SEKI SANJ�R� II (original) (raw)

Stage names:

Nicknames: Meijin Seki [3], Sekisan

Guilds: Owariya [1], Harimaya [2]

Line number: NIDAIME (II)

Poetry name: Kazan

Existence: 1786 ~ 28th day of the 9th lunar month of 1839 [4]

Connections:

Masters: Nakamura Utaemon III, Arashi Kichisabur� II (Arashi Kitsusabur� I)

Adoptive father: Seki San'emon

Son: Seki S�tar� [8]

Career:

1786 ~ 1802: born in �saka. He started his career as a disciple of Arashi Kichisabur� II, who gave him the name of Arashi S�tar�. He spent most of his early years performing in hama shibai.

11th lunar month of 1802: he became disciple of Nakamura Utaemon III and received the name of Nakamura Utasuke in �saka. A few month later, he was adopted by Seki Sanj�r� I and became Seki Utasuke I.

11th lunar month of 1807: Seki Sanj�r� I and Seki Utasuke I respectively took the names of Seki San'emon and Seki Sanj�r� II at the Naka no Shibai.

3rd lunar month of 1808: Nakamura Utaemon III, Seki San'emon and Sanj�r� went together to Edo; Sanj�r� performed at the Nakamuraza in the drama "Koromo Yayoi Hanago no Keizu".

10th day of the 6th lunar month of 1808 [7]: his adoptive father Seki San'emon died.

7th lunar month of 1808: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Segawa Jok� II's drama "Z�ho Izari no Adauchi"; Sanj�r� played the role of Iinuma Sanpei [casting].

11th lunar month of 1808: Sanj�r� performed at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Gohiiki Onga no Shimadai".

1st lunar month of 1809: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was j�-j� (superior - superior) [visual].

11th lunar month of 1809: Sanj�r� performed at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "�sh� Dachiyuki no Kurogoma", whose plot and characters belonged to the "�sh� Adachi-ga-Hara" world.

1st lunar month of 1810: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was j�-j�-(shiro)kichi (superior - superior - (white) excellent) [visual].

9th lunar month of 1810: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Komochi Yamanba" was staged for the first time in Edo, at the Nakamuraza; Sanj�r� played the roles of Tabakoya Genshichi (in reality Sakata Kurando Tokiyuki) and Kaid�maru [casting].

11th lunar month of 1810: Sanj�r� performed at the Moritaza in the kaomise drama "Monomi Guruma Yuki no Takadono".

1st lunar month of 1811: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was one black stroke above j�-j�-(shiro)kichi (superior - superior - (white) excellent) [visual].

4th lunar month of 1811: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Momonoi Wakasanosuke and Teraoka Heiemon in the drama "Kanadehon Ch�shingura".

6th lunar month of 1811: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Kawagoe Tar� Shigeyori, Tokaiya Ginpei (in reality Taira no Tomomori), Irie Tanz�, Igami no Gonta, Yokawa no Zenji Kakuhan, Sat� Tadanobu and the fox Genkur� in the natsu ky�gen "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

8th lunar month of 1811: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the role of Tsuzuki Denshichi in the drama "Kanjin Kanmon Tekuda no Hajimari". He also played the role of the yakko Yokanpei in the drama "Ashiya D�man �uchi Kagami".

11th lunar month of 1811: Sanj�r� performed at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Azuma no Hana Iwai no Dairi".

1st lunar month of 1812: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was j�-j�-(hanshiro)kichi (superior - superior - (half-white) excellent) [visual].

7th lunar month of 1812: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of En'ya Hangan and Senzaki Yagor� in the drama "Taiheiki Ch�shin K�shaku".

11th lunar month of 1812: Sanj�r� performed at Ichimuraza in the kaomise drama "Gohiiki Megumi no Amagoi".

1st lunar month of 1813: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was two black strokes above j�-j�-(hanshiro)kichi (superior - superior - (half-white) excellent) [visual].

