Matsushimaya

According to the Kabuki Encyclopedia, Kataoka Nizaemon I was active mainly in Osaka from the Genroku era and excelled in villain roles (katakiyaku). The name lapsed for a time and was revived by the seventh holder; the Matsushimaya official site explains that in 1787 Asao Kunigorō II succeeded as Nizaemon VII, restoring the name.

Nizaemon XI was active in the Meiji era; the official site records that he moved to Tokyo and took the name Nizaemon in 1907. The Encyclopedia also notes that Kataoka Gadō V was posthumously granted the name Nizaemon XIV. The current holder, Nizaemon XV, took the name at the Kabukiza in January–February 1998.

The house art is the Kataoka Jūnishū. The Kabuki Encyclopedia describes it as a collection of Nizaemon XI's signature roles; the Kabuki Play Guide explains that these were plays he performed with his own innovations around the 1900s, originally called the Shinko Engeki Jūnishū.

Kataoka Takatarō, the eldest son of Nizaemon XV, made his stage debut in July 1973; Kataoka Ainosuke VI took his name in January 1992 (Kabuki Actor Directory). The origin of the house name Matsushimaya is not given on the official site, and this site leaves it unstated until a primary source confirms it.