Stage names:
Ôtani Tomoemon I
Ôtani Tomosaburô
Takeda Tomosaburô
Guilds: Yamashinaya, Ôsakaya
Line number: SHODAI (I)
Poetry name: Shiyû
Existence: 1744 ~ 16 August 1781
Connections:
Master: Ôtani Hirohachi I
Disciple: Ôtani Kuniji II, Ôtani Daihachi
Career:
1744: born in Ôsaka.
1763: he becomes disciple of the actor Ôtani Hirohachi I and receives the name of Ôtani Tomosaburô.
November 1765: Ôtani Tomosaburô takes the name of Ôtani Tomoemon I in Kyôto, playing in the kaomise drama "Kachidoki Asahi no Ôgi", which is produced by Ichiyama Sukegorô II and Yamashita Kyônosuke at the Minamigawa no Shibai.
January 1767: Tomoemon's rank in the Kyôto hyôbanki, katakiyaku section, is jô-jô (superior - superior).
Fall 1769: Tomoemon goes to Edo.
November 1769: Tomoemon plays the role of Kasuya Tôta Arisue in the kaomise drama "Mutsu no Hana Ume no Kaomise", which is staged at the Ichimuraza.
January 1772: Tomoemon achieves a great success at the Ichimuraza by playing the roles of Sukune Tarô and Shiratayû in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".
November 1772: Tomoemon moves to the Nakamuraza, becomes jitsuaku and plays in the kaomise drama "Ôyoroi Ebidô Shinozuka", which celebrates the shûmei of Ichikawa Ebizô III, Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and Ichikawa Komazô III.
January 1773: Tomoemon's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, jitsuaku section, is jô-jô-(shiro)kichi (superior - superior - (white) excellent).
July 1778: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the play "Date Kurabe Okuni Kabuki"; Tomoemon plays the roles of Watanabe Rinzaemon and Kurosawa Kanzô [casting].
July 1781: Tomoemon appears on stage for the last time, at the Ichimuraza, playing the role of Uzura Gombei in the drama "Muromachi Dono Eiga Butai". He falls suddenly ill and dies in August.
Comments:
Ôtani Tomoemon I was a good jitsuaku and in his latter years oyajigata. He was also a talented shamisen player.
Ôtani Tomoemon I in a print made by Katsukawa Shunshô
Print made by Katsukawa Shunshô
Print made by Katsukawa Shunshô
The Ôtani Tomoemon line of actors