Kyōsen Kineya

BIOGRAPHY

Kyōsen Kineya was born Sachiko Ishihara on 15 November 1914, in Tsukiji, Tokyo, Japan. She was the only daughter of the fifth-generation Kankurō Kineya, a renowned figure in Nagauta, a traditional form of shamisen music developed as an accompaniment for Kabuki theater, with a history spanning over 400 years. She began her training in shamisen and singing at the age of 4 under her father’s guidance. Unfortunately, her father passed away shortly after her training began. At the age of 6, she continued rigorous lessons under the tutelage of her mother, who was also a skilled Nagauta performer and a member of the women’s performance association. Due to her asthma, the family sought a healthier environment and relocated to Odawara in 1923. Later that year, the Great Kantō earthquake damaged their family home in Tokyo, leading them to settle permanently in Odawara. She adopted her stage name in honor of her late father, taking it from his retirement name.

At the age of 14, she began teaching students and eventually trained over 300 disciples throughout her lifetime. Even at the age of 105, she remained actively engaged, mentoring approximately seven students each day. In 1947, at the age of 32, she married Takashi Kimura, a poet 12 years her junior. The couple had two daughters. Her husband’s literary background greatly influenced her artistry, enriching her interpretations of Nagauta and allowing her to deliver emotionally profound and passionate performances.

At the age of 105, she made her CD debut with the release of “105: The Nagauta World of Fifth-Generation Kankurō, Carried On by His Daughter” (Japanese: 一〇五（いちまるご）娘がつなぐ五世勘五郎の長唄世界) on 23 October 2019. Despite her age, she remained highly active in the Nagauta community and continued to inspire audiences with her performances. Although she has retired from performing, her legacy lives on through her daughter, Rokkyō, and her granddaughter, Waku, who have taken up her role in preserving and advancing the Nagauta tradition.

Kyōsen credited her longevity to “sitting upright on a cushion, maintaining good posture, singing, playing the shamisen, and using my voice every day.” She also enjoyed sushi, tempura, and meat, and had no particular food preferences.

At the age of 105, Kyōsen maintained a well-structured and disciplined daily routine. She would wake up but remain in bed until around 9 a.m., rising to have breakfast at 10 a.m. Her mornings were spent reading the newspaper thoroughly, followed by watching sumo or sports programs on television. On days when she taught her disciples, she would sit in seiza (the traditional kneeling position) for several hours, dedicating herself to mentoring her students with care and precision. Around 3 p.m., she enjoyed a light lunch, and dinner was a substantial meal served at 6:30 p.m. Her evenings included a bath and the nightly recitation of the Heart Sutra (Hannya Shingyō), a practice she cherished. She typically went to bed at midnight.

RECOGNITION

Kyōsen received numerous accolades throughout her life in recognition of her contributions to Nagauta and Japanese culture. In 2005, she was honored by the Nagauta Association for her long-term contributions to the art form. In 2017, she was designated as a Holder of Intangible Cultural Property in Nagauta by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. In 2019, at the age of 105, when she released her debut CD, she was awarded the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award for her efforts in preserving traditional Nagauta. In 2024, she received the 73rd Kanagawa Cultural Award from Kanagawa Prefecture and the Kanagawa Shimbun.

On 19 November 2024, she was honored by the Mayor of Odawara City as the city’s oldest resident.

ATTRIBUTION

* “技人vol.9【長唄三味線方】杵屋響泉” – Odawara City, 17 July 2013

* “104歳の長唄三味線奏者・杵屋響泉が奏でる圧倒的な音色とは” – moviecollectionjp, 7 June 2018

* “長唄に生かされ107歳　明日死ぬまでも長唄の心を伝え続けたい” – Chichi Publishing, 1 October 2021

* “長唄三味線演奏家・杵屋響泉さん　芸歴１００年超、三味線で喜怒哀楽を表現” – Kanagawa Shimbun, 25 October 2024

GALLERY

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