MATSUMOTO KÔSHIRÔ VII (松本幸四郎)
06/10/1870 - 01/27/1949

aka ICHIKAWA KOMAZÔ VIII (市川高麗蔵)
ICHIKAWA SOMEGORÔ IV (市川染五郎)




 
MAY 1912


Sugoroku of Portraits of Popular Characters (Atari yaku nigaoe sugoroku)

Print Date: 01/01/13
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Medium: Sugoroku Lithograph
Personal Collection

Note: Supplement to the magazine Engei Kurabu, Vol. 2, No. 1.
 

           
           

                       


 
   Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as Ômori Hikoshichi (大森彦七)
 
   Play: Ômori Hikoshichi (大森彦七)
   Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
   Performance Date: 05/01/12
   Print Date: 01/01/13
   Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)


JUNE 1912


Ichikawa Yaozô VII (市川八百蔵) as Kiichi Hôgen (鬼一法眼)
 
Ichimura Uzaemon XV (市村羽左衛門) as Minamoto Ushiwaka (源牛若)
 
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as Chienai (智恵内), actually Kisanta (喜三太)
 
Nakamura Utaemon V (中村歌右衛門) as Minazuru-hime (皆鶴姫)

Play: Kiichi Hougen Kuramayama Jutsuken (鬼一法眼鞍馬山術健)?
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: 06/01/12
Artist: ?
Image courtesy of Yamabosi Shoten

Note: This appears to be a version of a Kuramayama play such as Kuramayama no Danmari (鞍馬山のだんまり), possibly combined with portions of
Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki (鬼一法眼三略巻).  Yaozô VII, Uzaemon XV, and Utaemon V later performed these roles at the Kabuki-za in Toyko in
November 1912  in a production of Kikubatake (菊畑), Act III, Scene 2 of Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki.  The role of Chienai/Kisanta was played by
Ichikawa Danshirô II (市川段四郎) in that production. It is possible that this print depicts a performance outside of Tokyo or that it is a mitate-e.
 
 
 
 

 

MARCH 1913

                   
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII as Watanabe no Tsuna (渡邊綱)
 
Onoe Baikô VI (尾上梅幸) as
Demon of Mount Atago (disguised as Sayuri (小百合)
 
Play: Modoribashi (戻橋)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 03/1913
Print Date: 03/1913?
Artist: Torii Kiyotada (鳥居清忠)
Medium: Woodblock printed ehon sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of Artelino.com

Note: Also on the bill were Ninin Dôjôji (二人道成寺), Ishida Mitsunari
(石田三成), and Katsuragawa Renri no Shigarami (桂川連理柵). 
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII was also one of four actors who alternated in
the roles of Shirabyôshi Hanako (白拍子花子) and as Shirabyôshi
Sakurako (白拍子櫻子) in Ninin Dôjôji.     
 





DECEMBER 1913


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Arajishi Otokonosuke (荒獅男之助)

Play: Meiboku Sendai Hagi (伽羅先代萩)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 12/02/13
Print Date: 12/1913
Artist: ?
Personal Collection

Note: The seller had attributed this print to Natori Shunsen. 
Given that it is unsigned and stylized, it is difficult to say
with any certainty who the artist is.  Moreover, the same
seller also erroneously attributed certain other prints to
Shunsen.  If it were by Shunsen,  it would be among the
earliest of Shunsen's prints.
 
 
 
 

 

APRIL 1915


Nakamura Tôzô V (中村東蔵) as
Terasaka Kichiemon (寺坂吉右衛門)
 
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Ôishi Kuranosuke (大石内蔵之助)
 
Ichikawa Sadanji II (市川左団次) as
Kobayashi Heihachi (小林平八)
 
Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎) as
Kanzaki Yogorô (神崎与五郎)
 
Nakamura Kichiemon I (中村吉右衛門)
as Horibe Yasubê (堀部安兵衛)

Other actors not read

Play: Kanadehon Chûshingura
(假名手本忠臣蔵; 仮名手本忠臣蔵)?
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: 04/10/15
Artist: ?
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi
Memorial Theatre Museum
 
Note: This appears to be a mitate
print.
 
















