Kuroemon KATAYAMA (the 9th) (片山九郎右衛門 (9世))
Kuroemon KATAYAMA IX (August 26, 1930 -) is a Noh actor of the shite-kata (lead role) Kanze-ryu School. Katayama is the ninth head of the Kyoto Katayama family (President of the Katayamake Nogaku Kyobu Hozon Zaidan (Katayama Family Noh and Kyoto Dance Preservation Foundation)). He is an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure). He is a member of the Japan Art Academy. He is president of the Japan Noh Association.
Katayama was born in 1930 as the eldest son of Kuroemon KATAYAMA VIII (Hiromichi KATAYAMA) and Yachiyo INOUE IV (Aiko) of the Kamigatamai dance Inoue-ryu School. His real name (previous name) is Hirotaro. His younger brothers are Keijiro KATAYAMA and Motosaburo SUGIURA. Since making his first appearance on stage at the age of five, he studied under his father, Kasetsu KANZE and Gasetsu KANZE to acquire the gentle style of the Kyoto Kanze school and the subtle grace of the Tetsunojo KANZE lineage. In 1985, he succeeded the stage name of Kuroemon. He went on to win the Arts Festival (Agency for Cultural Affairs) award for excellence (three times), the Art Academy Prize and the Shiju Hosho (Order of the Purple Ribbon) as well as being made a member of the Art Academy in 1995 a Living National Treasure in 2001. He also successively held important posts related to professional Noh bodies. He is known for his stable, neat style. His children are Yachiyo INOUE V (Michiko KANZE) and Kiyoshi KATAYAMA.
Chronology
1936: Made his first stage appearance in the informal Noh play 'Shojo' (literally, "a kind of Japanese sea spirit with red face and hair and a fondness for alcohol").
1939: Played his first shite (lead role) in 'Iwafune' (boat-like rock).
1948: Began studying under Kasetsu KANZE and Gasetsu KANZE.
1952: Performed in 'Dojo-ji' (Dojo-ji Temple).
1953: Performed in 'Okina' (old man)).
1957: Performed in 'Mochizuki' (a full moon).
1963: Became chairman of the Kyoto Kanze-kai Corporation. Became director of the Kyoto Nogaku Yosei-kai.
1965: Became president of the Kyoto Noh Association. Certified as the holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property designation.
1967: Became director of the Japan Noh Association.
1969: Performed in 'Sotoba Komachi' (Komachi at the Gravepost).
1970: Performed in 'Obasute' (Abandoning an Old Woman).
1981: Performed in 'Omu Komachi' (Komachi's Parrot-Answer Poem).
1983: Became director of the Noh Association.
1984: Won the Arts Festival award for excellence.
1985: Succeeded the stage name Kuroemon KATAYAMA. He won the Outstanding Performance Award in the Art Festival. Became standing director of the Noh Association.
1987: Won the Arts Festival award for excellence.
1990: Won the Japan Art Academy Prize.
1991: Became president of the Noh Association.
1994: Awarded the Shiju Hosho (Order of the Purple Ribbon).
1995: Became a member of the Japan Art Academy.
1996: Designated a Bunka Korosha (Person of Cultural Merit) by Kyoto City.
2001: Designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure).
2003: Received the Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Lifetime Achievement Award.