1856/7 born in Tokyo, father also Tamamoto Chiyokichi, a gymnast. In record of his marriage with consulate, says he was from Asakusa, Sanya, Tokyo, Masukagami Kosen, 4th male, Tamamoto Chiyokichi – so part of Masukagami daikagura.
1856 – Masukagami Katsuyo and Tamamoto Koito in a joint performance (acrobatic feat) in Japan
1867 Che-o-kitchie boy climber and tight rope walker aged about 10 in the Great Dragon Troupe recruited by Lenton & Smith, touring Asia and then Australia. Performs tub acts with Bungero, ladder and bamboo climbing acts with Sagero and Gengero.
1867 May – in Samarang
1867 October – Lenton & Smith troupe in Penang with Gengero and his magic bottle, Cho-nos-kee, Gen-ge-ro playing flute while Chie okit-chie balances on bamboo and Cutswho-gero – Genjirō, Chōnosuke, Katsujirō and Chiyokichi
1868 4th January – March – Australia – Chonosuke – butterfly fanning, paper, umbrella tricks, Sagero balancing ladder on which Chiyokichi climbs. Bungero balancing feats with paper screens that a boy makes holes in while climbing, then becoming a beast in a mask. Bungero balancing tubs on which Chiyokichi climbs. Cuts-Who-Gero (NY-AC-CO onnayaku?) lady rope and paper walking. Gengero balancing bamboo poles which a boy climbs up while Gengero plays the fiddle. Gengero also does tricks with boxes and bottles and is a top spinner. O Hatsue his wife on the long bamboo or perche. Pretty girl of 14 who gives out photographs. 11th January first appeareance of Eso-Kitchi in various performance with cups, balls, eggs, umbrellas. 20th January Metaro, gymnast of Yeddo and versatile Fakeer. Yaske from 22nd – Japanese wizard and Fire eater. 23 January Omato pointed bamboo walking, Japanese paper. On Ra Or Vo in attendance.
1868 May – “Che-O-Kitchee, the Boy-wonder as he is very correctly termed in the programme, again performed on the slack rope. His feats are truly wonderful, and for a boy so young surpasses anything before witnessed in this part of the world. This boy certainly reflects the greatest credit upon his teacher, Cuts- Who-Gero, and from what we have seen of his abilities, have no doubt, that in time he will prove himself as efficient on the slack rope as Cuts-Who- Gero herself.” Tasmanian Times
1868 May – Chiyokichi performing with Metaro on swinging bamboo. Sagero horizontal ladder.
Possibly Omoto, Katsujiro, Chiyokichi, Isokichi and Mitaro and unidentified Western male from Robert Sayers’ collection, taken in Bardwell’s studio, Ballarat, Australia. Great Dragon Troupe were in Ballarat Jan-Feb and Sep 1868.
Below – from Helen Lambert collection – has been attributed to Lyster & Smith troupe in 1871, which did not have Omoto in it and does not fit the dates of Helen Lambert being in Australia (August 1867 to August 1870). Are slight differences with previous photo – in shade of kimono edgings and bowtie. The women are wearing geta in the Ballarat photo.
1868 November – Master Kitchie aged 10 with Mr Kitchie aged 30 on The Otago departing Victoria for New Zealand
1869 Mar – Lenton & Smith troupe leave Sydney for Shanghai on Huntly Castle – Eso Vitchie (Isokichi), Che O. Vitchie (Chiyokichi), Metaro, Sagero, Cho Nos Kee, Beenyero (Bungero), Yas Kee, Emato, Ohatsue, Cuts-Who-Gero, Gingero, P. Kirby.
1871 January – Isojirō (brother of Masukagami Isokichi) aged 28 and nine other performers including Isojiro’s apprentice Chiyokichi aged 15 depart Japan for Shanghai under employ of American or British man Frederick Page, for China, Europe, Australia.
1871 April – Japanese troupe performing in Shanghai on their way to Australia
Isojiro’s troupe probably travelled under the Royal Tycoon troupe performing in Hong Kong, Manila, Java then in India January 1872.
Possibly changed name to Dragon Troupe of Siamese Juveniles when arrived in Britain in March 1872 through to end of 1872.
Then 1873 tour continental Europe and on to South Africa.
