Edoya Nekohachi - Edoya Nekohachi

An entertainer who specializes in impersonations.

The first (1868-1932), real name Okada Shinkichi, initially studied under Kabuki actor Kataoka Ichizo III, performing as a female impersonator under the pseudonym Kataoka Ichinosuke, but retired in 1898 (Meiji 31) when lead poisoning disabled his left hand. He later became a student of rakugo performer San'yutei Koencho before switching to impersonation, becoming popular for his impersonations of animal and bird calls and taking the name Edoya Nekohachi. He excelled at engaging in exchanges with audiences that included puns and sharp remarks.

The second (1911-1986) was born under the real name of Hasegawa Eitaro. He became the apprentice of the first at the age of 13 and began performing under the name Konekohachi. After the death of the first, he took on the name of the second, but later switched to stand-up comedy, and in 1935 (Showa 10) changed his name to Kinoshita Kasei to rival Tokugawa Musei. In addition to traditional impersonations, he was also skilled at impersonating famous people of the time.

The third (1921-2001), real name Okada Rokuro, was the sixth son of the first. In 1941 (Showa 16), he joined the Furukawa Roppa troupe, but was drafted in 1943 and fought in various places before being exposed to the atomic bomb in Hiroshima in 1945. In 1949, he took on the name of the third. In addition to impersonation, he was active as an actor on television and on stage. He received the Art Festival Award (1979, 1981), the Asakusa Entertainment Award (1985), and the Purple Ribbon Medal (1988). His books include "Soldier Life and Pikadon" (1983). His eldest son Edoya Koneko (1949-2016) and eldest daughter Edoya Manekineko (1967- ) have both taken over their father's art.

[Soya Mukai]

"Soldier Life and Pikachoun - I Am Not a Cat 2" (1983, Poplar Publishing) ▽ "The Cat Who Wears Two Hats - I Am Not a Cat 3" (1984, Poplar Publishing) ▽ "The Cat and Catnip" (1989, Chikuma Shobo) ▽ "The Cat Who Crawled Out of the Mushroom Cloud" (1995, Chuokoron-Shinsha) ▽ "I Don't Need Two Moms" (Chikuma Bunko) ▽ "The Cat Caught by a Fish - Nekohachi's Interesting Life of Fishing" (Chukoron-Shinsha) ▽ "I Am Not a Cat" (Chikuma Bunko)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

物真似(ものまね)専門の芸人。

初代（1868―1932）本名岡田信吉。当初、歌舞伎(かぶき)の三世片岡市蔵の門下に入り、片岡市之助と称して女形を務めたが、1898年（明治31）鉛中毒のため左手が不自由になったのを機に廃業した。その後、落語の三遊亭小円朝の弟子を経て物真似に転向、動物や鳥の鳴き声などの物真似で人気を集め、江戸家猫八を名のる。駄洒落(だじゃれ)や毒舌を交えた客との掛け合いを得意とした。

2代（1911―1986）本名長谷川栄太郎。13歳のとき初代に入門、子猫八の名で舞台にあがった。初代の死後2代目を襲名するが、のち漫談に転じ、徳川夢声に対抗する意味で、1935年（昭和10）木下華声(かせい)と改めた。従来の物真似に加えて、時の有名人の物真似も得意とした。

3代（1921―2001）本名岡田六郎。初代の六男。1941年（昭和16）、古川緑波(ろっぱ)一座に入座したが、1943年に応召、各地を転戦ののち、1945年に広島で被爆。1949年に3代目を襲名。物真似のほか俳優としてテレビや舞台などで活躍した。芸術祭賞（1979、1981）、浅草芸能大賞（1985）など受賞、紫綬褒章(しじゅほうしょう)（1988）受章。著書に『兵隊ぐらしとピカドン』（1983）などがある。なお、長男の江戸家小猫（1949―2016）、長女の江戸家まねき猫（1967―　）がともに父の芸を継いでいる。

［向井爽也］

『『兵隊ぐらしとピカドン――吾輩は猫ではない2』（1983・ポプラ社）』▽『『二足のわらじをはいた猫――吾輩は猫ではない3』（1984・ポプラ社）』▽『『猫とまたたび』（1989・筑摩書房）』▽『『キノコ雲から這い出した猫』（1995・中央公論社）』▽『『おかあちゃんは二人いらない』（ちくま文庫）』▽『『魚に釣られた猫――猫八のおもしろ釣れづれ人生』（中公文庫）』▽『『吾輩は猫ではない』（ちくま文庫）』

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