ICHIKAWA DANZ� IV (original) (raw)

Stage names:

Guild: Mikawaya

Nicknames:

Meguro Danz� ("Danz� from Meguro")
Tomoz� Danz�

Line number: YODAIME (IV)

Poetry name: Shik�

Existence: 1745 ~ 9th day of the 10th lunar month of 1808 [1]

Connection:

Master: Ichikawa Danz� III

Adopted mother: Ichikawa Danz� III's widow

Sons: Ichikawa Dannosuke III, Ichikawa Dannosuke IV

Adopted son: Ichikawa Danz� V

Disciples: Ichikawa Ichiz� I, Ichikawa Aragor� I, Ichikawa Tomoz� II, Ichikawa Monzabur� I, Ichikawa Monzabur� II

Career:

1745~1763: born in Ky�to. He started his career at an early age, performing under the name of Kameya Toraz� in a troupe of children actors located at the Izumi Shikibeza. He spent some years in the minor theaters of �saka (hama shibai).

1763: he became disciple of Nakamura Tomij�r� I and received the name of Nakamura Toraz�.

1768: Toraz� settled in Edo.

11th lunar month of 1768: he became disciple of the actor Ichikawa Danz� III and received the name of Ichikawa Tomoz� I, performing at the Ichimuraza in the kaomise drama "Otokoyama Yunzei Kurabe".

1769: Tomoz� went back to Ky�to.

11th lunar month of 1771: Tomoz� played in Ky�to at the Kitagawa no Shibai the role of Shinozuka Gor� in the kaomise drama "Miyako Yoshino Mikado no Takadono", which was produced by Mimasu Tokujir� I, welcomed in Ky�to the Edo actor Sakata Hangor� II and celebrated the sh�mei of Sawamura S�j�r� III, Anegawa Minato II and Yamatoyama Rinzaemon II.

24th day of the 6th lunar month of 1772 [2]: his master Ichikawa Danz� III died. Tomoz� went back to Edo in the family of Ichikawa Danz� III's widow, who adopted him.

11th lunar month of 1772: Ichikawa Tomoz� I took the name of Ichikawa Danzabur� III at the Ichimuraza, performing in the kaomise drama "Edo Katagi Hikeya Tsunazaka".

11th lunar month of 1773: Ichikawa Danzabur� III took the name of Ichikawa Danz� IV at the Ichimuraza, performing in the kaomise drama "Kaeri Kiso Kigoto no Hatsumono".

3rd lunar month of 1776: first Kabuki adaptation of Matsu Kanshi's puppet theater drama "Koi Musume Mukashi Hachij�", which was staged at the Nakamuraza; Danz� played the role of Shirokiya Sh�bei [casting].

5th lunar month of 1776: the play "Honch� Nij�shik�" was performed for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza; Danz� played the role of Jihiz� [casting].

1st lunar month of 1778: the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin" was staged for the first time in Edo, at the Moritaza [casting]; Danz� played the roles of Daihanji no Kiyosumi and Soga no Iruka.

4th lunar month of 1780: first Kabuki adaptation of Utei Enba, Kij� Tar� and Y� Y�dai puppet theater drama "Go Taiheiki Shiraishi Banashi", which was written in the 1st lunar month of 1780. The play was produced in Edo at the Moritaza; Danz� played the roles of the sh�ya Shichirob� and Daifukuya S�roku (in reality Shimada Sabur�b�) [casting].

9th lunar month of 1780: Danz� played for the first time the role of Sait� Bett� Sanemori in the drama "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki", which was staged at the Moritaza.

3rd lunar month of 1781: Danz� played for the first time 7 roles (nanayaku) in the drama "Kanadehon Ch�shingura", which was staged at the Moritaza.Roles: En'ya Hangan, �boshi Yuranosuke, Honz�'s wife Tonase, Amakawaya Gihei, Yoichib�, Ono no Sadakur� and �washi Bungo. This was the first time in Kabuki history that an actor plays seven roles in the classic "Kanadehon Ch�shingura".

