkaidô Koi no Sekifuda".

Comments:

Nakamura Shikan III was a kaneru yakusha, who started in Edo but spent most of his career in the Kamigata theaters. he was popular and talented but unfortunately died too early at the age of 37.

It is said that, during the tough sumptuary laws of the last years of the Tenpô era, he was held up as a good example by the authorities because of his very modest way of life and his hard-working character.

Nakamura Shikan III in a print made by Utagawa Hirosada in 1841

Print made by Utagawa Sadamasu in 1837

The Nakamura Shikan line of actors