THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
May 19, 2023 at 17:05 JST
Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
Police believe famed Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke attempted suicide at his home the same day a weekly magazine reported his alleged involvement in a sexual abuse and power harassment scandal.
Ennosuke, 47, was found in a dazed state in his semi-basement room on May 18 with a suicide-like note nearby, according to investigators.
His parents were found unconscious in the living room on the second floor of the home he shared with them in Tokyo's Meguro Ward.
His mother, 75, was confirmed dead at the scene and his father, Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danshiro, 76, was confirmed dead at the hospital where he was taken.
Ennosuke is in the hospital and not in a life-threatening condition. But he is in a weakened state and unable to respond to questions. Police are waiting for his recovery before questioning him.
His parents were found lying on their backs under a futon up to their necks with their clothes on, investigators said.
Their bodies showed no significant external injuries. Police are expected to conduct a judicial autopsy to determine the cause of their deaths.
Ennosuke’s two managers discovered the three at their home at 10:15 a.m. on May 18. The managers made an emergency call for assistance.
Kabuki performances starring Ennosuke were scheduled to be held that day in Meijiza, a famed theater in Tokyo. The theater decided to cancel the daytime performance but staged the evening performance with changes in the cast.
On the morning of May 18, a weekly magazine reported on Ennosuke’s alleged involvement in the sexual abuse and power harassment of actors and staff.
Production company Shochiku Co., which produces his Kabuki performances, released a statement saying that it sincerely apologizes to Kabuki fans and many others for causing concern.
Shochiku said it wants to verify the facts first as it cannot confirm the accuracy of the magazine's report.
Ennosuke was born in 1975 to Kabuki actor Danshiro and made his Kabuki debut in 1983. He assumed the prestigious stage name of Ennosuke as its fourth-generation holder in 2012.
He also gained fame for developing “Super Kabuki,” a modernized style of Kabuki theater that his uncle produced. He acted in “Super Kabuki II,” a Kabuki play based on the popular manga “One Piece.”
(This article was written by Aiko Masuda and Rina Horikoshi.)
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