Great Construction

The Death of Kikugoro

     There are probably persons who were quite disheartened by the news of Kikugoro’s death. I am one of those. In this regard, I recall that several years ago, Kikugoro had received Johrei from one of my followers, had obtained much relief from a chronic illness, and had wanted to take the introductory course. The problem was that he would not receive instruction from anyone other than “Great Teacher.” I have my own reasons, but as policy, I do not directly give courses, so he was unavoidably turned down. When I mentioned this episode to a person who knew him well, the response was “That’s Kikugoro all right.” He was known as quite an extraordinarily exceptional, high-spirited artist, and there is no doubt that it was due to this personality that he was able to become such a celebrated actor.
     As described above, it is indeed regrettable that an opportunity was lost. If he had received the introductory course at that time, he would probably still be alive. But Kikugoro could not do without injections, and recently it was said that he had been injecting himself several times a day. I had thought this quite dangerous and mentioned the situation to others. It is an uncontestable fact that an excess of injections was the cause of his death.
     According to what I have heard, the Kabuki Theatre now under construction is scheduled for completion in autumn next year, and Kikugoro had been chosen to be the headliner in an extravagant production that was being planned for the premiere, so the disappointment of Mr. Otani and others involved can well be imagined.
     Another episode I remember is the following. About some ten- odd years ago, I received through Mrs. Otani a request for treatment. At that time I heard that injections were being given, and I told her that injections and spiritual healing contradict each other, so if both are used, there will be no effect. If the injections were stopped, I would perform the treatments. Thereupon Mrs. Otani said, “The master is not himself unless he has his shots. Because he has no energy or wish to listen to what I have to say when he gets home, he absolutely will not quit.” Unavoidably matters were left as they were. Kikugoro had become completely addicted to narcotics, so there was nothing that could have been done. It was some time after that I heard that he had passed away.
     Why is it that, as in the present, outstanding actors, pass away one after another—is a question that will undoubtedly occur to thoughtful people. The kabuki world seems to be growing only more desolate. With Kikugoro having passed away and Nakamura Kichiemon said to be sickly, what will become of the kabuki world? Even if we do not think in such drastic terms, opinions are divided on whether the future of kabuki is bright or dark. With no great actors at present, it is indeed profoundly disturbing to ponder if the kabuki world can sustain itself with young actors only.
     At this point, because it does concern the subject, let me write about an aspect that people in general do not seem to understand. That subject is the early death of onnagata actors. This is a fact that all know. In this regard, there was an instance when I was asked to treat the onnagata actor Ichikawa Shôchô who was very popular at the time. When I looked him over, I saw that he was very stiff in the areas from his neck to his shoulders. What I realized then was that he had stiffness in these areas because he was always wearing those heavy wigs. When purifying activity begins in such stiff areas, fever is apt to generate. And since coughing and phlegm accompany the purification process, doctors diagnose the condition as tuberculosis. I learned that tuberculosis had been determined to be the cause of Shôchô’s premature death. It is probably this very diagnosis that was the reason the actor stopped receiving the Johrei of the Japan Kannon Church.
     In conclusion, allow me to add a few words about the artistry of Kikugoro. Everyone recognizes that Kikugoro occupied the top position in the kabuki theatre world of his times. The reasons for this are naturally that in his acting he did not permit himself to imitate anybody else and that he broke the conventions and patterns of kabuki. It cannot be denied that his unconventional acting techniques were the influence of Danjuro IX. To ask specifically what is meant by this, it means techniques that do not flatter or appeal to the audience.
     When I was around twenty, I truly enjoyed the acting of Danjuro and frequently went to his performances. I intend to write in detail about Danjuro in Assorted Reflections, so here I will give only one or two items. Danjuro would never pander to his audiences, as was described in the previous illustration. Rather, it appears he went so far as to believe that to pander to the audience was to degrade art. There is the following story. If there came a place in a performance where the audience cheered, the next day, Danjuro would change that part. His thinking was that “the reason there is applause is because there is a hole in our art. Our performance should be the culmination of art so that the audience forgets to cheer.” In another instance, he is reported as saying, “Instead of being recognized by the general public, I would rather be recognized by even just one member of the intelligentsia.” With such a lofty perspective, he was indeed an artist that is rarely seen in the world. So, unlike other actors, there was no hint of convoluted techniques in his performances. Without any movement, and merely with the expression in his eyes, he would convey emotion, for which the audience felt marvelous intensity. It was as we say, the power of the invisible spirit. In contrast, performers nowadays not only assiduously continue to humor and flatter audiences, the performance of which is shocking by its vulgarity, it also makes it inevitable that Danjuro would naturally come to mind.
     I have wandered a long way off the original subject. The performances of Kikugoro were a complete internalization of Danjuro. I offer these words to the spirit of Kikugoro.

Hikari, Issue 21, August 6, 1949
translated by cynndd