4th lunar month of 1813: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Teraoka Heiemon, �boshi Yuranosuke, Amakawaya Gihei and Hayano Kanpei in the drama "Kanadehon Ch�shingura".

11th lunar month of 1813: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's kaomise drama "Modoribashi Sena-ni Gohiiki"; Sanj�r� played the roles of the ry�shi Fukayama no Goroz� (in reality Urabe Suetake) and �ya Tar� Mitsut� [more details].

29th day of the 11th lunar month of 1813 [9]: a fire broke out in Edo in the district of Takasago-ch� and destroyed both the Ichimuraza and the Nakamuraza. The troupe at the Ichimuraza went to the Moritaza and both troupes performed in a new kaomise drama entitled "Modoribashi Mata no Kaomise", which mixed acts from "Gohiiki Tsunagi Uma" and from "Modoribashi Sena-ni Gohiiki".

3rd lunar month of 1814: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Sumidagawa Hana no Goshozome", commonly called "Onna Seigen"; Sanj�r� played the roles of H�j� Yoshitoki and the yakko Midahei [more details].

7th lunar month of 1814: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's natsu ky�gen "Imaori Hakata no Irifune"; Sanj�r� played the roles of Komachiya S�shichi, Sekinoto-mura Ky�jib� and Funakoshi J�emon [casting].

11th lunar month of 1814: Sanj�r� performed at the Moritaza in the kaomise drama "Fuyu Botan Yuki no Jinmaku".

5th lunar month of 1815: premiere at the Kawarasakiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Kakitsubata Iro mo Edozome" (commonly called "Oroku to Gantetsu" or "Dote no Oroku"); Sanj�r� played the role of Kanaya Kingor� [casting].

Summer 1815: tour in Sendai; Sanj�r� performed in the precinct of the Shakad� Temple.

9th lunar month of 1815: Sanj�r� went back to Edo and played at the Kawarasakiza the roles of En'ya Hangan, Igo, Senzaki Yagor� and Teraoka Heiemon in the drama "Kanadehon Ch�shingura".

11th lunar month of 1815: Sanj�r� performed at the Kawarasakiza in the kaomise drama "Yamato Meisho Senbon Zakura", which celebrated the sh�mei of Segawa Kikunoj� V.

1st lunar month of 1816: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was three black strokes above j�-j�-(hanshiro)kichi (superior - superior - (half-white) excellent) [visual] Premiere at the Kawarasakiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's new year sogamono drama "Nazoraete Fujigane Soga"; Sanj�r� played the roles of Soga no Danzabur� and Yawata Sabur� Yukiuji [casting].

11th lunar month of 1816: Sanj�r� performed at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Fuwa Nagoya Yuki no Dategasa".

1st lunar month of 1817: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was j�-j�-kichi (superior - superior - excellent) [visual].

4th lunar month of 1817: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the role of Ut� Bunji in the drama "�sh� Adachi-ga-Hara".

11th lunar month of 1817: Sanj�r� performed at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Hana to Yuki Wag� Taiheiki", which celebrated the sh�mei of Band� Mitsuemon I, Matsumoto Goroichi and Band� Hidesuke.

1st lunar month of 1818: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the role of Akazawa J�nai in the new year sogamono drama "Nennen Soga Kuruwa Nikki".

5th lunar month of 1818: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Shibaroku and Netar� in the drama "Imoseyama Onna Teikin".

7th lunar month of 1818: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the role of Soma Onoemon in the drama "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi".

9th lunar month of 1818: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the role of En'ya Hangan in the drama "Taiheiki Ch�shin K�shaku".

11th lunar month of 1818: Sanj�r� performed at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Ise Heiji Hiiki no Kaomise".

4th lunar month of 1819: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Ume�maru and the hangandai Terukuni in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

7th lunar month of 1819: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of the yakko Tsumahei and Katsuragi Minbunosuke in the drama "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari".

11th lunar month of 1819: Sanj�r� performed at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Hana no Iro Yatsushi Kuronushi", which celebrated the sh�mei of Nakamura J�z� V and Seki Utasuke II.

