Stage names:

Kawarasaki Kunitarô V
Ichikawa Emiya I

Real name: Matsuyama Tarô

Guild: Yamazakiya

Line number: GODAIME (V)

Existence: 14 October 1909 ~ 11 October 1990

Connections:

Master: Ichikawa Ennosuke II

Grandson: Kawarasaki Kunitarô VI

Career:

April 1928: he becomes disciple of the actor Ichikawa Ennosuke II, receives the name of Ichikawa Emiya I and appears on stage for the first time, at the Hongôza.

May 1931: he joins the progressive troupe Zenshinza founded and led by Kawarasaki Chôjûrô IV and Nakamura Kan'emon III.

April 1932: Ichikawa Emiya I takes the name of Kawarasaki Kunitarô V, playing the role of Masaoka in the drama "Meiboku Sendai Hagi", which is staged at the Ichimuraza.

November 1933: the Zenshinza troupe produces for the first time the dance-drama "Kanjinchô" at the Shinbashi Enbujô with Kawarasaki Chôjûrô IV (Benkei), Nakamura Kan'emon III (Togashi) and Kunitarô (Yoshitsune).

1958 ~ 1959: the Zenshinza troupe produces the bombastic play "Gedatsu" with Kawarasaki Chôjûrô IV and Kunitarô in the roles of Taira no Kagekiyo and the courtesan Akoya. The play is performed in January 1958 in Nagoya (Misonoza), in February 1958 in Ôsaka (Kabukiza), in March 1958 in Kyôto (Minamiza) and in July 1959 in Tôkyô (Meijiza).

December 1959: Kunitarô plays at the Meijiza the role of Sakuraya Koman in Namiki Gohei I's drama "Godairiki Koi no Fûjime". His stage partners are Nakamura Kan'emon III (Sasano Sangobê) and Kawarasaki Chôjûrô IV (Satsuma Gengobê).

August 1983: Kunitarô plays at the National Theatre the role of Oshun in Katsu Hyôzô I's drama "Kachi Zumô Ukina no Hanabure". The role of Shirafuji Genta is played by Arashi Keishi.

Comments:

Kawarasaki Kunitarô V was the tateonnagata of the Zenshinza troupe from 1931 up to his death in 1990. He was one of the leading actors of the first generation of Zenshinza actors.

The Ichikawa Emiya line of actors

The Kawarasaki Kunitarô line of actors