Kominz, Laurence. "Ichikawa Danjuro V and Kabuki's Golden Age." The Floating World Revisited. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1993. 63-83.

This article is a summary of the golden age of Kabuki, a time between 1770 and 1790, and the actor who dominated the period, Danjuro V. The article first introduces this great age of Kabuki, explaining that the Kabuki theater was extremely popular in the late 1700's and that it permeated almost all walks of life. Shop windows were adorned with Kabuki woodblock prints, cosmetics shops used Kabuki actors to endorse their products, Kabuki music was very popular and widely practiced, and literature often used Kabuki plays and actors as their subjects. The article also says it was a time or rich, complicated and extravagant shows as well as the time of kaneru yakusha or "the versatile actor." The article states that it was at this time that Danjuro V flourished and it goes into his life and trials in depth. It remarks on his difficult early years and his discovery by Danjuro IV, his first performance as a Danjuro and his rise to immense fame. It also addresses his writings and poetry and his tragedies in trying to pass on the Danjuro line. It goes into depth on his immense skill and versatility at the art and how he helped change the face of Kabuki.

This piece by Laurence Kominz is written for a general audience and is an informative read. It is very good at capturing the essence and culture that surrounded Kabuki during its height and showing the true personality and character of Danjuro V. One confusing aspect of the article was that it jumped around chronologically at times and the continuity seemed a little strange. The writing, however, is interesting and understandable and gives a good insight into the world of Kabuki and its actors.

-Owen Strock