Aiko Katayama (dancer)

Aiko Katayama was born in May 1905 in Kenninji-chō, Kyoto City, to her father Seijirō Kitai and mother Ito Kida.^[2] At the age of two, she was adopted by Masu Okamoto, who ran an ochaya and okiya located west of Nawate Street.^[3] She later became sister of the geisha Matsumoto Sata (stage name Tei, real name Aiko), from whom she received one character of her name and became known as Sadako Okamoto. At the age of nine, she debuted as a maiko. She made her first appearance in the *Miyako Odori* during the celebratory 47th performance for the enthronement of Emperor Taishō. Strongly encouraged by Matsumoto Sata, she became an apprentice (uchi-deshi) to Haruko Katayama, the third head of the Inoue school, at the age of twelve. Her final performance as a maiko was dancing *Toso Manzai* at the annual recital. Thereafter, she no longer appeared in the *Miyako Odori* or other public performances as a geisha.^[4][5] In 1947, she succeeded as the fourth head of the Inoue school and assumed the name **Yachiyo Inoue IV**.^[6] In 1955, she became one of the first individuals designated a Living National Treasure under Japan's new system.^[7] In 1957, she became the first female dancer admitted to the Japan Art Academy, and was subsequently invited to the Imperial Palace, where she had an audience with Emperor Shōwa and attended an imperial luncheon.^[8] Aiko Katayama had numerous students throughout his life. In her later years, she retired and resumed the name.^[9] Aiko Inoue passed away at the age of 98.^[10]

Aiko Katayama's husband is the Noh actor, the 8th generation Kuroemon Katayama. Her children are also Noh actors, the 9th generation Kuroemon Katayama, Keijiro Katayama and Motosaburo Sugiura. Katayama Aiko's granddaughter, Michiko Kanze is a Japanese classical dancer. Aiko Katayama's great-granddaughter, Yasuko Inoue is also a Japanese classical dancer.^[11]