NAKAMURAZA
   
Names Nakamuraza
Saruwakaza
Torigoeza
City Edo
History

15th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1624: Saruwaka Kanzaburô obtained a licence issued by the Shogounal authorities, granting him with the right to produce theater shows. The theater was built in the district of Nakahashi, at the current location of the Maruzen Department Store (Nihonbashi).

3rd lunar month of 1624: first performance at the Saruwakaza.

4th lunar month of 1632: Saruwaka Kanzaburô received the order to move his theater. He moved to the district of Negi-chô (corresponding grosso modo to the current district of Ningyô-chô).

29th day of the 1st lunar month of 1641: both the Murayamaza and the Nakamuraza were burnt in a big fire.

5th lunar month of 1651: Nakamura Kanzaburô I received one more time the order to move his theater. He moved to the district of Sakai-chô.

18th day of the 1st lunar month of 1657: a fire broke out in the Honmyôji temple in the district of Hongô and devastated Edo. All the Kabuki theaters were destroyed by the flames. This fire was nicknamed 'Furisode Kaji' (the "long-sleeve fire").

9th day of the 6th lunar month of 1658: the zamoto Nakamura Kanzaburô I (1598~1658) died.

14th day of the 1st lunar month of 1660 [15]: a fire broke out in the district of Yushima. It spread and burnt the Ichimuraza, the Nakamuraza and the newly-constructed Moritaza.

28th day of the 10th lunar month of 1661: both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza were burnt in a big fire.

10th lunar month of 1670: the number of Kabuki theaters in the city of Edo was set to 4 by the authorities. The authorized theaters were the Nakamuraza (in the district of Sakai-chô), the Ichimura-Takenojôza (Fukiya-chô), Moritaza (Kobiki-chô) and the Yamamuraza (Kobiki-chô).

26th day of the 8th lunar month of 1674: the zamoto Nakamura Kanzaburô II (1647~1674) died.

26th day of the 12th lunar month of 1676: a fire broke out in the district of Hama-chô. It spread and burnt both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

11th day of the 8th lunar month of 1678: the zamoto Nakamura Kanzaburô III (1649~1678) died.

29th day of the 5th lunar month of 1679: a fire broke out in the puppets theater Ôsaka Shichidayûza in the district of Sakai-chô. It spread and burnt both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

28th day of the 12th lunar month of 1682: a fire started by Yaoya Oshichi broke out in the Daienji Temple in the district of Komagome. It spread and burnt both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza. This fire was nicknamed "Oshichi Kaji" (the "Oshichi fire").

16th day of the 12th lunar month of 1683: a fire broke out in the Nakamuraza in the district of Sakai-chô. It spread and burnt also the Ichimuraza.

3rd lunar month of 1684: the star Ichikawa Danjûrô I played for the first time the role of the wicked priest Narukami in the drama "Kadomatsu Shitennô", which was staged at the Nakamuraza. He was the author of the play and his stage partner in the role of Princess Taema was the onnagata actor Itô Kodayû II.

11th lunar month of 1696: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the first version of "Onna Narukami", which was entitled "Neko no Koneko"; it starred Ogino Sawanojô in the role of the nun Narukami. Others actors were Ichikawa Danjûrô I, Sodeoka Masanosuke II, Nakamura Shichisaburô I, Nakamura Denkurô I, Nakajima Kanzaemon I, Ôtani Hiroemon I and Murayama Jûheiji I.

1st lunar month of 1697: premiere of the bombastic "Shibaraku" scene (Kabuki Jûhachiban), at the Nakamuraza, performed within the drama "Daifukuchô Sankai Nagoya". Ichikawa Danjûrô I played the role of the superhero and his stage partners were the onnagata Ogino Sawanojô and the katakiyaku Yamanaka Heikurô I.

10th day of the 12th lunar month of 1698 [26]: a fire broke out in the district of Nihonbashi Hongoku-chô. It spread and burnt both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

1st lunar month of 1701: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the bombastic play "Zôhiki" (Kabuki Jûhachiban), included in the drama "Keisei Ôshôkun". The hero and the villain were played by Ichikawa Danjûrô I and Yamanaka Heikurô I.

19th day of the 9th lunar month of 1701 [25]: the zamoto Nakamura Kanzaburô V (1666~1701) died.

29th day of the 11th lunar month of 1703: an earthquake hit Edo and the resulting fires destroyed the city. The 4 main theaters, the Nakamuraza, the Ichimuraza, the Moritaza and the Yamamuraza, were burnt to ashes. This catastrophe was nicknamed "Genroku Jishin Kaji" ("Genroku Earthquake and Fire").

14th day of the 1st lunar month of 1706: a fire broke out in the district of Kanda Renjaku-chô. It spread and burnt both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

20th day of the 11th lunar month of 1706: a fire broke out in the district of Izumi-chô. It spread and burnt both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

8th day of the 3rd lunar month of 1707: a fire broke out in the district of Kodenma-chô. It spread and burnt both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

1st lunar month of 1709: the 4 Edo theaters, the Nakamuraza, the Ichimuraza, the Moritaza and the Yamamuraza, produced simultaneously a sogamono new year drama. This was the beginning of a custom which is still somehow observed nowadays.

3rd lunar month of 1710: Tsuuchi Jihê II worked at the Nakamuraza on the revival of the seigen-sakurahimemono "Isshin Niga Byakudô", which was staged for the first time in the 7th lunar month of 1695 at the Yamamuraza. The roles of Seigen and Princess Sakura were played by Nakajima Kanzaemon I and Tsutsui Kichijûrô I. For the first time, Tsuuchi Jihê II mixed jidaimono and sewamono elements in the same drama. This was the first jidai-sewamono in Kabuki history.

18th day of the 12th lunar month of 1710: a fire broke out in the somptuous palace of the daimyô Sanada, located in the district of Kanda Koyanagi-chô. It spread and destroyed both the Nakamuraza and the Ichimuraza.

23rd day of the 2nd lunar month of 1712: a fire broke out in the district of Horie-chô. It spread and destroyed both the Nakamuraza and the Ichimuraza.

22nd day of the 12th lunar month of 1713: a fire broke out in the district of Shitaya Byôbusaka and spread to others sections of Edo, destroying both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

11th day of the 1st lunar month of 1716: a fire broke out in the district of Shitaya Ike-no-Hata and spread to others sections of Edo, destroying both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

22nd day of the 1st lunar month of 1717: a fire broke out in the district of Koishikawa and spread to others sections of Edo, destroying both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

5th lunar month of 1717: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's masterpiece "Kokusen'ya Gassen" was produced simultaneously in the 3 Edo Kabuki theaters. This was the first Kabuki adaptation of a puppet theater play in Edo. It was produced at the Nakamuraza under the title "Kokusen'ya Takarabune" and performed with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Watônai Ichikawa Danjûrô II
Kinshôjo Nakamura Sen'ya I
Kanki Tomizawa Hanzaburô I
Komutsu Nakamura Takesaburô I

1st lunar month of 1719: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's play "Sonezaki Shinjû" was performed for the first time at the Nakamuraza, starring Ichikawa Danjûrô II and Sanogawa Mangiku in the roles of Hiranoya Tokubê and the courtesan Ohatsu (Tokubê's lover).

1st lunar month of 1720: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's puppet theater shinjûmono "Shinjû Kasane Izutsu", which was written in 1707. The same play was simultaneously produced in the 3 Edo theaters and commemorated the 16th anniversary (17th memorial service) of the suicide of the couple Tokubê and Ofusa, whose roles were played by Ôtani Hiroji I and Sanogawa Mangiku at the Nakamuraza.

13th day of the 1st lunar month of 1720: a fire broke out in the district of Sakai-chô; the Nakamuraza was half-burnt.

10th day of the 12th lunar month of 1721: a fire broke out in the district of Kanda Tominaga-chô and spread to others sections of Edo, destroying the Nakamuraza and the Ichimuraza.