3rd lunar month of 1820: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Mashiba Hisatsugu and Mashiba Hisayoshi in the drama "Sanmon Gosan no Kiri"; the role of Ishikawa Goemon was played by Band� Mitsugor� III.

11th lunar month of 1820: Sanj�r� performed at the Kawarasakiza in the kaomise drama "Ise Heiji Ume no Mitegura", which celebrated the sh�mei of Onoe Tamiz� II, �tani Monz� II and Iwai Kiyotar� IV.

7th lunar month of 1821: premiere at the Kawarasakiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Tamamo-no-Mae Kumoi no Hareginu", which mixed the sekai of Gion no Ny�go, the Two Shinb� ("Ninin Shinb�") and Tamamo-no-Mae; Sanj�r� played the roles of Nasu Hachir�, Ukai Kuj�r� and Demura Shinb� [more details].

9th lunar month of 1821: premiere at the Kawarasakiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Kiku no En Tsuki no Shiranami"; Sanj�r� played the roles of the ishikiri Hotoke Gonb�, Kakisaka Sanpei and Amakawaya Igo [more details].

26th day of the 9th lunar month of 1821 [6]: his first master Arashi Kitsusabur� I died.

11th lunar month of 1821 (end of the month): premiere at the Kawarasakiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's kaomise drama "Imoseyama Hitome Senbon", which mixed the "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura" and "Imoseyama Onna Teikin" worlds; Sanj�r� played the roles of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Yazaemon and Irie Tanz� [casting].

7th lunar month of 1822: premiere at the Kawarasakiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Reigen Kameyama Hoko"; Sanj�r� played the roles of �gishi Tanomo and Takei Bunz� [more details].

9th lunar month of 1822: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Shiozawa Tanji and Watanabe Minbu in the drama "Gozonji Azuma no Kara", which celebrated the sh�mei of Nakayama Tomisabur� II.

11th lunar month of 1822: Sanj�r� performed at the Ichimuraza in the kaomise drama "Gohiiki Tsuwamono no Majiwari", which welcomed back Iwai Hanshir� V in Edo and celebrated the sh�mei of Nakayama Kinsha.

1st lunar month of 1823: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's new year sogamono drama "Yaegasumi Soga no Kumiito"; Sanj�r� played the roles of Kobayashi no Asahina, the furugane-kai Kurishima Gonb� and Funakoshi J�emon [casting].

3rd lunar month of 1823: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Ukiyogara Hiyoku no Inazuma"; Sanj�r� played the roles of Hachinai and Shirai Magoichir� [casting].

5th lunar month of 1823: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Sukune Tar�, Ume�maru and Takebe Genz� in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

7th lunar month of 1823: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's natsu ky�gen "Torimazete Sekison Miyage"; Sanj�r� played the roles of Nikki Harutar� (later Konda Dainaiki) and the wakat� Ishidome Busuke [casting].

11th lunar month of 1823: Sanj�r� performed at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "Kaeri Giso Kiku no Hitomure".

5th lunar month of 1824: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Takahashi Sezaemon and Fukuya Sashichi in Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Ehon Gapp�-ga-Tsuji".

7th lunar month of 1824: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the role of Sait� Tar�zaemon Toshiyuki in the drama "�t�-no-Miya Asahi no Yoroi".

9th lunar month of 1824: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Rokusuke and the yakko Tomohei in the drama "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi".

11th lunar month of 1824: Sanj�r� performed at the Ichimuraza in the kaomise drama "Yamatogana Heike Monogatari".

5th lunar month of 1825: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Tokaiya Ginpei (in reality Taira no Tomomori) and Igami no Gonta in the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

7th lunar month of 1825: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Okabe Rokuyata Tadasumi and Taira no Tsunemori in the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

11th lunar month of 1825: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's kaomise drama "Oniwaka Kongen Butai"; Sanj�r� played the roles of Aku no Genta Yoshihira, Ecch� no Zenji Moritsugu, Tada Kurando and Naokiya Yasuroku.