SEPTEMBER 1915


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Takechi Jûbee Mitsuhide (武智十兵衛光秀)

Play: Taikôki Onna Bunshô (太功記婦女文章)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 09/01/15
Print Date: 10/01/15
Artist: Yamamura Kôka (山村耕花)
Publication: Yakusha-e (Shin Nigao)
(新似顔), Vol. 4
Personal Collection
 
 

OCTOBER 1915


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Banzuiin Chôbei (幡随長兵衛;  幡随院長兵衛)

Play: Banzui Chôbei (幡随長兵衛)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 10/01/15
Print Date: 11/01/15
Artist: Matsuda Seifu (松田青風)
Publication: Yakusha-e (Shin Nigao)
(新似顔), Vol. 5
Personal Collection
 
 


JANUARY 1917

                   

Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Musashibô Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶)
 
Sawamura Sônosuke I (沢村宗之助; 澤村宗之助) as
Hangan Yoshitsune (判官義経)

Play: Kasuga no Tsubone (春日局); Kanjinchô (勧進帳);
Akegarasu Haru no Awa Yuki (明烏春淡雪)
Performance Place: Teikoku Geikijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 01/01/17
Print Date: 01/1917?
Artist: Torii Kiyotada (鳥居清忠)
Medium: Woodblock printed ehon sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
Note: Sawamura Sôjûrô VII (沢村宗十郎; 澤村宗十郎) was
Kasugaya Tokijirô (春日屋時次郎) in Akegarasu Haru no Awa
Yuki (明烏春淡雪).  The central female actor depicted is Onôe
Baikô VI (尾上梅幸) either as Urasato (浦里) in Akegarasu Haru
no Awa Yuki or as Kasuga no Tsubone (春日局) in the play of
the same name.
 
 
 


FEBRUARY 1917



                   
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Sekimori Sekibei (関守関兵衛)

Play: Tsumoru Koi Yuki no Seki no To (積恋雪関扉)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 02/01/17
Print Date: 1919
Artist: Yamamura Kôka (山村耕花)
*Image courtesy of the National Museum of Asian Art

Note: Kôshirô VII also appears to have performed this play at the
Yokohama-za, Yokohama, in March 1918.
 
 


APRIL 1917

                 
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as Sukeroku (助六)

Play: Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura
(助六由縁江戸桜; 助六所縁江戸櫻)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô,Tokyo
Performance Date: 03/30/17
Print Date: 1920
Artist: Yamamura Kôka (山村耕花)
*Image courtesy of the National Museum of Asian Art
 
 

NOVEMBER 1917


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII
(松本幸四郎) as    
Ômori Hikoshichi (大森彦七)

Play:  Ômori Hikoshichi (大森彦七)
Performance Place:  Teikoku Gekijô,
Tokyo
Performance Date:  11/01/17
Print Date: ?
Artist: Fujisawa Tatsuo (藤澤龍雄; 藤沢竜雄)
Series: Kabuki Odori Sugata
Dainihen Series 2
(歌舞伎踊姿 第二編) #8
Personal Collection



JUNE 1918


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Kurahashi Jûdayû (倉橋重太夫)
 
Play: Kuriyama Daizen (栗山大膳)
Performance Place: Teikoku Geikijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 06/01/18
Print Date: 06/1918?
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada III (歌川国貞)
Series: Shin Kyôgen (新狂言)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 
 
 

 

SEPTEMBER 1918


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII
(松本幸四郎) as   
Takechi Jubei Mitsuhide
(武智十兵衛光秀)

Play:  Ehon Taikoki (絵本太功記)
Performance Place:  Yokohama-za,
Yokohama
Performance Date:  09/1918
Print Date: ?
Artist: Fujisawa Tatsuo
(藤澤龍雄; 藤沢竜雄)
Medium: Woodblock printed
pochibukuro
Personal Collection


               


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII
(松本幸四郎) as    
Takechi Jubei Mitsuhide 
(武智十兵衛光秀)

Play:  Ehon Taikoki (絵本太功記)
Performance Place:  Yokohama-za,
Yokohama
Performance Date:  09/1918
Print Date: ?
Artist: Fujisawa Tatsuo
(藤澤龍雄; 藤沢竜雄)
Medium: Woodblock printed
postcard
Courtesy of FujiArts.com

               


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as   
Takechi Jubei Mitsuhide (武智十兵衛光秀)


 
Play:  Ehon Taikoki (絵本太功記)
Performance Place:  Yokohama-za, Yokohama
Performance Date:  09/1918
Print Date: ?
Artist: Fujisawa Tatsuo (藤澤龍雄; 藤沢竜雄)
Medium: Woodblock print
[Fujisawa Accordion Album Set #1]
Personal Collection

 




NOVEMBER 1918


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Kiichi Hôgen (鬼一法眼) 
 
