Background
Ichimatsu I Sanogawa was born in 1722 in Fushimi near Kyoto. His father was said to be a samiirai. His childhood name was Jinnosuke.
一松 佐野川
Ichimatsu I Sanogawa was born in 1722 in Fushimi near Kyoto. His father was said to be a samiirai. His childhood name was Jinnosuke.
Reared by Jinzo, as usher at a kabuki theater at Shijo, Kyoto, he became a disciple of Mankinu Sanogawa and took the name of Ichimatsu.
He went to Edo (1741), where he was acclaimed for the part of Kumenosuke, a page in the play Koyasan Shinju at the Nakamuraza Theater. The checker-board design of the costume he wore in that role became a fashion in Edo overnight and was called Ichimatsu design.
In the latter part of his stage career, he also played female roles.
He was not only exceedingly handsome but skillful.