27th day of the 11th lunar month of 1726: a fire broke out in the shibai jaya Maruya, located in the district of Fukiya-chô, and spread to others sections of Edo, destroying both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

11th lunar month of 1727: for the first time in Kabuki history, a trap door was used on a Kabuki stage for actors stage entrances (seri dashi) during the kaomise drama "Yatsumune Taiheiki", which was produced at the Nakamuraza. This program also celebrated the return of Ôtani Hiroji I (along with the Kamigata actor Kirinami Onoe) in Edo after 5 years spent in Kyôto and the first stage appearance of Ichikawa Masugorô. Here was the casting:

Roles Actors
Ôtô-no-Miya Ichikawa Danjûrô II
Hata Rokurôzaemon Sawamura Sôjûrô I
Ômori Hikoshichi Ôtani Hiroji I
Saitô Tarô Saemon Matsumoto Kôshirô I
The nyûdô Takatoki Ogawa Zengorô I

Fall 1730: the play "Meigetsu Gonin Otoko" ('Five men under the August moon') is performed at the Nakamuraza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Kaminari Shôkurô Ichikawa Danjûrô II
Gokuin Sen'emon Sawamura Sôjûrô I
Hotei Ichiemon Ôtani Hiroji I
An no Heibei Bandô Hikosaburô I
Karigane Bunshichi Ogino Izaburô I

1st lunar month of 1731: for the first time in Kabuki history, the hikinuki technique was used on stage, during the performance of the drama the "Keisei Fukubiki Nagoya", which was staged at the Nakamuraza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Fuwa Banzaemon Ichikawa Danjûrô II
Nagoya Sanza Sawamura Sôjûrô I
The courtesan Katsuragi Segawa Kikunojô I
Nagoya Saburozaemon Ôtani Hiroji I
Umezu Kamon Nakamura Shichisaburô II
The courtesan Takama Ogino Izaburô I
Nikki Danjô Saemon Nakajima Mihoemon I

3rd lunar month of 1731: Segawa Kikunojô I played at the Nakamuraza the leading role of the first dôjôjimono of Kabuki history, called "Mugen no Kane Shindôjôji".

9th lunar month of 1732: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the drama "Kagekiyo", which was produced under the title "Ôichô Sakae Kagekiyo" and performed with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Taira no Kagekiyo Ichikawa Danjûrô II
Chichibu no Shôji Shigetada Sawamura Sôjûrô I
Gorobê Tadamitsu Ichikawa Danzô I
Akoya's daughter Princess Hitomaru Ichikawa Masugorô

11th lunar month of 1740: Ichikawa Danzaburô II and Tomizawa Tatsunosuke took the respective names of Ichikawa Danzô III and Tomizawa Tatsujûrô at the Nakamuraza, performing in the kaomise drama "Miya Bashira Taiheiki".

7th lunar month of 1742: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's "Keisei Hangonkô" was staged for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Matahei Ôtani Hiroji I
Fuwa Banzaemon Matsumoto Kôshirô II
Katsuragi Nakamura Tomijûrô I
Nagoya Sanza Sawamura Sôjûrô I

7~9th day of the 8th lunar month of 1742: a violent typhoon hit Edo, causing floods in the city; the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza had to stop their performances for a while.

2nd lunar month of 1744: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the Nagauta-based dôjôjimono "Momo Chidori Musume Dôjôji". The leading female role was played by Segawa Kikunojô I and his two stage partners were Ichikawa Ebizô II and Ôtani Hiroji I.

February (end of month) 1746: a fire broke out in the district of Tsukiji, in the mansion of Tsubouchi Gonzaemon. It spread and destroyed the Nakamuraza, the Ichimuraza and the Moritaza.

5th lunar month of 1747: the play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami" was produced at the Nakamuraza for the first time, with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Matsuômaru Ôtani Oniji I
Umeômaru Nakamura Denkurô II
Sakuramaru, Chiyo Arashi Koroku I
Kan Shôjô Nakamura Shichisaburô II
Shihei, Sukune Tarô Nakajima Kanzaemon II
Shiratayû Ichikawa Sôzaburô I
Yae Sawamura Kodenji II
Haru Tamazawa Saijirô I
Genzô Ichikawa Ebizô II
Kakuju Sawamura Genjirô
Tonami Yoshizawa Ayame II

5th lunar month of 1748: the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura" was staged for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Yazaemon, Taira no Noritsune Ichikawa Ebizô II
Taira no Tomomori Nakamura Denkurô II
Benkei Nakajima Mihoemon I
Kokingo Ichikawa Yaozô I
Yoshitsune Utagawa Shirogorô
Zentarô Nakamura Nakazô I
Suke-no-Tsubone Onoe Kikugorô I
Shizuka Gozen Sawamura Kodenji II
Igami no Gonta, Tadanobu, the fox Genkurô Sawamura Chôjûrô III
Yasuke Nakamura Shichisaburô II
Kawatsura Hôgen Ichikawa Sôzaburô I

6th lunar month of 1749: the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura" was produced at the Nakamuraza for the first time, with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Ôboshi Yuranosuke Sawamura Chôjûrô III
Amakawaya Gihei, Ôdachi Kumanosuke Ichikawa Ebizô II
En'ya Hangan Ichikawa Yaozô I
Kô no Moronô Nakajima Mihoemon I
Hayano Kanpei Nakamura Shichisaburô II
Okaru Nakamura Kumetarô I
Oishi Yoshizawa Ayame II
Gihei's wife Osono Segawa Kikujirô I
Teraoka Heiemon Nakamura Denkurô II
Momonoi Wakasanosuke Utagawa Shirogorô
Kakogawa Honzô, Hara Goemon Ichikawa Sôzaburô I
Kakogawa Honzô's wife Tonase Sawamura Kodenji II
Kaoyo Gozen Iwai Kiyotarô I
Ono Kudayû Nakajima Kanzaemon II
Ono Sadakurô Sawamura Kijûrô I
Ôboshi Rikiya Kikugawa Daikichi
Konami Takinaka Tomitaki
Yoichibê's wife Osawa Sawamura Genjirô
Sagisaka Bannai Nakamura Heijûrô

8th lunar month of 1750: Nakamura Kanzaburô VI and his son Nakamura Akashi III respectively took the names of Nakamura Kankurô II and Nakamura Kanzaburô VII. Nakamura Kankurô II was no more the official head of the Nakamuraza but he unofficially kept on working as a zamoto up to 1751.

7th lunar month of 1751: the drama "Koi Nyôbô Somewake Tazuna" was staged for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Takemura Sadanoshin's wife Yoshizawa Ayame II
Date no Yosaku Nakamura Shichisaburô II
The yakko Edohei, Kutsukake no Hachizô Narumi Goroshirô I
Shigenoi Segawa Kikujirô I
Sankichi Segawa Kichiji II
Sagisaka Sanai Ichikawa Yaozô I
Yurugi Saemon Nakamura Denkurô II
Hachizô's mother Sawamura Chôjûrô III
The yakko Ippei Matsumoto Kôshirô II
Umanojô Arashi Otohachi I

3rd ~ 6th lunar months of 1753: the Kamigata star Nakamura Tomijûrô I achieved a huge success for several months by playing the main role of the dance "Kyôganoko Musume Dôjôji", which was performed for the first time in Kabuki history, at the Nakamuraza [print].

3rd lunar month of 1754: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the dance "Hanabusa Shûjaku no Shishi"; the leading role of this dance was played by Nakamura Tomijûrô I.

11th lunar month of 1754: great shûmei at the Nakamuraza; Matsumoto Kôshirô II and Matsumoto Kôzô respectively took the names of Ichikawa Danjûrô IV and Matsumoto Kôshirô III during the kaomise program "Miura no Ôsuke Bumon no Kotobuki".

14th day of the 1st lunar month of 1756 [22]: a fire broke out in the district of Shinzaimoku-chô. It spread and destroyed both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

25th day of the 11th lunar month of 1757 [21]: the zamoto Nakamura Kankurô II (1688~1757) died.

