Ace young onnagata performer whose grandfather was a living national treasure and grandmother was Senkei Ogi, who was called “master” by “national treasure” Ryo Yoshizawa.

The “Two Dojoji” was conceived.

　The entertainment desk was also surprised. The number of viewers since the film’s release has reached 12.31 million,” he said. The film was released in the U.S. last month and has been nominated to represent Japan at next year’s Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. Incidentally, the highest box-office revenue to date is 17.35 billion yen for “Bayside Shakedown 2: Rainbow Bridge,” which was released in 2003. The number of viewers is estimated to be 12.6 million, slightly more than the current “Kokuhou”. Kokuho” depicts the life of a Kabuki actor who devoted himself to his art. Nakamura T.Karino IV (66), a kabuki actor, supervised the production, and it was T.Karino’s eldest son, Ichitaro, who instructed Ryo Yoshizawa (31), the leading actor, and Ryusei Yokohama (29), the co-star, in onnagata (female impersonator) movements. Ichitaro is not only a Kabuki actor but also the seventh head of the Azuma school of Japanese dance, Azuma Tokuyo. Father and son participated in the filming, but unlike his father, Ichitaro was involved as a dancer. It was his idea to perform “Ninin Dojoji” in the scene where Yoshizawa and Yokohama perform the dance side by side. “The glamour is different. Yoshizawa is sexy, but Ryusei is loud and flashy,” he said, referring to the difference in their personalities.

Thoroughbreds by nature

　The two handsome actors of today put their complete trust in Ichitaro, who was close to their generation, calling him “master” on the set. Ichitaro is also a promising “young onnagata ace” in the Kabuki world. His grandfather is Sakata Tojuro (deceased), who was designated a living national treasure in 1994, his grandmother is Ogi Chikage, a former actress who also served as Speaker of the House of Councillors, and his mother is the dancer Agatsuma Tokuho II (68), a genuine thoroughbred. His uncle is Nakamura Senjaku (64), and his great aunt is Nakamura Tamao (86). Ichitaro is a Keio boy who attended Keio Gijuku from kindergarten through university. He has long had a reputation for his acting ability, but his involvement in the production of “National Treasure” has further enhanced his reputation. In January of next year, he will be dancing “Kyokanokosume Dojoji” at the Shochikuza Theater in Osaka, which is considered one of the greatest Kabuki dances by onnagata (female dancers). In July, she will play the role of the heroine, San, in a new kabuki production based on Studio Ghibli’s animated masterpiece “Princess Mononoke” at the Shinbashi Enbujo Theater in Tokyo. The leading role of Ashitaka is played by Danzo Ichikawa (21), the eldest son of Chuguruma Ichikawa (60). The collaboration of these young, successful actors is already attracting a great deal of attention.

Published in the December 11, 2025 issue of Shukan Shincho