Stage names:
Ogawa Zengorô I
Ogawa Sajiemon
Line number: SHODAI (I)
Poetry name: Unjû (cloud soup ?)
Existence: 1682 ~ 6 November 1737
Connection:
Master: Osagawa Jûemon
Disciples: Ogawa Zengorô II, Ogawa Goroshirô (the father of Ogawa Kichitarô I)
Career:
Before 1695: born in Kamigata. He starts his career at an early age as a disciple of Osagawa Jûemon, who gives him the name of Ogawa Sajiemon (The sa of Sajiemon is the same ideogram as the sa of Osagawa).
Fall 1695: he goes to Edo with Okada Samanosuke.
November 1695: Ogawa Sajiemon takes the name of Ogawa Zengorô I at the Yamamuraza, performing in the kaomise drama "Kaomise Jûnidan".
January 1715: Zengorô replaces the star Yamanaka Heikurô I to play at the Nakamuraza the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year drama "Bandô Ichi Kotobuki Soga"; the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are played by Ichikawa Danjûrô II and Katsuyama Matagorô.
May 1717: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's masterpiece "Kokusen'ya Gassen" is produced simultaneously in the 3 Edo Kabuki theaters. This is the first Kabuki adaptation of a puppet theater play in Edo. It is produced at the Moritaza under the title "Kokusen'ya Gojitsu Gassen"; Zengorô plays the role of Kanki [more details].
November 1718: Zengorô becomes tachiyaku and zagashira at the Ichimuraza, playing the role of Akaboshi Tarô in the kaomise drama "Gozen Nô Mitsu Uroko", which celebrates the arrival in Edo of the Kamigata actor Onoe Samon; Zengorô's others stage partners are Mimasuya Sukejûrô I, Sodeoka Masanosuke II, Sanjô Kantarô II, Ôtani Hiroji I, Ichimura Takenojô IV, Ôkuma Utaemon, Nakajima Mihoemon I and Onogawa Orie.
January 1719: Zengorô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
November 1721: Zengorô becomes jitsuaku and plays at the Moritaza the role of Senju Tarô in the kaomise drama "Semimaru Yôrô no Taki".
January 1722: Zengorô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, jitsuaku section, is slightly below jô-jô-kichi.
November 1722: Zengorô becomes tachiyaku and plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Sagami Nyûdô in the kaomise drama "Hônen Taiheiki".
January 1723: Zengorô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, tachiyaku section, is jô-jô-kichi. He plays in the same theater the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, a jitsuaku role, in the new year sogamono "Soga Koyomi Biraki". The roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are played by Ichikawa Danjûrô II and Mimasuya Sukejûrô I.
November 1723: Zengorô becomes jitsuaku and plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Akaboshi Tarô in the kaomise drama "Sono Enpô Onna Migyôsho", which celebrates the arrival at the Nakamuraza of the Kamigata actors Yamashita Kinsaku I and Sanogawa Senzô.
January 1724: Zengorô's rank in the Edo hyôbanki, jitsuaku section, is jô-jô-kichi (superior - superior - excellent).
November 1727: Zengorô plays at the Nakamuraza the role of Takatoki Nyûdô in the kaomise drama "Yatsumune Taiheiki" [casting].
January 1728: Zengorô plays in the same theater the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the new year sogamono "Soga Hôraisan"; the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari are played by Ichikawa Danjûrô II and Sawamura Sôjûrô I.
1731: Zengorô retires from stage.
6 November 1737: Zengorô dies in Edo; his tombstone is located in the Genjuin, a subtemple of the Zôzôji temple in the district of Shiba.
Comments:
Ogawa Zengorô I, the founder of the Ogawa clan, was a talented actor, who was able to perform either as a tachiyaku or a jitsuaku. His most famous role was Kudô Saemon Suketsune in new year sogamono.
Ogawa Zengorô I (top) and Ichikawa Danjûrô II (bottom) in a print made by Torii Kiyotomo