6th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1760 [24]: a fire broke out in the district of Kanda Hatago-chô and spread to Susaki in the district of Fukagawa. It destroyed both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza. It was called "Akashiya no Kaji" ('the Akashiya fire'), based on the name of the shop where it started.

17th day of the 9th lunar month of 1761: a fire broke out in the Gekiza theater. It destroyed the Ichimuraza and damaged the Nakamuraza.

29th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1766 [14]: a fire broke out in the district of Sakai-chô, in the cosmetics shop owned and managed by the actor Onoe Kikugorô I. It destroyed both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza. This fire was nicknamed "Kikugorô Aburamise Kaji" ('Kikugorô's cosmetics shop fire').

7th lunar month of 1768: the play "Otokodate Itsutsu Karigane" was performed at the Nakamura with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Kaminari Shôkurô Nakamura Sukegorô II
Gokuin Sen'emon Matsumoto Kôshirô III
Hotei Ichiemon Arashi Otohachi I
An no Heibei Ichikawa Yaozô II
Karigane Bunshichi Ichikawa Komazô II

7th lunar month of 1768: the play "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami" was produced for the first time at the Nakamuraza, with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Danshichi Kurobê Nakamura Sukegorô II
Tsuribune Sabu Sawamura Kijûrô I
Otatsu Segawa Kikunojô II
Mikawaya Giheiji Nakamura Nakazô I

8th lunar month of 1768: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the drama "Tenjiku Tokubê Kokyô no Torikaji", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Tenjiku Tokubê, in reality Nanagusa Shirô Ichikawa Danjûrô IV
Hosokawa Katsumoto Ichikawa Komazô II
Tenjiku Tokubê's nyôbô Ofune Yoshizawa Sakinosuke III
Momonoi Harimanosuke, Akaneya Hanshichi Ichikawa Yaozô II
Minoya Sankatsu Segawa Kikunojô II
Akaneya Hanbê, Miyoshi Chôkei Nakamura Denkurô II
The thief Yoine no Nisuke Matsumoto Kôshirô III
Shimobe Haruhei Nakamura Nakazô I

1st lunar month of 1771: Matsumoto Kôshirô II achieved a great success at the Nakamuraza by playing the deity Aizen Myôô and the seven roles of Kagekiyo in the new year drama "Sakaichô Soga no Nendaiki".

29th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1772 [23]: a fire broke out in Meguro Gyôninzaka. It spread and destroyed both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

11th lunar month of 1773: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Sakurada Jisuke I's kaomise drama "Gohiiki Kanjinchô". This 46-days long performance, which also celebrated the shûmei of Nakamura Rikô I, was a tremendous success. Casting:

Roles Actors
Benkei, Anewa no Heiji, Shigetada Ichikawa Ebizô III
Kumai Tarô, Kashima no Kotofure, Kisanta, the Deity Fudô Myôô, Togashi Saemon Ichikawa Danjûrô V
Minamoto Yoshitsune, Izumi Saburô Matsumoto Kôshirô IV
Naoe Saemon, Motoyoshi Shirô Takahira Ôtani Hiroji III
Kawagoe Shigeyori Nakamura Shôchô
Princess Shinobu, Motoyoshi Shirô's wife Iwai Hanshirô IV
Koreaki Shinnô, Date Jirô Nakamura Nakazô I
The spirit of a rooster, the courtesan Wakamatsu Nakamura Rikô I
The money broker Chôbê, Minamoto no Yukiie Ôtani Tomoemon I
Chôbê's wife Yoshizawa Sakinosuke III
The nyûdô Inage Shigenari Tomizawa Hanzaburô II

28th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1775 [20]: the zamoto Nakamura Kanzaburô VII (1717~1775) died.

3rd lunar month of 1775: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi I's Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Shinobu-gusa Koi no Utsushie", in which Nakamura Nakazô I played the role of the woman selling shinobu, in reality the evil monk Dainichibô. "Nakazô wanted to dance "Musume Dôjôji" (Maiden at Dôjôji), the story of a young woman's consuming, unrequited passion for a young monk of the temple Dôjôji, but this was the special preserve of the two [..] female impersonators, Kikunojô I and Tomijûrô I. So the playwright Kawatake Shinshichi devised an ingenious alternative version of "Dôjôji", in which the evil monk Dainichibô appeared disguised as a woman selling hare's-foot fern (shinobu), and Nakazô I first performed the Shinobu Uri (Seller of the Hare's-foot Fern), including a dance sequence, to great acclaim at the New Year of 1775" (from "The Actor's Image").

11th lunar month of 1775: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Kanai Sanshô's Tomimoto-based dance-drama "Shijûhatte Koi no Showake", the first version of "Oshidori", which was staged within the kaomise drama "Hana Zumô Genji Biiki". The music was written by Namisaki Tokuji I and the singer was Tomimoto Toyoshidayû II. It was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
The keisei Kisegawa, the spirit of the female mandarin duck Segawa Kikunojô III
Kawazu Saburô Sukeyasu, the spirit of the male mandarin duck Arashi Sangorô II
Matano Gorô Kagehisa Nakamura Nakazô I

3rd lunar month of 1776: first Kabuki adaptation of Matsu Kanshi's puppet theater drama "Koi Musume Mukashi Hachijô", which was written in 1775. The play was performed in Edo at the Nakamuraza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Shirokiya Okoma Segawa Kikunojô III
Obana Saizaburô Arashi Sangorô II
Shirokiya Shôbei Ichikawa Danzô IV
Akizuki Ikkaku Nakamura Nakazô I
Tsukudaya Kizô Nakamura Sukegorô II
The tedai Jôhachi Ôtani Tomoemon I
Okoma's mother Yamashita Kinsaku II

5th lunar month of 1776: the play "Honchô Nijûshikô" was performed for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Jihizô Ichikawa Danzô IV
Princesse Yaegaki Segawa Kikunojô III
Katsuyori and Minosaku Arashi Sangorô II
Otane Yamashita Kinsaku II
Takasaka Danjô and Yokozô Nakamura Nakazô I

7th lunar month of 1778: premiere of the play "Date Kurabe Okuni Kabuki", which is performed at the Nakamuraza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Arajishi Otokonosuke, Hosokawa Katsumoto, the Shôzuka hag, Saichi, Fuwa Banzaemon Ichikawa Danjûrô V
Hanyûmura Yoemon, Kizu no Kansuke, Nagoya Sanza, the sumô wrestler Kinugawa Tanizô, Watanabe Minbunosuke Matsumoto Kôshirô IV
Takao's sister Kasane, Narutaki, Kasaya Sankatsu Iwai Hanshirô IV
Ashikaga Sakingo Yorikane, the Nanzenji tôfu maker Saburobê, Imagawa Tarô, Akaneya Hanshichi, Dote no Dôtetsu, Tosa no Matahei Mitsuoki Bandô Mitsugorô I
Nikki Danjô's wife Urafuji, Kisakata Gozen, Saichi's wife Nayotake, Yarite Omiya, Izumo no Okuni Yoshizawa Sakinosuke III
Watanabe Rinzaemon, Kurosawa Kanzô Ôtani Tomoemon I
The nyûdô Yamana Sôzen, the statue of Enma Daiô Nakajima Mihoemon II
Fuwa no Bansaku Ichikawa Komazô III
The courtesan Takao Nakamura Kumejirô
Yamanaka Shikanosuke, Izutsu Onnanosuke Ichikawa Monnosuke II
Nikki Danjô, Hanyûmura Kingorô Ôtani Hiroemon III
Nagoya Kosanza Haruyuki Nakamura Kanzaburô IX
Umezu no Kamon Tomoyuki Sawamura Chôjûrô IV

11th lunar month of 1778: Yoshizawa Sakinosuke III took the name of Yoshizawa Ayame IV at the Nakamuraza, playing the role of Onoe in the kaomise drama "Motomishi Yuki Sakae Hachinoki".

