Katsura Bunraku

Japanese: 桂文楽 - かつらぶんらく

Rakugo performer. The first was the Edo-style Bunji Katsura III, the second Bunji V, and the third Bunji VI.

[Kazuo Sekiyama]

4th generation

(1838-94) His real name was Arai Bunzo. He became a disciple of Bunji VI and changed his name from Bunshichi to Bunkyo. He briefly worked as a hokan (a man of the roster), before returning to the world of rakugo and assuming the name of Bunkyo IV. He was nicknamed "Deko Deko Bunraku" (Bunraku with big heads) because of the catchphrase he used on stage, and he specialized in heart-warming stories set in the Yoshiwara district.

[Kazuo Sekiyama]

5th generation

(1865-1925) His real name was Kanasaka Minosuke. In 1897 (Meiji 30), he became the 5th generation. Later, he changed his name from Katsura Yamato to Katsura Saiga.

[Kazuo Sekiyama]

8th generation

(1892-1971) His real name was Namikawa Masuyoshi. In 1908 (Meiji 41), he became a disciple of the first Katsura Konan and took the name Koen. He traveled to Nagoya, Kyoto, Manchuria (northeastern China), and returned to Tokyo, where he became a disciple of Okinaya Sanba (the 8th Bunji) and was born as Okinaya Sanba. As a disciple of the 5th Ryutei Saraku, he became a shin'uchi under the name Okinaya Bannosuke. In 1920 (Taisho 9), he took on the name Bunraku. His correct name is the 6th, but he is called the 8th as it is considered auspicious as it has a wide-open shape at the end. He was called the "Master of Kuromon-cho" after the place where he lived, and perfected his refined and masterful art in such plays as "Tomikyu," "Atagoyama," "Funatoku," "Akegarasu," "Tsurutsuru," "Nedoko," and "Umaya Fire," without ever letting a single stroke slip through his fingers. He served as the president of the Rakugo Association for ten years from 1955 (Showa 30). In 1992 (Heisei 4), Katsura Komasu (real name Takei Koichi, 1938-), a disciple of the 8th Bunraku, took on the name of the 9th Bunraku.

[Kazuo Sekiyama]

"Katsura Bunraku Complete Works, Volumes 1 and 2 (1973, Rippushobo)"

[Reference] | Katsura Bunji

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

落語家。初代は江戸系の3代桂文治、2代は5代文治、3代は6代文治のそれぞれ前名。

［関山和夫］

4代

（1838―94）本名新井文三。6代目文治に入門し、文七から文鏡に改名。一時、幇間(ほうかん)生活を送り、落語界に復帰して4代目を襲名。高座での口癖から「でこでこの文楽」とよばれ、吉原を背景にした人情咄(ばなし)を得意とした。

［関山和夫］

5代

（1865―1925）本名金坂巳之助(みのすけ)。1897年（明治30）5代目襲名。のち桂やまとから桂才賀(さいが)となる。

［関山和夫］

8代

（1892―1971）本名並河益義(なみかわますよし)。1908年（明治41）初代桂小南(こなん)に入門して小莚(こえん)。名古屋、京都、満州（中国東北）などを回って東京に帰り、翁家(おきなや)さん馬（8代文治）門下となって翁家さん生。5代柳亭左楽(りゅうていさらく)門人として翁家馬之助で真打。1920年（大正9）文楽を襲名。正しくは6代目だが、末広がりで縁起がよいと、8代目と称する。その居住地にちなみ「黒門町の師匠」とよばれ、『富久(とみきゅう)』『愛宕山(あたごやま)』『船徳(ふなとく)』『明烏(あけがらす)』『つるつる』『寝床(ねどこ)』『厩(うまや)火事』などで一点一画もゆるがせにしない、洗練された名人芸を完成させた。1955年（昭和30）から10年間、落語協会会長を務めた。1992年（平成4）8代文楽の弟子であった桂小益（本名武井弘一、1938―　）が9代文楽を襲名した。

［関山和夫］

『『桂文楽全集』上下（1973・立風書房）』

[参照項目] | 桂文治

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例

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