10-year-old becomes first official dual-national kabuki actor

Feb 08, 2023 | News On Japan

TOKYO - A 10-year-old French-Japanese boy will become the first officially recognized dual-national kabuki actor, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a star of the traditional art form.

Maholo Terajima has performed kabuki several times on stage since he was four.

But his May performance at Tokyo's Kabuki-za theater will be his formal debut under the stage name Onoe Maholo.

"I've always loved kabuki, since I was little," he said in French and Japanese at a press conference, adding that he hopes to one day perform in France.

"I'll practice hard so that our audience will enjoy the show," said Terajima, who wore a black kimono and gray hakama for Tuesday's event at the French embassy.

Kabuki shows are all-male affairs combining dance, drama and music, with men playing female roles. ...continue reading

Bear Hunt Ends in Utsunomiya

A bear that had been repeatedly spotted in commercial and residential areas of Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, was captured in a residential neighborhood at around 3:30 p.m. on June 9th after authorities used a tranquilizer gun following several days of sightings across the city.

Sakurajima Eruption Blankets Kagoshima in Volcanic Ash

A prolonged eruption at Sakurajima on June 7th blanketed parts of Kagoshima City in volcanic ash, turning roads gray and prompting long lines of vehicles seeking car washes after a plume of smoke rose 1,300 meters above the crater.

Japan Lifts Tsunami Advisories After Philippines Quake

A powerful earthquake struck off Mindanao Island in the southern Philippines at 8:38 a.m. (Japan time) on June 8th, generating tsunami waves across parts of the Pacific, causing building collapses and casualties near the epicenter, and prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue tsunami advisories along a wide stretch of Japan's Pacific coastline before lifting all of them at 4:50 p.m.

Unlicensed Peruvian Man Conducts Risky Medical Procedure During Delivery

A clinic director and a former Peruvian staff member have been referred to prosecutors after the man allegedly performed medical procedures without a license, including an external cephalic version—a procedure used to manually turn a baby into the correct position before birth—at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Fukuoka City, raising concerns about patient safety and oversight in maternity care.

Bear Spotted Running Through Central Utsunomiya Shopping District

A large bear was captured on security camera footage running through a shopping arcade in central Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, in the early hours of June 7th, as authorities stepped up warnings following a series of bear sightings across the city.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Kabuki Star Opens Fukuoka's New NCB Hall

A new multifunctional hall inside the West Japan City Building, the new headquarters of Nishi-Nippon City Bank, officially opened on June 8th, with renowned kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro performing a celebratory dance during the opening ceremony.

Facebook Dating Review 2026: Is It Worth It for Real Love?

The global online dating market is absolutely booming, and meeting your significant other online has become the new normal for millions of singles worldwide.

From Atari to Nintendo, the War for the Video Game Industry (Docummentary)

In this NHK documentary, the history of video games is told as the story of a new kind of empire: the rise of software.

The Beginning of a Powerful Kabuki Alliance?

Today, we take a look at the kabuki performance at the Hakata-za theatre in Fukuoka, which conclude the shūmei ceremony of the actor Onoe Kikugorō VIII and his son, Onoe Kikunosuke VI.

BAKI-DOU: The Invincible Samurai Part 2 | Official Trailer

Beneath Tokyo Skytree, in a research laboratory owned by preeminent martial arts enthusiast Mitsunari Tokugawa, a forbidden experiment is underway. Using cutting-edge science and technology, the experiment aims to create a clone from the corpse of legendary swordsman Musashi Miyamoto and resurrect him in the present day.