11th lunar month of 1781: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the dance-drama "Waga Sekogakoi no Aizuchi" (commonly called "Kumo no Hyôshimai"), which was performed within the kaomise program "Shitennô Tonoi no Kisewata" with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Sakata Kintoki Ichikawa Danjûrô V
The shirabyôshi Tsumagiku, in reality the spirit of a ground spider Segawa Kikunojô III
Minamoto Raikô Sawamura Sôjûrô III
Usui Sadamitsu Onoe Matsusuke I
Watanabe no Tsuna Nakamura Nakazô I
Urabe Suetake Ichikawa Monnosuke II

28th day of the 10th lunar month of 1783: a fire broke out in Edo in the district of Kodenma-chô, which spread and burns the Nakamuraza.

11th lunar month of 1788: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Modori Kago Iro ni Aikata", which was staged within Sakurada Jisuke I's kaomise program "Tôzumô Hana no Edokata" with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Naniwa no Jirosaku, in reality Ishikawa Goemon Nakamura Nakazô I
Azuma no Yoshirô, in reality Mashiba Hisayoshi Matsumoto Kôshirô IV
The kamuro Matsumoto Yonesaburô I

1st lunar month of 1791: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the Nagauta-based dance "Taimen Hana no Harukoma", which was performed at the end of the new year program "Haru no Sekai Nigiwai Soga" with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Soga Gorô Tokimune Ichikawa Yaozô III
A courtesan Segawa Kikunojô III
A courtesan Iwai Hanshirô IV

Fall 1793: the Nakamuraza went out of business and gave its license to the Miyakoza.

11th lunar month of 1797: the Nakamuraza reopened.

4th day of the 11th lunar month of 1802 [16]: a fire broke out in Edo in the district of Naniwa-chô and destroyed both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

8th lunar month of 1803: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Sakurada Jisuke I's drama "Banzui Chôbê Shôjin Manaita", which commemorated the 1st anniversary of the passing away of Matsumoto Kôshirô IV and was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Banzui Chôbê Matsumoto Kôshirô V
Shirai Gonpachi Bandô Mitsugorô III
Komurasaki Nakayama Tomisaburô I
Shirai Kanzaemon Ogino Izaburô II
The yakko Matahei Onoe Eizaburô I
Sukehachi Morita Kan'ya IX
Matahei's wife Ohama Segawa Michisaburô I
Sonohara Samon Ichikawa Monzaburô II

13th day of the 11th lunar month of 1806 [17]: a fire broke out from the shop of the hair-dresser Tomokurô in the district of Nihonbashi Fukiya-chô. It spread and burnt both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza, killing many spectators.

11th lunar month of 1807: grand shûmei for the Hamamuraya guild, at the Nakamuraza, where Segawa Rokô III and Segawa Michinosuke respectively took the names of Segawa Senjo and Segawa Rokô IV. They performed together in the kaomise drama "Kaikei Yuki no Konoshita"; their main stage partners were Ichikawa Omezô I, Bandô Hikosaburô III, Arashi Otohachi II and Ôtani Oniji IV.

7th lunar month of 1808: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Segawa Jokô II's drama "Zôho Izari no Adauchi", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Iinuma Sanzaemon, Iinuma Katsugorô Nakamura Utaemon III
Tsukumo Shinzaemon Bandô Hikosaburô III
Fudesuke Ichikawa Omezô I
Katsugorô's wife Hatsuhana Segawa Rokô IV
Satô Gôsuke, the shôya Tokuemon Asao Kuzaemon I
Iinuma Sanzaburô Ichikawa Danzaburô IV
Fudesuke's wife Oyumi, Shinzaemon's wife Shigemachi Segawa Senjo
Iinuma Sanpei Seki Sanjûrô II

10th lunar month of 1808: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the drama "Kuruwa Bunshô", performed with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Fujiya Izaemon Bandô Hikosaburô III
The courtesan Ôgiya Yûgiri Segawa Senjo
Yoshidaya Kizaemon Ichikawa Omezô I

1st day of the 1st lunar month of 1809 [18]: a fire broke out in the district of Nihonbashi Sanai-chô and destroyed both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

4th lunar month of 1809: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the 7-role Nagauta-based dance-drama "Kantan Sono no Kikuchô", which was staged to commemorate the 36th anniversary (37th memorial service) of the passing away of Segawa Kikunojô II. The dancers were:

Roles Actors
onna date [1], yamanba Segawa Senjo
keisei, komori, kintarô, shirabyôshi Segawa Rokô IV
kamuro Segawa Tamon I

3rd day of the 5th lunar month of 1810: Nakamura Kanzaburô X, who managed the theater from the 6th lunar month of 1786 to the 4th lunar month of 1787 and ran away because of the debts, died.

9th lunar month of 1810: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Komochi Yamanba" was staged for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Oginoya Yaegiri Nakamura Utaemon III
Tabakoya Genshichi (in reality Sakata Kurando Tokiyuki), Kaidômaru Seki Sanjûrô II
Shiragiku Ichikawa Onoe
Princess Omodaka Fujikawa Tomokichi II
Minamoto no Yorimitsu Onoe Monzaburô II
The koshimoto Ozasa Nakamura Tôzô II
Ôta Jûrô Kirishima Giemon I

3rd lunar month of 1811: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the 7-role Nagauta-based hengemono "Osozakura Teniha no Nana Moji" [2]; the seven roles were performed by Nakamura Utaemon III.

9th lunar month of 1812: the actor Nakamura Utaemon III, who was about to travel back to his native Kamigata after more than 4 years spent in Edo, performed his onagori kyôgen at the Nakamuraza, which included the premiere of a sanbasô entitled "Mata Kuru Haru Suzuna no Tanemaki". The roles of Sanbasô, Senzai and Okina were performed by Nakamura Utaemon III, Nakamura Akashi IV and Nakamura Shichisaburô IV.

3rd lunar month of 1813: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the 12-role hengemono "Shiki no Nagame Yosete Mitsudaiji" [3], made up of twelve dances, one for each month of the lunar calendar. All the roles were played by Bandô Mitsugorô III.

29th day of the 11th lunar month of 1813 [19]: a fire broke out in the district of Takasago-chô and destroyed both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

1st lunar month of 1816: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the new year sogamono drama "Hiyoku no Chô Haru no Soga Giku". This new year drama mixed two sekai: it was a sogamono and a gonpachi-komurasakimono. The sogamono fell into oblivion and the gonpachi-komurasakimono was staged independently under the title "Sono Kouta Yume mo Yoshiwara" ("Gonge" and "Gonjô"). "Hiyoku no Chô Haru no Soga Giku" was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Soga Jûrô Sukenari, Soga Gorô Tokimune, Shirai Gonpachi Ichikawa Danjûrô VII
Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Shiratsuka Jûemon, Komurasaki, Honjô Sukeichi Onoe Kikugorô III
Ômi no Kotôta, Banzuiin Chôbê, the priest Kanshinbô, the carpenter Rokusa Matsumoto Kôshirô V
Yawata no Saburô, Oniô Shinzaemon, Kaji no Chôbê, Funakoshi Jûemon Bandô Mitsugorô III
Princess Maizuru, Tsukisayo, Chôbê's nyôbô, Kashiku Nakamura Matsue III
Sukedayû, Hôjô Tokimasa, Yaichi Ichikawa Tomozô II
Chôan's wife Orei Bandô Matajûrô III (who celebrated his shûmei)
Mankô, Kaji no Chôan Ichiyama Shichizô II

12th day of the 1st lunar month of 1817 [5]: a fire broke out in the district of Norimono-chô and destroyed both the Nakamuraza and the Kiriza.