1874 January “The Japanese Troupe” in Cape Town , Siamese Juvenile Troupe in Australia (King and Anderson)
1876 December – “The Royal Crystal Palace Tycoon Japanese Troupe” Gin Goro Jack, Fousah Ketchey, As Sa Ma Ki, Yama Moto, Moto Ketchie, Como Ketchey in Paisley. Feet Balancing. Barrell Dancing. Pyramid Building. Siamese Calisthenics. Bamboo Cane Balancing. Nondescript Prestidigitateurs. Ladder Balancing. Japanese Drawing-Room Games. Dancing Umbrellas on the feet. Dancing Tub. Britain
1879 January – July – Chiyokichi later claimed he fought for the British in the Zulu War (could be Esau Kitchee?)
1881 April – census – Motokichi aged 24 living with Gingero and his wife Annie and their two children, and Asakichi in Newcastle
1884 April – split from Gingero’s troupe – Kumakichi had returned?
1884 May – Motta Keitch the original tycoon Japanese rope walker, Preston – New Gaiety Palace of Varieties
1884 May – Motta Keitch Rochdale Circus of Varieties Japanese rope walker and lightning acrobat astonished the house with his extraordinary equilibrism
1884 May Alexandra Music Hall, Wigan
1884 June – Motta Keitch – Newark fete – in real Japanese style and dress
1884 July – Motta Keitch – Derby, Burton on Trent
1884 August Congleton Fete – Motta Keitch – The Great Japanese Artiste. in his unprecedented feats of Rope and wire Walking, Bamboo and Ladder Balancing, Tub Spinning – with the Lentons.
1884 October – Blackburn
1884 December – Motta Kitchee and Young Japino in Glasgow. “Original Tycoon Japanese Rope and Wire Walkers” Scotia Music Hall
1885 January – Motta Kitchee and young Japino – Scotland
1885 March – Oxford Palace of Varieties – Kitchee and Japino
1885 May – Motto Kitchee and Japino “the original Tycoon Japanese Rope and Wire Walkers” Preston Pleasure Gardens
1885 June – Sunderland Star Music Hall
1885 September – Fletcher’s Palace of Varieties, Cardiff (no Japino)
1885 October – Motto Kitchee solo “Japanese acrobat” in Manchester
1885 November – The Great Motto Kitchee, Marvellous Japanese Rope Walker and Acrobat advertisement in the Era
Star Music Hall Sunderland.
1885 December – Motto Kitchee the original Tycoon Japanese Rope and Wire Walker in Leicester, at Ginnett’s Circus
1886 June – July – Japanese village at Albert Hall, Edinburgh – Mons Tannakear Japanese juggler, Motto Kitchee Japanese Rope Walker, Saito female Japanese banjoist, Etoo Egoo Male Japanese dancer.
1886 July – a good agent wanted
1886 August surprising wire walker and acrobat “just arrived from Japan”
1886 August – with Suzucki’s Japanese Village in Glasgow – Mitsutas and Mottokeeche rope walking and acrobatic entertainment
1886 December – Motto Kitchie – McFarland’s Varieties Aberdeen
1887 January – Motto Kitchie Japanese rope walker – Alhambra Theatre of Varieties Belfast.
1887 March – Motto Kitchie the original Tycoon Jap.
1887 June – Sep – Scarborough (Japanese Village Concerts at People’s Palace and Aquarium) Motto Kitchee
1887 December – Levino’s Museum of Varieties – Cardiff
1888 January – Dundee, McFarlands – Motto Kitchee, an old favourite, gave a wonderful exhibition on the tight rope, and executed a series novel acrobatic feats
1888 January – February Motto Kitchee, the Tycoon Japanese rope walker – Belfast
1888 February – (probably) performing at Tannaker’s Japanese Village in Cheltenham
1888 April 15th – marries Elizabeth Amelia Booker at Holy Tinity Church, Brompton in London. Tamamotto Chiyokichi, aged 32, occupation gymnast. Father Tamamotto Chiyokichi, gymnast. Elizabeth 12 days short of her 17th birthday, living at 14 Yeoman’s Row, London. Daughter of Jasper Booker a dairyman and Sarah.
1888 April-November – at Circus Born in Hungary as The Kitchee Brothers Royal Tycoon Japanese…rope walkers, bamboo performers and tumblers. Moto Ritchie on tight rope.
1888 November – Original Royal TYCOON JAPANESE BROTHERS, Motto Kitchee, Assa Kitchee, and Ich Kitchee, in their Marvellous Feats. Sunderland – Thornton’s Royal Variety Theatre
1889 January – Kitchee Brothers at Nouveau Circus in Paris
1889 March – son Patrick Tamamotto Chiyokichi born in Plymouth
1889 April – Motto Kitchee Trio agent is Wilders
1889 June – Japanese Tycoon Wonders Real Japanese in Native Costume – Japino on the tight rope, Kitchee brothers bamboo perche. Chester.
