Yamamoto Masakazu (山本勝一)
Masakazu YAMAMOTO (1928 -) is a performer in the Kanze school of Japanese traditional Noh drama who graduated in 1943 from the former Kozu Middle School (present day Kozu Municipal High School, Osaka).
1945: Graduated from the Kansai University Preparatory School
Summary
The Yamamoto family originates with Suwa MORISHIGE and the Yamamoto-jo castle in Shinshu Province.
During the Taisho period (1912-1926), Masakazu became a disciple of the 24th generation hereditary head of the Kanze family, and he succeeded Hiroyuki YAMAMOTO who contributed to the diffusion of Noh drama in Osaka such as building the Yamamoto Noh Theatre (located in Chuo-ku, Osaka City) in the early Showa period (1926-1989). From middle school days Masakazu devoted himself to the study of Noh drama as head of the Yamamoto branch family within the Kanze school, becoming the leader of the Kanze school in the Kansai area of Japan.
Masakazu is Chairman of the Yamamoto Noh-Theater.
Awards
Recognized as a 'general holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property.'
Recognized for 'Award for Person of Cultural Merits of Osaka Citizen'. 1995: Received excellent reviews for his production of 'Obasute' (The Deserted Crone) and won the Osaka Culture Festival Award (Gold Prize).