Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo to assume esteemed family stage name of Danjuro
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Loading... - Chiaki Makino
- 14 Jun 2022
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Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo will assume his family’s prestigious and centuries-old stage name of Danjuro in November, following a two-year delay due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, Shochiku Co., a producer of Kabuki performances, said Tuesday.
Ebizo, a prominent figure in the Kabuki world who is also known for his work on television and in movies, will now be called Ichikawa Danjuro Hakuen. The 44-year-old said in a statement that he bears the “heavy responsibility” of taking on such a “big name” in Kabuki.
The stage name was established in the latter part of the 17th century and taken on by Kabuki actors of the Ichikawa family. It is considered the most prestigious of the Kabuki stage names.
He will be the 13th holder of the distinguished name after his father Ichikawa Danjuro XII, who died in 2013.
Ebizo will be performing in November and December in a series of performances at the Kabukiza theater in Tokyo to celebrate his name succession.
“I will give my utmost to move forward (in my craft) so that I can bring joy to as many people as possible,” he said in the statement.
Ebizo is known for creating new stage programs to break with traditional performances, with his recent notable appearances including a performance at the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in July 2021.
Ebizo first took to the stage at age 5 and became Ichikawa Shinnosuke VII in 1985. In 2004, he became Ichikawa Ebizo XI.
After Ebizo’s name succession, his 9-year-old son, Kangen Horikoshi, will become Ichikawa Shinnosuke VIII. Read More...
