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".

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 Theater of Chikamatsu Monzaemon'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 Theater of Namiki Gohei I's drama "Suda no Haru Geisha Katagi"; Tanosuke plays the role of Koume [casting].

1986: tour in South America.

1988: tour in South Korea.

1995: tour in South-East Asia.

January 1999: revival at the National Theater of Kawatake Mokuami's zangirimono "Irogoyomi Gen'yadana"; Tanosuke plays the role of Seikichi [casting].

January 2002: revival at the National Theater of Kawatake Mokuami'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)