(Voice actor) Mr.Chris Koprowski

There was a great Kabuki actor called Nakazo Nakamura in the 1780s through 90s. It is common practice for acts to be passed down from the parent to the children in the Kabuki world, so it was extremely difficult for those not from a reputable family to make a name for themselves. But Nakazo was a remarkable person who established his position as a great actor in one generation. Nakazo made his appearance into the Kabuki world came when the 4th Danjuro Ichikawa discovered him. Danjuro used to study by making his rounds to small playhouses in between his practices. During one such occasion, he found an interesting person acting in a performance in a small playhouse. He was an actor who, unlike the other actors, wore a gilded costume, painted his face red, made the corner of his eyes dark, and had a scary face. Unlike the other actors, he was shining. That actor was Nakazo Nakamura. Danjuro was impressed by Nakazo and looked after him. Danjuro was going to put on a production of a popular play called “Kanadehon Chushingura.” Danjuro cast Nakazo in this play. However, the role given to Nakazo was that of “Sadakuro Ono.” Nakazo was disappointed by this. Sadakuro Ono was a pathetic role, a character who made his living by robbing and murdering people, then shot and killed by Kanpei Hayano, a famous character of the play, who mistakes Sadakuro for a boar. To be blunt, around when Sadakuro appears on stage, the audience started eating lunch or talked among friends. Sadakuro’s only had lines in scenes that left almost no impression on the audience. Thinking that he finally made his way up to the big stage, only to play such a pathetic role, Nakazo felt sad and was distressed. His actor friends suggested to the moping Nakazo. “If you think it’s uncool, you should start a new and cool Sadakuro. It’s wrong that it has to be acted a certain way. The world is changing and so should the role.” Enlightened by this idea, Nakazo struggled to create a Sadakuro Ono that no one had ever played. As a result, a new Sadakuro emerged. One who is not dressed as a bandit, but is dressed as a ronin and appears rakishly with water dripping from an umbrella. The body was covered in white powder, making the black clothes stand out by contrast. This new look was a hit among the audience, and Nakazo’s name became known immediately. Check out the reputation of the new and “cool” Sadakuro Ono played by Nakazo Nakamura.