Takeo Kawai

Shinpa actor. His real name was Takejiro Uchiyama. He was born in Tsukiji, Tokyo. His father was the 5th generation Kabuki actor Otani Baju. In 1893 (Meiji 26), he joined Yamaguchi Sadao's troupe, hiding it from his father who disliked his desire to become an actor, and became a Shinpa onnagata (female actor). In 1898, he became the leading onnagata (female actor) of Mizuno Yoshimi's "Shourikai" (encouragement group), and thereafter gained popularity for his good looks, rich charm, beautiful voice, and flamboyant style of performance. In 1901 (Meiji 34), he performed a Chikamatsu study play with Ii Yoho at the Masago Theatre, and since then, he became a hit with plays such as "Tsuya Monogatari" as the Ii-Kawai couple's play. In 1913 (Taisho 2), he formed a public theater company with Matsui Matsuba (Matsuo) and performed "Electra" and "The House that Makes Tea," demonstrating his enthusiasm for the new theater movement. In the Taisho and early Showa periods, he emerged as a third leader with Ii and Kitamura (Rokuro), and became the center of the new school Ryusho. His hits included Tamaki in "Ono ga Tsumi," Koume in "Kana-ya Koume," Osuga in "Nijisujimichi," and so on.

[Akira Kikuchi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

新派俳優。本名内山武次郎。東京・築地(つきじ)に生まれる。父は歌舞伎(かぶき)俳優5世大谷馬十(ばじゅう)。1893年（明治26）俳優志望を嫌う父に隠れて山口定雄一座に入り、新派の女方(おんながた)となる。1898年に水野好美の「奨励会」の立女方(たておやま)となり、以後美貌(びぼう)、豊艶(ほうえん)、美声、はでな芸風で人気を集めた。1901年（明治34）伊井蓉峰(ようほう)と真砂(まさご)座で近松研究劇を上演、以来伊井・河合夫婦劇として『通夜(つや)物語』などで当りをとった。1913年（大正2）松居松葉（松翁）と公衆劇団を組織し、『エレクトラ』『茶を作る家』を上演して新劇運動にも意欲をみせた。大正・昭和初期には伊井、喜多村（緑郎(ろくろう)）とともに三頭目時代を現出し、新派隆昌(りゅうしょう)の中心となった。当り芸に『己(おの)が罪』の環(たまき)、『仮名屋小梅』の小梅、『二筋道』のおすがなど。

［菊池　明］

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