ICHIMURA UZAEMON XV

Stage names:

Ichimura Uzaemon XV In Japanese
Ichimura Kakitsu VI In Japanese
Bandô Takematsu In Japanese

Other name:

Bandô Kakitsu II In Japanese

Real name: Ichimura Rokutarô

Guild: Tachibanaya

Line number: JÛGODAIME (XV)

Existence: 1874 ~ 6 May 1945

Connections:

Adoptive father: Ichimura Uzaemon XIV (Bandô Kakitsu I)

Son: Ichimura Uzaemon XVI

Adopted sons: Ichimura Kamezô III, Ichimura Yoshigorô II

Disciples: Bandô Muraemon II, Azuma Ichinojô II, Bandô Usaburô, Bandô Kitsunosuke

Career:

1874: born in Hongô in the district of Tenjin-chô. His father was most likely a blue-blooded Frenchman. He was adopted by Ichimura Uzaemon XIV, who gave him the name of Ichimura Rokutarô.

January 1881: he made his first appearance on stage, in Tôkyô at the Shintomiza, where he received the name of Bandô Takematsu .

November 1881: premiere at the Shintomiza of Kawatake Mokuami's zangirimono drama "Shima Chidori Tsuki no Shiranami"; Takematsu played the role of the Akashiya decchi Santa [casting].

November 1883: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Zôho Tenjiku Tokubê", a revision of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's "Tenjiku Tokubê Ikoku Banashi"; Takematsu played the role of Kakuzô's son Minomatsu [casting].

January 1885: two dances were staged at the Chitoseza, about to reopen in February 1885 with a new name. From the 4th to the 7th of January, two auspicious dances and a kôjô with the troupe led by Ichikawa Danjûrô IX were staged. The sanbasô was staged with Ichikawa Sadanji I (Okina), Bandô Kakitsu I (Senzai) and Onoe Kikugorô V (Sanbasô). This was also the premiere of the Nagauta-based dance-drama "Tsuru Kame"; Kakitsu played the role of the Crane [more details].

November 1885: premiere at the Chitoseza of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Shisen Ryô Koban no Ume-no-Ha"; Takematsu played the role of Mandô no Mannosuke (a member of the Chitose kôjû) [more details].

18 March 1893: his adoptive father Bandô Kakitsu I died.

July 1893: Bandô Takematsu took the name of Ichimura Kakitsu VI [1] at the Kabukiza, playing the roles of the musume Okiwa and Shundô Shinshichi in the dance-drama "Haru Na no Ume Kaoru Uchiwae" and the drama "Daianji Zutsumi".

November 1897: Kakitsu played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Nakamura Umesaburô.

January 1898: premiere at the Miyatoza of Segawa Jokô IV's drama "Shinsaku Yakko no Koman"; Kakitsu played the role of Kakei Kotarô [more details].

May 1898: premiere at the Kabukiza of Kawatake Shinshichi III's drama "Edo Sodachi Omatsuri Sashichi"; Kakitsu played the role of Mi no Sankichi [casting].

September 1898: Kakitsu played at the Miyatoza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

July 1899: Kakitsu played at the Miyatoza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata" (first performance in this role).

January 1900: premiere at the Kabukiza of Kawatake Shinshichi III's dance-drama "Yami no Ume Hyaku Monogatari"; Kakitsu played the role of a tanuki [more details].

June 1900: Kakitsu played at the Tôkyôza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

July 1900: Kakitsu played at the Kabukiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Eizaburô V.

September 1900: Kakitsu played at the Miyatoza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

March 1901: Kakitsu played at the Miyatoza the role of Fujiya Izaemon in the drama "Kuruwa Bunshô"; the role of Ôgiya Yûgiri was played by Iwai Matsunosuke IV.

July 1902: Kakitsu played at the Kabukiza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

October 1902: premiere at the Kabukiza of Enokido Kenji's drama "Ninjô Banashi Bunshichi Mottoi"; Kakitsu played the role of the Izumiya tedai Bunshichi [casting].

August 1903: Kakitsu played at the Kadoza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Nakamura Shikan V.

October 1903: Ichimura Kakitsu VI took the name of Ichimura Uzaemon XV at the Kabukiza, performing in "Matsu no Sakae Chiyoda no Shintoku", "Funa Benkei" [2] and "Koharu-doki Kabuki no Nigiwai".

