Yoshizawa Ayame
Encyclopedia
Yoshizawa Ayame is a stage name taken on by a series of Kabuki
actors in Japan. Founded by one of the most famous onnagata
(specialists in female roles) of all time, three of the four actors to succeed him were his direct relatives.
Kabuki
is classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.The individual kanji characters, from left to right, mean sing , dance , and skill...
actors in Japan. Founded by one of the most famous onnagata
Oyama (Japanese theatre)
Onnagata or oyama , are male actors who impersonate women in Japanese kabuki theatre. The modern all-male kabuki was originally known as yarō kabuki to distinguish it from earlier forms...
(specialists in female roles) of all time, three of the four actors to succeed him were his direct relatives.
Lineage
- Yoshizawa Ayame IYoshizawa Ayame IYoshizawa Ayame I was an early Kabuki actor, and the most celebrated onnagata of his time. His thoughts on acting, and on onnagata acting in particular, are recorded in Ayamegusa , one section of the famous treatise on Kabuki acting, Yakusha Rongo .A.C...
(1690s-1729) - Quoted in the treatise "Actors' AnalectsActors' AnalectsThe Actors' Analects is a collection of 17th and early 18th century writings on the practice and aesthetics of acting in Japan's kabuki theatre form, compiled during or around the Genroku era...
" (Yakusha Rongo), Ayame I's advice and insights into onnagata acting remains fundamental today. - Yoshizawa Ayame II (September 1729 - July 1754) - Son of Ayame I.
- Yoshizawa Ayame III (November 1764 - November 1774) - Son of Ayame I.
- Yoshizawa Ayame IV (November 1778 - September 1792) - Adopted son of Ayame II.
- Yoshizawa Ayame V (November 1807 - August 1810) - Son of Ayame III.