Matsumoto Hakuo II

Other Name: 藤間昭曉

Age: 82

Birthday: August 19, 1942

Nationality: Japanese

Gender: Male

The 9th generation Matsumoto Koshiro was born in Tokyo, Japan. A graduate of Waseda University and a versatile actor, Matsumoto Koshiro IX has performed extensively in Kabuki and Western stage plays. He made his stage debut in 1945, at the age of three, under the name Matsumoto Kintaro II, and took the name Ichikawa Somegoro VI four years later. He succeeded his father to the name Matsumoto Koshiro in 1981. On the Kabuki stage, he played the role of Benkei in "Kanjincho" which was played as part of the naming ceremony of his father Matsumoto Koshiro VIII. Among many of Kabuki acts, he has played as Kochiyama Soshun in "Kochiyama", Kumagai Jiro Naozane in "Kumagai Jinya", and Matsuomaru in "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami". In 1970, Matsumoto Koshiro IX appeared in the lead role of "Man of La Mancha" on Broadway, New York. His portrayal of "Man of La Mancha" was hugely successful and performed for the 1,100th time in 2008, setting the national record for the most performances by the same actor starring one work. He has also appeared as the King of Siam in "The King and I" in the West End in London. His other stage roles include Motl in "Fiddler on the Roof", the title role in "Sweeney Todd", Salieri in "Amadeus", Kitagawa Utamaro in the musical "Utamaro", and Zeami Motokiyo in Musical "Zeami". On-screen, Matsumoto Koshiro IX is best known for his role as Kenji Amo in the 1984 NHK Taiga drama "Sanga Moyu". He has starred with his daughter Matsu Takako on multiple occasions - Hana no Ran (1994), April Story (1998), and HERO (2007). He was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2005, and Person of Cultural Merit in 2012 by the Japanese government. In January 2018, Matsumoto Koshiro IX bestowed his title to his son Ichikawa Somegoro VII, upon taking the title Matsumoto Hakuo II which his father Matsumoto Koshiro VIII took after his retirement. Note about the name: Matsumoto Koshiro is the stage name of a line of kabuki actors in Japan. Most of these were blood relatives, though some were adopted into the family. (Source: Wikipedia).