November 1903: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Fujiya Izaemon in the drama "Kuruwa Bunshô"; the role of Ôgiya Yûgiri was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

June 1904: premiere at the Kabukiza of the drama "Meiboku Kasane Monogatari"; Uzaemon played the role of Princess Utakata [casting].

May 1905: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

September 1905: Uzaemon played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

May 1906: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the roles of Agemaki, Shinbê and Ikyû were played by Onoe Baikô VI, Ichikawa Komazô VIII and Ichikawa Yaozô VII.

July 1906: Uzaemon played at the Ichimuraza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

November 1908: revival at the Kabukiza of the Kabuki Jûhachiban drama "Kagekiyo"; Uzaemon played the role of Nitan no Shirô Tadatsune [casting].

May 1909: Uzaemon played at the Kadoza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

January 1910: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

April 1910: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Yuki no Yûbe Iriya no Azemichi", a few scenes taken from "Kumo ni Magou Ueno no Hatsuhana" focusing on Kataoka Naojirô and his lover Michitose and staged independently from the rest of the play; Uzaemon played the role of Kataoka Naojirô [casting].

May 1911: premiere at the Meijiza of the Okamoto Kidô's drama "Shuzenji Monogatari"; Uzaemon played the role of Minamoto no Yoriie [casting].

November 1911: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

February 1913: Uzaemon played at the Kyôtoza (Kyôto) the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

June 1914: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

April 1915: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the roles of Agemaki, Shinbê and Ikyû were played by Nakamura Utaemon V, Jitsukawa Enjirô I and Ichikawa Yaozô VII.

September 1916: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata". He also played the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

May 1917: Uzaemon played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata". He also played the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

September 1917: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Ôboshi Rikiya in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura"; the role of Ôboshi Yuranosuke was played by Ichikawa Yaozô VII.

February 1919: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Na-mo Tachibana Homare no Ishikiri".

December 1920: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

April 1921: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the roles of Hayano Kanpei and En'ya Hangan in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

June 1921: Uzaemon played at the Imperial Theater the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Na-mo Tachibana Homare no Ishikiri".

May 1922: Uzaemon played at the Shintomiza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

June 1922: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the roles of Hayano Kanpei and Teraoka Heiemon in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

December 1922: Uzaemon played at the Yokohamaza (Yokohama) the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

February 1923: Uzaemon played at the Shintomiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

June 1923: Uzaemon played at the Imperial Theater the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

February 1924: Uzaemon played at the Nakaza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

March 1924: Uzaemon played at the Nakaza the roles of Hayano Kanpei and En'ya Hangan in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

September 1924: Uzaemon played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

February 1925: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the roles of Agemaki, Shinbê and Ikyû were played by Onoe Baikô VI, Sawamura Sôjûrô VII and Matsumoto Kôshirô VII.

April 1925: Uzaemon played at the Imperial Theater the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

October 1925: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

May 1926: Uzaemon and Onoe Baikô VI financed the building of a mound and the erection of a commemorative stone dedicated to Kasane, the heroine of many kasanemono, in the precinct of the Yûtenji temple in the district of Meguro (Tôkyô). This stone was called Kasanezuka and it was a custom for actors about to perform the role of Kasane to go there and pray in order to avoid any malicious trick from the ghost of Kasane during their performance.

July 1926: premiere at the Kabukiza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Gonza to Sukejû"; Uzaemon played the role of Gonza [casting].

January 1927: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Mashiba Hisayoshi in the drama "Sanmon"; the role of Ishikawa Goemon was played by Ichikawa Chûsha VII.

June 1927: Uzaemon played at the Imperial Theater the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

July 1927: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Shunshoku Ume Goyomi", an adaptation to Kabuki by the playwright Kimura Kinka of Tamenaga Shunsui's 1833 novel; Uzaemon played the role of Karakotoya Tanjirô [casting].

December 1927: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Na-mo Tachibana Homare no Ishikiri".

March 1928: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

November 1928: premiere at the Kabukiza of Oka Onitarô's dance-drama "Kakuju Senzai"; Uzaemon played the role of a young samurai, later a male crane [more details]. Uzaemon also played the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Ichikawa Shôchô II.