1889 July – Tamamoto Chiyokechie tight rope walker with Tannaker’s Great Dragon Troupe at the Alexandra Palace London along with Torra the great feet balancer, and Little All Right, Misuhara Gintarro block manipulator attended by Japanese Ladies
1889 October – Gravesend with Tannaker’s Japanese Troupe
1889 December – Olympia, Barnum and Bailey – quaint Japs Kihecomatin, Tamormotto, Comakitchin, Chyokicki, Shenoski, Shonski, Akemoto and Little Allright performed prodigies of gymnastics in balancing tubs and barrels, hanging from long bamboo poles, walking barefoot on naked swords, sliding on telegraph wires.
1890 February – Brothers Kitchee at Fossett’s Circus York with the rest of the Tycoon Troupe. Kitchee on the high rope.
1890 March – Motto Kitchee Royal Tycoon Japanese, Leeds, agent George Aytoun.
1890 August 29 – daughter born in New York
1891 February – April – Motto Kitchee rope walker and tumbler, Bolton, Leeds, Preston
1891 March – Motto Kitchee and daughter (wife Elizabeth?), Royal Tycoon Japanese, Oldham
1892 February – Mr and Mrs T Chiyokichi return from USA
1892 March – The Great Tarmamotto Chiyokichis have arrived – advertisement in The Era – male and female sword walkers, slanting rope sliders, bamboo manipulators
1893 – Japanese author and biologist Minakata Kumagusu meets Chiyokichi (Tamamura) at Mitsuta‘s house. Describes him as being from Saitama. Chiyokichi says he had been in Africa for over 10 years. Was apprenticed to a foot equilibrist, but became ill on overseas tour and was left behind and ended up working on the African coast, in mines and as a painter. Joined Zulu war in 1879 on the British side and was awarded 3 medals. (Esau Kitchee?)
1893 May – daughter Florence May born
1893 August – Chiyokichi Troupe of Japanese (Three in Number) Northampton
1894 January Chiyokichi and wife walk on drawn swords Royal Aquarium
1894 February – interviewed in Pearson’s Weekly on how to walk on swords
HOW TO WALK ON SWORDS. THERE really seems to be no limit to the ingenuity of public performers. M. Chiyokichis, a Japanese gentleman, whom P.W. interviewed the other day, amuses himself by walking barefooted on the keen edge of a sword. The swords in question are as sharp as carving knives and can be made to cut a lead pencil with the greatest ease.
The chief thing, according to my informant, is to plant your foot firmly yet gently on the weapons, in which event you won’t cut yourself. If your ankles are the least bit tired, however, your foot is liable to move, and you stand a fair chance of having it sliced in half. M. Chiyokichis can walk fifteen yards on the edges of cavalry swords with not a vestige of covering to his feet and yet not show the slightest trace of a cut. What is more wonderful, he uses no preparation for hardening his feet.
M. Chiyokichis can also smartly strike his arm with the edge of a sword without drawing a drop of blood, but I have discovered that there is a good deal of knack in this kind of thing. I have learned to do it. The truth is, you may safely strike yourself anywhere with a sword so long as you don’t draw it, but immediately you do draw it you regret the step. On the other hand, to walk on swords requires months of practice.”[1]
[1] Pearson’s Weekly, 3 February 1894, p 15
1895 not in Britain?
1896 September – second season with J Lloyd in Ireland, agent is Johnson – Tamarmotto Chiyokichis
1896 November – two Chiyokichis, Portsmouth
1896 December – Chiyokechis, Japanese, with his Wife and Troupe of Jugglers, Sword-walkers, &co., the Lady mounting a Ladder of Drawn Swords;
1897 – Royal Aquarium Chiyokichi Japanese with his wife and troupe of jugglers, sword walkers – Royal Aquarium London. The Condos performing with them. 1898 January on same billing as the Condos for the Royal Aquarium. Described as Chinese on high rope and drawn swords
1898 June The Chiyokichis, two male and female Japanese performers. Of the latter the male artiste gave a very clever demonstration on the slack rope
1898 December – Sunderland – Chiyokichi and Prince Satsuma, T Mitsuta, on the ladder
1898-1899 Chiyokichis native Japanese performers, two male and one female. Possibly Asakichi is other male? Mdlle Chiyokichi treads on sharp swords.
