A Japanese Kabuki star who not too long ago assumed a prestigious stage title stated he wants to protect the normal artwork whereas adopting a brand new strategy, together with by collaborating with artists from different genres all over the world as he seeks to entice youthful audiences.
Ichikawa Danjuro XIII, previously referred to as Ichikawa Ebizo, assumed his household’s centuries-old high stage title this week after a two-year delay due to the pandemic. To rejoice the title succession, Danjuro is scheduled to carry out a number of of the “18 favorite performs” of the Ichikawa household at Tokyo’s Kabukiza theatre by means of December.
In the world of Kabuki, a stage title is handed down over generations in a household and carries an ideal accountability and honour. A brand new successor should dwell up to the expectations for the fashion, spirit and talent that the stage title carries. Actors normally have three stage names throughout their Kabuki profession as they mature.
As the thirteenth successor – and high performer – within the Ichikawa household, Danjuro shoulders a heavy accountability to maintain alive the normal performing artwork that began round 1600. But he says simply defending the custom isn’t sufficient.
The Kabuki star who not too long ago assumed a prestigious stage title Danjuro stated that he wants to protect the normal artwork whereas adopting new strategy, reminiscent of collaboration with artists from different genres in and out of doors Japan as he seeks to reach out to youthful audience. Photo: AP
“As a Kabuki actor at this time, I connect the largest significance to the succession of custom, however I additionally fear a couple of chance of going extinct if we solely stick to the custom,” stated the 44-year-old star, whose actual title is Takatoshi Horikoshi. He says that it’s a job for modern-day Kabuki actors to entice youthful audience in regards to the pleasure of the centuries-old artwork.
“There are views that it’s simply tremendous to shield the outdated, but it surely’s not adequate, and that’s my dedication and resolve,” he stated. “I need to tackle new challenges whereas preserving our custom.”
He has performed a few of that as Ichikawa Ebizo. In 2019, he starred as Kylo Ren, the son of Han Solo, in his “Star Wars Kabuki” as he introduced the blockbuster movie to the Kabuki theatre. In a Kabuki-opera collaboration in 2016, he carried out “the Tales of Genji” with countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo in Kyoto.
He says he wants to do extra, with performers from completely different genres of Japanese conventional performing arts, reminiscent of Noh and Kyogen, whereas collaborating with globally recognized works reminiscent of Star Wars.
“I would love to collaborate with excellent artists abroad if there are such alternatives,” he stated.
Japan’s leisure business, together with Kabuki, continues to be recovering from the pandemic, however Danjuro says he’s additionally exploring methods to promote Kabuki by way of social media.
He has carried out in France, Britain, Italy, Monaco, Singapore and the United States up to now. – AP
