1867 November – Der Hang – “his performances are almost incredible and have to be seen to be believed” Quaglieni’s Grand Italian Cirque – The inimitable Japanese top spinner!!! – butterfly illusionist!!! and wondrous juggler!!!
1870 September – Great Dragon Troupe – Mechanics Hall
FIRST APPEARANCE IN THIS CITY MR WILLIAM GRANT, Proprietor and Interpreter, who has appeared before the Prince of Wales, the King of Denmark, Prince and Princess Christian, and other Royal Personages at Marlborough House, London, as well as before the Royal Family at Windsor, and who has been resident many years in Japan, will present his Famous Troupe, the GREAT DRAGON TROUPE of JAPANESE PERFORMERS, Thirteen in number, in National Costume.
The astounding performance of the above Troupe cannot be described—it must be seen to believed. The Press in all parts of the Country have pronounced it the MOST MARVELLOUS ENTERTAINMENT EVER WITNESSED. The Management call the attention of the Public to the fact that this not the Japanese Troupe that appeared in this town some time ago, and that they are not to be compared in the smallest decree. THE GREAT DRAGON TROUPE is the ONLY Company of Japanese who have had the honour of appearing before his Imperial Majesty the Emperor Napoleon, the King of Prussia, bis Imperial Highness the Czar of Russia, &c., &c.
Universal puzzle of the Press to describe the Performance of the Great Dragon Troupe of Japanese. THE PERFORMANCE WILL INCLUDE;— Wonderful Feats of Posturing; illustrations of Japanese Dexterity in Juggling ; Wonderful Performance the Boy Tommy, who balances on Eleven Tubs, supported the feet of Hansktchi ; Astounding Balancing on the top of a 30-feet Pole, perched on the shoulder of a Gedai; Terrific and Daring Performance on a Single Wire, by a Japanese Lady; the Celebrated Butterfly Trick; the Great LADDER BALANCING FEAT, never yet achieved by any other than the Japanese,&c.
An INSTRUMENTAL BAND will be in Attendance
1872 October Isabella Hunter Torra Ketchie, daughter of Ogawa Torakichi and Isabella Hunter is born at 8 Castle Street, Aberdeen.
1877 October – McFarland’s Music Hall – Tannaker’s Japanese Troupe, 11 males and females, will appear with Cooke’s Circus, 3 tons of goods just arrived. Go to Tannaker’s for Japanese novelties, Japanese donations, Japanese curiosities, Japanese gifts, and Japanese presents. Procession will pass through the streets daily.
TANNAKER’S JAPANESE TROUPE – Mr Tannaker, who has had several Japanese troupes travelling in various parts of the country, some of which have on previous occasions visited Aberdeen, commenced a series of entertainments in Cooke’s Circus last night with a company which he himself accompanies. It is Mr Tannaker’s custom wherever lie goes to give away numerous gifts of Japanese toys and articles of ornament and use as mementoes of his visit, and the distribution of these formed not the least attractive part of last night’s entertainment. The performances consisted of feats of balancing, sleight of hand, jugglery, gymnastics and such like, in which the natives of Japan so greatly excel Europeans. The feats were all cleverly done, and with that calm and careful deliberation peculiar to this class of artistes and which creates in the minds of the spectators less apprehension of danger than usually accompanies feats of daring. On the other hand, the lack of this element is apt to produce a feeling of tedium which would be removed if more variety were thrown into the entertainment. The large building was filled in every part and the occupants of the gallery derived no little amusement in imitating the butterfly trick with the Japanese fans, which were liberally distributed as gifts. (Aberdeen Press and Journal 19 October 1877 p 3)
1887 October – absence of six years, one of Tannaker’s Japanese troupes has again visited Aberdeen. A fairly large audience attended in the Music Hall last night, and accorded the company a hearty welcome. The entertainment is a very clever one, consisting of tricks and acrobatic and feats, which are performed with astonishing dexterity and skill. The art of balancing forms the more prominent feature of the performances, and the exhibition is such as most worthily merits praise. All who witnessed the entertainment last night testified their appreciation of the skill displayed in hearty rounds of applause. The visit of the troupe will extend till the end of next and, on the former occasion, the manager has kindly invited the inmates the various charitable institutions in the city to be present on a convenient evening. At the close of each performance each individual in the audience receives a gift of article of Japanese manufacture. Last night the gifts comprised cabinets, trays, fans, fishing-rods, and numerous ornaments. (Aberdeen Evening Express 12 October 1883 p4)
1881 April Ogawa Torakichi, Isabella and their daughter Jane are living with Isabella’s mother Isabella Hunter at 58 Castle Street, Aberdeen.