2nd lunar month of 1818: the play "Kamakura Sandaiki" was staged for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Princess Toki Segawa Kikunojô V
Miuranosuke Ichikawa Danjûrô VII
Sasaki Takatsuna Nakamura Shikan I

4th lunar month of 1818: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Sakurada Jisuke II's Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Sono Sugata Hana no Utsushie", commonly called "Mitsu Ningyô" (literally "The Three Puppets"), which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Nakamura Shikan I The yakko
Iwai Hanshirô V The keisei
Bandô Mitsugorô III The young tanzen samurai

9th lunar month of 1819: the actor Nakamura Shikan I, who was about to travel back to his native Kamigata, performed his onagori kyôgen at the Nakamuraza, which included a spectacular 9-role hengemono which was entitled "Onagori Oshie no Mazebari" [4]. This was also the first adaptation to Kabuki (in ôshibai!) of the drama "Seishû Akogi-ga-Ura", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Hiragawara no Jirozô Nakamura Shikan I
Akogi no Heiji Bandô Mitsugorô III
Heiji's wife Oharu Iwai Kumesaburô II
Heiji's son Tomoishi Ichikawa Komazô V
The shôya Hikosaku Asao Tamejûrô III

9th lunar month of 1820: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the 7-role hengemono "Setsugekka Nagori no Bundai". All the seven dances were played by Bandô Mitsugorô III. Three dances ("Asazuma Bune", "Makasho" and "Tama Usagi") are still part of the current Kabuki repertoire.

1st lunar month of 1825: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's new year sogamono drama "Okuni-iri Soga Nakamura", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Banzuiin Chôbê, the hinin Yoine no Nisuke (in reality Aritake Tansuke, later Tôken Gonbê), Akazawa Jûnai (later Teranishi Kanshin), Izu Jirozaemon Sukekane Matsumoto Kôshirô V
Soga Gorô Tokimune, Sasano Gonza, the tabiya Akaneya Chôkurô, the sumôtori Shirafuji Genta Ichikawa Danjûrô VII
Soga Jûrô Sukenari, Shirai Gonpachi (later the keisei Komurasaki), Akaneya Hanshichi, Izutsuya Denbê Onoe Kikugorô III
Shimobe Sukeichi (later Kinuya Yahachi), Soga no Danzaburô Mimasu Gennosuke I
Sukedayû's sister Yaeume, Mikazuki Osayo (later Minoya Sankatsu), the tabiya Akaneya's nyôbô Osono, Wada no Maizuru, Oshun Iwai Kumesaburô II
Danzaburô's nyôbô Izayoi, Gonpachi's sister Osai (later Miuraya Katsuyama) Onoe Kikujirô I
Ômi Kotôta Nariie, Honjô Sukedayû, the tabiya Akaneya Heizaemon Sawamura Shabaku
The kamuro Chidori, in reality Gosho no Goromaru Fuyuyasu Ichikawa Komazô V
Kobayashi no Asahina, Sukehachi Nakamura Denkurô V
Soga no Zenjibô, Futabaya Senkichi Onoe Matsusuke III
Oniô Shinzaemon, Saboten no Zenroku Bandô Zenji II
Yawata Saburô Yukiuji, Heizaemon's nyôbô Okaya Ichikawa Omezô II
The Kawazu kôshitsu Kazaori, the Miuraya nyôbô Osai Azuma Tôzô IV
Shirai Heizaemon, Ushijima Takubê Ichikawa Sôzaburô IV
Kajiwara Genta Kagesue, Imaichiya Zen'emon Ôtani Monzô II
Akabane Bansaku, the young man Jinbê Matsumoto Somegorô
Ôe Shimagorô, Sakuragawa Zenkô Bandô Kôzô
Oniô Shinzaemon's nyôbô Tsukisayo, Iwabuchi Kyûnai Matsumoto Kojirô II
The koshimoto Okatsu, the female kamiyui Oroku Ichikawa Onoe
Minoya Okura Onoe Kanijûrô I

7th lunar month of 1825: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's ghost play "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Iemon's wife Tamiya Oiwa, Kobotoke Kohei, Satô Yomoshichi Onoe Kikugorô III
Naosuke Gonbê Matsumoto Kôshirô V
Tamiya Iemon Ichikawa Danjûrô VII
Osode Iwai Kumesaburô II
Takuetsu Ôtani Monzô II
Oshioda Matanojô Mimasu Gennosuke I
Okuda Shôzaburô Onoe Matsusuke III
Itô Kihê's widow Itô Oyumi Azuma Tôzô IV
Kobotoke Kohei's wife Kobotoke Ohana Onoe Kikujirô I

9th lunar month of 1825: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Kamikakete Sango Taisetsu", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Satsuma Gengobê (in reality Fuwa Kazuemon), Yasuke Matsumoto Kôshirô V
Sasanoya Sangorô (in reality Tokuemon's son Sentarô), Itô Genshin (in reality Senzaki Yagorô) Ichikawa Danjûrô VII
Dakki no Koman, Oroku, Moronô's mistress Ran-no-Kata, Kanpei's widow Okaru Iwai Kumesaburô II
Teraoka Heiemon, Muna Hachiemon Mimasu Gennosuke I
Kikuno Azuma Tôzô IV
Tomimori Sukeemon Ichikawa Sôzaburô IV

11th lunar month of 1825: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Oniwaka Kongen Butai". The main roles were played by Ichikawa Danjûrô VII, Iwai Shijaku I (Osome) and Iwai Kumesaburô II (Hisamatsu). The michiyuki entitled "Ukine no Tomodori" is still part of the current Kabuki repertoire.

8th day of the 12th lunar month of 1825 [6]: a fire broke out in the puppet theater Yûkiza, district of Fukiya-chô, and destroyed both the Nakamuraza and the Ichimuraza.

3rd day of the 1st lunar month of 1827 [7]: a fire broke out from the third floor of the Ichimuraza and destroyed the Ichimuraza, the Nakamuraza and 2 puppet theaters.

8th lunar month of 1826: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Soga Nakamura Aki no Torikomi", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Ômi no Kotôta, Inanoya Hanbê (in reality Soga Gorô's retainer Danzaburô), Akazawa Jûsaku Seki Sanjûrô II
Tennichibô, Maizuruya Denzô (in reality Kyô no Jirô), Ôe no Hiromoto Ichikawa Danjûrô VII
Kanônosuke Munemochi, the Kudô goke Naginoha, the Maizuruya keisei Shirafuji Mimasu Gennosuke I
Soga Jûrô's goke Matsuyoi, Soga Gorô's goke Izayoi, the Maizuruya shinzô Asagao, Inaba Kôzô (in reality the geisha Koina) Iwai Kumesaburô II
The onna hinin Mikazuki Osen, the Iwamotoin son Zenjibô Iwai Shijaku I
Adachi Tôkurô, Jigoku Seizaemon Sawamura Shirogorô II
The hannin Kankichi Bandô Hikozaemon II
Oniô Shinzaemon (Soga Jûrô's retainer), later Kibô Shuryôkai Sôryô Jinroku II
The Maizuruya nyôbô Otami Azuma Tôzô IV
Soga Tarô, Tojibôin Yukizane Naritaya Sôbê I
The nusubito Yahachi Ichikawa Sôzaburô V
The Ôtônai goke Sakaki, Tsubosaka Chôhan Ôtani Monzô II
Mukadeya Kinbê Iwai Kiyotarô IV
The okujochû Koyurugi, Soga Mankô Ichikawa Onoe
Hakomochi Kisuke Matsumoto Somegorô

1st lunar month of 1828: revival at the Nakamuraza of the dance-drama "Oshidori" by Segawa Jokô II in a 2-part dance-drama, the Tomimoto-based "Shijûhatte Koi no Showake" (the "Sumô" part) and the Tokiwazu-based "Imosedori Sugata no Masayume" (the "Oshidori" part). It was staged within the new year drama "Suikoden Soga no Fûryû". The lead singer for the Tomimoto music was Tomimoto Umanosuke II; the Tokiwazu music was written by Kishizawa Shikisa V and the singer was Tokiwazu Komojidayû I. It was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
The keisei Kisegawa, the spirit of the female mandarin duck Segawa Kikunojô V
Kawazu Saburô Sukeyasu, the spirit of the male mandarin duck Nakamura Shikan II
Matano Gorô Kagehisa Matsumoto Kôshirô V

3rd lunar month of 1828: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the 7-role hengemono "Nijirigaki Nanatsu Iroha", which was performed by Nakamura Shikan II. Two of the roles, "Keisei" and "Tomo Yakko", are still part of the current Kabuki repertoire.

