Izumo Takeda

Background

Izumo Takeda was born in 1691 in Osaka, Japan. He was a descendant of Gidayii Takemoto and the son of the first manager of Takemotoza Theater, who made puppet shows popular. The family originated from Omi Takeda who was the first to introduce marionette shows at Dotombori Theater in Osaka and called it Takeda Plays (1662). The family later branched into two, the Izumo Takeda family taking over the management of Takemoto Theater (1705).

Career

Takeda was not only a dramatist but also introduced many new innovations into the entertainment business. Among his plays are Kanatehon Chushingura, Hiragana-seisuiki and Yoshitsune Sembonzakura. Among his dramas are the following famous works: Kanatehon Chushingura (Story of 47 Retainers of Ako Clan), Sugawara-dengu Tenarai Kagami (Story of Michizane Sugawara), Yoshitsune Sembon Zakura (Story of Yoshitsune Minamoto), Oguri Hangan Kuruma Kaido (Love Story of Oguri-Hangan and Teruhime).

Works

More photos

• book

  • Chushingura

    (The Treasury of Loyal Retainers: A Puppet Play)

  • The Pine-tree (Matsu)