5th lunar month of 1783: Danz� played at the Nakamuraza the roles of Ishid� Umanoj�, Kakogawa Honz� and Teraoka Heiemon in the drama "Kanadehon Ch�shingura".

9th lunar month of 1783: Danz� celebrated his coming departure from Edo, playing the role of Konishi Suketar� in the drama "Buke no Hana Musume no Adauchi", which was staged at the Nakamuraza.

Fall 1783: Danz� went to Kamigata after 16 years spent in Edo.

1st lunar month of 1784: Danz� played at the Kado no Shibai the roles of K� no Moron�, �boshi Yuranosuke and Kakogawa Honz� in the drama "Kanadehon Ch�shingura", which was produced by Fujikawa Kikumatsu.

4th lunar month of 1784: premiere at the Kado no Shibai of Nagawa Shimesuke I's drama "Sumidagawa Gonichi no Omokage"; Danz� played the role of H�kaib� [casting].

5th lunar month of 1784: premi�re in �shibai, in �saka at the Kado no Shibai, of the giday� ky�gen "Yura no Minato Sengen Ch�ja"; Danz� played the role of �wada Kuranoshin [casting].

11th lunar month of 1784: Danz� played at the Kado no Shibai the roles of Takebe Genz� and Terukuni in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", which was produced by Onoe Ushinosuke I.

7th lunar month of 1785: Danz� played at the Kado no Shibai the roles of the yakko Dennai, Kumedera Danj� and the wicked priest Narukami in the drama "Otsuginasai Iwafute Shikisan".

Summer 1785: tour in Akashi in the company of the great onnagata Iwai Hanshir� IV.

1st lunar month of 1786: Danz�'s rank in the �saka hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was j�-j�-kichi (superior - superior - excellent) [visual].

10th lunar month of 1786: tour in the Island of Shikoku.

4th lunar month of 1787: Danz� played the roles of K� no Moron�, Ishid� Umanoj� and Amakawaya Gihei in the classic "Kanadehon Ch�shingura", which was produced in �saka by Nakamura Kumetar� II

1788: tour in Ise; Danz� played in the classic "Kanadehon Ch�shingura" at the Furuichi Shibai.

5th lunar month of 1788: first Kabuki adaptation of the puppet theater drama "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi", which was staged in Ise at the Furuichi no Shibai; Danz� played the roles of Kinugawa Yasozaemon and Todoroki Dengoemon [casting]. He replaced Mimasu Daigor� II for the role of Rokusuke in the 6th lunar month.

Spring 1789: tour in Ise; Danz� played in the classic "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

12th lunar month of 1789: Danz� played 6 roles in the drama "Kanadehon Ch�shingura", which was staged at the Kita-Shinchi no Shibai.Roles: En'ya Hangan, �boshi Yuranosuke, Kakogawa Honz�, Amakawaya Gihei, Yoichib� and Ono no Sadakur�.

1st lunar month of 1790: Danz�'s rank in the �saka hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was (shiro)�-j�-j�-kichi (almost grand - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual].

Spring 1791: Danz� played the role of Sait� Bett� Sanemori in the drama "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki", which was staged in Ky�to at the Shij� Nishi no Shibai.

4th lunar month of 1791: Danz� played in Ky�to the roles of Kumedera Danj� and the wicked priest Narukami in the drama "Narukami Fud� Kitayama Zakura"; the role of Princess Taema was played by Yamashita Yaoz� I.

9th lunar month of 1791: premiere of Nagawa Shimesuke I's ch�shinguramono "Iroha Gana Shij�shichi Moji" in �saka at the Kado no Shibai; Danz� played the roles of En'ya Hangan and �boshi Yuranosuke [more details].

3rd lunar month of 1793: Danz�'s rank in the Kamigata hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was �-j�-j�-kichi (grand - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual].

12th lunar month of 1793: Danz� played the role of Sait� Bett� Sanemori in the drama "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki", which was staged in �saka at the Kita-Shinchi no Shibai. He also played the role of the exiled priest Shunkan in the drama "Heike Nyogo no Shima".

