Katsura Mikisuke

Japanese: 桂三木助 - かつらみきすけ

Rakugo performer.

First generation

His birth and death years are unknown. He started out as Katsura Nanko, later became the first Mikisuke, and then the second Katsura Bunshi.

[Kazuo Sekiyama]

2nd Generation

(1884-1943) His real name was Matsuo Fukumatsu. He joined the second generation Katsura Nanko school as a Te-yu (plaything). He later took on the name Mikisuke II. He was a leading figure in the Kamigata Rakugo world in the early Showa period, and was known for his plays such as "Amibune" and "Tachikire."

[Kazuo Sekiyama]

3rd generation

(1902-61) His real name was Kobayashi Shichiro. He became a disciple of Shunputei Hakushi (later the 6th Yanagibashi Ryukyo), and after going through Kashiwaba and Koyanagi, he went to Osaka and became a disciple of the 2nd Mikisuke and took the name Mikio. On returning to Tokyo he took the names Hashinosuke, Yanagisawa and Koyanagishi, and for a time was a teacher of Japanese dance, before returning to the world of rakugo and assuming the name Tachibana no Madoka. In 1950 he took the name Mikisuke. His specialities included "Shibahama," "Mitsui no Daikoku," and "Zakohachi," which are recorded in "Katsura Mikisuke Collection" (1963, Seigabo).

[Kazuo Sekiyama]

4th generation

(1957-2001) His real name was Morio Kobayashi. He was the eldest son of the third generation. He became a disciple of Kosan Yanagiya V, and took on the stage names Kotaro and Kokin before assuming the stage name Mikisuke IV in 1985 (Showa 60).

[Kazuo Sekiyama]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

落語家。

初代

生没年不詳。初め桂南光、のち初代三木助となり、さらに2代目桂文枝(ぶんし)となる。

［関山和夫］

2代

（1884―1943）本名松尾福松。2代桂南光門に入って手遊(おもちゃ)。のち2代目三木助襲名。昭和初期における上方(かみがた)落語界の重鎮で、『網舟(あみぶね)』『立切れ』などを得意とした。

［関山和夫］

3代

（1902―61）本名小林七郎。春風亭柏枝(はくし)（のち6代目柳橋(りゅうきょう)）に入門し、柏葉、小柳を経て大阪へ行き、2代目三木助門下となって三木男。東京へ帰って橋之助、柳昇、小柳枝と改め、一時期、日舞の師匠もしたが、落語界に復帰して橘ノ円(たちばなのまどか)。1950年三木助を襲名。『芝浜(しばはま)』『三井(みつい)の大黒(だいこく)』『ざこ八』などを得意とし、それらは『桂三木助集』（1963・青蛙房）に残されている。

［関山和夫］