early Kabuki actor, and the most celebrated onnagata (specialist in
female roles) of his time. His thoughts on acting, and on onnagata
acting in particular, were recorded in Ayamegusa (è –è'²è ‰, "The
Words of Ayame"), one section of the famous treatise on Kabuki acting,
Yakusha Rongo (役者論語, "The Actors' Analects").A.C. Scott wrote
that "Yoshizawa Ayame I was regarded as the greatest onnagata or
female impersonator of his time and was an artist of ability, who
developed the unique technique which was to be a model for the actors
of the future. His ideas and secrets were written down in a book
called 'Ayamegusa', which was afterwards regarded as the Bible of the
female impersonator."Ayame is famous for advocating that onnagata
behave as women in all their interactions, both onstage and off. In
Ayamegusa, he is quoted as saying that "if [an actor] does not live
his normal life as if he was a woman, it will not be possible for him
to be called a skillful onnagata." Following his own advice, Ayame
cultivated his femininity throughout his offstage life, and was often
treated as a woman by his fellow actors. His mentor, Arashi San'emon,
and others are said to have praised him on many occasions for his
devotion to his art.Though most commonly known as Ayame, Yoshizawa
took on the stage names of Yoshizawa KikunojÅ during a brief stint
performing in Edo, and Yoshizawa Gonshichi when performing as a
tachiyaku (in male roles). He also used the name "Gonshichi" as a
nickname (替å , kaena) used when patronizing a brothel or
restaurant. His haimyÅ (俳å , poetry name) was Shunsui, and his
guild name (家å , kamei) Tachibanaya, after his mentor Tachibana
Gorozaemon. Yoshizawa Ayame I Biography, NetWorth, Height, Age, Weight, Family, Married, Son, Daughter
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