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3 Generations of Kabuki Headbangers | June 16, 2009 |
There's been a little bit of kabuki history being made over at the Kabukiza theater recently. The June Grand Kabuki features the stage debut of young Matsumoto Kintaro, who at four years of age is the youngest ever actor to perform the dramatic "renjishi" (father and son lion dance) that is a highlight of the show. Usually it features a father and son and it is traditionally the first performance by the young actor. To add to the historical significance of Kintaro's debut, his grandfather also joined the act. It was the first time three generations have performed the dance on stage, and after last night's performance they met with reporters. His father, Ichikawa Somegoro VII (36) said, "I have to suppress my deep emotions and tears of pride as a father and keep scolding him till we get to the final curtain call." Grandfather Matsumoto Koshiro IX (66) said, "Twenty-five straight days of doing the keburi must be both physically and mentally tough for him," referring to the kind of kabuki headbanging with the long hair of the lion's mane. On weekdays the young actor goes from his nursery school to the theater. Real name Fujima Itsuki, this production marks his official adoption of the stage name Matsumoto Kintaro IV. The Grand Kabuki runs until June 27 and is part of the farewell to Kabukiza, which is due to be demolished next spring. A new theater is scheduled to open in 2013.
• Management for comedian Uchimura Teruyoshi (44, profile) announced yesterday that his wife recently gave birth to their first child. They have named their baby daughter Kokone. One half of the popular duo Uchan Nanchan, Uchimura was considered one of Japan showbiz's biggest playboys until he married former TV Asahi announcer Tokunaga Yumi (33) in April 2005. She was already married when their romance first became public two years earlier.
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