9th lunar month of 1828: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the drama "Nochi no Tsuki Shuen no Shimadai". The main roles were played by Nakamura Shikan II and Segawa Kikunojô V.

21st day of the 3rd lunar month of 1829 [8]: a fire broke out from the shop of Owariya Tokuemon, in the district of Kanda Sakuma-chô. It spread and destroyed the Edo theaters district. The Moritaza, the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza were burnt to ashes.

4th day of the 8th lunar month of 1829: Nakamura Kanzaburô XI died. Nakamura Denkurô V most likely took the name of Nakamura Kanzaburô XII and became the new official zamoto of the Nakamuraza in the 8th lunar month of 1829 but he kept on performing under the name of Nakamura Denkurô V up to the 8th lunar month of 1830.

11th lunar month of 1829: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Kin no Zai Sarushima Dairi", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Tawara no Tôta, Fujiwara Iyo-no-Jô Sumitomo, Bandô Tarô, Kazusanosuke, the shirabyôshi Hanako (in reality the ghost of Princess Kiyo), the kyôgenshi Masuroku (in reality the ghost of Fujiwara Tadabumi) Nakamura Shikan II
Sôma Masakado (in reality Mitsunaka's daughter Princess Takiyasha), the female thieve Ikazuchi-ga-Hora no Todoroki, Manago no Shôji's daughter Princess Kiyo, the shirabyôshi Sakurako Segawa Kikunojô V
Iga Jutarô's son Kongômaru, Rokujûrokubu Hôkai, Minamoto no Mitsunaka Mimasu Gennosuke I
Yasaka no Jôzô, the sendô Yotsuzuka Daisaku, Iga Jutarô, Ôashi Harashirô Arashi Kanjûrô I
Muraoka Gorô, Usui Aratôta Sakata Hangorô IV
Kitashirakawa no Anchin, Nose Gengo Ichikawa Yaozô V
Usui Aradôji, the hinin Tsunagorô Ichikawa Komazô V
Narukawa Gunzô Nakayama Bungorô II
Izawa Yakurô Nakamura Shibazô I
Gengo's wife Kohata, the female samurai Sakurai Azuma Tôzô IV
Ikuta Shichirô Ichikawa Monzaburô II
Inugami Hyôgo Arashi Kankurô II
Oshima Saburô Matsumoto Somezô
Ikeda Tosanosuke Matsumoto Mitsunosuke
Iwazô Asao Utashirô
Iyo no Tarô Nakamura Denkurô V

3rd lunar month of 1830: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the 9-role hengemono "Minokoshite Haru no Kokonoe"; Nakamura Shikan II played all the roles, including the Yashima Court Lady, which is still part of the current Kabuki repertoire ("Kanjo").

23rd day of the 12th lunar month of 1830 [9]: a fire broke out in the district of Nihonbashi Kodenma-chô. It spread and destroyed the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

3rd lunar month of 1831: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the five-role hengemono "Rokkasen Sugata no Irodori". It starred Nakamura Shikan II in the five roles of Sôjô Henjô, Ariwara no Narihira, Bun'ya no Yasuhide, Kisen and Ôtomo no Kuronushi. His stage partner in the role of Ono no Komachi was Iwai Kumesaburô II.

3rd lunar month of 1832: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the 3-part Kiyomoto/Tokiwazu/Nagauta-based dance "Yayoi no Hana Asakusa Matsuri", starring Bandô Mitsugorô IV and Nakamura Shikan II in the leading roles. This dance is still sometimes performed in its entirety but the second part, "Sanja Matsuri", is frequently staged independently.

11th lunar month of 1832: great shûmei at the Nakamuraza for the Iwai clan; Iwai Hanshirô V, Iwai Kumesaburô II and Iwai Hisajirô II respectively took the names of Iwai Tojaku, Iwai Hanshirô VI and Iwai Kumesaburô III. They played together in Segawa Jokô II's drama "Goban Tadanobu Yuki no Kuroshiro".

7th day of the 2nd lunar month of 1834 [10]: a fire broke out in the district of Kanda Sakuma-chô. It spread and destroyed the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

11th lunar month of 1837: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Sakurada Jisuke III's Tokiwazu-based hengemono "Kubeki Yoi Kumo no Itosuji", which was staged at the end of the kaomise drama "Kanzen Chôaku Tsuwamono no Kao Kagami". It starred Sawamura Tosshô I and Iwai Shijaku I.

3rd lunar month of 1839: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the 8-role hengemono "Hana Goyomi Iro no Showake", which was performed by Nakamura Utaemon IV. One of the role, "Toshima", is still part of the current Kabuki repertoire. Nakamura Komasaburô took the name of Nakamura Fukusuke I during this performance.

8th lunar month of 1840: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the drama "Koi Minato Hakata no Hitofushi", a revised version of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's masterpiece "Hakata Kojorô Nami Makura", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Kezori Kuemon Ichikawa Ebizô V
Komatsuya Sôshichi Sawamura Tosshô I
Kojorô Iwai Tojaku

7th lunar month of 1841: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the dance "Ame no Gorô", which was performed by Onoe Tamizô II as part of a nine-role hengemono entitled "Yae Kokonoe Hana no Sugatae".

6th day of the 10th lunar month of 1841 [11]: a fire broke out from the backstages of the Nakamuraza in the district of Kanda Sakai-chô. It spread and destroyed the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

20th day of the 10th lunar month of 1841 [12]: the Edo authorities forbade the reconstruction of the destroyed theaters in Sakai-chô.

19th day of the 12th lunar month of 1841 [13]: the Nakamuraza, Ichimuraza and Kawarasakiza were ordered to move to the remote district of Asakusa Saruwaka-chô.

7th lunar month of 1842: the construction of the new Nakamuraza was completed.

10th lunar month of 1842: opening ceremony for the new Nakamuraza; Nakamura Kanzaburô XII produced the drama "Kinryûzan Chikai no Ishizue" with the actors Iwai Tojaku, Sawamura Tosshô II, Arashi Kichisaburô III, Onoe Eizaburô III, Bandô Hikosaburô IV, Osagawa Tsuneyo IV, Arashi Izaburô II and Ichikawa Danzaburô V.

1843: Nakamura Kanzaburô XII was condemned by the Edo Authorities for falsification of documents related to the number of shibai jaya in his theater. As a punishment, he was handcuffed at home and his theater was temporarily closed (no kaomise in the 11th lunar month).

3rd lunar month of 1844: end of punishment for Nakamura Kanzaburô XII, who had to pay a heavy fine in order to get his handcuffs removed. He produced the drama "Sugata no Hana Yayoi no Kagamiyama", which celebrated the shûmei of Iwai Hanshirô VII, Matsumoto Kôshirô VI and Ichikawa Komazô VII.

1st lunar month of 1845: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Sakurada Jisuke III's dance-drama "Awa Mochi", which was staged under the title "Hana no Hoka Niwaka no Kyokuzuki" in the new year program "Tama Tsubaki Genpei Soga". The roles of the awa mochi makers were played by Nakamura Utaemon IV and Ichikawa Kuzô II.

1st lunar month of 1846: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Sakurada Jisuke III's Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Kagura Uta Kumoi no Kyokumari", which was commonly called "Dontsuku". The music was written by Kishizawa Shikisa V and it was performed by the Tokiwazu musical ensemble led by Tokiwazu Mojidayû IV. The leading dancer was Nakamura Utaemon IV. Others main dancers were Bandô Shûka I, Ichimura Uzaemon XII and Seki Sanjûrô III.