3rd lunar month of 1826: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Konomura �inosuke (in reality S� Sokei) and Mashiba Hisayoshi in the drama "Sanmon Gosan no Kiri"; the role of Ishikawa Goemon was played by Matsumoto K�shir� V.

8th lunar month of 1826: premiere at the Nakamuraza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Soga Nakamura Aki no Torikomi"; Sanj�r� played the roles of �mi no Kot�ta, Inanoya Hanb� (in reality Soga Gor�'s retainer Danzabur�) and Akazawa J�saku [casting].

9th lunar month of 1826: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Kajiwara Genta Kagesue, the boatman Gonshir� and Nenoi Tar� in the drama "Hirakana Seisuiki". He also achieved a great success by playing the role of Matahei in the drama "Keisei Hangonk�". Sanj�r�, who was about to travel back to his native Kamigata after 19 seasons spent in Edo, performed his onagori ky�gen at the Nakamuraza in a 5-role hengemono entitled "Kaesu Gaesu Onagori no �tsue". The 5 roles were the Wisteria Maiden, a blind masseur, the God Tenjin, a footman (yakko) and a boatman. These roles were created based on �tsue, popular paintings made in the city of �tsu (close to Ky�to). Three of these roles are still part of the current Kabuki repertoire: the Wisteria Maiden (the first version of the famous dance "Fuji Musume"), the blind masseur (performed under the title "Zat�") and the footman, which is nowadays the independent dance "Sekisan Yakko" ("Sekisan's footman" - Sekisan was Sanj�r�'s nickname).

12th lunar month of 1826: Sanj�r� played at the Kado no Shibai the roles of Yoshikata and Sanemori in the drama "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki". He also played the role of the fox Tadanobu in the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura"; his stage partners were Nakamura Utaemon III, Nakamura Shikan II, Sawamura Kunitar� II and Nakamura Matsue III.

1st lunar month of 1827: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Kamigata hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was j�-j�-kichi (superior - superior - excellent) [visual].

4th lunar month of 1827: Sanj�r� played at the Kita-Horie Ichi-no-Gawa Shibai the roles of En'ya Hangan, Hayano Kanpei, Yazama J�tar�, Kakogawa Honz�, Teraoka Heiemon and the farmer Yasaku in the drama "Kanadehon Ch�shingura". He also played the roles of Yomosaku and Jinzabur� in "Yamatogana Ariwara Keizu" and "H�kaib�".

5th lunar month of 1827: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the role of Rokusuke in the drama "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi"; the role of Osono was played by Nakamura Matsue III.

6th lunar month of 1827: Sanj�r� played in �saka at the Kita no Shinchi Shibai the role of Rokusuke in the drama "Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi"; the role of Osono was played by Nakamura Matsue III. He also played the roles of Izumi no Sabur� and Jinzabur� in "Goto Sanba" and "H�kaib�".

7th lunar month of 1827: Sanj�r� played at the Kado no Shibai the roles of Hanaregoma Ch�kichi and Nan Yoh� (later Nanp� J�jib�) in the drama "Futatsu Ch�ch� Kuruwa Nikki". He also played the role of Sanj�ri Seishichi (in reality Yaegaki Sazen) in Kanazawa Ry�goku I's drama "Omoto Kamematsu Hiyoku no Kanzashi".

9th lunar month of 1827: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Sasaki Tan'emon and Karaki Masaemon in the drama "Igagoe Norikake Gappa".

11th lunar month of 1827: Sanj�r� played in Ky�to at the Kitagawa no Shibai the roles of K� no Moron�, Teraoka Heiemon, the farmer Yasaku, Yazama J�tar� and Mokuemon in the kaomise drama "Iroha Uta Hana no Sh�itsu".

1st lunar month of 1828: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Kamigata hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was (shiro)itaru-j�-j�-kichi ((white) unique - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual]. Sanj�r� went to Edo; he played at the Kawarasakiza 3 roles in the drama "Iriyamagata Soga no Saiken".

