Other name:
Ôtani Bajû I
Guilds: Maruya, Tamuraya
Line number: SHODAI (I)
Poetry names: Bajû, Tochô
Existence: 1756 ~ 17 July 1808
Connection:
Father: Takemoto Shigetayû
Master: Ôtani Hiroji III
Career:
Spring 1770: he starts his career as a disciple of Ôtani Hiroji III, who gives him the name of Ôtani Tokuji I.
September 1777: Tokuji becomes dôkegata at the Nakamuraza, playing the role of Yurugi Umanosuke in the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna".
March 1782: Tokuji goes to Kamigata.
May 1783: Tokuji goes to Edo.
January 1792: Tokuji's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, dôkegata section, is jô-jô-(shiro)kichi (superior - superior - (white) excellent).
September 1796: the play "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi" is staged for the first time in Edo, simultaneously at the Kiriza and the Miyakoza; Tokuji plays the role of the yakko Sagohei in the latter theater [casting].
11 May 1802: his master Ôtani Hiroji III dies.
June 1802: the drama "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami" is produced for the first time at the Kawarazakiza; Tokuji plays the role of Tsuribune Sabu [casting].
January 1803: Tokuji goes to Ôsaka. He plays at the Naka no Shibai the roles of the house-owner Tasuke and the priest Tsuji Hôin in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki", which is produced by Anegawa Kumajirô.
November 1803: Tokuji plays at the Kado no Shibai the role of kannushi Tokudayû in the kaomise drama "Hatsu Yagura Kogane no Manmaku", which is produced by Nakamura Noshio III. The troupe moves to the Kita-Shinchi Shibai in December to perform the same program for 10 days.
January 1804: Tokuji's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, dôkegata section, falls to jô-jô-(shiro)hankichi (superior - superior - (white) half excellent).
November 1806: Tokuji plays at the Minamigawa no Shibai two roles in the drama "Futatsu Mon Sato no Nishikie".
17 July 1808: Tokuji dies. His tombstone is located in Ôsaka in the Saishôji Temple.
Comments:
Ôtani Tokuji I was a talented Edo dôkegata, who was as popular as Arashi Otohachi II. He ended his career in Kamigata, where he was not as successful as he used to be in Edo. He opened and manage a shop in the district of Setomono-chô, which sold rice crackers in the shape of actors faces.
Ôtani Tokuji I playing the role of the yakko Sodesuke in the drama "Hana Ayame Bunroku Soga", whose plot and characters belong to the "Kameyama no Adauchi" world and which was staged in May 1794 in Edo at the Miyakoza (print made by Tôshûsai Sharaku)