PRESS CONFERENCE
Ichikawa Ebizō (Ichikawa Danjūrō XIII, Hakuen), Kabuki actor
09:00-10:00 Friday, November 4, 2022
(The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation)
* Initial reservations are limited to two and may be subject to further change. ご予約は会員様ご本人+1名様（計2名）までとなります。
"Kabuki Comeback – Japan's Traditional Theater Puts on Gala Performances Delayed by Covid"
When internationally acclaimed Kabuki superstar, Ichikawa Ebizo last spoke at the FCCJ in February 2019, it was to announce that he would – in keeping with a 350-year tradition – change his stage name to "Danjuro XIII" thereby following in the footsteps of his father, Kabuki actor Danjuro XII. Normally, such stage name successions are marked by gala performances of plays made famous by the star's illustrious ancestors. However, during the Covid19 pandemic, live theater had to be suspended. This time, Ebizo, comes to the Club as Danjuro XIII to introduce the series of plays to be put on at Tokyo's Kabuki Theater in November and December in the "aragoto" (dynamic) style originated in the 17th century by the first Danjuro. And there are few Kabuki actors better qualified than Ebizo/Danjuro to do so. Introduced recently at the Japan Society of New York as "The Prince of Kabuki," Ebizo/Danjuro has helped popularize traditional Japanese theater both at home and abroad, garnering an Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government for his performances in Paris, while in his home country putting on Kabuki plays in remote communities. As film actor, Ebizo was awarded the Japanese equivalent of an Oscar for his portrayal of the founder of the Japanese tea ceremony, in Ask This of Rikyu. While at the Club he will also explain why he has chosen to add to his name the handle "Hakuen" (White Monkey).
How to attend:
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Due to space restrictions attendance will be limited. Doors open 30 minutes before the event. Please sign in, giving your name and contact details at the reception, and have your temperature taken before proceeding.
How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live
Livestreaming of the press events will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel.
How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/WzaiLELr81LRnUP39
Members watching the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form.
TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 60 minutes before the event.
Professional Activities Committee