Kataoka Ichizo

In this Japanese name, the family name is Kataoka.
Tachi Ichō no Maru

Kataoka Ichizō is a kabuki stage name which originated in the Osaka theatre, but whose actors are now based in Tokyo. The name has been passed down from the early 19th-century to the present day through six generations. The jōmon (定紋) family crest used to represent the line is the ichō no maru (銀杏丸) inverted ginko leaf design.[1]

Kataoka Ichizō I

Biography

Kataoka Ichizō I (片岡市蔵) was born Fujikawa Shōzaburō (藤川鐘三郎) in 1792, the son of a low-ranking kabuki actor who gave him his initial training. In 1810 he began an apprenticeship under respected actor Kataoka Nizaemon VII (片岡仁左衛門), and took the name Kataoka Ichizō I.[2] He began his career by performing in minor Osaka area hamashibai (浜芝居) theatres and on stages erected within shrine grounds. In 1820, he became attached to Osaka's Ōnishi (大西) theatre. He also travelled throughout Japan, performing in Edo, Kyoto, Nagoya and Ise.[3] He took actors Kataoka Ichizō II and Kataoka Ichōmaru under his wing as disciples.[4] His large build and loud voice were well suited to the katakiyaku (敵役) and jitsuaku (実悪) villain roles in which he specialized. He was so admired for these performances that he earned the nickname "Jitsuaku no oyadama" (実悪の親玉): King of the Villains. He was, however, also credited with the ability to deliver subtle sewamono (世話物) dramatic performances, particularly in fukeyaku (老役) elderly man roles.[5] Ichizō I held the name from 1810 to 1858 when he took the name Takekawa Ichizō (竹川市蔵).[6] From 1860 to the spring of 1862, Ichizō took a break from performing due to eye problems and encroaching senility.[7] In the 5th lunar month of 1862 he appeared on stage for the last time in the play "Ōmi Genji Senjin Yakata." He died in the 7th lunar month of 1862.[8]

Gatōken Shunshi - (diptych) Sawamura Gennosuke II as Ono no Tofu (R) & Kataoka Ichizō I as Yakko no Daroku (L) in Ono no Tofu Aoyagi Suzuri

Names

Ichizō I was associated with a number of names throughout his life, as per kabuki convention:[9]

Artworks

Kataoka Ichizō I appears in prints by the following artists:

Kataoka Ichizō II

Biography

Very little is known of Ichizō II's personal details, including the dates of his birth and death. He began his career with the Kataoka family as a disciple of Ichizō I, but went on to study with the Nakamura clan under Nakamura Utaemon IV. His speciality was supporting katakiyaku villain roles. After spending some time in the late 1850s performing in Edo to great acclaim, he returned to Osaka where he rejoined the Kataoka family. He took the name Kataoka Ichizō II (2代目片岡市蔵) early in 1865, almost three years after the death of his predecessor. His name ceased appearing on kabuki playbills in the last years of the Edo period.[16]

Names

Ichizō II was associated with the following names throughout his career:[17]

Kataoka Ichizō III

Biography

Kataoka Ichizō III (3代目片岡市蔵) was born in 1851 in the Osaka-area town of Soemon (宗右衛門町). His father was artist Kameya Kichibe (亀屋吉兵衛), and his two older brothers were kabuki actors Mimasu Inemaru (三桝稲丸) and Kataoka Gadō II (2代目片岡我當). His first professional appearance was on an Osaka stage in 1855. He was known for his wide-ranging skills, and particularly his portrayal of katakiyaku villains and fukeyaku elderly men. Following the sudden death of his brother, Inemaru, Ichizō III was forced to give up kabuki and begin an apprenticeship in the trades. He returned to the stage, however, becoming a disciple of Kataoka Nizaemon VIII in 1886. In 1887, he became Ichizō III, a title he held until his death in December, 1906.[18]

