Rokuro UMEWAKA (the 55th) (梅若六郎 (55世))
Rokuro UMEWAKA, the 55th (August 3, 1907 – February 8, 1979) was a Nohgakushi (Noh actor) playing shite (a principal role) of the Kanze-ryu school, Living National Treasure, and a member of the Japan Art Academy. His former name was Rokunojo.
Born in Tokyo as a son of Rokuro UMEWAKA, the 54th (later Minoru UMEWAKA, the second). His grandfather was Minoru UMEWAKA, the first, one of the three masters of the Meiji period. His younger brothers were Masatoshi UMEWAKA and Yasuyuki UMEWAKA. His second son is Rokuro UMEWAKA (the 56th).
1911: Debuted as a priest role in 'Tadanobu.'
1915: Performed shite in 'Kikujido' (The Boy with Chrysanthemums) for the first time. 1918: Graduated from Asakusaseibi Higher Elementary School. 1925: Performed 'Dojoji' (Dojo-ji Temple). 1928: Performed 'Okina' (An Old Man). 1944: Succeeded to Rokuro UMEWAKA, the 55th. 1957: A board member of the Nohgaku Performers' Association, designated as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure). 1958: Received the Minister of Education Award for Fine Art for his shite performance of 'Funa Benkei' (Benkei in the Boat). 1959: Received the Osaka Cultural Festival Award. 1960: Founded Umewaka Nohgaku Gakuin (Umewaka Noh School) and became an administrative director. Received the Art Encouragement Prize by Osaka Prefecture. 1962: Formed 'Kisaragikai' (a group named the second month of the lunar calendar) along with Jikyo YOSHIZUMI of nagauta (long epic song with shamisen accompaniment) and Han TAKEHARA of jiutamai (jiuta dance). 1964: Participated in the Art Department of Tokyo Olympics. 1965: Performed in Europe. 1967: An honorary citizen of New Orleans, a member of the Japan Art Academy. 1968: Performed in the United States and Mexico. 1976: Received the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon. 1977: Received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. Wrote a book "Utai wo hajimeru hito no tame ni" (for people who start Noh chanting) (Ikeda Shoten [Publisher], 1964).