Mrs Tenka born in London of parents from Nagasaki according to Adelaide Mail – was Osui/Suye Buhicrosan, youngest daughter of Tannaker Buhicrosan. Married to Say Maki b 1880, who was in the Ten-ji troupe. Related to the Ten Ichi troupe, may have included Kiyoshi Takase.
1909 February – Expensive engagement of Ten-Ka troupe, Japanese magicians. New Empire Palace Barnsley. “The Tenka troupe of Japanese magicians give novel and interesting performance, some of their tricks being exceptionally clever” The Era
1909 May – in Berlin with the Riogoku troupe – Berliner Börsen-Zeitung 9 May p 8
1910 April – “The Ten-Ka Troupe, Japanese magicians, are weirdly successful in mystifying their audience with a series of magical feats too bewildering to specify” Reading
1910 May – the Ten-ka troupe of Japanese magicians, who do some astounding feats with the neatness characteristic of their race – Sheffield
1910 June – Ten-ka troupe of Japanese magicians who, among other feats, cause jets of water to spring up from the most unlikely places, even from the heads of performers – Brighton
1910 November – Hamburg
1912 June arrive in Southampton from Natal, South Africa Mr and Mrs Maki (31 and 21), Ito Riojiro (20), Matsuzaki Chiojiro (40)
1912 October – “The Tenka Troupe of Japanese magicians top the bill. Theirs is a very clever turn, which finishes up with mysterious fountains of water appearing from almost anywhere the Jap wishes, even from the heads of attendants.” Paisley
1913 Australia and New Zealand
1913 July arrive in New Zealand Suze Maki, Mrs Maki, Ichitaro Ikuta, Sholaro Matzuzaki
THE TENKA TROUPE AT THE KING’S.
Writing of Mrs. Tenka, of the famous Tenka troupe of wonderworkers at the King’s, a prominent critic said: — “She is beautiful; hers is the beauty that you read of in the Japanese story books, and never believe in unless you have been to Nippon. Her cheeks are rosy— not with the sort of rosiness sold at so much per bottle – and her skin is almost fair. The hair is black, certainly; likewise the eyebrows, and there are dark shadings around the eyes, but no trace can be seen of the Asiatic caste of countenance that one (naturally looks for. Mrs. Tenka is the essence of smartness — in facial expression, figure, and dress.”
Mrs. Tenka’s parents were born in Nagasaki, but Mrs. Tenka first caught a glimpse of sunlight in London. This, she opines, undoubtedly bad a lot to do with her complexion. She has spent most of her life in Europe, and was educated in Germany, where she learnt, to speak not onlv the language of that country, but English, Russian, and French. Naturally, she speaks Japanese as fluently as any native of the land of the lotus, for it was the first tongue taught her. The Tenkas, who are going to appear at the Kings Theatre’ to-night, have appeared in every country in the world, that is to say they will have when they have completed their tour of Australia and New Zealand. They have a host of new and elaborate tricks, many of which have been handed down to them from generation to generation. These they would not divulge for any consideration. The principals of the company, Mr. and Mrs. Tenka, have vaudeville bookings up till 1920, when they hope to retire and live in — to use their own words — ‘Glorious London.’ (The Mail, Adelaide, 13 September 1913)
Educated in both Britain and Germany and parents were both associated with the stage. (The Mail 20 September)
1913 September passenger list from Adelaide to Victoria Mr and Mrs Say Maki (41 and 37), Mr Matsuzaki (29), Mr Ikuta (33)
1914 March from Sydney to Southampton Say Maki (33), Suya Maki (23), Shotaro Matsuzaki (45), Ichitaro Ikuta (25)
1914 May – The Ten-Ka Troupe of Japanese magicians give a remarkably clever performance, which excites no little wonder, the principal causing fountains to spring at one time from apparently nowhere and later from the heads of his assistants. Dublin
1915 March – Alhambra, Leith
1915 September Depart London for Capetown, South Africa Say Maki 35, Suyi Maki, 25, Katutaro Nukai 23, Shotaro Matsuzaki 40
1915-6 occasional appearances in Britain
1916 January – arrive London from South Africa – Say Maki 35, Suye Maki 25, Kakataro Mukai 23, Shotaro Matsuzaki 45
1917 February were due to sail on Deseado for Buenos Aires with Kiyoshi Takase and Noboru Takatsuki but Deseado damaged so did not.
1917 April S Maki, occupation nil returns to Japan
1920 June – Matsuzaki Shotaro returns to Japan, aged 55, artist
Ninjin 