Play: Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki
(鬼一法眼三略巻)
Performance Place: Teikoku Geikijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 10/31/18
Print Date: 11/1918?
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada III (歌川国貞)
Series: Shin Kyôgen (新狂言)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 
 

           
           

APRIL 1919


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Kumagai Naozane (熊谷 次郎 直実)
         
Play: Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki
(一谷嫩軍記)
Performance Place: Teikoku Geikijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 04/01/19
Print Date: 04/1919?
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada III (歌川国貞)
Series: Shin Kyôgen (新狂言)
Personal Collection



SEPTEMBER 1919


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Kaneko Ichinojô
Play: Yuki no Yûbe Iriya no Azemichi
(雪暮夜入谷畦道)
Performance Place: Yokohama-za, Yokohama
Performance Date: 09/06/19
Print Date: 09/1919?
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada III (歌川国貞)
Series: Shin Kyôgen (新狂言)
Personal Collection 
 

           
 



MAY 1920


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Chobei (長兵衛)
 
Play: Gozonji Suzu-ga-Mori
(御存鈴ヶ森)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 05/03/20
Print Date: 05/1920?
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada III (歌川国貞)
Series: Shin Kyôgen (新狂言)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com
 
 


MAY 1921


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Kezori Kuemon (毛剃九右衛門 )
 
Play: Koi no Minato Hakata no Hitofushi (恋湊博多諷) 
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 05/01/21
Print Date: 05/1921?
Artist: ?
Series: Shin Kyôgen (新狂言)
Image courtesy of Artelino.com

Note: This print is similar in format to the series of prints
designed  by Kunisada III between 1917 and 1920, and
was probably issued by the publisher in a limited attempt
to continue the series after Kunisada III's death in 1920. 
It is also possible that it is a posthumous reissue of an
unknown Kunisada III design. 
 
 
 

 

       
        Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
        Umeômaru (梅王丸)
 
        Play: Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami
        (菅原伝授手習鑑)
        Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
        Performance Date: 05/01/21
        Print Date: 1921?
        Artist: ?
        Medium: Woodblock printed
        senshafuda
        Personal Collection
   
        Note: See the Undated Kôshirô VII
        fora possibly related pochibukuro.

NOVEMBER 1921


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Nikki Danjô (仁木弾正)
 
Play: Meiboku Sendai Hagi (伽羅先代萩)
Print Date: 11/03/21
Artist: Yoshida Eishô (吉田永昇)
Medium: Woodblock printed senshafuda
Series: Azuma Nishiki Yôjûtsu-kura (東錦妖術競)
Personal Collection

Note: Prior to the publication of this print, Kôshirô VII
performed this role in Tokyo at the Teikoku Gekijô in
April 1916.
 
 


NOVEMBER 1924


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Nikki Danjô (仁木弾正)

Play: Meiboku Sendai Hagi (伽羅先代萩)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 11/06/24
Print Date: 11/1924?
Artist: Matsuda Seifu (松田青風)
Series: Nigao-e (似顔繪), #?
Personal Collection

Note: Kôshirô VII also portrayed this role in an April
1916 production at the Teikoku Gekijô.

                                       
                        Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
                        Nikki Danjô (仁木弾正)

                        Play: Meiboku Sendai Hagi (伽羅先代萩)
                        Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
                        Performance Date: 11/06/1924
                        Print Date: 1926
                        Artist: Shin'ei (新栄; 新榮)
                        Series: Nigao-e (似顔絵), No. 1
                        Personal Collection
 


FEBRUARY 1925


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII
(松本幸四郎) as Ikyû (意休)

Play: Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura
(助六所縁江戸櫻)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za,
Tokyo
Performance Date: 02/08/25
Print Date: 1928?
Artist:  Kamishita Chikamine
(神下周峯)
Medium: Woodblock printed
pochibukuro
Series: [Images of Famous Actors of
Today] Tôsei Meiyû Omokage Zôshi
(當世名優面影双紙) #2
Personal Collection
 
 

 

                                       
                    Ichimura Uzaemon XV (市村羽左衛門) as Sukeroku (助六)
                    Onoe Baikô VI (尾上梅幸) as Agemaki (揚巻)
                    Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as Ikyû (意休)

                    Play: Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura (助六由縁江戸桜)
                    Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
                    Performance Date:  02/08/25
                    Print Date: 02/1925?
                    Artist: Torii Kiyotada (鳥居清忠)
                    Personal Collection

                    Note: The same design was used for an earlier production at
                    the Kabuki-za in 1915 that also featured Ichimura Uzaemon XV.
 
