Matsumoto Kōshirō X

1.1. Birth and Family Relationships

Born Terumasa Fujima (藤間 照薫_{Fujima Terumasa}^Japanese) on January 8, 1973, in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, he is the eldest son of Matsumoto Hakuō II (who was then known as Ichikawa Somegorō VI). His mother is Noriko Fujima. He has two younger sisters, actress Matsumoto Kio and actress Matsu Takako. His uncle is Nakamura Kichiemon II.

His yagō^Japanese (house name) is the Kōraiya. His jōmon^Japanese (fixed crest) is the Fusen-chō^Japanese (floating butterfly), and his kaemon^Japanese (alternative crest) is the Yotsu Hana-bishi^Japanese (four-flower diamond).

His buyō^Japanese (Japanese dance) name is Matsumoto Kinshō (松本 錦升_{Matsumoto Kinshō}^Japanese), and he also serves as the third head of the Matsumoto-ryū school of Japanese dance. He has a reported height of 69 in ^{(175 cm)} and weighs 176 lb ^{(80 kg)}, with an AB blood type. He is professionally affiliated with Shochiku Entertainment.

1.2. Education

Matsumoto Kōshirō X graduated from Gyosei High School. Following his high school education, he enrolled in the Department of Japanese Literature within the Faculty of Letters at Kokugakuin University, though he later withdrew.

2.1. Kabuki Actor Career

His journey as a kabuki actor began at a very young age. In March 1979, he made his debut at the Kabuki-za theater, taking the stage as Matsumoto Kintarō III in the play Kyōkaku Harusame Gasa. Two years later, in October 1981, he succeeded to the name Ichikawa Somegorō VII at Kabuki-za, performing as Ōboshi Rikiya in Kanadehon Chūshingura.

On January 2, 2018, he achieved a significant milestone in his career by succeeding to the prestigious name Matsumoto Kōshirō X during the Kotobuki Hatsuharu Ōkabuki performance at Kabuki-za. This succession was part of a grand three-generation simultaneous naming ceremony for the Kōraiya family, where his father assumed the retired name of Matsumoto Hakuō II, and his eldest son, Itsuki Fujima, inherited the name Ichikawa Somegorō VIII.

Matsumoto Kōshirō X is celebrated for his rich acting ability and versatility, tackling roles ranging from classical kabuki to revived kyōgen and contemporary new kabuki productions. He is adept at portraying a wide spectrum of characters, including nimaime^Japanese (handsome male leads), jitsuaku^Japanese (villains), iroaku^Japanese (charming villains), and even onnagata^Japanese (female roles).

Notable kabuki roles in his repertoire include:

• Kawachiya Yohee in Onna Goroshi Abura Jigoku (The Woman-Killer and the Hell of Oil)
• Keisei Shikishima, Fujishiro-ya Jūzaburō, and Nyōbō Otama in Kōshoku Shiba Nori Shima Monogatari (Ghost Story of Shikishima)
• Kojirō and Atsumori in Ichinotani Futabagunki (Battle of Ichinotani)
• Togashi Saemon and Benkei in Kanjinchō (The Subscription List)
• Kameya Chūbee in Koibikyaku Yamato Ōrai (The Courier of Love in Yamato)
• Ōkawa Tomoemon in Somemoyō Onai Ofumi
• Minamoto no Tametomo in Tsubaki-setsu Yumiharizuki no Minamoto Tametomo (The Moon Bow of Tumetomo)
• The title role in Kōmori no Yasu-san (The Bat Yasusan), a revival in December 2019 at the National Theatre of Japan, marking its first performance in 88 years since its 1931 premiere.

He has also been instrumental in the development of new kabuki works, including:

• Hamura Maru and Jitsu Kariyahime in Hamuretto Yamato Nishikie (Hamlet)
• Horibe Yasubei and Nakatsugawa Sukenori in Kettō! Takada no Baba (Duel! Takada-no-Baba)
• Kamiya Yoshinosuke and Onda Rangaku in Edo Yoiyami Yōkagi Tsume (The Edo Night's Mysterious Hooked Claw), a kabuki adaptation of Edogawa Ranpo's detective novel Ningen Hyō (The Human Leopard) which he planned in 2008.
• Abe no Seimei in Shinsaku Inyōshi Takiyasha-hime (New Kabuki Onmyōji: Princess Takiyasha)
• Aterui in KabukiNEXT Aterui (2015), a kabuki adaptation of the 2002 Gekidan Shinkansen play Aterui.
• Kūkai in Gensō Kami Kūkai: Shamonkūkai Tō no Kuni nite Oni to Utage su (2016)
• Yajirobe in Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige (adapted by Ichikawa Ennosuke IV)
• Daikokuya Kōdayū in Gekkōro Shinro Nippon Fūunji-tachi
• Rai in KabukiNEXT Oboro no Mori ni Sumu Oni

2.2. Film Appearances

Matsumoto Kōshirō X has appeared in numerous films, often taking on lead roles.

