Danjuro ‘flying’ on stage in his new show. He is the 13th actor to bear the name ‘Danjuro Ichikawa’, passed down between generations of Kabuki stars for over 300 years. — Photos: Shochiku/AP
On stage, Danjuro Ichikawa, one of the biggest stars of Japan’s Kabuki theatre, is a virtuoso in switching roles.
In his latest production, he plays 13 parts, including a princess, a sushi chef and a fox. He hobbles offstage as a feeble old man, then dashes back on moments later as a fierce warrior. He gets in a few sword fights, dies tragically more than once, and takes flight on wires.
