Line number: SHODAI (I)
Existence: 1644 ~ 19 October 1711
Connection: ???
Career:
1690: Tarôji becomes kashagata and performs in Kyôto in the drama "Kanaoka-ga-Fude".
January 1698: Tarôji's rank in the Kyôto hyôbanki, kashagata section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
Fall 1699: Tarôji goes to Ôsaka.
November 1699: Tarôji plays in Ôsaka in the drama "Daimyô Takara no Fukubiki", which is produced by Takeshima Kôjûrô.
January 1700: Tarôji's rank in the Ôsaka hyôbanki, kashagata section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
Fall 1700: Tarôji goes back to Kyôto.
November 1700: Tarôji plays in Kyôto in the drama "Daiichi Daiman".
January 1704: Tarôji goes to Edo and plays at the Yamamuraza in the new year drama "Genji Aioi Jûnidan"; his stage partners are Miyazaki Denkichi, Ogawa Zengorô I, Ôtani Hiroemon I, Bandô Matatarô I, Sawamura Kodenji I, Tomizawa Hanzaburô I, Katsuyama Matagorô, Murayama Heiemon III, Shinomiya Gempachi and Mizuki Tominosuke.
November 1706: Tarôji plays at the Yamamuraza in the kaomise drama "Kaeribana Buyû Kagami", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Takeshima Kôzaemon I.
November 1710: Tarôji plays at the Yamamuraza in the kaomise drama "Jinriki Teika Azuma Asobi", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Arashi Kiyosaburô I. The others main stage partners are Ichikawa Danjûrô II, Ôtani Hiroji I, Ikushima Shingorô, Ôtani Hiroemon I, Asao Jûjirô and Sakurayama Shirosaburô I.
January 1711: Tarôji plays in the same theater the role of the mother of the Soga brothers in the new year sogamono "Yunzei Yomeiri Soga"; his stage partners in the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are Ichikawa Danjûrô II and Ikushima Shingorô.
19 October 1711: Tarôji dies in Edo.
Comments:
Kokan Tarôji I was one of the most famous kashagata actors in Kabuki history. He was born and trained in Kyôto and achieved fame for himself in Kamigata. He spent the last years of his career in Edo, as a mainstay of the Yamamuraza.
Kokan Tarôji I