Stage names:
Sawamura Tanosuke VI
Sawamura Yoshijirô IV
Real name: Yamanaka Muneo
Guild: Kinokuniya
Line number: ROKUDAIME (VI)
Birthday: 4 August 1932
Connections:
Father: Sawamura Shozan V
Brothers: Sawamura Yoshijirô V, Sawamura Rokurô II
Career:
March 1941: he makes his first appearance on stage at the Kabukiza, receiving the name of Sawamura Yoshijirô IV and playing the role of Tsuruchiyo in "Meiboku Sendai Hagi".
January 1954: revival at the Shimbashi Embujô of the Nagauta-based dance "Taimen Hana no Harukoma", which is titled "Ataru Toshi Iwau Harukoma"; Yoshijirô plays the role of the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô [casting].
January 1964: revival at the Nissay Theatre of Tsuruya Namboku IV's spectacular drama "Kin no Zai Sarushima Dairi"; Yoshijirô plays the role of Taira Masakado's sister Princess Nanaaya [casting].
April 1964: Sawamura Yoshijirô IV and his father Sawamura Tanosuke V respectively take the names of Sawamura Tanosuke VI and Sawamura Shozan V at the Kabukiza. The new Tanosuke plays in the dramas "Yaguchi no Watashi", "Kanadehon Chûshingura" (ninth act) and "Yoritomo no Shi".
May 1973: revival at the National Theatre of Chikamatsu Monzaemon I's drama "Horikawa Nami no Tsuzumi" to commemorate the 249th anniversary (250th memorial service) of the playwright; Tanosuke plays the role of Gen'emon's wife Kikuno [casting].
September 1978: revival at the National Theatre of Namiki Gohei I's drama "Suda no Haru Geisha Katagi"; Tanosuke plays the role of Koume [casting].
August 1979: revival at the National Theatre Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kanzen Chôaku Nozoki Garakuri"; Tanosuke plays the roles of Fujikake Dôjûrô and the courtesan Chôjiya Sayoginu [casting].
April 1986: Kabuki tour in South America [more details].
1988: tour in South Korea.
1995: tour in South-East Asia.
January 1999: revival at the National Theatre of Kawatake Mokuami's zangirimono "Irogoyomi Gen'yadana"; Tanosuke plays the role of Seikichi [casting].
January 2002: revival at the National Theatre of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Koharu Nagi Okitsu Shiranami", which has not been played in its full length since November 1864; Tanosuke plays the roles of the courtesan Miyuki and the samurai Tsukimoto Enshû [casting].
June 2002: Tanosuke receives the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).
Comments:
Sawamura Tanosuke VI is an outstanding supporting onnagata and nimaime belonging to the Kinokuniya guild, who is particularly excellent in the roles of shrews and nuns. One of his best roles is Keijuin in the drama "Kinkakuji".
Sawamura Tanosuke VI playing the role of Onaka in the drama "Megumi no Kenka" in an illustration made by Sugimura Yoshikazu (1962~1998)
The Sawamura Yoshijirô line of actors
The Sawamura Tanosuke line of actors