1st lunar month ~ 3rd lunar month of 1794: premiere of Tatsuoka Mansaku's drama "Keisei Haru no Tori", which was famous for its "Umagiri" scene and was produced by the zamoto Asao Okujir� I in �saka at the Kado no Shibai; Danz� played the roles of Oda Sanshichir� Nobutaka and Mashiba Hisayoshi [more details].

Summer 1794: tour in Ise.

8th lunar month of 1794: Danz� played at the Kado no Shibai the role of the exiled priest Shunkan in the drama "Heike Nyogo no Shima"; the role of Chidori was played by Nakamura Noshio II.

9th lunar month of 1794: first Kabuki adaptation of Chikamatsu Hanji's puppet theater drama "Kamakura Sandaiki"; Danz� played the role of Sasaki Takatsuna [casting].

10th lunar month of 1795: Danz� played at the Naka no Shibai the roles of the wicked priest Narukami and the deity Fud� My�� in the drama "Narukami Fud� Kitayama Zakura"; the role of Princess Taema was played by Yoshizawa Iroha I.

1st lunar month of 1796: Danz�'s rank in the �saka hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was shin-j�-j�-kichi (truly - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual].

5th lunar month of 1796: tour in Miyajima with Iwai Hanshir� IV.

10th lunar month of 1796: Danz� played at the Minamigawa no Shibai the roles of Kumedera Danj� and the wicked priest Narukami in the drama "Narukami Fud� Kitayama Zakura"; the role of Princess Taema was played by Yamashita Yaoz� I.

Summer 1798: Danz� went back to Edo.

7th lunar month of 1798: Danz� played at the Moritaza the roles of Daid�ji Denbatanosuke and Araki Saemon in the drama "Katsura Otoko Yaiba no �dachi".

8th lunar month of 1798: Danz� played in the same theater the role of Sait� Bett� Sanemori in the drama "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki".

9th lunar month of 1798: Danz� played in the same theater the role of Daihanji no Kiyosumi in the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin".

11th lunar month of 1798: Danz� played at the Moritaza several roles, including Shinozuka Iganokami (in a "Shibaraku" scene) and Nagasaki Kageyu Saemon, in thekaomise drama "Taiheiki Mitsugi no Funauta".

1st lunar month of 1799: Danz�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was goku-j�-j�-kichi (extreme - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual].

3rd lunar month of 1800: Danz� played at the Nakamuraza the role of the exiled priest Shunkan in the drama "Shunkan Futatsu Omokage".

9th lunar month of 1801: Danz� played at the Nakamuraza the roles of Sanemori and Yoshikata in the drama "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki".

10th lunar month of 1801: Danz� played at the Nakamuraza the role of Matahei in the drama "Keisei Hangonk�"; the role of Otoku was played by Osagawa Tsuneyo II.

11th lunar month of 1801: Danz� planned to go to �saka, yet he took part in the kaomise drama "Meika no Toku Mimasu no Tamagaki", which was staged at the Kawarasakiza.

1st lunar month of 1802: Danz� went back to Kamigata; he played the roles of Karasuka Koroku and Tokichi in the new year ni-no-kawari drama "Keisei Midori no Hayashi", which was produced by Anegawa Kamesabur� at the Kado no Shibai.

2nd lunar month of 1802: Danz� played at the Kado no Shibai the role of Sait� Bett� Sanemori in the drama "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki".

3rd lunar month of 1802: Danz� played at the Kado no Shibai the role of the exiled priest Shunkan in the drama "Heike Nyogo no Shima"; the role of Chidori was played by Fujikawa Tomokichi I.

