TOKYO, Japan — Ennosuke Ichikawa, an international icon of Japan’s ancient kabuki theatre, has been arrested on suspicions of aiding his mother’s suicide, Tokyo police reported.
The 47-year-old actor, renowned for his exceptional kabuki performances, is being investigated following the tragic discovery of his unconscious parents at his Tokyo residence last month. Both were later pronounced dead.
Authorities allege that Ichikawa played a role in his 75-year-old mother’s death by “making her take sleep-inducing pills,” subsequently leading to her death due to “psychoactive drug intoxication.”
The investigation into his 76-year-old father’s death, who was also a celebrated kabuki actor, is still ongoing.
Ennosuke Ichikawa, who has enthralled audiences across the globe, including in London, Amsterdam, and Paris, was found unconscious at his home on the same day his parents were discovered. He was rushed to a local hospital for immediate care.
According to Jiji Press, on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, Ichikawa was reported to have confessed to investigators, saying, “I was going to follow my parents and kill myself.”
He elaborated that his family had discussed the idea of dying and being reborn together, and that his parents had ingested sleeping pills.
NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, also reported on these chilling revelations.
In addition to Ichikawa’s statements, an alleged suicide note penned by the actor was found at the scene.
Born Takahiko Kinoshi, Ichikawa made his debut in the revered kabuki theatre in 1980. He swiftly rose through the ranks, becoming a luminary in Japan’s cultural scene.
His striking performances and relentless dedication to the art form earned him national and international acclaim.
This unsettling incident has sent shockwaves through Japan’s art and cultural community and has left fans around the world grappling with the tragic turn of events involving one of kabuki’s most celebrated figures.
As the investigation progresses, questions about the circumstances surrounding this tragedy loom large, and the artistic community mourns the loss of two kabuki legends while coming to terms with the alleged involvement of another.