January 1929: Uzaemon played at the Imperial Theater the role of Konoshita Tôkichi in the drama "Gion Sairei Shinkôki"; the roles of Matsunaga Daizen and Princess Yuki were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII.

March 1929: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the roles of Agemaki, Shinbê and Ikyû were played by Onoe Baikô VI, Sawamura Sôjûrô VII and Matsumoto Kôshirô VII.

November 1929: revival at the Kabukiza of the Kabuki Jûhachiban drama "Kan U"; Uzaemon played the role of Hatakeyama no Shigetada, later the Chinese general Chô Hi [casting].

January 1930: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII.

February 1930: Uzaemon played at the Meijiza the role of Matsuômaru in the "Kurumabiki" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Onoe Kikugorô VI (Umeômaru), Sawamura Sôjûrô VII (Sakuramaru) and Onoe Kôzô II (Shihei).

July 1930: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

January 1931: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Fujiya Izaemon in the drama "Kuruwa Bunshô"; the role of Ôgiya Yûgiri was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

March 1931: Uzaemon played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of Hosokawa Katsumoto in the drama "Meiboku Sendai Hagi"; the role of Nikki Danjô was played by Onoe Kikugorô VI.

May 1931: Uzaemon played at the Nakaza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

November 1931: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of En'ya Hangan in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

January 1932: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Na-mo Tachibana Homare no Ishikiri".

February 1932: Uzaemon played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of Ojô Kichisa in the drama "Sannin Kichisa"; his stage partners were Onoe Kikugorô VI (Oshô Kichisa) and Nakamura Kichiemon I (Obô Kichisa).

March 1932: the duo Kikugorô/Uzaemon plays for the first time the roles of Kasane and Yoemon in the dance-drama "Iro Moyô Chotto Karimame", which was staged at the Kabukiza.

April 1932: premiere at the Kabukiza of Mayama Seika's ninjômono drama "Edoe Ryôgoku Hakkei" (commonly called "Arakawa no Sakichi"); Uzaemon played the role of Arakawa no Sakichi [casting].

June 1932: premiere at the Kabukiza of Hasegawa Shin's drama "Irezumi Chôhan"; Uzaemon played the role of Masagorô [casting].

September 1932: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

November 1932: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the roles of Agemaki, Shinbê and Ikyû were played by Onoe Baikô VI, Onoe Kikugorô VI and Matsumoto Kôshirô VII. Uzaemon also played the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Onoe Kikugorô VI.

December 1932: Uzaemon played at the Minamiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

January 1933: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Onoe Kikugorô VI.

March 1933: Uzaemon played at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the roles of Agemaki, Shinbê and Ikyû were played by Onoe Baikô VI, Sawamura Sôjûrô VII and Matsumoto Kôshirô VII. Uzaemon also played the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII.

April 1933: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

October 1933: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

January 1934: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Katsuyori in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô"; his stage partners were Onoe Kikugorô VI (Princess Yaegaki) and Onoe Baikô VI (Nureginu). Uzaemon also played the role of Matsuômaru in the "Kurumabiki" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Onoe Kikugorô VI (Sakuramaru) and Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (Umeômaru).

February 1934: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Konoshita Tôkichi in the drama "Gion Sairei Shinkôki"; the roles of Matsunaga Daizen and Princess Yuki were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII.

March 1934: Uzaemon played at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Onoe Baikô VI.

8 November 1934: his best onnagata stage partner Onoe Baikô VI died.

November 1934: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Onoe Kikugorô VI.

December 1934: Uzaemon played at the Minamiza the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the roles of Agemaki, Shinbê and Ikyû were played by Nakamura Fukusuke IV, Kataoka Gadô IV and Matsumoto Kôshirô VII. Uzaemon also played the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Kataoka Gadô IV.

January 1935: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Obô Kichisa in the drama "Sannin Kichisa"; his stage partners were Onoe Kikugorô VI (Ojô Kichisa) and Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (Oshô Kichisa).

March 1935: premiere at the Kabukiza of the danmari "Otowa-ga-Dake Danmari"; Uzaemon played the role of Tenmei Yashatarô [more details].

April 1935: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

November 1935: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Kataoka Gadô IV.

January 1936: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the roles of Yashio and Hosokawa Katsumoto in the drama "Meiboku Sendai Hagi"; the roles of Masaoka and Nikki Danjô were played by Onoe Kikugorô VI.

