Kabuki actors' succession to names

Kabuki actors' succession to names

TOKYO, Japan - Nakamura Kasho (2nd from R), who is to succeed the name of late national treasure Nakamura Matagoro II and become Nakamura Matagoro III, poses with his son Nakamura Tanetaro (2nd from L) and living national treasure Nakamura Kichiemon (R), during a parade near Sensoji temple in Tokyo's Asakusa area on Aug. 22, 2011, to announce the planned successions. Tanetaro will become Kasho IV. The father and son will officially succeed the names at a performance to be held at Shimbashi Embujo (Shimbashi Theater) in Tokyo in September.

Kabuki actors' succession to names

Kabuki actors' succession to names

TOKYO, Japan - Nakamura Kasho (C), who is to succeed the name of late national treasure Nakamura Matagoro II and become Nakamura Matagoro III, poses for photos with his son Nakamura Tanetaro (L) and living national treasure Nakamura Kichiemon (R) in front of the Kaminari gate of Sensoji temple in Tokyo's Asakusa area on Aug. 22, 2011, before parading to announce the planned successions. Tanetaro will become Kasho IV. The father and son will officially succeed the names at a performance to be held at Shimbashi Embujo (Shimbashi Theater) in Tokyo in September.

Kabuki actors at new key theater

Kabuki actors at new key theater

TOKYO, Japan - Kabuki actors (from the left) Nakamura Shichinosuke, Ichikawa Ebizo, Ichikawa Somegoro, Onoe Shoroku and Nakamura Kantaro line up in front of Shimbashi Embujo theater in Tokyo on May 4, 2010. Shimbashi Embujo became the key kabuki theater as the Kabuki-za theater closed to undergo renovation after serving as the mainstay host of kabuki performances for more than a century.

Kabuki actors at new key theater

Kabuki actors at new key theater

TOKYO, Japan - Kabuki actors (from the left) Nakamura Shichinosuke, Ichikawa Ebizo, Ichikawa Somegoro, Onoe Shoroku and Nakamura Kantaro line up in front of Shimbashi Embujo theater in Tokyo on May 4, 2010. Shimbashi Embujo became the key kabuki theater as the Kabuki-za theater closed to undergo renovation after serving as the mainstay host of kabuki performances for more than a century. (Kyodo)

Kabuki actors' succession to names

Kabuki actors' succession to names

TOKYO, Japan - Nakamura Kasho (2nd from R), who is to succeed the name of late national treasure Nakamura Matagoro II and become Nakamura Matagoro III, poses with his son Nakamura Tanetaro (2nd from L) and living national treasure Nakamura Kichiemon (R), during a parade near Sensoji temple in Tokyo's Asakusa area on Aug. 22, 2011, to announce the planned successions. Tanetaro will become Kasho IV. The father and son will officially succeed the names at a performance to be held at Shimbashi Embujo (Shimbashi Theater) in Tokyo in September. (Kyodo)

Kabuki actors' succession to names

Kabuki actors' succession to names

TOKYO, Japan - Nakamura Kasho (C), who is to succeed the name of late national treasure Nakamura Matagoro II and become Nakamura Matagoro III, poses for photos with his son Nakamura Tanetaro (L) and living national treasure Nakamura Kichiemon (R) in front of the Kaminari gate of Sensoji temple in Tokyo's Asakusa area on Aug. 22, 2011, before parading to announce the planned successions. Tanetaro will become Kasho IV. The father and son will officially succeed the names at a performance to be held at Shimbashi Embujo (Shimbashi Theater) in Tokyo in September. (Kyodo)