Teshima Yazaemon (豊嶋弥左衛門)
Yazaemon TESHIMA (May 1, 1899 - January 3, 1978) was a Nohgakushi (Noh actor) playing shite (the principal roles) of Kongo-ryu school. He was designated for his individual prominent attainments as the Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure).
He firstly used the name 'Yahei' and then 'Hajime.'
1899: Born in Kaminobori-cho, Hiroshima City as the first son of Ichimatsu TESHIMA, waki-kata (a supporting actor) of Takayasu-ryu school, and grown up in the Miyajima-cho. The Teshima family was a Noh actor family retained by the former Hiroshima clan, and all of his six brothers became Noh actors. 1904: Made a debut, playing kokata (child's part in a Noh dance) in "Kurama Tengu" (Tengu [long-nosed goblin] of Mt. Kurama). 1913: To grow out to be shite-kata (a principal actor) formally, he became an apprentice to the Kongo family of Kyoto. He learned under Kinnosuke KONGO, Iwao KONGO (the first), and Sakyo KONGO. 1948: Succeeded to the family name, Yazaemon, at the memorial Noh performance for his past father and younger brother. His style, which was splendid and massive with austere elegance, attracted the fans. 1972: Awarded Arts Festival (Japanese Agency for Cultural Affaires) Grand Prize. 1977: Designated as the Holder of Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure), and also named the Person of Cultural Merits of Kyoto City. 1979: Posthumously conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
His first son is Michiharu TESHIMA. Kunso TESHIMA is also his son.