Ichikawa Danjuro struggling with ticket sales and his only hope for success is his highly acclaimed son, Kangen-kun

The Kabuki-za Theater in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, at the beginning of December. It was a rehearsal day for Danjuro Ichikawa’s name-dueling performance, which will be held from December 5. Surrounded by related people, Danjuro Ichikawa Shirasaru (45), aka Ebizo, appeared a little after 6:00 p.m. wearing a black top and bottom sweatshirt.

Later, his eldest daughter, Reika (11), who assumed the name Botan, and his eldest son, Kangen (9), who assumed the name Shinnosuke VIII, got into the car and drove away, hand in hand.

Ticket sales for this show to unveil the successor’s name have not been very good. While the evening performance was fully booked, all the seats for the daytime performance were empty as of the 5th. This is something that would not have been possible for a great master actor such as Danjuro, according to entertainment reporter Noriko Kawauchi.

The repeated reports of Danjuro’s multiple relationships and Maya Kobayashi’s accusations have caused patrons and fans to leave the theater, and the absence of the “Okami-san,” who is supposed to handle the ticket sales, has also been a major factor. The mother, Kimiko, should have taken over for the late Mrs. Mao, but there is no sign that she has done so. It is said that her relationship with the leading figures in the Kabuki world and with Shochiku is not good either.

Danjuro is under siege , but it is said that Kangen is the reason why he was able to perform under the new name .

Kangen has a good reputation among fans and leading figures. Kangen has a good reputation among fans and leading figures, and his enthusiastic approach to training is admired by them.

What does Danjuro think of the situation in which he is said to be “relying on his son?

From theDecember23, 2022issue ofFRIDAY