Tomoemon Otani

Kabuki actor. Currently there are eight generations of the family.

The first (1744-1781) was born in Osaka under the stage name Yamashinaya. In 1766 (Meiwa 3), Otani Tomosaburo, a disciple of the Osaka villain Otani Kohachi, changed his name. He later went down to Edo, where he became popular as a popular villain and established the image of Tomoemon, the Osaka villain.

The second generation (1769-1830) changed his stage name to Akashiya. His rival from Osaka, Torazo Tanimura, came down to Edo and took the name in 1795 (Kansei 7). He was a rival during the Kasei period (1804-1830) and was active in the three capitals.

The 4th Tomoemon (1791-1861) was the son of Osaka kyogen writer Dekishima Sensuke. A disciple of the 2nd, he went to Edo after his master's death and took the name in 1832 (Tenpo 3). At the same time, there were two Tomoemons: the 3rd (1783-1839, a disciple of the 2nd) who took the name in Kyoto. The 4th was not very good looking and was not suited to playing a strong opponent, but he excelled in playing a weak opponent and was active as a talented actor in the late Edo period. He was particularly skilled in the role of Motoemon in "Tengachaya," and people said, "Is it Tomoemon's Motoemon or Motoemon's Tomoemon?" He elevated the role of Motoemon, which had been merely a minor role, to a higher level and has been passed down to this day.

The 6th (1886-1943) was born under the name Aoki Yaetaro. He was the son of Nakamura Sagisuke and a disciple of the 5th Nakamura Utaemon. He took the name in 1920 (Taisho 9). He was a leading actor.

The 7th (1920-2012) is the adopted son of the 6th. He is a female actor. His former name was the 4th Nakamura Jakuemon.

The eldest son of the 7th generation (1949-), the 8th generation. His real name was Aoki Tomoyuki. He took the stage name in 1964 (Showa 39). He played leading roles and female roles.

[Hideo Furuido]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

歌舞伎(かぶき)俳優。現在8世まである。

初世（1744―1781）大坂生まれ、屋号山科屋(やましなや)。大坂の敵役(かたきやく)大谷広八の弟子の大谷友三郎が1766年（明和3）に改名。のち江戸に下り、あいきょうのある敵役として人気者となり、大坂下りの平敵(ひらがたき)・友右衛門のイメージを定着させた。

2世（1769―1830）これより屋号は明石屋(あかしや)となる。大坂の敵役谷村虎蔵が江戸に下って1795年（寛政7）襲名。化政(かせい)期（1804～1830）の敵役で、三都で活躍した。

4世（1791―1861）大坂の狂言作者出来島(できしま)専助の子。2世の門弟で、師の没後江戸に下り、1832年（天保3）襲名。同じ時期に京都で襲名した3世（1783―1839、2世の門弟）と一時期2人の友右衛門がいた。4世は風采(ふうさい)があがらず、立敵(たてがたき)には適さなかったが、平敵に長じ、幕末の異能俳優として活躍した。とくに『天下茶屋(てんがぢゃや)』の元右衛門役にくふうを凝らし、「友右衛門の元右衛門か元右衛門の友右衛門か」といわれ、単なる端役にすぎなかった元右衛門の役を格上げして今日まで伝えた。

6世（1886―1943）本名青木八重太郎。中村鷺助の子、5世中村歌右衛門の弟子。1920年（大正9）襲名。立役(たちやく)。

7世（1920―2012）6世の養子。女方。4世中村雀右衛門(じゃくえもん)の前名。

8世（1949―　）7世の長男。本名青木知幸。1964年（昭和39）襲名。立役、女方(おんながた)を勤める。

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