Kabuki-Theater needs young audience
The Kabuki-Theater in Japan is a male domain. The tradition is over 300 years old and has scarcely changed since then. Now, one of its biggest stars is attempting a modernization.
On stage, Danjuro Ichikawa is a virtuoso of role-playing. In his latest production, the star of Japanese Kabuki Theater plays 13 roles, including a princess, a sushi chef, and a fox. He hobbles onto the stage as a frail old man, only to return moments later as a wild warrior back into the spotlight. Danjuro is involved in several sword fights and dies more than once. Behind the scenes, he wonders if it's time for the often strict role of the Kabuki actor to change.
The actor is the 13th to bear the name Danjuro Ichikawa. This name has been passed down from one generation of Kabuki stars to the next for over 300 years. He is well-known in Japan and appears in commercials, films, and television shows.
Kabuki is a purely male theater tradition that combines music, dance, and acrobatics. It remains popular, but Danjuro acknowledges that it may no longer appeal to modern tastes. An audience accustomed to TikTok videos and streaming may not have the patience for four-hour traditional performances. The restrictions during the Corona pandemic hit theaters hard, and not all audience members have returned.
Learning from the Ancestors
In his current production "Hoshiawase Jusandan," Danjuro is striving for modernization. He shortened long scenes and wrote new dialogues. "It's difficult to follow traditional culture and tiring, but I hope people will enjoy it," explains the 46-year-old. "The story progresses quickly because I play all 13 roles as an individual."
Kabuki is a very conservative theater form, with few changes since the Edo period of the 17th to 19th centuries. The current Danjuro took the name in 2022. Previously, he carried the names Shinnosuke and then Ebizo, as did all Danjuros before him.
Training begins in childhood. At 20, Danjuro should have made his debut as the monk Benkei on stage for the first time. This role was famously performed by his father, his grandfather, and all the Danjuros before him. The pressure was so great that Danjuro ran away and spent the night in a park. He returned in time for the show. The current Danjuro inherited the name from his father Danjuro XII, who died of leukemia at the age of 66 in 2013.
The successor lost not only a beloved parent but also a teacher he desperately needed. At 35, he was still a novice according to Kabuki standards. He had to turn to uncles and veterans from other families to learn the art form. This drew criticism from colleagues and even family members, who claimed that only a Danjuro could train another Danjuro.
Universal Themes
However, even critics are now convinced that the 13th Danjuro does his name proud. Although the art is heavily influenced by tradition, Kabuki stories touch on universal feelings that give young people and non-Japanese access to the genre, the actor emphasizes. Despite all concerns, he trusts that art forms like Kabuki will survive.
In "Hoshiawase Jusandan," he plays a fox that disguises himself as a warrior. The performance, accompanied by drums, flutes, and singing, sometimes seems out of date and reminds one of a circus. However, it also contains moving scenes where the simple love of an animal is contrasted with the human madness of war and revenge.
Danjuro trains his son Shinnosuke as his successor. One day, Shinnosuke becomes Ebizo and later Danjuro XIV. "This is my responsibility," says Danjuro.
In his global pursuit of modernization, Danjuro Ichikawa, the renowned Kabuki actor, seeks to showcase his art form to an International audience. His thought-provoking production "Hoshiawase Jusandan" has garnered attention beyond Japan's borders, showcasing the universal themes in Kabuki that resonate with people from diverse cultures.
