Nakamura Shichisaburo

Japanese: 中村七三郎 - なかむらしちさぶろう

A Kabuki actor. There are five generations, but the first is the most famous, followed by the second.

[Yukio Hattori]

First World

(1662-1708), known by the haiku name Shocho. Along with the first Ichikawa Danjūrō, he is one of the most famous actors in Edo Kabuki during the Genroku period (1688-1704). He was good-looking and skilled in all arts, but he was particularly adept at nuregoto and yatsushigoto, and was praised as a "master of Edo wagoto." In Edo Soga Kyogen, he was the one who started performing Jūrō in the wagoto style, as opposed to Goro, who was performed in the aragoto style.

[Yukio Hattori]

II

(1703-1774) was the adopted son of the founder. He was active during the Kanpo and Meiwa periods (1741-1772) and was known as a master of the Wajitsu school. In his later years he changed his name to Nakamura Shocho.

[Yukio Hattori]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

歌舞伎(かぶき)俳優。5世まであるが、初世がもっとも有名で2世がこれに次ぐ。

［服部幸雄］

初世

（1662―1708）俳名少長。初世市川団十郎とともに元禄(げんろく)年間（1688～1704）の江戸歌舞伎を代表する名優。容姿に優れ万芸に長じたが、とくに濡事(ぬれごと)、やつし事を得意とし、「江戸和事(わごと)の名人」と賞賛された。江戸の曽我(そが)狂言で、五郎を荒事(あらごと)の演技様式で演ずるのに対し、十郎を和事様式で演ずることを始めたのはこの人である。

［服部幸雄］