4th lunar month of 1850: Nakamura Kanzaburô XII gave his name to his son Nakamura Denzô III (who became Nakamura Kanzaburô XIII) and retired, taking the name of Nakamura Kankurô III.

9th lunar month of 1850: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the drama "Minoriyoshi Kogane no Kikuzuki", a revision by Fujimoto Kichibê of the ghost play "Banshû Sarayashiki", which starred Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII, Ichikawa Kodanji IV, Bandô Shûka I and Nakayama Ichizô in the roles of Asayama Tetsuzan, the koshimoto Okiku and Iwabuchi Chûta.

4th lunar month of 1851: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the Tokiwazu-based dance "Kioi Jishi Kabuki no Hanakago", commonly called "Kioi Jishi", starring Ichikawa Kodanji IV, Bandô Takesaburô I, Onoe Kikujirô II and Iwai Kumesaburô III.

8th lunar month of 1851: premiere of Segawa Jokô III's drama "Higashiyama Sakura Zôshi" (commonly called "Sakura Giminden"), which was staged at the Nakamuraza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Asakura Tôgo, Sumahei, Shinonome Ichikawa Kodanji IV
Ashikaga Yoshimasa, Orikoshi Masatomo, the boatman Jinbei, Maboroshi no Chôkichi, Nikki Kiyonosuke Bandô Hikosaburô IV
The shirabyôshi Katsuragi, Ashikaga Mitsuuji Iwai Kumesaburô III
Fuji-no-Kata, Tôgo's wife Omine Onoe Kikujirô II
Asakura Tôzaemon, Ôsawa Hayato, Takaoka Kazue Morita Kan'ya XI
Hosokawa Katsumoto Sawamura Gennosuke III
Ashikaga Yoshihisa, Ishidô Unemenosuke, Ogata Nagatonosuke Bandô Takesaburô I
Sugishô Azuma Ichinojô I
Yamana Sôzen Nakayama Ichizô
Tôgo's son Tôtarô Ichikawa Tsutanosuke I
Tôgo's son Tôkichi Ichikawa Kumejirô

11th day of the 10th lunar month of 1851: the actor and zamoto Nakamura Kanzaburô XII (1800~1851) died.

3rd lunar month of 1853: premiere of Segawa Jokô III's drama "Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi" (commonly called "Kirare Yosa"), which was staged at the Nakamuraza with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Yosaburô Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII
Otomi Onoe Baikô IV
Kômori Yasu Nakamura Tsuruzô I

5th day of the 11th lunar month of 1854: a big fire breaks out in the district of Seiten-chô and reduced to ashes the Ichimuraza, the Nakamuraza and the Moritaza.

2nd day of the 10th lunar month of 1855: the Ansei Edo Earthquake (Ansei Edo Jishin) destroyed the Nakamuraza.

7th lunar month of 1857: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Sakurada Jisuke III's drama "Sanzesô Nishiki Bunshô", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Rokusaburô Sawamura Tosshô II
Osono Kataoka Gatô II
Fukushimaya Seibê Ichikawa Enzaburô
Seibê's wife Okaji Arashi Koroku V
Chôan Seki Utasuke I (?)
Shichirôsuke Sawamura Itarô (?)
Enma Daiô Kataoka Toragorô

1st lunar month of 1859: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the Nagauta-based sanbasômono "Kotobuki Shiki Sanba", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Okina Ichikawa Ebizô V
Senzai Onoe Kikugorô IV
Sanbasô Nakamura Fukusuke I

22nd 4th lunar month of 1864: a fire broke out in a Moritaza's shibai jaya; it quickly spread and burnt the Moritaza, the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza.

7th lunar month of 1869: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kichisama Mairu Yukari no Otozure", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Yukanba Kichisa, Tabatake Jûzaburô, the koshimoto Osugi, Dozaemon Denkichi Onoe Kikugorô V
The mekake Omitsu (later Yushima no Okan), Oshichi Bandô Mitsugorô VI
Yoshida Chûzaemon, the kamikuzuya Ibê Bandô Kamezô I
Nitta no Shirô Ichikawa Danzô VI
Kobori Samonnosuke, the Enjôji page Kamesaburô, Itô Kichinoshin Arashi Rikaku
Osugi's sister Otami, the servant Otama Arashi Eizaburô
Kobori Yaheiji, Ebina Gunzô, Ibê's nyôbô Ohaya Bandô Minosuke IV
Kichinoshin's nyôbô Omasa Sawamura Kitô
Chûzaemon's daughter Owaka Iwai Hisajirô III
Yaheiji's nyôbô Okatsu Nakamura Ichô I
Kamaya Buhê Bandô Shinzaemon
Hatashiro Ryûzaemon, the daraku bôzu Benshû, the yaoya Kyûshirô Nakamura Nakatarô

3rd lunar month of 1870: premiere at the Nakamuraza of "Ume Goyomi Tatsumi no Sono", an adaptation to Kabuki by Kawatake Shinshichi II and Segawa Jokô III of Tamenaga Shunsui's 1833 novel, which was staged under the title "Ume Goyomi Tatsumi no Sono" with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Karakotoya Tanjirô Onoe Kikugorô V
The geisha Yonehachi Bandô Mitsugorô VI
The geisha Adahachi Ôtani Hiroji V

1st lunar month of 1872: premiere at the Nakamuraza of the drama "Ume Kyôdai Naniwa Senki" (one act has survived and became the independent drama "Kimura Nagato-no-Kami"), which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Kimura Shigenari, Anayama Kosuke, Katagiri Katsumoto Onoe Kikugorô V
Sanada Yukimura, the farmer Kôsaku, Tokugawa Ieyasu Nakamura Shikan IV
Yodogimi, the female thief Ômi no Okane, Sanada Yukimura's nyôbô Kagaribi Bandô Mitsugorô VI
Sanada Yukimura's son Koshirô Onoe Kikunosuke II
Toyotomi Hideyori Nakamura Shibajaku II
Kôri Shumenosuke Nakamura Fukusuke III
Ôno Shûrinosuke Bandô Minosuke IV
Oda Urakusai, Honda Daisuke Masasumi Nakamura Nakatarô I
Ôno Dôken Nakamura Kantarô I
Watanabe Kuranosuke Nakamura Aizô

June 1873: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Tsuyu Kosode Mukashi Hachijô" (commonly called "Kamiyui Shinza"), staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Shinza, Ôka Echizen Onoe Kikugorô V
Chôbê, Genshichi Nakamura Nakazô III
Okuma Iwai Hanshirô VIII
Chûshichi Bandô Kakitsu I

1875: Nakamura Kanzaburô XIII retired and entrusted the management of the Nakamuraza to the actor Nakamura Nakazô III.

October 1875: premiere at the Nakamuraza and the Shinboriza of Takeshiba Kinsaku I's drama "Minori no Aki Seishô Denki", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Satô Masakiyo, Kajiya Seikichi Ichikawa Danjûrô IX
Uji-no-Kata Iwai Hanshirô VIII
Satô Denzô, Fukumatsu Seki Sanjûrô IV
Kajiya's nyôbô Ofuji Ichikawa Monnosuke V
Katagiri Miki-no-Kami Nakamura Nakazô III

31 December 1876: a fire broke out in Edo in Asakusa and destroyed both the Satsumaza and the Nakamuraza.

1877: the new zamoto was Hirano Gihei, who rebuilt the theater and renamed it Miyakoza, the name of one of the hikae yagura of the Nakamuraza during the Edo period.

July 1878 ~ December 1878: the Miyakoza opened, ran business a few months and quickly went bankrupt.

July 1879: the theater reopened under the name of Saruwakaza; his new zamoto was Iwai Kumesaburô IV, the adopted son of Nakamura Kanzaburô XIII's brother-in-law Iwai Hanshirô VIII.

