Stage names:

Ichimura Uzaemon III
Ichimura Takenojô

Line number: SANDAIME (III)

Existence: 1628 ~ 24 July 1686

Connections:

Master: Murayama Matasaburô I

Nephew and adopted son: Ichimura Takenojô I (Uzaemon IV)

Career:

1628 ~ 1641: born in the village of Ichimura Shizuma in the province of Jôshû. He goes to Edo and becomes a disciple of Murayama Matasaburô I. He takes the names of Ichimura Takenojô and Ichimura Uzaemon at unknown dates.

October 1641: Murayama Matasaburô I retires, entrusting the management of the Murayamaza to his son-in-law Murata Kuroemon, who is helped by Uzaemon.

1643: the Murayamaza is renamed Ichimuraza.

1651: the Ichimuraza moves from the district of Kamisakai-chô to the district of Fukiya-chô.

6 March 1652: Murayama Matasaburô I dies.

July 1652: Wakashû Kabuki ("Boy Kabuki") is forbidden by by the Shogunal authorities.

2 August 1652: Murata Kuroemon dies; Uzaemon becomes the official manager of the theater and works in collaboration with Mikuni Hikosaku.

March 1653: Yarô Kabuki (Adult Kabuki) is authorized by the Shogunal authorities.

18 January 1657: a fire breaks out in the Honmyôji temple in the district of Hongô and devastates Edo. All the Kabuki theaters are destroyed by the flames. This fire is nicknamed "furisode kaji" (the "long-sleeve fire").

Beginning of the 1660's: Uzaemon summons Kyôto young actors to perform in his theater. He also starts to work with the playwright Miyako Dennai to produce dramas in several acts, which would be staged for a full day.

1664: Uzaemon retires to become a priest; his adopted son Ichimura Takenojô I becomes the zamoto of the Ichimuraza, managing it in collaboration with Tamagawa Shuzen I, the zamoto of the Tamagawaza.

24 July 1686: he dies in Edo.

Comments:

Ichimura Uzaemon III was the third zamoto of the Ichimuraza. He managed his theater for 12 years. He was the first person to really hold the name of Ichimura Uzaemon but it was decided to posthumously give the names of Ichimura Uzaemon I and Ichimura Uzaemon II to Murayama Matasaburô I and Murata Kuroemon. He used 3 different ways to write his name:

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