Kosaburo Yoshizumi

Japanese: 吉住小三郎 - よしずみこさぶろう

A Nagauta singer. There are six generations, but the first and fourth generations are the most famous.

[Naoko Watanabe]

First World

(1699-1753) Founder of the Yoshizumi family. Said to have been a priest (reijinka) at Sumiyoshi Shrine, his surname was said to have been created by reversing "Sumiyoshi". Famous for the standing song performed at the premiere of "Kyōganoko Musume Dojoji". Considered one of the earliest masters of nagauta. The second (1799-1854) was a disciple of the third Yoshimura Isaburo, and was a master of nagauta during the Tenpo era (1830-44) who took on the name of the second in 1846 (Kōka 3). The third (1832-89) was a disciple of the second, and took on the name in 1860 (Man'en 1).

[Naoko Watanabe]

IV

(1876-1972) was the adopted son of the 3rd generation and studied under his adoptive father. In 1890 (Meiji 23), he took on the name of the 4th generation. In 1902 (Meiji 35), together with the 3rd generation Kineya Rokushiro (later the 2nd generation Kineya Jokan), he founded the Nagauta Kenseikai. He left Kabuki and devoted himself to the promotion and development of Nagauta as pure music. In 1929 (Showa 4), he became a lecturer at the Tokyo Music School, and in 1936, he became a professor at the same school. In 1988, he changed his name to Jikyou. He was also an accomplished composer, and left behind works such as "Toba no Koizuka" and "Daigo no Hanami." In addition, he collaborated with Jokan on works such as "Oshichi Kichisa", "Kanzan Jittoku", "Kibun Daijin", "Kanda Matsuri", "Ikkyu Zenji", and "Miyako Furyu". He is a member of the Japan Art Academy and a holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property, and was awarded the Order of Culture in 1982.

[Naoko Watanabe]

5th

(1908-83) Son of the 4th generation. Studied under his father. Former name Kotaro. Succeeded to the 5th generation in 1963 (Showa 38).

[Naoko Watanabe]

VI

(1931-2006) The eldest son of the 5th generation. His real name was Yoshizumi Takao. He studied under his grandfather, Yoshizumi Jikkyo. His previous name was Yoshizumi Kosajiro. In January 1983, he took on the name of the 6th generation after the death of the 5th generation.

[Naoko Watanabe]

[Reference] | Nagauta

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

長唄(ながうた)唄方。6世を数えるが、初世と4世が著名。

［渡辺尚子］

初世

（1699―1753）吉住家の始祖。住吉神社の神官（伶人(れいじん)か）の出身といわれ、「住吉」を逆にして姓としたといわれる。『京鹿子娘道成寺(きょうがのこむすめどうじょうじ)』初演の立唄(たてうた)として著名。初期長唄の名人に数えられている。2世（1799―1854）は3世芳村(よしむら)伊三郎門弟で、1846年（弘化3）に2世を襲名した天保(てんぽう)年間（1830～44）の長唄の名手。3世（1832―89）は2世の門弟で、1860年（万延1）に襲名した。

［渡辺尚子］

4世

（1876―1972）3世の養子で、養父に師事。1890年（明治23）4世を襲名。3世杵屋六四郎(きねやろくしろう)（後の2世稀音家浄観(きねやじょうかん)）とともに1902年（明治35）長唄研精会(けんせいかい)を創設。歌舞伎(かぶき)を離れ、純音楽としての演奏会長唄の普及発展に力を尽くす。29年（昭和4）東京音楽学校講師、36年同校教授となる。63年慈恭(じきょう)と改名。作曲にも優れ、『鳥羽(とば)の恋塚』『醍醐(だいご)の花見』などを残している。また浄観との合作には『お七吉三(きちさ)』『寒山拾得(かんざんじっとく)』『紀文大尽(きぶんだいじん)』『神田祭』『一休禅師』『みやこ風流』などがある。芸術院会員、重要無形文化財保持者で、57年に文化勲章を受章。

［渡辺尚子］