5th lunar month of 1828: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Osono, Hamamachi Gozen, Otani, Sasaki Tan'emon and Karaki Masaemon in the drama "Igagoe Norikake Gappa".

6th lunar month of 1828: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Jihiz� and Takasaka Danj� in the drama "Honch� Nij�shik�". He also played the role of Owariya no Sabu in the drama "Senry� Nobori".

11th lunar month of 1828: Sanj�r� performed at the Kawarasakiza in Mimasuya Nis�ji's kaomise drama "Sakigake Genji no Kibamusha", which welcomed in Edo the actors Sawamura Gennosuke II, Arashi Danpachi and Yoshizawa Enjir�; Sanj�r�'s yearly salary was 600 ry�.

1st lunar month of 1829: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was (shiro)itaru-j�-j�-kichi ((white) unique - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual]. He was the kanjiku for tachiyaku actors.

3rd lunar month of 1829: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Watanabe Minbunosuke, the t�fuya Saburob� and the farmer Hany�-mura no Kingor� in the drama "Date Kurabe Okuni Kabuki".

11th lunar month of 1829: Sanj�r� performed at the Ichimuraza in the kaomise drama "Chijiny� Koko-ni Yorimitsu", which welcomed in Edo the Kamigata actor Kataoka Ichiz� I.

4th lunar month of 1830: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of En'ya Hangan, Kakogawa Honz�, Teraoka Heiemon and Fuwa Kazuemon in the drama "Kanadehon Ch�shingura".

11th lunar month of 1830: Sanj�r� performed at the Ichimuraza in the kaomise drama "Genpei Kabuki Nendaiki".

1st lunar month of 1831: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was itaru-j�-j�-kichi (unique - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual].

3rd lunar month of 1831: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of Konomura �inosuke (in reality S� Sokei) and Mashiba Hisayoshi in the drama "Sanmon Gosan no Kiri"; the role of Ishikawa Goemon was played by Band� Minosuke II.

4th lunar month of 1831: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the role of Demura Shinb� in the drama "Tomioka Koi no Yamabiraki"; the roles of Tamaya Shinb� and Mikuniya Kojor� were played by Band� Minosuke II and Iwai Shijaku I.

8th lunar month of 1831: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the role of Tamiya Iemon in the drama "T�kaid� Yotsuya Kaidan", which welcomed back in Edo the star Onoe Kikugor� III (who played the roles of �boshi Yuranosuke, Iemon's wife Tamiya Oiwa, Kobotoke Kohei and Sat� Yomoshichi). He also played the roles of Sat� Tadanobu, the fox Genkur� and Yazaemon in the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

11th lunar month of 1831: Sanj�r� performed at the Nakamuraza in the kaomise drama "S�ma Dairi Sechie no �yose".

1st lunar month of 1832: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the roles of the otokodate Ariake Sabu (in reality Awazu Rokur�), Kajiwara Genta Kagesue, Hamaji Genzaemon and Oni� Shinzaemon in the new year sogamono drama "Hana-ni Tori Sakigake Soga".

11th lunar month of 1832: Sanj�r� performed at the Ichimuraza in the kaomise drama "Band� Musha Tsunagate Hajime".

1st lunar month of 1833: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was k�-j�-j�-kichi (meritorious - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual]. He played at the Nakamuraza the roles of Soga J�r� Sukenari, Yawata no Sabur�, Kurofune Ch�emon, Azuma no Yoshir� and Umezawa Kogorob� in the new year sogamono drama "Hatsushibai Mutsumaji Soga".

3rd lunar month of 1833: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the role of Yazama Kinai in the drama "Taiheiki Ch�shin K�shaku".

5th lunar month of 1833: Sanj�r� played at the Ichimuraza the role of Tokaiya Ginpei (in reality Taira no Tomomori) in the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura". He also played the role of Issun Tokub� in the drama "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami"; the roles of Danshichi Kurob� and Tsuribune Sabu were played by Band� Mitsugor� III and Ichikawa Danz� V.

