Katsura Harudanji

A Rakugo performer from Kamigata.

The first Shundanji (1878-1934) was born Kawada Tokichi and later took the surname Iwai. He first studied under Katsura Bunga and took the name Gato. He later became a disciple of Katsura Bundanji II and became the second Shundanji. The first was a senior apprentice to the owner of Keishun-tei, but as the first died young as a semi-professional, the second is considered the first in the entertainment world. He was worthy of being called the first, and gained popularity from the end of the Taisho era to the beginning of the Showa era for his unique storytelling style that focused on quirky laughs. His specialties included "Amateur Eel," "Golden Daikoku," "Ikakeya," and "Chisha Isha." His eccentric and eventful life was later dramatized and filmed, but the image of the real Shundanji was somewhat distorted.

The second (1896-1953), real name Kawai Asajiro. He moved from the Saga family Ensuke school to the first Shundanji school and took the name Shuncho. After passing through Fukudanji, he became the second Shundanji in 1934 (Showa 9). He inherited the original style of the first.

The third (1930-2016) was born under the name Kawai Hajime. He was the son of the second. He took on the stage names of Koharu and Fukudanji before taking on the role of third in 1959 (Showa 34). He contributed greatly to the development of Kamigata Rakugo as one of the leading figures in the genre.

[Kazuo Sekiyama]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

上方(かみがた)の落語家。

初代（1878―1934）本名皮田(かわだ)藤吉。のちに岩井姓となる。初め桂文我(ぶんが)に入門して我都(がとう)。のち2代目桂文団治(ぶんだんじ)の門下となり、2代目春団治となる。初代は圭春亭(けいしゅんてい)主人となった彼の兄弟子だったが、初代がセミプロで早世したため、この2代目を演芸界で初代とする。彼は初代とよばれるにふさわしく、大正末から昭和初期にかけて奇抜な笑いを主とする独特の話芸で人気を集めた。『素人鰻(しろうとうなぎ)』『黄金の大黒』『いかけ屋』『ちしゃ医者』などが得意であった。その奇行と波瀾(はらん)に富んだ生涯は、のちに劇化、映画化されたが、実際の春団治像はややゆがめられた。

2代（1896―1953）本名河合浅次郎。佐賀家円助門から初代春団治門に移り春蝶(しゅんちょう)。福団治を経て1934年（昭和9）2代目春団治となる。初代の芸風を継ぐ。

3代（1930―2016）本名河合一(はじめ)。2代目の実子。小春から福団治を経て1959年（昭和34）3代目を襲名。上方落語の代表者の一人としてその発展に貢献した。

［関山和夫］

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