Japanese Troupes in Britain 1867-1937

1. Matsui Gensui

Harper’s Weekly, 1867

2. The Great Dragon Troupe 1867-1889

The Great Dragon Troupe in Britain in late 1860s? Hasegawa Harukichi, Hasegawa Kanekichi, Kagami Godayuu, Hotaka Kinjiro, Kondo Yasokichi, Kondo Fudekichi, Ogawa Mankichi, Ogawa Torakichi, Omoto, Oiye, Hotaka Joji? Director (Pernille Rudlin’s private collection)
Great Dragon Troupe in Perth, Scotland, November, 1870, Dr Robert H Sayers Collection
Great Dragon Troupe, after it merged with Tannaker’s troupe, taken by William Vick of Ipswich. The woman in the middle is probably Omoto rather than Otake. Taken in 1873? From the Dr Robert H Sayers Collection.

3. Imperial Troupe 1867-1870

Imperial Troupe at Lyceum Theatre, London, Illustrated London News 1868

4. Royal Tycoon Troupe (Tannaker) 1868-1872

Tanaka Tsurukichi of the Royal Tycoon Troupe – Dr Robert H Sayers collection

5. Royal Tycoon’s Private Troupe 1870-1898 (King/Gingero)

6. Tannaker’s Japanese (New Entertainment. Temple of Japan) 1873 – 1885

7. Jackitschy Troupe (Tannaker) 1876-1883

8. Torikata Troupe 1886 – 1890

9. The Mitsutas 1886 – 1912

10. Mazawatte 1893 – 1901

11. Akimoto Troupe 1896 – 1908

12. The Takezawa Troupe 1897 – 1900

13. The Andos 1898 – 1913

14. Maruichi Brothers 1899 – 1901

15. The Okabes 1900 – 1914

The Okabe Family 1898

16. Fukushima Troupe 1900 – 1902

17. Lukushima Troupe 1901 – 1918

18. Nishi(h)ama (Matsui) Troupe 1901 – 1904

19. Yamamoto and Koyoshi 1902 – 1927

20. Arsakusa Troupe 1903 – 4

21. Royal Tokio 1904 – 1917

22. Ko Ten Ichi Troupe 1904 – 1921

23. Riogoku 1904 – 1916

24. Arayama 1905 – 1920

25. Morimura 1905 – 1926

26. Togo 1905 – 1937

27. Deguchi Troupe/Johnny and Suma Lamonte 1906 – 1980

28. Miyako Troupe 1908 – 1918

29. Fuji Troupe 1910-1924

30. Yamagata troupe 1911 -1920

31. Hamamura Family 1913 – 1920

32. Mizuno Troupe 1913 – 1932

33. Futami Troupe 1914 – 1916

34. The Mikado Troupe 1915 – 1917

35. Esa Trio 1915 – 1921

36. Royal Tokiwa Family 1916 – 1920

37. Akebono Troupe 1917 – 1926

38. Okayama Troupe 1918 – 1923

39. The Kobes 1918 – 1928

40. Soga Trio 1918 – 1924

41. Kiraku Brothers 1926 – 1940

42. Masa Hirukawa/Charles Douthwaite 1932 – 1941

For videos of Japanese acrobatic and juggling performances see this playlist on YouTube