Kasuga Toyo - Kasuga Toyo

Head of the Kasuga school of kouta. Her real name was Toyo Kashiwabara. She was born in Tokyo. At the age of 16, she became a geisha in Asakusa under the name Tsurusuke. She learned kouta from her mother and acquaintances, and mastered it under the guidance of Murata Hisakichi, also known as Murayuki. In 1928 (Showa 3), she established her own school, and instead of adhering to the traditional Edomae refinement that valued sophistication, she promoted a modern sensibility that emphasized urban tastes, and was passionate about composing new works, contributing to the flourishing and development of kouta. In 1960 (Showa 35), she was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the first in the kouta world, and the following year she established the Kasuga Association Foundation and became its first chairman, steadily solidifying the foundation for unity of the Kasuga school.

[Kiyohiro Hayashi]

"Kasuga Toyo" edited by Seitaro Atsumi (1954, Kasuga Toyo Memorial Publishing Society)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

小唄(こうた)春日派の家元。本名柏原トヨ。東京生まれ。16歳のとき鶴助の名で浅草の芸妓(げいぎ)に出る。小唄は母親と知己に学び、村幸こと村田久吉の教導により修得した。1928年（昭和3）一派をたて、従来の江戸前の粋(すい)を貴ぶ好尚に固執せず、都会趣味を強調する近代感覚を推し進めて、新作の作曲に意欲を燃やし、小唄の隆盛発展に寄与した。1960年（昭和35）小唄界初の紫綬褒章(しじゅほうしょう)を授与され、翌年「財団法人春日会」を発足させて初代会長に就任し、春日派結束の地盤を着実に固めた。

［林喜代弘］

『渥美清太郎編『春日とよ』（1954・春日とよ記念刊行会）』

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