December 1936: Uzaemon played at the Minamiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

January 1937: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sakuramaru in the "Kurumabiki" scene of the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami"; his stage partners were Onoe Kikugorô VI (Matsuômaru), Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (Umeômaru) and Nakamura Utaemon V (Shihei). Uzaemon also played the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Na-mo Tachibana Homare no Ishikiri".

April 1937: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Onoe Kikugorô VI.

June 1937: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Katsuyori in the drama "Honchô Nijûshikô"; his stage partners were Onoe Kikugorô VI (Princess Yaegaki) and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII (Nureginu).

December 1937: Uzaemon played at the Minamiza the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

March 1938: Uzaemon played at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the roles of Agemaki, Shinbê and Ikyû were played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII, Nakamura Kaisha and Ôtani Tomoemon VI. Uzaemon also played the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

April 1938: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

May 1938: Uzaemon played at the Tôkyô Gekijô the role of Hosokawa Katsumoto in the drama "Meiboku Sendai Hagi"; the role of Nikki Danjô was played by Ichikawa Sadanji II.

June 1938: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

September 1938: Uzaemon played at the Misonoza (Nagoya) the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Na-mo Tachibana Homare no Ishikiri".

November 1938: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Yoshitsune in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Togashi were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Ichikawa Sadanji II.

December 1938: Uzaemon played at the Minamiza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari". He also played the role of Yoshitsune in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Togashi were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Ichikawa Sadanji II.

March 1939: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the roles of Agemaki, Shinbê and Ikyû were played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII, Nakamura Baigyoku III and Ôtani Tomoemon VI.

May 1939: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Na-mo Tachibana Homare no Ishikiri".

December 1939: Uzaemon played at the Minamiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

January 1940: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Hosokawa Katsumoto in the drama "Meiboku Sendai Hagi"; the role of Nikki Danjô was played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII.

February 1940: Uzaemon played at the Shinbashi Enbujô the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

March 1940: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the roles of Hayano Kanpei and En'ya Hangan in the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

May 1940: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Igami no Gonta in the "Sushiya" scene of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

March 1941: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Kataoka Nizaemon XII. Uzaemon also played the role of Hosokawa Katsumoto in the drama "Meiboku Sendai Hagi"; the role of Nikki Danjô was played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII.

April 1941: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

May 1941: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII. He also played the role of Sukeroku in the drama "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura"; the roles of Agemaki, Shinbê and Ikyû were played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII, Sawamura Sôjûrô VII and Ôtani Tomoemon VI.

November 1941: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

December 1941: Uzaemon played at the Minamiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII. He also played the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Kataoka Nizaemon XII. Uzaemon also played the role of Hosokawa Katsumoto in the drama "Meiboku Sendai Hagi"; the role of Nikki Danjô was played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII.

January 1942: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Na-mo Tachibana Homare no Ishikiri".

March 1942: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata".

April 1942: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Igami no Gonta in the "Sushiya" scene of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura". He also played the role of Tadanobu (in reality the fox Genkurô) in the dance-drama "Michiyuki Hatsune no Tabi"; the role of Shizuka Gozen was played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

June 1942: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

December 1942: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Fujiya Izaemon in the drama "Kuruwa Bunshô"; the role of Ôgiya Yûgiri was played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII. Uzaemon also played the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

April 1943: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII. Uzaemon also played the role of Hosokawa Katsumoto in the drama "Meiboku Sendai Hagi"; the role of Nikki Danjô was played by Onoe Kikugorô VI.

June 1943: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

October 1943: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata" (last performance in this role).

November 1943: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Onoe Kikugorô VI. Uzaemon also played the role of the role of Igami no Gonta in the "Sushiya" scene of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

December 1943: the duo Kikugorô/Uzaemon played for the last time the roles of Kasane and Yoemon in the dance-drama "Iro Moyô Chotto Karimame", which was staged at the Kabukiza. Uzaemon also played the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô"; the roles of Benkei and Yoshitsune were played by Matsumoto Kôshirô VII and Onoe Kikugorô VI. Uzaemon also played the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Na-mo Tachibana Homare no Ishikiri".

