Stage names:
Asao Yoroku I
Yamamura Takumi I
Asao Takumi I
Asao Tomozô II
Asao Tanpei
Other name:
Nickname: Asatomo
Guild: Asadaya
Line number: SHODAI (I)
Poetry name: Ippo
Existence: 1797 ~ 9 December 1851
Connection:
Master: Asao Tamejûrô I
Disciples: Asao Yoroku II, Asao Takumi II, Asao Takumi III
Career:
1797 ~ 1804: he starts his career as a disciple of the star Asao Tamejûrô I, who gives him the name of Asao Tanpei. He performs in Ôsaka kodomo shibai.
7 April 1804: his master Asao Tamejûrô I dies.
January 1814: he becomes katakiyaku and takes the name of Asao Tomozô II.
Winter 1817/1818: Tomozô goes to Edo with the stage giant Nakamura Utaemon III.
February 1818: Tomozô plays at the Nakamuraza in the drama "Kamakura Sandaiki", which is staged for the first time in Edo [more details].
Fall 1826: Tomozô goes back to Ôsaka.
December 1826: Tomozô plays at the Kado no Shibai the role of Kurosuke in the drama "Gempei Nunobiki no Taki".
1828: Asao Tomozô II takes the name of Asao Takumi I to perform in hama shibai as a jitsuaku.
November 1830: Asao Takumi I takes the name of Asao Yoroku I at the Minamigawa no Shibai, playing the role of Miura Arajirô in the drama "Zôho Hôjô Jiraiki"; his stage partners are Bandô Hikosaburô IV, Ogawa Kichitarô III, Fujikawa Tomokichi II, Bandô Jutarô I, Ichikawa Sukejûrô III, Arashi Kanô and Asao Okuyama II.
January 1840: Yoroku's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, jitsuaku section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent). He shares the same rank with Kataoka Ichizô I.
1847: he goes on tour in Nagoya, where he temporarily performs under the name of Yamamura Takumi I.
May 1848: Yoroku plays at the Minamigawa no Shibai the roles of Kyôgoku no Takumi and Kinugawa Yasaemon in the drama "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi"; the role of Rokusuke is played by Ichikawa Ebizô V.
August 1848: Yoroku plays at the Chikugo no Shibai the role of Tetsuzan in the drama "Sarayashiki"; the role of Okiku is played by Arashi Rikaku II.
January 1849: Yoroku's rank in the Kamigata hyôbanki, jitsuaku/katakiyaku section, is hakudai-jô-jô-kichi (almost grand - superior - superior - excellent).
August 1849: Yoroku plays at the Chikugo no Shibai the role of Matsunaga Daizen in the drama "Gion Sairei Shinkôki"; the roles of Tôkichi and Princess Yuki are played by Kataoka Gadô II and Sawamura Kitô II.
September 1849: Yoroku plays at the Wakadayû no Shibai (Ôsaka) the role of Rokusuke in the "Keya-Mura" scene of the drama "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi"; the role of Osono is played by Yamashita Kinsaku IV.
March 1851: Yoroku plays the role of Shôgen in Chikamatsu Monzaemon I's drama "Keisei Hangonkô", which is performed in Ôsaka at the Wakadayû no Shibai. His stage partners are Kataoka Gadô II (Matahei) and Nakamura Karoku I (Otoku).
Summer ~ Fall 1851: Yoroku goes on a long tour; he dies in the city of Yoshida in the province of Mikawa the 9th of December 1851.
Comments:
Asao Yoroku I was a talented and popular 19th century Kamigata actor, which was specialized in jitsuaku/katakiyaku roles. On the positive side, he was an expert in turning a somersault on stage (tombo). On the negative side, he was a heavy drinker and was quite a troublemaker once he was drunk.
Asao Yoroku I playing the role of Ogata Rikimaru
in a print made in 1848 by Utagawa Hirosada
Print made by Utagawa Toyokuni in 1819
Print made by Shumbaisai Hokuei in 1835
Print made by Hasegawa Sadanobu in 1849
The Asao Yoroku line of actors