• Harukanaru Sōro (1980) as young Kiichiro Toyoda
• Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald (1997) as Kimihiko Saimyoji
• April Story (1998) as Brother
• Otakus in Love (2004) as a bookstore clerk
• Ashura (2005) as Izumo Wakaraba, a lead role
• The Samurai I Loved (2005) as Shiro Makibun, a lead role
• On Next Sunday (2009) as Shigeru Matsumoto, a lead role
• Aibō Series: Kanshiki Mamoru Yonezawa no Jiken-bo (2009) as Tatsuyuki Amano
• Tenchi: The Samurai Astronomer (2012) as Tomomaro Miyasugawa
• Shikakenin Fujieda Baian 2 (2023) as Hasegawa Heizō
• Samurai Detective Onihei: Blood for Blood (2024) as Hasegawa "Onihei" Heizō, a lead role. This role is particularly significant as he inherited it from his grandfather, Matsumoto Hakuō I (then Matsumoto Kōshirō VIII), and his uncle, Nakamura Kichiemon II, making him the fifth actor to portray "Onihei" in the family.

2.3. Television Drama Appearances

His television career spans various genres and networks, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

• Ōgon no Hibi (NHK, 1978) as Sukeza (Taiga drama)
• Chichi no Wabijō (NHK, 1986) as Yoshioka-shōnen
• Dai Chūshingura (TV Tokyo, 1989) as Ōishi Yoshikane
• Tennōheika no Yakyū (Fuji TV, 1990) as Regent Prince Hirohito
• Akuryō Shima (Fuji TV, 1991) as Ryuhei Ochi (flashback)
• Genji Monogatari-jō: no Maki-ka no Maki (TBS, 1991) as Reizen-tei
• Fushi Taka (Nippon TV, 1994) as Katsu Rintaro
• Ryū: Ron (NHK, 1995) as Hiryu Oshiko (lead role)
• Utsukushiki Yumeoibito-tachi (NHK, 1995) as Narrator
• Himaraya no Sakura Katōka: Tōko Adachi no Yume (NHK, 1995) as Narrator
• Ōgata Jidaigeki Special: Ninja ga eshi Mizu no Shiro (TV Asahi, 1996) as Hikoshiro Takatsuki
• Gakkō no Kaidan: Haru no tatari Special (Fuji TV, 1999) as Vampire
• Furuhata Ninzaburō (Fuji TV, 1999) as Kirakuya Gagaku
• Brand (Fuji TV, 2000) as Soichiro Kanzaki
• Food Fight (Nippon TV, 2000) as Yoichi Sakashita
• Rocket Boy (Fuji TV, 2001) as Takenori Tanaka
• Yonimo Kimyōna Monogatari Haru no Tokubetsu-hen: Kabushiki Otoko (Fuji TV, 2001) as Kiichiro Takakuwa
• Yoisho no Otoko (TBS, 2002) as Eiji Shiraishi
• Pride (Fuji TV, 2004) as Tomonori Ikegami
• Ryōma ga yuku (TV Tokyo, 2004) as Sakamoto Ryōma
• Teki wa Honnouji ni ari (TV Asahi, 2007) as Akechi Samanosuke
• Ryokiteki na Kanojo (TBS, 2008) as Shunsuke Nonomura
• Onihei Hanka-chō Special: Hikikomi Onna (Fuji TV, 2008) as Genan Inoue
• Onihei Hanka-chō Special: Tōzoku Konrei (Fuji TV, 2011) as Yataro
• Chūshingura: Sono Yoshi sono Ai (TV Tokyo, 2012) as Asano Naganori
• Yae's Sakura (NHK, 2013) as Emperor Kōmei (Taiga drama)
• Tsuma wa, Kunoichi (NHK, 2013) as Hikoma Futahoshi
• Tsuma wa, Kunoichi ~Saishūshō~ (NHK, 2014)
• Inyōshi (TV Asahi, 2015) as Abe no Seimei (lead role; television film)
• Daihugou Doushin 2 (NHK, 2021) as Amari Bizennokami
• My Family (TBS, 2022) as Akira Akutsu
• Onihei Hankachō SEASON1 (Jidaigeki Senmon Channel, 2024) as Hasegawa Heizō (lead role)
  • Onihei Hankachō Honjo Sakurayashiki (January 8, 2024)
  • Onihei Hankachō Deku no Jūzō (June 8, 2024)
  • Onihei Hankachō Chigashira no Tanbee (July 6, 2024)
  • Onihei Hankachō Rōtō no Yume (February 8, 2025)
• Daihugou Doushin Special (NHK, 2024)

2.4. Stage and Other Performances

Beyond kabuki, Matsumoto Kōshirō X has actively participated in various stage productions, showcasing his range in non-kabuki theater.

