Jitsukawa Enjaku II (二代目実川延若: October 1915 - February 1951) (actor 12/11/1877 – 02/22/1951)
Jitsukawa Enjirō I (初代実川延若: March 1886 - October 1915)Shōgan (poetry name - 正鴈)
Amaboshi Shoemon (real name - 天星庄右衛門)
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Biography:
Jitsukawa Enjaku II was one of two best tachiyaku actors in Kamigata during the first half of the twentieth century, often sharing the top of the bill with the other one, Nakamura Ganjirō I. From 1935 to 1950, he was the undisputed leader of Kabuki in Kamigata. His fame was not limited to Ōsaka or Kyōto and he did many successful stays in Tōkyō. His field of excellence was wagoto, as the worthy heir of his father Jitsukawa Enjaku I. He was also outstanding in jitsugotoshi or budōgoto roles in maruhonmono dramas. His extravagant offstage life as a womanizer was very well-known.
Jitsukawa Enjaku II's best roles: Ishikawa Goemon ("Sanmon Gosan no Kiri"), Sanigoroshichi ("Kari no Tayori"), Danshichi Kurobei ("Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami"), Kanō Shirojirō ("Chichi Morai"), Rokusuke ("Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi"), Heisaku ("Numazu"), Shundô Jirôemon ("Daianji Zutsumi"), Nikki Danjō ("Meiboku Sendai Hagi") and Yokozô ("Honchō Nijūshikō").
The above information was taken directly from Kabuki21.
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This actor held this name from October 1915 to February 1951. His father was Jitsukawa Enjaku I (1831-1885). His sons were Jitsukawa Enjaku III (1921-91) and Jitsukawa Ennosuke III (January 3, 1921 to May 14, 1991).
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The The Japan biographical encyclopedia & who's who of 1961 says on page 455: "Kabuki actor. Born in Ōsaka. Eldest son of Enjaku I. Appeared on stage for first time in 1887. Succeeded to stage name Enjaku in 1915. Rendered invaluable services in bringing the golden age to Kabuki in the Kansai district together with Ganjiro Nakamura. He was a versatile actor and bold in style of acting."
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Enjaku II appeared in a Kanpō print from 1923 as Igami no Ganta in the play Yoshitsune senbonzakura (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees).