March 1899 in The Era that the Mitsutas, troupe of Japanese jugglers, Kagami Lentari, Chiyokichi, Mdlle Omato and Takijiro, G Mitzuhara, Mdlle Tamamoto, Yesokichi and T Mitsuta were appearing at the Empire Theatre in Barrow in Furness. Along with Miss Pattie Transfield, Funny Paddy and Silent Murphy, Two Agousts, P.J. Durney and Misery.[1]
[1] The Era, 4th March 1899, p 23
1899 April – Chiyokichi and Yesokichi (Mitsutas) in Coventry – Butler’s circus
1900 February – Chiyokichi contributes a marvellous peformance on the slack wire. Mdlle. Tamamoto, sword walker, surprises everyone. Chatham Gaiety
1900 April – “at liberty” advertising in The Era, Camberwell address
1900 July – Chiyokichis and Motto
1900 September – Performance by the ANDO YEDDO, Imperial Troupe of Real Japs. The best Troupe now before the Public. ANDO, Madame ANDO, MOTOKICHI. O’HANA KAME KICHI, SNAKICHI. and LITTLE ALRIGHT. Gorgeous Japanese Customs. Tynemouth Palace by the Sea
1900 November – December – Pair of smart Japs at Royal Aquarium
1901 no mention of Chiyokichi or Tamamoto in British press
1901 March – not in census – although Ando troupe are – could be K/Rodaysi K/Richi aged 45? But single. No sign of Elizabeth, Patrick, Florence.
1901 October – the Imperial Japanese troupe (four); Ando, Japanese juggler, Sadakichi, Monkichi, Tama – Greenock, Scotland
1901 November – Imperial Japanese Troupe -Tudor Circus – Ipswich, Ando, Moto Kichi on a silver thread.
1902 April – Chiyokichis Wonders at Royal Aquarium
1904 April – Chiyokichis at Wembley Park
1905 C Tamamoto rope climbing. Acting as own agent, at 75 Churchfield Road, Acton, London
1906 one of founding members of the Variety Artistes Federation
1907 performing slide for life at Hengler’s Circus in London during time of VAF strike
1911 April – census at boarding house in Harrogate with wife, aged 55, Elizabeth 40, “music hall artiste”
1912 June – clever juggling of Tamamoto – Wednesbury
1914 Chiyokichi’s daughter Florence married Fu Hsiang Ma, a Chinese acrobat.
1916 Mafuziang Manchu troupe begin performing in Britain. “The Mafuziang Manchu Troupe of “Chinese Wonders” perform some very clever tricks with great nonchalance and accuracy, their manipulation of heavy china bowls which they ‘hurl into the air and then catch upon their heads – and also their necks being remarkable, while there is an original acrobatic rope climbing performance by one member of the troup and also some- lightning-like manipulation of a formidable trident-like weapon by another of the artistes.” Grimsby News 5 May 1916 p 3
1917 Mafuziang troupe – spear spinning, ball balancing, perpendicular rope, swinging by pigtail
1918 represented by Mr Ma-Fu – 4 includes 4 men and one lady artiste.
1919 Mafuziang Japanese troupe of acrobats
1919 December – Tamamoto at Maskelyne’s Theatre of Mystery
1920 Varieties by Tamamoto, Japanese Rope Performer, Portsmouth
1921 C. Tamamoto the Famous Japanese and Lady Assistant from the Royal Albert Halls, Crystal Palace, London. The Greatest Perpendicular Rope Performer in the World
1921 April – census – Chiyokichi Tamamoto living in Penge
1921 August – “Mafuziang Troupe are real Chinese juggling wonders” Sheffield Daily Telegraph
1922 Tamamoto Japanese Act, Stirlingshire, Plymouth, Newcastle – C Tamamoto and Assistant, Sensational Japanese Wire Walking and Rope Climbing
1924 March – last mentions of Mafuziang Troupe performances in Britain.
1924 May – Shanghai Three start appearing in Britain
1925 September 29th – Chiyokichi dies at the age of 68. Obituary in The Stage in the form of an interview.
1925 December – The Shanghai Three including Ma Fu late court artist at Peking. The Chinese Dragon Spear. Edinburgh Industrial Hall.
1926 February – A member of The Shanghai Three (two Chinese men and a white woman, all of whom are clever jugglers and trick manipulators), supplied the chief thrill of the novelty night programme on Friday in last week, by the daring feat of swinging by his hair, supporting not only his weight but that of his colleague.
1926 March – Florence gives birth to twins.
1926 June – last mention of Shanghai Three.
1929 Elizabeth marries Charles Barnes
1939 September – Fu Hsiang Ma (music hall artiste, travelling) and May F Ma in York Road, Lambeth (children evacuated?)
1939 September – Elizabeth is in Brinsworth House, a home for retired music hall artistes in Twickenham.
1940 Elizabeth dies
1950 Fu Hsiang Ma dies aged 64
1978 May Florence Ma dies aged 84
Ninjin 