23 May 1880: premiere at the Saruwakaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Arimatsuzome Sumô Yukata", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Iba Jinzaburô Nakamura Sôjûrô
The sumôtori Onogawa Kisaburô, Takao Jûzaemon Kataoka Gadô III
Okana, Asama Chikugo-no-Kami, Mizuki Mondonosuke, Takao's son Sôzaburô Kataoka Gatô III
Omichi's daughter Omaki, Takao's spouse Owaka Iwai Hanshirô VIII
Onogawa's disciple Hachijin Chôhachi, Chûzô Ichikawa Yaozô VII
The sumôtori Raiden Tameemon Bandô Kakitsu I
Onogawa's mother Oasa, Narusawa Gosuke Kataoka Ichizô III
The mekake Oshiga Iwai Matsunosuke IV
Onogawa's disciple Hanabishi Otozô, the jochû Iwanami Nakamura Ginnosuke I
The Asama okugata Misao Iwai Shijaku IV
Marukame Samonnosuke Iwai Kumesaburô IV
Rokumaru Nakamura Akashi V
Omichi's son Yokichi Nakamura Tsurumatsu

May 1881: premiere at the Saruwakaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Ôsakazuki Shusen no Tsuwamono", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Hara Saisuke, in reality Baba Saburobê Ichikawa Sadanji I
Lord Naitô Kii-no-Kami Nobumasa Nakamura Shikan IV
Lord Ii Kamon-no-Kami Naotaka Ichikawa Gonjûrô
Hiraoka Jiemon Ichikawa Yaozô VII

23 January 1882: a fire destroyed the Saruwakaza.

June 1882: Nakamura Akashi V, the new manager of the Saruwakaza, who could not rebuild the theater, rented the Shintomiza and produced the dramas "Kawanakajima Azuma Nishikie", "Kiri Kogata Kyô no Benisome" and the dance "Mochizuki". This program welcomed in Tôkyô the Kamigata actor Ichikawa Udanji I.

June 1882: premiere at the Saruwakaza of Kawatake Mokuami's Nagauta-based matsubamemono "Imayô Mochizuki" (commonly called "Mochizuki"), which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Ozawa Gyôbu Tomofusa Ichikawa Udanji I
Mochizuki Saemon Akinaga Ichikawa Sadanji I
Shiragiku Iwai Shijaku IV
Hanawaka Arashi Wasaburô III

November 1882: Nakamura Akashi V rented the Shintomiza and produced Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Kokubyakuron Oriwake Hakata", which celebrated the shûmei of Sawamura Gennosuke IV and which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Toriyama Daizen, the ryôjin Yaheiji, Hoshino Tôemon, Soga Gorô Tokimune Ichikawa Danjûrô IX
The tobi Nagabusa Kôji, Chôgorô's nyôbô Osai, the orator Kikuchi Mon'ichi, the land surveyor Akeboshi Onoe Kikugorô V
Urashima Jûdayû, the ryôshi Hamaroku, ??? no Chôgorô, Ja-no-Mesu Seikichi, the ??? Hataemon Ichikawa Sadanji I
Kôyô (the oshô of the An'yôji Temple), Karakiya Kôemon, Asakawa Mondo, the cha no sôshô Hishikawa Kazan Ichikawa Udanji I
Kumasaka Chôhan, the ryôshi Takezô, the yakko Ranpei, Nakamura Shikan IV
??? Nakamura Nakazô III
??? Bandô Kakitsu I
??? Onoe Matsusuke IV
??? Nakamura Fukusuke IV
??? Onoe Kikunosuke II
The Suma ama Matsukaze, the Kyôya musume Oura, Chûemon's younger sister Otami Sawamura Gennosuke IV
The Hanabishiya yûjo Kojorô, Asakawa Mondo's nyôbô Otei, the Bekkôya gejo Okan Bandô Shûchô
The tea master Matsushita Chin'ami, Takasaki Kôemon, Kasahara Haito Nakamura Tsuruzô II
Kikuchi Sadayuki, Matsuura Iori, Shinagawa no Bazusada Ichikawa Ebizô VIII
??? Iwai Shijaku IV
??? Ôtani Monzô III
??? Ichikawa Dan'emon I
The chûrô Igarashi, Otose Iwai Shigematsu

1883 ~ October 1884: the Saruwakaza was closed.

Fall 1884: the theater was rebuilt in the district of Asakusa Torigoe-chô.

November 1884: premiere at the Saruwakaza of Kawatake Mokuami's katsureki drama "Hôjô Kudai Meika no Isaoshi", which was staged with the following casting:

Roles Actors
Hôjô Takatoki Ichikawa Danjûrô IX
Hôjô Takatoki's mistress Kinugasa Nakamura Fukusuke IV
Osaragi Michinoku-no-Kami Ichikawa Gonjûrô

23 January 1885: a fire broke out in the Saruwakaza and reduced it to ashes.

June 1886: the theater was rebuilt, renamed Nakamuraza and reopened.

Summer 1891: the Nakamuraza went bankrupt.

January 1892: the theater reopened and was renamed Torigoeza.

22 January 1893: a fire broke out in the district of Torigoe-chô and reduced to ashes the Torigoeza. The Nakamura clan could not find the money to rebuild it, putting an end to a 269 years long history.

Notes

[1] "Onna Date" is still part of the current Kabuki repertoire.

[2] The 4th role is still part of the current repertoire ("Echigo Jishi").

[3] The role of the Bonito seller is still part of the current Kabuki repertoire ("Katsuo Uri").

[4] One of these roles ("Tobae") is still in the current Kabuki repertoire.

[5] The 12th day of the 1st lunar month of the 14th year of the Bunka era was the 27th of February 1817 in the western calendar.

[6] The 8th day of the 12th lunar month of the 8th year of the Bunsei era was the 15th of January 1826 in the western calendar.

[7] The 3rd day of the 1st lunar month of the 10th year of the Bunsei era was the 29th of January 1827 in the western calendar.

[8] The 21st day of the 3rd lunar month of the 12th year of the Bunsei era was the 24th of April 1829 in the western calendar.

[9] The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month of the 1st year of the Tenpô era was the 5th of February 1831 in the western calendar.

[10] The 7th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 5th year of the Tenpô era was the 16th of March 1834 in the western calendar.

[11] The 6th day of the 10th lunar month of the 12th year of the Tenpô era was the 18th of November 1841 in the western calendar.

[12] The 20th day of the 10th lunar month of the 12th year of the Tenpô era was the 2nd of December 1841 in the western calendar.

[13] The 19th day of the 12th lunar month of the 12th year of the Tenpô era was the 30th of January 1842 in the western calendar.

[14] The 29th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 3rd year of the Meiwa era was the 8th of April 1766 in the western calendar.

[15] The 14th day of the 1st lunar month of the 3rd year of the Manji era was the 24th of February 1660 in the western calendar.

[16] The 4th day of the 11th lunar month of the 2nd year of the Kyôwa era was the 28th of November 1802 in the western calendar.

[17] The 13th day of the 11th lunar lunar month of the 3rd year of the Bunka era was the 22nd of December 1806 in the western calendar.

[18] The 1st day of the 1st lunar lunar month of the 6th year of the Bunka era was the 14th of February 1809 in the western calendar.

[19] The 29th day of the 11th lunar lunar month of the 10th year of the Bunka era was the 21st of December 1813 in the western calendar.

[20] The 28th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 4th year of the An'ei era was the 29th of March 1775 in the western calendar.

[21] The 25th day of the 11th lunar month of the 7th year of the Hôreki era was the 4th of January 1758 in the western calendar.

[22] The 14th day of the 1st lunar month of the 6th year of the Hôreki era was the 13th of February 1756 in the western calendar.

[23] The 29th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 9th year of the Meiwa era was the 1st of April 1772 in the western calendar.

[24] The 6th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 10th year of the Hôreki era was the 22nd of March 1760 in the western calendar.

[25] The 19th day of the 9th lunar month of the 14th year of the Genroku era was the 20th of October 1701 in the western calendar.

[26] The 10th day of the 12th lunar month of the 11th year of the Genroku era was the 10th of January 1699 in the western calendar.

The Nakamuraza
 
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