• By Myself
• Matryoshka
• Amadeus as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Ashurajō no Hitomi BLOOD GETS IN YOUR EYES (2000, 2003) as Izumo Wakaraba
• Aterui (2002) as Aterui
• Dokuro-jō no Nana-ri ~Aodokuro~ (2004) as Tama korogashi no Sutenosuke / Ten Maō
• Oboro no Mori ni Sumu Oni (2007) as Rai
• Jokyōshi wa Ni-do Daka reta (2008) as Rokuro Ameku
• Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige
• Gekkōro Shinro Nippon Fūunji-tachi

2.5. Voice Acting and Game Appearances

His voice acting credits include:

• Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel (2016) as Volcanion (voice)

In video games, he has lent his voice to:

• Kessen II (2001) as Zhuge Liang

Additionally, he has appeared in various other media:

• Educational Programs:** Karada de Asobo (NHK Educational, 2006)
• Variety Shows:** Nazotoki! Edo no Susume (BS-TBS, 2012-2012), Matsumoto Kōshirō ga Numaru!! (BS Shochiku Tokyu, 2022-2024) as MC, and Game Genome (NHK General, 2022) as a guest, where he discussed his love for the Ace Attorney series.
• Radio:** Hōgaku Jockey (NHK-FM, 1992-1995)
• Commercials (CMs):** Mitsui Fudosan (2017) in a dual role with Ichikawa Somegorō I, and Calbee's "Kataage Potato" (2020-), for which he was appointed "Kataage Potato Support Department Manager" due to his publicly stated fondness for the snack. In 2024, a collaboration product with his starring role in Onihei Hankachō was released.

4.1. Marriage and Children

In November 2003, he married Sonoko Seki, a friend he had known since his high school days. The couple has two children:

• His eldest son, Itsuki Fujima, was born in March 2005. Itsuki made his first appearance at Kabuki-za in June 2007 in Kyōkaku Harusame Gasa, appearing alongside his father and grandfather, Matsumoto Hakuō II, in a three-generation performance for the Kōraiya family. In June 2009, Itsuki succeeded to the name Matsumoto Kintarō IV and made his official debut at Kabuki-za in Kadode Iwai Kotobuki Renjishi.
• His eldest daughter, Kaoruko Fujima, was born in February 2007. She debuted under the stage name Matsuda Miru in August 2012, performing in the Matsumoto-ryū "Jūkkaime Shōōkai" Sōke Matsumoto Kōshirō Koki Kinen Buyō Kōen at the National Theatre of Japan.

During his daughter's debut performance in August 2012, Matsumoto Kōshirō X suffered a severe injury when he fell approximately 9.8 ft ^{(3 m)} from a stage trapdoor into the orchestra pit, resulting in a complex fracture of his right wrist. This accident forced him to take a temporary hiatus from performing. He held a press conference in October 2012 to announce his recovery and apologize for the inconvenience caused by his "fundamental mistake." He made his return to the kabuki stage in February 2013 with a performance at the Nissay Theatre.

4.2. Personal Interests

Matsumoto Kōshirō X has a variety of hobbies and notable anecdotes that reveal aspects of his personality:

• He has been a devoted fan of the Japanese comedy group The Drifters since childhood, particularly enjoying their popular show Hachiji da yo! Zen'in Shūgō. He once expressed jealousy upon learning that the show's leader, Chō Soga, had mentioned his daughter's birth at the beginning of an episode. He even incorporated a skit inspired by the Drifters' "Yoshino-yama" sketch into a kabuki performance of Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige in August 2016, performing it with Ichikawa Ennosuke IV.
• As a child, he was known for playing "solo baseball" against a wall, keeping detailed scorebooks for six imaginary teams.
• He is an avid fan of the Yomiuri Giants baseball team. In May 2024, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a Giants-Hanshin Tigers game at the Tokyo Dome, wearing a jersey with the number "546" (a goroawase for Kōshirō).
• He is a fan of the Ace Attorney video game series, having played through the mystery-solving games multiple times.
• In his teenage years, he was a member of actress Atsuko Sendō's fan club. Later, when Sendō played Hisae, the wife of Heizō, in the Onihei Hankachō series, Matsumoto Kōshirō X confessed his past admiration to her on set.
• He has expressed a whimsical desire to eat his fill of only raw oysters or chicken gizzards, a preference that echoes his father, Matsumoto Hakuō II, who reportedly once ate 48 pieces of ark shell sushi at a sushi restaurant in his youth.