Eno Ichikawa, who revived the spectacular in Japanese kabuki theater to woo youthful and international audiences, has died. He was 83.
Ichikawa died after struggling coronary heart issues on Wednesday in Tokyo, the leisure firm Shochiku Co, a significant kabuki producer, stated Saturday.
Ichikawa, or Masahiko Kinoshi, grew to become recognized for “Super Kabuki,” incorporating trendy music and storytelling in addition to the circus-like parts of the custom — corresponding to “flying” supported by ropes — that had been discarded through the years. He targeted on what he referred to as the three S’s: “Speed, story and spectacle.”
Kabuki, which options stay music and dance on a revolving stage, originated within the seventeenth century Edo period and is historically carried out solely by males. So, Ichikawa performed stunning damsels, in addition to witches, samurai and even animals all through his profession.
He is greatest recognized for bringing again the stunt chunori, which interprets as “lifted into space,” portraying a joyous fox that receives from a princess a small drum constructed from the conceal of its slaughtered mother and father.
Ichikawa was listed within the Guinness World Records in 2000 for having “flown across the stage and audience for 5,000 performances since April 1968.”
Hailed as “the rebel in kabuki” by Japanese media, Ichikawa additionally created new works. “Yamato Takeru,” based mostly on Japanese mythology and centered on a prince who battles evil forces, debuted in 1986. At the tip, the hero transforms into an impressive white chook that flies by way of the theater.
Ichikawa not solely collaborated with trendy writers and composers but in addition recruited and skilled individuals exterior the kabuki households as actors. That had been unprecedented, though such collaborations are routine now because of Ichikawa’s efforts.
After he divorced from actress Yuko Hama, Ichikawa grew to become estranged from his son, Teruyuki Kagawa, a well known actor in films and TV exhibits. They later reunited, and Kagawa took up kabuki as Chusha Ichikawa when he was in his 40s. Most kabuki actors begin as youngsters, studying the artwork that’s handed down from grandfather to father to son.
“He was an actor who devoted his life to blazing new trails, always with a heart that aspired to fly to the heavens, no matter the obstacles,” Kagawa stated in an announcement.
“He was truly blessed to have been loved by so many people and for giving his all to his own kabuki way.”
Kagawa’s son Danko has now began performing in kabuki and is on monitor to inherit the household roles.
“There was so much more I wanted to learn from my grandfather,” Danko stated. “I vow to keep doing my best, never forgetting the drive to soar above and the power to dream that he so treasured.”
Ichikawa continued to behave even after struggling a stroke in 2003, delivering his remaining efficiency in 2013. He has been honored with quite a few cultural prizes, together with from the Japanese and French governments.
Tragedy struck Ichikawa’s household earlier this 12 months when his brother and fellow kabuki actor Danshiro Ichikawa and his spouse died in an obvious triple-suicide try. Their son, Ennosuke Ichikawa, whose try failed, is about to face trial over the deaths.
A public memorial for Ichikawa is being deliberate for a later date, following household companies, in line with Shochiku.
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