Ichikawa Sai'nyû I was one of the stage giants in Kamigata during the Meiji era, along with Nakamura Sôjûrô and Jitsukawa Enjaku I (sôen'u). He was able to perform almost any kind of role as a tachiyaku, onnagata, katakiyaku or fukeyaku (in his latter years). He was an outstanding dancer and was equally at home in sewamono, jidaimono or new productions. Just like his father Ichikawa Kodanji IV, he also fond of keren like chûnori or honmizu. His most famous stage trick was a special chûnori for the robber Ishikawa Goemon: a wicker basket (tsuzura) comes into sight, flying in the air without anybody carrying it. It comes to a halt above the hanamichi and Goemon suddenly emerges from it. He places the basket on his shoulder and triumphantly flies off through the air, scornfully laughing at the powerless soldiers who can't stop his escape. (Source: Kabuki21)

He held this title until 1908 Edit Biography