7th lunar month of 1833: Sanj�r� played in the same theater the role of Yojir� in the drama "Sarumawashi Kadode no Hitofushi", which was staged to commemorate the 26th anniversary (27th memorial service) of the passing away of his adoptive father Seki San'emon; the roles of Denb� and Oshun were played by Ichimura Uzaemon XII and Band� Tamasabur� I.

9th lunar month of 1834: Sanj�r� played at the Ichimuraza the roles of Kan Sh�j�, Shiratay� and Takebe Genz� in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

1st lunar month of 1835: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was itaru-j�-j�-kichi (unique - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual].

5th lunar month of 1835: tour with Ichikawa Yaoz� V in Ise; they performed at the Furuichi Shibai. This tour was an excellent opportunity for Ichikawa Yaoz� V to learn the art and techniques of Sanj�r�.

9th lunar month of 1835: Sanj�r� performed at the Naka no Shibai in the drama "Konoshita Kage Hazama Gassen".

11th lunar month of 1835: Sanj�r� achieved a great success in Ky�to at the Kitagawa no Shibai by performing in the drama "Futatsu Ch�ch� Kuruwa Nikki".

1st lunar month of 1836: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Kamigata hy�banki,tachiyaku section, was shin-j�-j�-kichi (truly - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual]. Premiere at the Naka no Shibai of Nishizawa Ipp�'s drama "Hana no Ani Tsubomi no Yatsufusa"; Sanj�r� played the roles of �tsuka Bansaku Kazunari, Horiuchi Kurando Sadayuki and Inugawa Gakuz� [casting]. He suddenly fell ill and had to be replaced by Ichikawa Ebij�r� III.

2nd lunar month of 1837: Sanj�r� went back to Edo; he performed at the Moritaza in the drama "Momo Chidori Naruto no Shiranami". He also played the role of Kumagai Jir� Naozane in the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki".

8th lunar month of 1837: Sanj�r� played at the Nakamuraza the roles of En'ya Hangan, Teraoka Heiemon and Kakogawa Honz� in the drama "Kanadehon Ch�shingura".

1837 ~ 1839: Sanj�r� was often ill and had to leave his residence in Edo in the district of Izumi-ch� to settle in the village of Kameido to recover.

3rd lunar month of 1838: Sanj�r� played at the Kawarasakiza the roles of Shiratay� and Takebe Genz� in the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami".

1st lunar month of 1839: Sanj�r�'s rank in the Edo hy�banki, tachiyaku section, was k�-j�-j�-kichi (meritorious - superior - superior - excellent) [Visual].

2nd lunar month of 1839: Sanj�r� appeared on stage for the last time, in Edo at the Nakamuraza. He retired and definitively left the Kabuki world.

28th day of the 9th lunar month of 1839 [4]: Sanj�r� died [5].

Comments:

Seki Sanj�r� II was an amazing tachiyaku actor, who achieved fame for himself in both Edo and Kamigata during the Bunka, Bunsei and Tenp� eras. He was short-sized but he had great presence on stage. His field of excellence was wajitsu.

[1] His yag� when he was named Seki.

[2] His yag� when he was named Nakamura Utasuke.

[3] Literally Seki the Expert.

[4] The 28th day of the 9th lunar month of the 10th year of the Tenp� era was the 3rd of November 1839 in the western calendar.

[5] Seki Sanj�r� II's tombstone was located in the Honganji Temple in the district of Tsukiji.

[6] The 26th day of the 9th lunar month of the 4th year of the Bunsei era was the 21st of October 1821 in the western calendar.

[7] The 10th day of the 6th lunar month of the 5th year of the Bunka era was the 3rd of July 1808 in the western calendar.

[8] Seki Sanj�r� II's son Seki S�tar� died in 1824. No performance record available.

[9] 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.