Narita-san Shinshō-ji Temple and the kabuki actor, Danjūrō Ichikawa, have a strong connection. As mentioned in the column, Danjūrō Ichikawa VII was an extremely wealthy individual. During his time, there was a legal order in which extravegancies were banned, which he was penalized for breaking. As a result, he was exiled from Edo as a criminal.

At that time, Danjūrō was given refuge in Narita. The house that sheltered him was located here. He spent his days teaching the local children the ways of kabuki. As a kabuki actor, he probably was itching to perform himself. After a year, he went to the Kansai region for a public performance.

Eight years after his exile, Danjūrō returned to Edo and became as active as ever. This glory continues with today’s Ichikawa clan. The square mark you see here and there is called “mimasu”, which is used as the Ichikawa clan’s family crest.