Watching SmaSTATION May 20th & 27th ago, I was really amazed with Matsu Takako's family background. The guest was Matsumoto Koshiro, her father, and the topic is a biography of Matsumoto Koshiro on his acting career. His family members were being interviewed giving comments, including Matsu.
When America took over Japan in the 1940s, Kabuki was once forbidden in Japan, they almost lost their national treasure. But then, an American military general watched Matsu's great grandfather in a kabuki play, and he was amazed. So the American general allowed kabuki to continue exist in Japan.
If not because of Matsu's great grandfather, kabuki will already be extinct by now.
Matsu's great grandfather was also the first kabuki actor who bold enough to step over to musical theatre. It used to be a taboo for kabuki actor to act in modern/musical plays besides kabuki itself (not to mention to be a TV star!).
Back when he was young, Matsumoto Koshiro had a strong interest in western musical, so he eventually took the role in The King & I...and by that time, he already lost hope that he can ever return to kabuki, he thought he can never act in a kabuki play ever again.
But eventually, he can and since then, many kabuki actors crossover to other entertainment world....modern plays, musical, TV dramas, widescreen movies, etc. So, if not because of Matsu's great grandfather and father, we might not be able to see Ichikawa Ebizo(MUSASHI), Nakamura Shido, Ichikawa Somegoro, etc on TV^^
A surprising fact for me, Ichikawa Ebizo, Nakamura Shido and Nakamura Kankuro's sons are actually
Matsu Takako's cousins.
Do you know what that means?? Haha....that means
Takeuchi Yuko is Matsu Takako's cousin-in-law!^o^ I actually thought Takeuchi(Nakamura Shido's wife) and Matsu kinda resemble each other. To know they are cousin-in-laws....hehe...bimyou~
Is Yonekura Ryoko still dating Ichikawa Ebizo? If yes, then she might be Matsu Takako's future cousin-in-law, ne....^_^ What a small world.
Anyway, back to Matsu's father. He was once offered a role in a BROADWAY MUSICAL titled "La Mancha Man". When he was 27 years old. He was shocked and he doesn't know what to do, back then. "Should I take the role? Coz the play will be ALL IN ENGLISH, and I can't speak english at all,". And if he fail acting the role good enough, it would not only embarrass himself, but Japan would also be in shame....as he is the first Japanese actor to act in a Broadway musical.
Even though he hesitate and kinda scared, he boldly took the role. Then, he ask help from an acting tutor in New York, who once learned kabuki from his father when he was in Japan. Since he has to learn English from ZERO while the play is in 1 month, his acting tutor told him to memorize ALL ROLE's DIALOGUES in the play. So, he'd know when the other actor or actress miss the lines. He was told, "It is TO ACT, not to think,". And Matsumoto Koshiro eventually played his role wonderfully and got a surround applause from the audience.
Thus, even until now.... Matsumoto Koshiro is nicked as THE KABUKI KING. His kabuki family clan, is the most popular one in Japan. And it's a really strict family. I'm sure, whoever become the son or daughter in law in this familly will get alot of pressure, as it is a family that still hold Japanese tradition strongly.
After this....I realized people in Japan, see Matsu Takako just like a princess or a lady, ne^^
No wonder in 1996-1998 variety shows, when Matsu was still a newly actress on TV, and people just gotten to know this Matsumoto Koshiro's daughter... Whenever Matsu Takako guests, the host and the other guests will become so nervous to see Matsu and treat her with full respect and highly. Not to mention, she IS such a beauty, just like a princess from a royal family, heehee....
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