 
 
 

MARCH 1925




                 
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Musashibo Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶)

Play: Kanjinchô (勧進帳)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 03/06/25
Print Date:  03/1925?
Artist: Miyake Hanayama (三宅花山)
Medium: Lithograph
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum

Note: Kôshirô VII also performed the role at the Teikoku
Gekijô in January 1925 and April 1927.  I cannot rule out
the possibility that this print reflects one of those
performances.  Sadanji II, however, did not appear in
those productions, so if Hanayama's prints of  Kôshirô VII
and Sadanji II are from the same production of Kanjinchô,
it would have been the March 1925 production at the
Kabuki-za. 
 


APRIL 1925


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Izutsuya Tazaemon (井筒屋太左衛門)

Play:  Yowa Nasake Ukina no
Yokogushi (与話情浮名横櫛)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô,
Tokyo
Performance Date: 04/01/25
Print Date:  1928?
Artist:  Kamishita Chikamine
(神下周峯)
Medium: Woodblock printed
pochibukuro
Series: [Images of Famous Actors
of Today] Tôsei Meiyû Omokage
Zôshi (當世名優面影双紙) #1
Personal Collection
 
 
 


           
            Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
            Izutsuya Tazaemon (井筒屋太左衛門)

            Play:  Yowa Nasake Ukina no
            Yokogushi (与話情浮名横櫛)
            Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô,
            Tokyo
            Performance Date: 04/01/25
            Print Date:  1928?
            Artist:  Kamishita Chikamine
            (神下周峯)
            Medium: Woodblock printed
            pochibukuro
    `       Personal Collection


                                 
                Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
                Ômori Hikoshichi (大森彦七)

                Play: Ômori Hikoshichi (大森彦七)
                Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
                Performance Date: 04/01/25
                Print Date: 04/1925?
                Artist: Miyake Hanayama (三宅花山)
                Medium: Lithograph
                Personal Collection

                Note: Kôshirô VII also portrayed Ômori Hikoshichi in a
                production at the Kabuki-za in March 1926.  I cannot
                rule out the possibility that this print reflects that
                performance.
 



OCTOBER 1925

 



                 
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Nichiren (日蓮)

Play:  Nichiren Shônin (日蓮上人)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date:  10/01/25
Print Date:  10/1925?
Artist: Miyake Hanayama (三宅花山)
Medium: Lithograph
 
 


JANUARY 1926   


[Kabuki Manga]

Print Date: 1927
Artist: ?
Medium: Machine printed lithograph
Personal Collection

Note: It is unlcear if this is from the same magazine as
Eiga Sutâ Sugao - Manga Hogoita (1927) by Kitazawa
Rakuten shown elsewhere on this site.  The two pieces were
acquired from the same dealer at the same time and are
ascribed the same date, but appear to bear different artist
signatures.
 
 
 

                        
                        Matsumoto Kôshirô VII ( 松本幸四郎) as
                        Sekimori Sekibê (関守関兵衛)

                        Play:  Tsumoru Koi Yuki no Seki no To
                        (積恋雪関扉; 積戀雪關扉)
                        Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
                        Performance Date: 01/01/26
                        Publication Date: 1927
                        Artist:?
 
 
 


MAY 1926

                   
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII ( 松本幸四郎)
as Miura (三浦)

Ichikawa Sumizô VI ( 市川寿美蔵; 市川壽美蔵)
as Hanaregoma (放駒)

Ichikawa Sadanji II (市川左団次; 市川左團次)
as Asahi (朝日)

Ichikawa Ennosuke II ( 市川猿之助; えん之助)
as Tôinu (唐犬)

Play: Otokodate Bayari (男達ばやり)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 05/02/26
Print Date: 1926
Artist: Konô Michisei (河野通勢)
Series: Kabuki E-ban Gashū (歌舞伎絵版画集)
Personal Collection
 



MARCH 1927


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎)
as Takatoki (髙時)

Play: Takatoki (髙時)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za,
Tokyo
Performance Date: 03/04/27
Print Date:  c. 1927-1928
Artist:  Kamishita Chikamine
(神下周峯)
Medium: Woodblock printed
pochibukuro
Series: [Stage Picture Scroll -
2nd Collection] Butai Emaki dai
2-shû (舞台絵巻 第2集)
Image courtesy of Gary
Christenson
 
 
 
 

 
 

APRIL 1927


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎)
as Musashibô Benkei
(武藏坊辨慶; 武蔵坊弁慶)
 
