Umewaka Rokuro - Umewaka Rokuro

The common name of the head of the Umewaka family, a shite actor of the Kanze school of Noh. The 55th Rokuro (1907-1979) was the eldest son of the 2nd Umewaka Minoru, and was born in Tokyo. His previous names were Takashi, Kagefusa, and Rokunojo. Blessed with good looks and a beautiful voice, he charmed many with his sensual art. He performed all of the current plays, and in terms of the number of public performances, he performed on stage more than 2,000 times, the most in history. He also left his mark overseas, including in Greece. In 1954 (Showa 29), he made the wise decision to return the Umewaka school, which had been isolated from the Noh world, to the Kanze school, and in 1961 he founded the Umewaka Noh Academy, the first school-based institution in the Noh world, and became its president. In 1967, he became a member of the Japan Art Academy. The 56th Rokuro (1948- ), real name Yoshimasa, is the second son of the 55th. His previous names were Kagehide, Rokunojo, and Shiteru. He is a performer who combines sensual beauty with directing ability, and heads the Umewaka-kai. He is a representative Noh actor of the Heisei era, and is enthusiastic about restoring plays such as "Daihannya" and creating new works such as "Garasha." He also performs overseas Noh at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other venues. He has edited and written "The 55th Umewaka Rokuro" and "One Hundred Views of Umewaka Noh Masks."

[Masuda Shozo]

"Umewaka Rokuro (56th) - The New Century of Umewaka Rokuro Noh (Shotor Library Introduction to Noh) From Classics to New Works" (2002, Shogakukan)" ▽ "Umewaka Rokuro (56th) - The Flower of Truth (2003, Sekai Bunka Publishing)" ▽ "Umewaka Noh Mask 100 Scenes" (1985, Heibonsha), edited by Umewaka Noriaki and photographed by Masuda Shozo"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

能の観世流シテ方、梅若本家の通名。55世六郎（1907―79）は、2世梅若実の長男で、東京生まれ。前名亀之(たかし)、景英(かげふさ)、六之丞(ろくのじょう)。美貌(びぼう)と美声に恵まれ、艶麗(えんれい)な芸で多くの人を魅了した。現行曲のすべてを完演、公開の演能の数では2000番を超す史上最多の舞台を勤めた。ギリシアほか海外にも足跡を残す。1954年（昭和29）、能界から孤立した梅若流から観世流への復帰を英断をもって果たし、61年には能界初の学校組織による梅若能楽学院を設立、理事長となる。67年芸術院会員。56世六郎（1948―　）は、本名善政(よしまさ)、55世の次男。前名景英、六之丞、紀彰(としてる)。官能美と演出力をあわせもつ演者で梅若会を主宰。『大般若(だいはんにゃ)』などの復元、『伽羅沙(がらしゃ)』などの新作にも意欲を示し、平成を代表する能役者。メトロポリタン美術館ほかで海外能も行う。編著に『五十五世梅若六郎』『梅若能面百姿』。

［増田正造］

『梅若六郎（56世）著『梅若六郎能の新世紀（Shotor Library 能楽入門）古典～新作まで』（2002・小学館）』▽『梅若六郎（56世）著『まことの花』（2003・世界文化社）』▽『梅若紀彰編、増田正造写真『梅若能面百姿』（1985・平凡社）』

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