3rd ~ 5th lunar months of 1802: Danz� played at the Kado no Shibai 7 roles in the drama "Kanadehon Ch�shingura".Roles: K� no Moron�, �boshi Yuranosuke, Kakogawa Honz�, Amakawaya Gihei, Okaru's mother, Yoichib� and Ono no Sadakur�; the roles of En'ya Hangan, Honz�'s wife Tonase and Okaru were played by Kataoka Nizaemon VII, Sawamura Kunitar� I and Nakayama Ittoku I.

5th lunar month of 1802: Danz� played at the Kita-Shinchi no Shibai the role of the exiled priest Shunkan in the drama "Heike Nyogo no Shima"; the role of Chidori was played by Fujikawa Tomokichi I.

Summer 1802: the play "Ehon Taik�ki" was staged for the first time in Ky�to, produced by Arashi Sankichi at the Kitagawa no Shibai; Danz� played the role of Takechi Mitsuhide [casting].

1st lunar month of 1803: Danz�'s rank in the Kamigata hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was goku-j�-j�-kichi (extreme - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual].

5th lunar month of 1803: Danz� played at the Kitagawa no Shibai the role of the exiled priest Shunkan in the drama "Heike Nyogo no Shima"; the role of Chidori was played by Yoshizawa Iroha I.

7th lunar month of 1803: Danz� played at the Naka no Shibai the role of the wicked priest Narukami in the drama "Narukami Fud� Kitayama Zakura"; the role of Princess Taema was played by Kan� Minshi I.

3rd lunar month of 1804: Danz� played the role of Mashiba Hisayoshi in the drama "Kinmon Gosan no Kiri", which was produced by Hayagumo Ch�day� and Kameya Kumenoj� at the Kitagawa no Shibai (Ky�to); the role of the king of thieves Ishikawa Goemon was played by Kataoka Nizaemon VII.

9th lunar month of 1805: Danz� played the role of Sait� Bett� Sanemori in the drama "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki", which was staged in a little theater of the district of Kitano in Ky�to.

1st lunar month of 1806: Danz�'s rank in the Kamigata hy�banki, s�kanjiku section ("all kanjiku"), was goku-j�-j�-kichi (extreme - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual].

5th lunar month of 1806: tour in Nagoya; Danz� played the role of Sait� Bett� Sanemori in the drama "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki", which was staged in the precinct of the Seijuin Temple.

6th lunar month of 1806: Danz� played in the same theater the role of the wicked priest Narukami in the drama "Narukami Fud� Kitayama Zakura"; the role of Princess Taema was played by Fujikawa Tomokichi I.

12th lunar month of 1806: Danz� took part in the kaomise of the Kado no Shibai, with Kataoka Nizaemon VII and Nakamura Utaemon III. The three stars performed together in the drama "�sakazuki Asahi no H�rai", which was produced by Yoshizawa Minosuke.

3rd lunar month of 1808: "Hachijin Shugo no Honj�" was adapted for Kabuki for the first time, in Ky�to at the Kitagawa no Shibai; Danz� played the role of Kat� Asakiyo [casting].

10th lunar month of 1808: Danz� appeared on stage for the last time, in �saka at the Naka no Shibai, where he performed in the drama "Hachijin Shugo no Honj�", which was produced by Ogawa Kichitar� III. He suddenly fell ill and had to be replaced by Ichikawa Ichiz� I.

9th day of the 10th lunar month of 1808 [1]: Danz� died in �saka.

Comments:

Ichikawa Danz� IV was an outstanding tachiyaku, who covered himself in glory in both Edo and Kamigata. He succeeded in making up for his short height by developping new techniques. He was a pioneer of ch�nori and excelled in tachimawari or hayagawari. He was the first Kabuki actor to perform 7 roles in the classic "Kanadehon Ch�shingura".

His nickname, Meguro Danz� (Meguro's Danz�) was related to his mansion in Edo, which was located on the outskirts of the city, close to the famous Meguro Fud�son Temple.

[1] The 9th day of the 10th lunar month of the 5th year of the Bunka era was the 26th of November 1808 in the western calendar.

[2] The 24th day of the 6th lunar month of the 9th year of the Meiwa era was the 24th of July 1772 in the western calendar.