1891 November – Jollity Theatre – Tycoon Japanese troupe “that of the Japanese troupe was the most wonderful, their agile and daring acrobatic feats being of a kind seldom seen before in Aberdeen. The troupe richly deserved the applause which their novel exhibition evoked.” Aberdeen Free Press, 24 November 1891 p4
1898 January – special engagement at enormous expense –Akimoto Royal Yedo Japanese Troupe – from Olympia, London. Hamilton’s Excursions – Music Hall, Union Street. “The Japanese troupe consisted four gentlemen and lady, who gave series balancing and acrobatic performances, which were greatly admired.” Aberdeen Press & Journal, 1 February 1898 p6
1899 September – Barnum & Bailey’s circus – Takezawa – “By far the most exciting of the acts is that by the tight wire Orientalist, Takezawa. The act is entitled the Japanese slide for life. The man, standing, slides down a rope backward from a considerable height, balanced only by a Japanese umbrella. At the foot he is caught by his companions
1902 January – Okabe Family Imperial Japanese Troupe from the court of Japan in their marvellous pot pourri act – Palace Theatre – special engagement at great cost.
1902 October – Nishihama Troupe, Japanese acrobats, Palace Theatre
1903 March – “The first appearance in Aberdeen of the great Lukushima Japanese troupe is an event in itself which ought to draw crowded houses.” (Aberdeen Press and Journal 30th March) “who display remarkable dexterity and grace as acrobats and jugglers. A series of astounding feats were performed by the clever Japs with the utmost facility, and the unanimous opinion was that in their own line the Troupe has never been surpassed in Aberdeen” (Aberdeen Press and Journal 31 March 1903 p4)
1904 August – Buffalo Bill’s Wild West “Imperial Japanese Troupe” (Akimotos?) “the display of the Imperial Japanese Troupe, who give graphic representation of the ancient warlike methods of Japan, well the modern tactics now employed the Japanese army” (Aberdeen Press 7 Journal 17 August p 7)
1905 August – Lukushima Troupe – Palace Theatre “it would be impossible to speak too highly”
1906 November – Lukushima Troupe – Palace Theatre – “All were pleased to renew acquaintance with the Lukushima Troupe. These Japanese acrobats, their admirable performance, display a dexterity, grace, and neatness that could not be surpassed. The accessories on the stage, with their brilliant Oriental colouring, imparted enhanced effect was, beyond all question, one of the most clever exhibitions of the kind ever seen in Aberdeen.” (Aberdeen Press & Journal November 20 1906 p 4)
1907 July “The most notable alteration being the inclusion of the Tokio Troupe Japanese performers, a quintette of clever jugglers and balancing artistes. Their feats are really remarkable, and while the minor features of their “turn” are clever and requiring great skill, two exhibitions of balancing powers are daring in the extreme. In the first of these a ladder, the construction of which is best described ” zig-zag,” is steadied the feet one of the older members of the troupe, and a youngster successfully negotiates a difficult ascent and descent, performing tricks both ways. The closing feat, however, eclipses anything that has been seen in Aberdeen for daring and verve. One of the Japs walks up a slack rope stretched from the stage to the gallery, and having accomplished this, in itself a difficult journey, slides backwards down the rope at a terrific speed, with only Japanese umbrella keep him in his dangerous flight over the heads of the audience” Aberdeen Press and Journal 23 July 1907
1908 September – Royal Tokio Company
1909 March – The Andos at the Palace Theatre. The Cleverest Troupe Japanese Acrobats extant
1910 April – Royal Tokio Troupe of Japanese entertainers, with Bostock’s Circus, whose fearless and daring exploits will astonish the audience. This wonderful troupe was for many years the favourite entertainers of the Emperor of Japan and has since appeared by special command in front of nearly all the crowned heads of Europe.
1910 November – Five Lukushimas – Tivoli Theatre
1910 December – Fuji Japanese Troupe a troupe of Japanese acrobats, jugglers and equilibrists, who have been causing a furore at the Alhambra. Palace Theatre
1911 February – Yamamoto and Koyoshi at the Tivoli Theatre “present one of the prettiest and most entertaining acts perhaps ever to an Aberdeen audience. The balancing—especially by the lady of the company—is something truly remarkable, but the whole show, including the dressing and setting of the stage, comes up to the excellent point of merit.”
