Ichikawa Danjuro Advised to Move Abroad on Fortune-Telling Show

“I’m always thinking about going overseas.”

On the July 9th broadcast of Suddenly, May I Fortune-Tell? (Fuji TV), Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro (46) appeared. He was told by fortune-teller Leon Kinoshita that “around 2025, it would be better to be overseas,” leading to anxiety within the Kabuki community following his cryptic comments. Among those concerned, some have expressed:

“Does this mean he really plans to leave Japan?”

“He is easily influenced by spiritual matters. Being told such things makes him feel pushed towards the idea, so I wish he wouldn’t be encouraged like this.”

It is said that some people are genuinely worried.

In the program, Mr. Kinoshita initially analyzes Danjuro’s personality by stating, “He tries to fit in with others but is completely unable to participate in group activities,” to which Danjuro appears to agree wholeheartedly. Furthermore, he advises, “Business should focus on overseas markets until the age of 50-70” and “The direction should be international for 2025.” In response, Danjuro adds,

“Starting from around after the COVID-19 pandemic until around 2030, there may be environments where we cannot live as freely as before. (Omitted) While preparing a solid path for continuing kabuki, I am also drawing three alternative paths in case things do not go as planned.”

They spoke with serious expressions.

When Mr. Kinoshita mentioned his own plans to leave Japan, Danjuro, who seemed to empathize, looked intrigued. Regarding the reasons for going abroad, both men said in unison that they “cannot disclose” the details, which led to speculative posts on social media such as, “Does this mean they are leaving Japan due to earthquakes, natural disasters, or war?” and “It seems like they think they can definitely escape any future crises.” Many posts expressed concerns about potential disasters that may befall Japan in the future.

 

However, within the world of kabuki, there seems to be a different interpretation causing confusion.

“Mr. Danjuro has always had an interest in spirituality and has been inclined towards astrology and feng shui since his youth. Therefore, even though it was a variety show, there’s a high possibility that he took the advice from the renowned fortune-teller seriously,” says a person connected to the kabuki world.

In 2022, Josei Seven reported on Danjuro’s interactions with a dark sorcerer during the period of Ichikawa Ebizo. According to the article, this individual began appearing in Ebizo’s dressing room and audience around 2017, performing rituals and chanting spells with his hands clasped. He even conducted treatments to remove bad energy from Maiko Kobayashi, who passed away in 2017. Given Danjuro’s background,

“He has faced various issues in the past and has increasingly turned to spiritual practices. As someone now bearing the responsibility of the kabuki world, which is struggling with declining audiences, Danjuro is undoubtedly thinking about the future of kabuki. It is natural that he would seek advice from spiritual figures and fortune-tellers.

However, there is always a risk that he might suddenly abandon everything. Considering his personality, there have long been rumors that ‘Danjuro might one day escape overseas,'” says the kabuki insider.

The people around him were reportedly feeling anxious.

In the program, they also had the fortune of their two children read. When Danjuro mentioned that he was only thinking about his children, Mr. Kinoshita told him, “Your daughter (the eldest, Reika Horikoshi, known as the fourth generation Ichikawa Botan, 13) has a star that points overseas.” Danjuro responded, “That is the most impactful thing I’ve heard today.”

“The program suggested Southeast Asia as a possible relocation destination, but considering the future of the children and the kabuki world, Paris, France, seems more likely. Danjuro successfully performed at the Paris Opera House with his father, the twelfth generation Ichikawa Danjuro, in 2007, and was appointed as a French public relations ambassador in 2009. There is already a foundation for accepting Japanese traditional performing arts there. If Danjuro moves to Paris with Reika-chan and Kangen-kun (11), it would be safer there,” says a kabuki magazine editor.

However, even if Danjuro truly decides to move overseas, it is unlikely that the kabuki world would easily accept this decision.

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic and the ‘family suicide’ incident involving Ichikawa Ennosuke in May 2023, attendance at the Kabukiza has continued to decline, and customer numbers have not returned. While the July Grand Kabuki was sold out every day due to Danjuro’s participation, the tickets for the August Cool Kabuki (August 4–25) still have many seats available.

The successors to Danjuro are said to be the three sons of the eighth generation Nakamura Shikan (the fourth generation Nakamura Hashinosuke, the third generation Nakamura Fukunosuke, and the fourth generation Nakamura Utanosuke), but their drawing power is nowhere near Danjuro’s. Even if Danjuro were to move abroad for a short period of two or three years, it is said that the kabuki world would be over without Danjuro. The crisis situation remains that dire. We hope this is just a rumor,” says the kabuki insider.

What is Danjuro’s true intention?

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