February 1944: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the roles of Hanaregoma Chôkichi and Yamazaki Yogorô in the "Sumôba" scene of the drama "Futatsu Chôchô Kuruwa Nikki"; his stage partners were Onoe Kikugorô VI (Nuregami Chôgorô) and Onoe Kikunosuke III (the courtesan Azuma).

March 1944: Uzaemon played at the Ôsaka Kabukiza the role of Miuranosuke in the drama "Kamakura Sandaiki"; his stage partners in the roles of Sasaki Takatsuna and Princess Toki are Jitsukawa Enjaku II and Nakamura Baigyoku III. He also played the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

May 1944: Uzaemon played at the Shinbashi Enbujô the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Na-mo Tachibana Homare no Ishikiri".

October 1944: Uzaemon played at the Meijiza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

December 1944: Uzaemon played at the Minamiza the role of Yosaburô in the drama "Yowa Nasaka Ukina no Yokogushi"; the role of Otomi was played by his son Ichimura Kakitsu VII. Uzaemon also played the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in the drama "Na-mo Tachibana Homare no Ishikiri".

January 1945: Uzaemon played at the Kabukiza the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari".

February 1945: Uzaemon played at the Shinbashi Enbujô the role of Sasaki Moritsuna in the drama "Ômi Genji Senjin Yakata". The 15th, the performance was stopped because of an US Army B29 bombers air raid on the city. Uzaemon went to a spa inn in Nagano Prefecture.

6 May 1945: while he was expected to play at the Kabukiza the role of Togashi in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô", Uzaemon died of heart failure in Tôkyô.

Comments:

Ichimura Uzaemon XV was one of the best tachiyaku of the first half of the twentieth century. He had a great physical appearance, a strong presence on stage and an amazing voice. He was the nimaime or the sabakiyaku par excellence. He kept on playing young lover roles even in his latter years and never performed any old man role. His duo with Onoe Baikô VI was one of the most famous goruden konbi in Kabuki history. When his best stage partner died in 1934, he successfully performed in duo with Kataoka Nizaemon XII.

Ichimura Uzaemon XV gathered his best roles in a special collection named Kakôshû: Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki ("Ishikiri Kajiwara"), Yosaburô ("Kirare Yosa"), Saitô Bettô Sanemori ("Sanemori Monogatari"), Gosho no Gorozô ("Soga Moyô Tateshi no Goshozome"), Igami no Gonta ("Sushiya"), Sasaki Moritsuna ("Moritsuna Jin'ya"), Omatsuri Sashichi ("Edo Sodachi Omatsuri Sashichi"), Sukeroku ("Sukeroku"), Hayano Kanpei ("Kanadehon Chûshingura"), Kataoka Naojirô ("Naozamurai"), Shirai Gonpachi ("Suzu-ga-Mori") and Togashi ("Kanjinchô"). His others great roles, not included in the "Kakôshû", were Mitsugi ("Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba"), Katsuyori ("Jusshukô") and Sakuramaru ("Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami").

[1] The kôjô was led by Ichikawa Danjûrô IX, Onoe Kikugorô V and Ichikawa Sadanji I.

[2] The new Uzaemon played in this dance-drama the two roles of Shizuka Gozen and the ghost of Taira no Tomomori.

Ichimura Uzaemon XV playing the role of Kataoka Naojirô in the drama "Naozamurai" (print made by Natori Shunsen in 1925)

Print made by Kôchôrô Hôsai in 1902

Print made by Utagawa Kunimasa in 1903

Photograph made in 1930

Print made by Ôta Masamitsu in 1950

The Bandô Kakitsu line of actors

The Ichimura Kakitsu line of actors

The Ichimura Uzaemon line of actors and theater managers

Ichimura Uzaemon XV by Trevor Skingle

My Thoughts about Ichimura-Uzaemon XV a Special Contribution by Akiyama Kayo (an English translation by Trevor Skingle)

Section 65 The story of Ichimura Uzaemon XV (an English translation by Trevor Skingle)

Section 66 The story of Ichimura Uzaemon XV (an English translation by Trevor Skingle)

Section 67 The story of Ichimura Uzaemon XV (an English translation by Trevor Skingle)

 
Search this site powered by FreeFind
  Site map | Disclaimer
Contact | Main | Top | Updates | Actors | Plays | Playwrights | Programs | Links | FAQ | Glossary | Chronology | Illustrations | Prints | Characters | Derivatives | Theaters | Coming soon | News