Teruyuki Kagawa Faces Cold Reception in Kabuki World Following Memorial Meeting

Toshio Ishikawa, entertainment reporter, tells us what’s going on behind the scenes in the entertainment world

A “memorial service” was held for Eno Ichikawa (83 years old), who passed away last September, and his younger brother Danshiro Ichikawa (76 years old), who passed away in May.

After the conclusion of the event, Ichikawa Teruyuki, who faced a press conference alongside his son, Ichikawa Danjuro, for the first time in two and a half years.

“We have caused a great deal of inconvenience with our affairs. We deeply apologize once again.”

In a solemn manner, he offered his greetings. He also spoke about the reported conflict with his biological father, Eno, which had been covered in the media since he became a kabuki actor.

He had requested to see his father, Eno, whom he had been estranged from since his birth, but Eno had refused to meet him. He stubbornly refused, but he told his second wife, Murasaki Fujima

“You have only one son. Meet him properly. Listen to what he has to say.”

He reluctantly agreed to see him.

Perhaps Eno was sorry that he had left his newborn son to be with Murasaki, but he was also sorry that he had left his son behind. But his one word made it possible for the two of them to meet.

 It was a regional tour of Sawasaburaya. Kagawa, who was in his mid-twenties, was holding a bouquet of flowers and said, 

“Thank you for giving birth to me.

and went to convey the message. However, it seems that Eno’s reaction at that time was quite intense.

“You are not my son. Go back. My life began when I parted ways with you.”

He vehemently refused to acknowledge and showered harsh words. However, Kagawa, as a memory from that time

“All I heard was, ‘I love you,'”

He recalled.

It was said to be before the performance in the dressing room, and one of Eno’s disciples said,

“He was quite angry. ‘Appearing before I’m about to go on stage.’ His mentor was unusually agitated on that day. I had never seen him like that before. It felt like the bond between parent and child had completely severed.”

Recalling what was said during that time.

Afterward, as Eno’s health deteriorated, Kagawa and his son Danjuro decided to pursue the path of kabuki together. They divorced Kagawa’s wife, who had refused to accept her husband and son’s entry into the world of kabuki.

One significant factor contributing to the divorce was the cohabitation with Eno. It seems that adapting to the new life with Eno was challenging for her.

If it weren’t for Murasaki, there might not have been a reunion between the biological parent and child, and Kagawa might not have embarked on the path of a kabuki actor. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Murasaki words played a crucial role in introducing Kagawa to the world of kabuki.

 

It’s possible that she couldn’t forgive Murasaki, who took away her husband, Kagawa’s father. Therefore, I remember that he never mentioned Murasaki’s name. He might have harbored anger to the extent that he didn’t want to bring up her name.

The uncle facilitated the reunion with the father.

“My uncle, who smiled and said, ‘You came to see me often,’ was like the sun. It might be the happiest day of my life.”

He recalled that time at the press conference.

However, one of the disciples of Sawaraya who attended the memorial gathering mentioned,

“In the end, Kagawa’s press conference was all about himself. He particularly emphasized his and his son’s position within Sawaraya, saying, ‘I want to inherit the spirit of my father and uncle and firmly move forward.'”

It seems like they watched with a cold gaze. Indeed, that one statement reflects Kagawa’s delicate position within the theatrical world.

Ichikawa Ennosuke, who was convicted of aiding his father Danjuro and mother’s suicide, was absent. The success of the upcoming Super Kabuki “Yamato Takeru” at Shimbashi Enbujō in February and March will be a crucial moment for Nakaguruma-san and Danjuro, as it remains to be seen how many audience members they can attract.