Shumei
【襲名】
【SHUMEI】
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Nishikie portraying a scene of Kojo during Shumei-Hiro (an announcement of the actors’ succession). “Shumei-Hiro Kojo Ichimura Takenojo 5th and Ichimura Uzaemon 13th”. Owned by the National Theatre. （03063）
It refers to an event in which an actor succeeds the names of his ancestor, father brother, master, or other predecessors. In the Edo period, not only actors but also merchants and large farmers would inherit the same names for generations. It is common in the world of traditional arts such as Kabuki, Noh, Kyogen, and Bunraku.
In Kabuki, actors at a turning point in their careers may succeed the names of his superior in each family. They succeed the names stepwise. For example, in the Ichikawa Danjuro family, an actor takes the name Shinnosuke first, then succeeds Ebizo, and finally Danjuro. In the Onoe Kikugoro family, the name Ushinosuke, then Kikunosuke, finally Kikugoro. In most cases, a performance is given in honor of the succession, and an act of “Kojo” is performed in which the succession is announced by the senior actors.
In Kabuki, actors at a turning point in their careers may succeed the names of his superior in each family. They succeed the names stepwise. For example, in the Ichikawa Danjuro family, an actor takes the name Shinnosuke first, then succeeds Ebizo, and finally Danjuro. In the Onoe Kikugoro family, the name Ushinosuke, then Kikunosuke, finally Kikugoro. In most cases, a performance is given in honor of the succession, and an act of “Kojo” is performed in which the succession is announced by the senior actors.
