VOX POPULI: Much-loved Kabuki actor Kanzaburo dies - Asahi Shimbun

I always find it hard when people of my own generation die. But when I heard that Kabuki actor Nakamura Kanzaburo had died on Dec. 5, I felt devastated. Nakamura, a leading light in the Kabuki world and one of the greatest entertainers of our time, was only 57. You might say he leaves behind a full house, an audience who, like me, believes he departed too early.

In 1994, Nakamura started to perform Kabuki at the Theater Cocoon in Shibuya, a young person's district of central Tokyo. His grandmother is said to have remonstrated with him. "Doing Kabuki in Shibuya is like being driven out of the capital," she reportedly said.

Nakamura also collaborated with talented figures of modern theater, such as playwright and director Hideki Noda. He also established the Heisei Nakamuraza, a Kabuki theater company that toured Japan and overseas. His passion and skill in entertainment and broadening the Kabuki fan base were unrivaled.

Once, on tour, when he had played a female role and was already removing makeup in the dressing room, the audience refused to cease its applause. Nakamura returned to the stage with his face covered with cold cream.

This oft-told story shows his public spirit. He was also known for his sense of humor and often ad-libbed freely, referring sometimes to current affairs.

Another time, a flower designer advised Nakamura to use real flowers instead of artificial ones when performing the traditional dance number "Fujimusume" (Wisteria maiden). Nakamura disagreed. "The female role itself is an artificial flower," he replied, referring to the fact that a male actor playing a woman was itself artificial.

This anecdote suggests he was ready to break down old customs—but knew which ones to preserve.

Nakamura performed under the stage name Nakamura Kankuro from the time he debuted until he was in his 40s, when he passed it down to his elder son. He had been looking forward to the opening of the new Kabukiza theater in Tokyo, scheduled for next spring, so that he could perform there together with his sons and grandsons.

When inheriting the name of the 18th Kanzaburo in 2005, Nakamura said what he needed were "intuition, a good nose and luck."

The last one was what he lacked.

The day of his death was clear and sunny in Tokyo from the morning. The theater Nakamura had wanted to see reopen must have been praying for his recovery. Its unique "karahafu"-style roof was visible through the purple-blue construction tarpaulins. It looked as if the roof was quietly shedding tears.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 6

* * *

Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.