Sawamura Sôjûrô VII
(沢村宗十郎; 澤村宗十郎 as
Minamoto Yoshitsune (源義経)

Play:  Kanjinchô (勧進帳)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô,
Tokyo
Performance Date: 04/01/27
Print Date: c. 1927-1928
Artist:  Kamishita Chikamine
(神下周峯)
Medium: Woodblock printed
pochibukuro
Series: [Stage Picture Scroll -
3rd Collection] Butai Emaki dai
3-shû (舞台絵巻 第3集)
Personal Collection
 
 
 
 

JANUARY 1928


Matsumoto Kôshirô VII    
(松本幸四郎) as
Soga Gorô Tokimune (曾我五郎時致)
Play: Kichirei Soga no Taimen
(吉例曽我対面)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô,
Tokyo
Performance Date: 01/01/28
Print Date: 1928?
Artist:  Kamishita Chikamine
(神下周峯)
Medium: Woodblock printed
pochibukuro
Series: [Images of Famous Actors of
Today] Tôsei Meiyû Omokage Zôshi
(當世名優面影双紙) #5
Personal Collection
 
 
 
 

JUNE 1928






               
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as 
Goemon (五右衛門)

Play: Sanmon Gosan no Kiri (樓門五三桐)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 06/1928
Print Date: 06/1928?
Artist: Miyake Hanayama (三宅花山)
Personal Collection

Note:  There is a record here of Kôshirô VII performing in
this play with Sôjûrô VII in January 1923 but not the venue:
https://zeami.ci.sugiyama-u.ac.jp/~izuka/erito1/tujikabuki1.html
The pair also played the same roles in a production of
Kama-ga-Fuchi Futatsu Domoe (釜渕双級巴) at the
Teikoku Gekijô in October 1928.  Given that 1928 appears
to be rather late for Hanayama print, it is possible that the
print reflects a prior performance outside of Tokyo.
 
 
 
 

JANUARY 1929

                   
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Umeômaru (梅王丸)
 
Play: Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami
(菅原伝授手習鑑)
Performance Place: Teikoku Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 01/01/29
Print Date: 01/1929?
Artist: Torii Kiyotada (鳥居清忠)
Medium: Woodblock printed ehon sujigaki cover
Image courtesy of Artelino.com

Note: The seller atrributed the authorship to
Kiyotada IV.  Also on the bill were Gion
Sairei Shinkôki (祇園祭礼信仰記), Iro Moyô
Chotto Karimame (色彩間苅豆), and Kami
no Megumi Wagô no Torikumi (神明恵和合取組).  
Sawamura Sôjûrô VII (沢村宗十郎; 澤村宗十郎)
portrayed Yukihime in Gion Sairei Shinkôki.
 
   





MARCH 1929


 
 
  



                   
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Hige no Ikyû (髭の意休)

Play:  Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura
(助六由縁江戸桜; 助六由縁江戸櫻)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 03/01/29
Print Date: [1929/03]
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Series: Supplement to Sôsaku Hanga: Shunsen Nigao-e Shû
(創作版画 春仙似顔集)
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum

Note: Kôshirô VII first performed the role of  Ikyû in
Tokyo at the Kabuki-za in February 1925.
 
 
 
 



NOVEMBER 1934

                   
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as Musashibô Benkei (武蔵坊弁慶)

Play:  Kanjinchô (勧進帳)
Performance Place: Kabuki-za, Tokyo
Performance Date: 11/01/34
Print Date:  09/05/35
Artist: Natori Shunsen (名取春仙)
Personal Collection
 
 
 
 

FEBRUARY 1937



               
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Kumagai Jirô Naozane (熊谷次郎直實)

Nakamura Baigyoku III (中村梅玉) as Atsumori (敦盛)

Play: Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki (一谷嫩軍記)
Performance Place: Osaka Kabuki-za, Osaka
Performance Date: 02/01/37
Print Date: 1941
Artist: Hasegawa Sadanobu III (長谷川貞信)
Series: Chûkô Kabuki Jûhachiban  (忠孝歌舞伎十八番);
also reissued as part of the series Kabuki Jûni Dai
(歌舞伎十二第) in 1952
*Personal Collection
 
 
  
 


               
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Soga Gorô Tokimune (曽我五郎時致)

