Tamazo Yoshida

Japanese: 吉田玉造 - よしだたまぞう

Bunraku puppeteer. (1) First generation (1829-1905, Bunsei 12-Meiji 38). His real name was Yoshikura Tamazo. He was born in Osaka. He was commonly known as Odama to distinguish him from his son Tamasuke. His father was the same Bunraku puppeteer Yoshida Tokuzo. He made his debut at the age of 11. He gained fame as a child actor and as he grew older he played both leading and female roles as a puppeteer. He was highly acclaimed as a master from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period, and in 1872, together with Takemoto Shundayu (the 5th generation), he was the first puppeteer to be appointed to the monshita (under the tower) position (at the Matsushima Bunraku Theatre).

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

文楽人形遣い。(1)初世(1829‐1905∥文政12‐明治38)　本名吉倉玉造。大坂生れ。通称は子どもの玉助と区別して親玉。父は同じ文楽人形遣いの吉田徳造。11歳で初舞台。子役で名声を博し長ずるに及んで立役，女方を兼ねた人形遣いの立者（たてもの）として，幕末から明治にかけて名人の誉れ高く，1872年には竹本春太夫(5世)とともに人形遣いで初めて紋下(櫓下（やぐらした）)の位置に据えられた(松島文楽座)。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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