Nishikawa School

A leading school of Japanese dance.

(1) (Head family) Nishikawa-ryu: Started by the founder Senzo, the second Senzo was established in the mid-Edo period, and there are now 10 generations of the Nishikawa-ryu. It is heavily influenced by the Fujima-ryu and has deep connections to the area. The second and fourth generations are known as great choreographers, the second for dramatic dances such as "Seki no Tobira," "Futa Omote," and "Modorikago," and the fourth for "Kanjincho" and many other variegated dances. The fourth generation's disciples gave birth to the (Nagoya) Nishikawa-ryu, Hanayagi-ryu, and Nanaougi-ryu schools, and many other schools have been derived from them.

(2) (Nagoya) Nishikawa-ryu The founder of the school was Nishikawa Koisaburo, and it began in 1841 (Tenpo 12). It incorporated the Shinozuka school, Noh, and Kyogen into its parent school, the Nishikawa-ryu. In the Meiji period, it boasted an influence that replaced the Nishikawa-ryu. The second Koisaburo demonstrated his talent in arts and choreography that made use of his kabuki background. He showed his skills in the Koikaze-kai and Nagoya Odori dances that he presided over, as well as Toho Kabuki and Hanamachi dance, and was also noted for turning literary works into dance. He passed away in 1983 (Showa 58). The third head of the school is his eldest son, Nishikawa Ukon (1939-2020). His eldest daughter Sakon (1937- ) founded the Nishikawa-ryu Koikaze-ha in 1985, and the school split off.

(3) (Seiha) Nishikawa-ryu: Kiyoharu (1874-1931), a disciple of the 7th Senzo, took the name Nishikawa Kishu and established the school in 1916 (Taisho 5). It is currently headed by the 4th generation.

[Kisaragi Aoko]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

日本舞踊の一流派。

(1)（宗家）西川流　初世仙蔵に始まり、江戸中期に2世扇蔵が確立、現在まで10世を数える。藤間流の影響が濃く、縁故も深い。2世、4世が名振付師として知られ、2世は『関の扉(せきのと)』『双面(ふたおもて)』『戻駕(もどりかご)』などの劇舞踊に、4世は『勧進帳』や、また、多くの変化舞踊に傑作を残した。4世の門下から（名古屋）西川流、花柳(はなやぎ)流、七扇(ななおうぎ)流などが生まれ、さらに今日の多くの流派が派生している。

(2)（名古屋）西川流　西川鯉三郎(こいさぶろう)が流祖で、1841年（天保12）に始まる。母体である宗家西川流に、篠塚(しのづか)流や能、狂言を摂取。明治期には宗家西川流にかわる勢力を誇った。2世鯉三郎は歌舞伎(かぶき)出身の特色を生かした技芸、新味ある振付けに実力を発揮。主宰する鯉風会や名古屋おどり、また東宝歌舞伎、花街舞踊などに腕を振るい、文芸作品の舞踊化でも注目された。1983年（昭和58）没。3世家元はその長男西川右近(うこん)（1939―2020）が継承。長女左近(さこん)（1937―　）は1985年、西川流鯉風派をたて、分裂した。

(3)（正派）西川流　7世扇蔵の門弟喜代春（1874―1931）が西川喜洲(にしかわきしゅう)を名のり、1916年（大正5）に樹立。現4世に至る。

［如月青子］

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