Play: Ya no Ne (矢の根)
Performance Place: Osaka Kabuki-za, Osaka
Performance Date: 02/01/37
Print Date: 1941
Artist: Hasegawa Sadanobu III (長谷川貞信)
Series: Chûkô Kabuki Jûhachiban  (忠孝歌舞伎十八番);
also reissued as part of the series Kabuki Jûni Dai
(歌舞伎十二第) in 1952
*Courtesy of Artelino.com

1941

                 
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Katagiri Katsumoto (片桐且元)

Ichimura Uzaemon XV (市村羽左衛門) as
Kimura Shigenari (木村重成)

Play: Kiri Hitoha (桐一葉)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: 1941
Artist: Hasegawa Sadanobu III (長谷川貞信)
Series: Chûkô Kabuki Jûhachiban  (忠孝歌舞伎十八番);
also reissued as part of the series Kabuki Jûni Dai
(歌舞伎十二第) in 1952
*Personal Collection
 
Note: Kôshirô VII performed this role opposite Uzaemon XV three times
at the Kabuki-za in Tokyo in November 1935, April 1939, and October 1941. 
One or more of those productions likely toured Osaka around those times.
 
 




                 
Onoe Kikugorô VI (尾上菊五郎) as Sakuramaru (桜丸)
Ichimura Uzaemon XV (市村羽左衛門) as Matsuômaru (松王丸)

Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as Umeômaru (梅王丸)

Play:  Kurumabiki (車引), Act 3, Scene 1 of
Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami (菅原傳授手習鑑)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: 1941
Artist: Hasegawa Sadanobu III (長谷川貞信)
Series: Chûkô Kabuki Jûhachiban  (忠孝歌舞伎十八番);
also reissued as part of the series Kabuki Jûni Dai
(歌舞伎十二第) in 1952
*Courtesy of Artelino.com

Note: These actors performed their respective roles in a
production at the Kabuki-za in Tokyo in January 1934. 
That production likely toured Osaka around that time.



                 
Ichimura Uzaemon XV (市村羽左衛門) as
Konoshita Tôkichi (此下東吉)

Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Matsunaga Daizen (松永大膳)

Play: Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Act IV of
Gion Sairei Shinkôki (祇園祭礼信仰記)
Performance Place: ?
Performance Date: ?
Print Date: 1941
Artist: Hasegawa Sadanobu III (長谷川貞信)
Series: Chûkô Kabuki Jûhachiban  (忠孝歌舞伎十八番)
Courtesy of Artelino.com

Note: Uzaemon XV and Kôshirô VII performed their
roles together at the Kabuki-za in Tokyo in February
1934.  That production likely toured Osaka around
that time.



JUNE 1946



                    
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII 松本幸四郎) (as
Benkei (弁慶)

Play: Kanjinchô (勧進帳)
Performance Place: Tokyo Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 06/05 /46
Print Date: 1950 or later
Series: Meifu Miyage Geki no Omokage
(冥府苞苴劇容彩)  (#30)
Medium: ?
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum

Note: It is unclear if this is a woodblock print, a watercolor
drawing, or a hand-colored keyblock print for an
unpublished design.  Kôshirô VII died on January 27, 1949
at age 80.  He first played the role of Benkei in this play in
Tokyo at the Teikoku Gekijô in April 1914.  Although
Kôshirô VII's final Tokyo appearance in this role was in
June 1946, it is possible that Gakô based this print on one
of Kôshirô VII's prior performances.
 
 
 
 
 

 


               

              
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Benkei (弁慶)

Play: Kanjinchô (勧進帳)
Performance Place: Tokyo Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 06/05/46
Print Date: 1952
Series: Shôwa Butai Sugata  (昭和舞台姿 その一) (#5)
Image courtesy of the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum

Note: Kôshirô VII first played the role of Benkei in this play
in Tokyo at the Teikoku Gekijô in April 1914.  Although
Kôshirô VII's final Tokyo appearance in this role was in June
1946, it is possible that Gakô based this print on one of
Kôshirô VII's prior performances.


               

              
Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (松本幸四郎) as
Benkei (弁慶)

Play: Kanjinchô (勧進帳)
Performance Place: Tokyo Gekijô, Tokyo
Performance Date: 06/05/46
Print Date: ?
Medium: Machine printed lithograph
Series: Shôwa Butai Sugata  (昭和舞台姿 その一) (#5)
Personal Collection

Note: Kôshirô VII first played the role of Benkei in this play
in Tokyo at the Teikoku Gekijô in April 1914.  Although
Kôshirô VII's final Tokyo appearance in this role was in June
1946, it is possible that Gakô based this print on one of
Kôshirô VII's prior performances.