1912 February – Yamamoto and Koyoshi at the Tivoli Theatre
1912 October – Ten-Ka troupe of Japanese magicians – Tivoli Theatre
1913 August – “Of all the Japanese jugglers, balancers, and tumblers that come to Aberdeen, none quite equal the marvellous feats of the renowned Okabe Family. And all their work is done with such grace and celerity as to at once disarm suspicion of any element of danger. Quickness of eye and alertness of movement are so essentially, as it were, completely owned by the Okabes as to wholly put in the shade the efforts of other troupes who emulate their act. The Japanese turn was received at both sessions last night with unbounded enthusiasm.” Tivoli Theatre. Aberdeen Press and Journal 12 August 1913 p6
1914 September – The Great Nikko Troupe of Japanese Entertainers – Palace Theatre. “Especially daring and clever was the slide for life, when, after reaching the gallery platform, the performer slides down in a most remarkable manner. In this superb dressing of the stage in Japanese artistic setting is particularly good” Aberdeen Press & Journal 8 September 1914 p 6
1915 July – The Famous Riogoku Family – unrivalled Japanese artistes – Tivoli
1916 February – Futami Troupe of Japanese acrobats
1916 April – The Mizuno Troupe of Japanese entertainers – Palace Theatre – seven in number. This company of acrobatic artistes from the Land of the Rising Sun, contribute a marvellous combination act.
1916 July – Tokiwa Family of Japanese acrobats perform for the wounded in a hospital.
1916 July – Tokiwa family at the Palace Theatre – this troupe include little Matsu and Matsu, and the one and only original Japanese comedian. They carry their own costumes and appointments.
1917 April – Miaka Troupe (possibly Miyako?) – His Majesty’s Theatre
1917 July – Lukushima Troupe Japanese entertainers are rare value, and their acrobatic, balancing, and top-spinning efforts are hardly believable till one sees them. His Majesty’s Theatre
1917 August – The Miyako Troupe of Japanese entertainers gave an excellent magical trick exhibition which is marvellous and mystifying. Their feats with handkerchiefs, flags, and the burning of a one-pound banknote belonging a member the audience caused consternation; but probably the climax in their show was the part where water fountains were moved from flower vases to the hands of the performers.
1917 September – Yamamoto and Koyoshi Troupe – Tivoli theatre
1918 February – Remarkable cleverness is displayed tbe Shimigata (Yamagata?)Troupe Japanese jugglers. To be thoroughly appreciated this show should be seen more than once. Casino
1921 April – Okayama Troupe – Palace Theatre
1921 September – the Soga Trio – Palace Theatre
1922 June – The Three Kobes are splendid value as Japanese entertainers. These Japs have reputation for performing feats with hands and feet that no other troupes of acrobats or ground tumblers ever attempt. Their scena goes with the vim that arouses the keenest enthusiasm, and is followed with breathless interest, the finale through a metal barrel pierced from without by keen, well-sharpened swords causes a positive thrill.
1923 January – The Deguchi Troupe of Japanese acrobats cannot be adequately described. There is a smartness about them that calls forth a hurricane of applause. The troupe consist of five performers— two ladies and three gentlemen – and the lightning speed at which they go through their act is simply marvellous. Tivoli Theatre
1923 January – Kikuta Family of Japanese players – some of whose feats are almost incredible, in their quickness of eye and nimbleness limb. In juggling and balancing, including couple of Pyramid displays and their acrobatic feats, their movements are marvellous. Nothing finer of its kind visits Aberdeen. Tivoli
1925 July – Mizuno Troupe of Japanese acrobats, with Broncho Bill’s Circus
1927 July – Mizuno Troupe of Japanese acrobats, with Broncho Bill’s Circus
1931 May – Kiraku Brothers, the modern Japanese wonders. “The Kirakus proved themselves—even for Japanese—acrobats extraordinary”
1931 December – Togo, Japanese juggler ogo, Japanese juggler, “with all the ambidexterity of those of his race who juggle”
1933 August – Masu is a Japanese juggler of great grace and dexterity
1933 October – The Kiraku Brothers, Japanese acrobats, who performed some really wonderful feats
1933 November – A Japanese juggler, Togo, gives a touch variety to the proceedings with his deft manipulation of the juggler’s usual accoutrements
1934 December – Clever Japanese juggler Togo, who is always a favourite
1936 August – The Kiraku Brothers, a Japanese family acrobats, present one of those neat and clever acts which is always an asset to any bill. Tivoli
1937 February – amazing display of top spinning and juggling given by Gintaro, the Japanese juggler
1937 March – “the very beginning of the show there is Masu, a Japanese juggler, who can do anything in the balancing line with a bouncing ball, and his dancing on a ten-foot pole is decidedly clever. This act preaches the moral—Come in time.” Aberdeen Press & Journal, 2 March 1937, p8
1937 April – THE KIRAKU BROTHERS Comedy Acrobats ” Japanese acrobats, are an entertainment in themselves; they have humour and cleverness that are equally enjoyable” His Majesty’s Theatre – Aberdeen Press & Journal 27th April 1937, p 8
1939 May – Syd Amoy, Japanese juggler with some out of the way tricks – Aberdeen
1941 July – Syd Amoy, the Siamese umbrella man, is a spectacular juggler. Best of his work is when he makes a spinning top run along the edge of a sword
1950 May – The Java Brothers are expert equilibrists – Tivoli
1959 December – The Kendor Brothers are outstanding, and astounding, acrobats
Ninjin 