Names

Kataoka Ichizō IV

Biography

Kataoka Ichizō IV (4代目片岡市蔵) was born in the Shitaya district of Tokyo in 1880. Later he was adopted by Ichizō III, who trained him until his debut at Tokyo's Nakamura-za theatre in 1887. He continued to perform until 1904 when the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War resulted in his being sent to the front. In 1906, he was discharged from the military. The general euphoria over Japan's military victory carried over to the theatre, where houses were frequently packed. In 1909, almost 3 full years after the death of his adoptive father, he succeeded to the Ichizō line. He went on to hold this title until his death in 1926, meaning that his career spanned the Meiji and Taishō periods.[20] Ichizō IV was noted for his loud voice and large personality, which made him well-suited to strong leading roles. He was praised in particular for his onnagata (女形) female roles, as well as his shosagoto (所作事) and buyō (舞踊) dance performances.[21]

Names

Artwork

Kataoka Ichizō V

Biography

Born in Tokyo on February 10, 1916, Ichizō V (五代目片岡市蔵) was the eldest son of Ichizō IV. He first appeared on the kabuki stage in January 1922 at Tokyo's Shintomi-za (新富座) theatre in the role of a child. He became head of the Kataoka Ichizō line in October 1934. After the war, he joined the troupe of Matsumoto Kōshirō VII (七代目松本幸四郎). After Matsumoto's death, he became a disciple of Ichikawa Danjūrō XI (十一代目市川團十郎). On June 30, 1991, aged 75, Ichizō fell from the platform at Tokyo's Yushima subway station and died.

Ichizō V was known for his performance of supporting roles. His two sons followed in his steps as kabuki actors, the eldest becoming Kataoka Ichizō VI (六代目片岡市蔵), and the youngest becoming Kataoka Kamezō IV (四代目片岡亀蔵). His daughter married rakugo (落語) performer Shunpūtei Itchōno (春風亭一朝).

Sadamasu - Portrait of Kataoka Ichizō I in ROM

Names

Signature roles

Kataoka Ichizō VI

Biography

Kataoka Ichizō VI (六代目片岡市蔵), born in Tokyo on December 12, 1958, is the oldest son of Ichizō V. He has held the rank of principal actor since 1985, and held the Ichizō VI title since May, 2003. He is a member of the Organization for the Preservation of Kabuki (伝統歌舞伎保存会). He has performed internationally, including appearing at the Paris Opera. He currently has as his disciple his younger brother, Kataoka Kamezō IV (四代目片岡亀蔵).[24]

Names

Signature roles

Awards

Notes

  1. ↑ Katō
  2. ↑ Aragōro 2010
  3. ↑ Katō
  4. ↑ Aragōro 2010
  5. ↑ Katō
  6. ↑ Aragōro 2010
  7. ↑ Katō
  8. ↑ Aragōro 2010
  9. ↑ Data from Aragōro 2010
  10. ↑ "A kabuki actor's offstage name which can be used officially and privately." Weblio 2013
  11. ↑ See http://woodblockprints.org/index.php/Detail/Object/Show/object_id/1108 for image
  12. ↑ See http://asia.si.edu/collections/singleObject.cfm?ObjectNumber=S2004.3.250 for image
  13. ↑ See http://ukiyo-e.org/image/mfa/sc135615 for image
  14. ↑ See http://www.fujiarts.com/cgi-bin/item.pl?item=336730 for image
  15. ↑ See http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/IH022845/the-actor-kataoka-ichizo-by-hirosada for image
  16. ↑ Aragōro 2010
  17. ↑ Aragōro 2010
  18. ↑ Aragōro 2010
  19. ↑ Weblio 2013
  20. ↑ Nojima 1988
  21. ↑ Aragōro 2010
  22. ↑ Nojima 1988
  23. ↑ See image at http://artsearch.nga.gov.au/IMAGES/MED/15824.jpg
  24. ↑ Kataoka Ichizō
  25. ↑ Kataoka Ichizō
  26. ↑ Kataoka Ichizō
  27. ↑ Kataoka Ichizō

See also

References

External sources

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