Nishikawa Senzo

Japanese: 西川扇蔵 - にしかわせんぞう

The name of the head of the Nishikawa school of Japanese dance. The founder was Nishikawa Senzo (1698-1756), who started out as a musician in Noh and became a musician in Kabuki, but was also well versed in dance. The school has been passed down through 10 generations to this day.

[Kisaragi Aoko]

II

(1718-1808) A disciple of the first master, Senzo, who changed his name to Senzo. A famous choreographer of Edo Kabuki from the Horeki to Bunka periods (1751-1818), he established his own style, leaving behind works such as "Sagi Musume," "Kuramajishi," and "Seki no Tobira." The third master (date of birth and death unknown) was succeeded by a disciple of the second master.

[Kisaragi Aoko]

IV

(1792-1845) Fujima Kansuke, a senior disciple of Fujima Kanbei III, took the name. He also served as choreographer for the Nakamura-za and Ichimura-za theatres, and was renowned as a master of choreography, with works such as "Kanjincho," "Fuji Musume," "Rokkasen," and "Utsubozaru." Many masters emerged from his school. The fifth (?-1860) was a senior disciple of the fourth. Fujima Kan'emon II adopted the sixth and succeeded him, but they were separated. The seventh (1839-1923) was the biological son of the fifth. The eighth (1857-1923) was a female disciple of the seventh, and took the name Senzo. The ninth (1906-1935) was the adopted daughter of the eighth, and died young.

[Kisaragi Aoko]

10th

(1928- ) The 9th generation's son took on the name at the age of 7 in 1935 (Showa 10). He became particularly active from the 1970s onwards, performing with Izumi Tokuemon (1924-1991) and Hanayagi Yoshijiro (4th generation Hanayagi Jusuke) in the "Miki-kai" group, and continuing his own group, producing masterpieces such as "Seven Rides" and "Yume no Tomi". In the Heisei era, he also started the "Moto no Kai" group, which has been held many times. In 1990 (Heisei 2), he established the Japanese Dance Promotion Foundation. He has planned and performed in the US with "Narukami" and "Shunkan". In 1989, he was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon. In 1999, he was recognized as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure).

[Kisaragi Aoko]

[Reference] | Nishikawa School | Fujima Kan'emon | Fujima Kanbei

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

日本舞踊（宗家）西川流の宗家家元名。能の囃子(はやし)方から歌舞伎(かぶき)の鳴物師となり、舞踊にも通じていた西川仙蔵（1698―1756）を初世とし、今日まで10世を継承。

［如月青子］

2世

（1718―1808）初世の門弟千蔵で、扇蔵と改める。宝暦(ほうれき)～文化(ぶんか)期（1751～1818）にかけての江戸歌舞伎の名振付師で、『鷺娘(さぎむすめ)』『鞍馬獅子(くらまじし)』『関の扉(せきのと)』などを残し、流儀を確立した。3世（生没年未詳）は2世の門弟が継ぐ。

［如月青子］

4世

（1792―1845）3世藤間勘兵衛の高弟藤間勘助が襲名。中村座・市村座の振付師を兼ね、振付けの名人とうたわれ、『勧進帳(かんじんちょう)』『藤娘(ふじむすめ)』『六歌仙(ろっかせん)』『靭猿(うつぼざる)』等々がある。門下から多くの名手を世に出した。5世（？―1860）は4世の高弟。6世は2世藤間勘右衞門(かんえもん)が養子となって継いだが離別。7世（1839―1923）は5世の実子。8世（1857―1923）は7世の女弟子で、扇造を名のる。9世（1906―1935）は8世の養女で、夭折(ようせつ)。

［如月青子］

10世

（1928―　）9世の実子が1935年（昭和10）に7歳で襲名した。1970年代からの活躍が目だち、泉徳右衛門(いずみとくえもん)（1924―1991）、花柳芳次郎(はなやぎよしじろう)（4世花柳寿輔(じゅすけ)）との「三樹会」公演や、自身の会を続け、秀作『七騎落(しちきおち)』や『夢の富』などがある。平成期に入ってからは「素の会」も始め、回を重ねている。1990年（平成2）日本舞踊振興財団を設立。『鳴神(なるかみ)』『俊寛(しゅんかん)』などのアメリカ公演を企画し、行っている。1989年紫綬褒章(しじゅほうしょう)受章。1999年には重要無形文化財保持者（人間国宝）に認定された。

［如月青子］

[参照項目] | 西川流 | 藤間勘右衞門 | 藤間勘兵衛

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