{"id":49885,"date":"2025-04-28T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/2025\/04\/24\/conversation-with-onoe-ukon\/"},"modified":"2025-07-14T12:50:55","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T10:50:55","slug":"conversation-with-onoe-ukon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/en\/conversation-with-onoe-ukon\/","title":{"rendered":"A conversation with Onoe Ukon"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A prominent Japanese actor, Onoe Ukon is the new FOPE Japan ambassador. As the great-grandson of the renowned sixth-generation Onoe Kikugoro, Ukon is a versatile performer excelling in leading roles, female roles<\/span> (onnagata), and dance<\/span>. Today, he stands among the most <\/span>distinguished young actors <\/span>in kabuki \u2013 the traditional Japanese performing art that <\/span>blends dance, <\/span>drama and music. <\/span>FOPE met him in Tokyo during a <\/span>special presentation, and spoke with him about jewellery, theatre, and the subtle ways in which these two forms of art can intertwine.<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Do you usually wear jewel<\/span>lery?<\/span><\/p>\n

I’ve always liked jewellery, and I used to wear it quite a bit. I wore various pieces without thinking much about balance. Looking back, I see that I was simply exploring my personal style. I didn\u2019t want to look too flamboyant, or like a stereotypical kabuki actor. I liked the spirit of kabuku (\u201cto tilt\u201d) in kabuki \u2013 the extreme and unconventional character of kabuki performers. Standing out was necessary, but I wanted it to look effortless.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kabuki costumes are <\/span>quite bold, aren’t they?<\/span><\/p>\n

During the Edo period, theaters were lit only with candles and natural light. People began wearing flashy kimonos because darker clothing made it hard to distinguish who was on stage. That\u2019s where the tradition of bold costumes began \u2013 out of necessity. The same goes for the white makeup. It wasn\u2019t for dramatic effect, but simply to make the actor\u2019s face visible in the dim light. Over time, these practical choices became iconic symbols of kabuki. Today, with modern lighting, those elements aren\u2019t strictly necessary. I believe both tradition and simplicity are important. Of course simplicity doesn\u2019t mean doing nothing. That\u2019s something I always try to keep in mind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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That\u2019s why I\u2019m so drawn to FOPE\u2019s jewellery \u2014 it embodies a quiet pursuit of essence.<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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So, then what happened to your style?<\/span><\/p>\n

My interest shifted to high-quality items, and my style became more essentialist. <\/span>Take Rick Owens<\/span>, for example \u2013 hisclothes are eccentric and intense, <\/span>yet undeniably elegant. That\u2019s <\/span>the kind of elegance I began to seek in jewellery as well. <\/span>More recently, I\u2019ve been drawn to pieces with history, and that\u2019s why FOPE resonates with me now. This sensibility connects deeply with kabuki. While dynamic, flamboyant movements often steal the spotlight, there is great power in stillness \u2014 in expressing emotion without moving. <\/span>What truly matters in those moments is the actor\u2019s dignity and presence.<\/span> As I\u2019ve gained experience, I\u2019ve come to reflect more on those fundamentals. And I see them reflected in my style today. That\u2019s why I\u2019m so drawn to FOPE\u2019s jewellery \u2014 it embodies a quiet pursuit of essence.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What do you like about FOPE\u2019s jewellery?<\/p>\n

It’s light and comfortable. I think this flexible gold technology is incredible \u2013 there\u2019s something quietly powerful about it. Balance is important, both in life and in an actor\u2019s expression, and I believe it\u2019s essential to have both boldness and restraint. I\u2019m drawn to things that embrace ambiguity \u2013 that live between extremes. As I was saying, I fell in love with this jewellery also because it has a historical foundation. This reflects who I am right now. Dignity, essence, history \u2013 I sense those qualities in FOPE, and perhaps that\u2019s why I feel such a connection to it now that I value those same things in myself. When FOPE first approached me, they shared their story, and I was moved. Things that have endured often carry meaning \u2013 the same is true for kabuki. But if you can\u2019t keep up with the times, you risk complacency. That\u2019s why I believe it\u2019s important to always maintain a questioning eye.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Do you find similarities between your story and FOPE\u2019s history?<\/span><\/p>\n

I too have inherited the history of a family business. <\/span>My history was shaped by my ancestors, but I\u2019m the first in this lineage to live at the intersection of tradition and the present. I deeply feel the importance, and the responsibility, of being a part of that history.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kabuki is <\/span>a family<\/span> business, isn’t it?<\/span><\/p>\n

That’s right. Kabuki is family. We are bound by a very strong sense of connection, united under the noble cause of preserving tradition. But what drives us goes beyond blood ties \u2014 it\u2019s a shared commitment to keeping the craft alive. I come from a family line involved in Kiyomoto, a classical style of kabuki accompaniment music. My great-grandfather was a kabuki actor, and now I am too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the charm of kabuki?<\/p>\n

I think it’s the breadth of it. It\u2019s entertainment, it\u2019s history, it\u2019s culture. It’s like a novel, a drama, a performance, a rite. Kabuki is a comprehensive performing art. Art but also entertainment. That contradiction, that duality, is part of what makes kabuki so compelling.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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You <\/span>started acting when you were three years old, and now you’ve come to this point<\/span>. What is it that still attracts you to it?<\/span><\/p>\n

What still draws me to kabuki is the feeling that my ancestors are living through me when I take a role. I think everyone has had the experience of thinking: I am who I am today because of what happened before me. In kabuki, that kind of inheritance is built in the art itself. For me, everything started when I saw a video of my great-grandfather, whom I\u2019d never met. That moment shaped me. Maybe his will reached me across time and space. I like to think so. I\u2019ve had moments where I felt I couldn\u2019t go on \u2013 and it was that connection that kept me going. We\u2019re bound by blood, and his presence is so powerful that I admire him, even without having known him. That\u2019s the kind of power kabuki holds: the power to connect across generations.<\/p>\n

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Your seniors<\/span> taught you a lot. Is there anything you particularly value?<\/span><\/p>\n

I guess it\u2019s about enjoying it. I don\u2019t want to lose the joy of doing what I love. As I said, kabuki is not just about performance \u2013 it\u2019s entertainment. And if I\u2019m not enjoying it, I can\u2019t entertain others. I take it seriously, of course, but at the same time, I want to keep the ability to smile through it all.<\/p>\n

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And do you always succeed in this?<\/p>\n

No matter how exhausted<\/span> I am, <\/span>the moment I <\/span>step into the dressing room<\/span>, that feeling disappears. It\u2019s thanks to the people around me, my colleagues, the audience, that I find the strength to carry on. That human connection gives me the power to do my best. <\/span>Also the smiles of the audience encourage me. The many connections I\u2019ve built through kabuki continue to reveal my true strength.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Please tell us about your dreams and goals for the future.<\/p>\n

For years, my dream has been to perform Kagami Jishi, the same dance my great-grandfather performed. This spring that dream comes true. My next goal is to make it my signature piece \u2014 one that both Japanese and international audiences associate with me. I hope that new things will grow from that performance. I\u2019d be delighted if kabuki\u2019s magic reached beyond Japan and captivated audiences across the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Flex’it ring with black diamonds<\/h4>\n\n FROM 1.770 \u20ac<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Flex’it ring with black diamonds<\/h4>\n\n FROM 1.520 \u20ac<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":49794,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-around-fope"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49885"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49885\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52379,"href":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49885\/revisions\/52379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49794"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fope.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}