Nariyoshi Tamura

1851 (age 69)

Tokyo, Japan

In 1868 he became a lawyer and worked as the legal advisor for the Shintomi-za. In the course of a lawsuit he became friendly with Kanya Morita, a famous actor, and when the Shintomiza Theater was reorganized he was appointed their legal adviser. Then through influence of Kikugoro Onoe he was made manager of the Chitoseza Theater (1885). He was also involved in producing the historic performance of kabuki for the emperor (tenrangeki) in 1887, and from 1889 on participated as a producer at the new Kabuki-za. Since the Kabuki-za was eventually taken over by the Shōchiku Corporation, he resigned in 1913. After this, he began taking deep interest in theatrical business and soon established himself firmly in the esteem of actors. In 1905 he was adviser to the Kabukiza Theater, and when it was bought over by Shochiku (1911), he in turn bought the Ichimuraza Theater and began training young lcabuki actors, such as Kikugoro Оnоe VI, Kichiemon Nakamura and many others. Under the penname Shitsu Tafuri, he wrote a book of backstage stories, Musen Denwa (Wireless Telephone), included in Miki Takeji’s anthology, Kabuki, and was also responsible for Zoku Zoku Kabuki Nendaiki (An Ongoing Kabuki Chronicle), covering the years from 1859 through 1903.

Nariyoshi Tamura

Edit Profile

成義田村

theater manager

Background

Tamura Nariyoshi born in 1851 Tokyo, Japan. His father was a petty official in the employ of the Shogunate.

Education

After his father died he was adopted by a jailhouse constable, Tamura Kintarō, and became a jailhouse apprentice.

Career

In 1868 he became a lawyer and worked as the legal advisor for the Shintomi-za. In the course of a lawsuit he became friendly with Kanya Morita, a famous actor, and when the Shintomiza Theater was reorganized he was appointed their legal adviser. Then through influence of Kikugoro Onoe he was made manager of the Chitoseza Theater (1885).

He was also involved in producing the historic performance of kabuki for the emperor (tenrangeki) in 1887, and from 1889 on participated as a producer at the new Kabuki-za. Since the Kabuki-za was eventually taken over by the Shōchiku Corporation, he resigned in 1913.

After this, he began taking deep interest in theatrical business and soon established himself firmly in the esteem of actors. In 1905 he was adviser to the Kabukiza Theater, and when it was bought over by Shochiku (1911), he in turn bought the Ichimuraza Theater and began training young lcabuki actors, such as Kikugoro Оnоe VI, Kichiemon Nakamura and many others.

Under the penname Shitsu Tafuri, he wrote a book of backstage stories, Musen Denwa (Wireless Telephone), included in Miki Takeji’s anthology, Kabuki, and was also responsible for Zoku Zoku Kabuki Nendaiki (An Ongoing Kabuki Chronicle), covering the years from 1859 through 1903.

Connections

Friend:: Kanya Morita

Main Photo