He is best known for bringing back the stunt “chunori,” which translates as “lifted into space,” portraying a joyous fox that receives from a princess a small drum made from the hide of its slaughtered parents.
Ichikawa not only collaborated with modern writers and composers but also recruited and trained people outside the Kabuki families as actors. That had been unheard of, although such collaborations are routine now due to Ichikawa’s efforts. “He was truly blessed to have been loved by so many people and for giving his all to his own Kabuki Way.”“There was so much more I wanted to learn from my grandfather,” Danko said.