Chairman of Toyo Kogyo (Asakusa French-za Engeijo Toyokan) Hisayuki Matsukura’s Asakusa Rokku Geinoden (10 times) ASAKUSA Kid ‘Fukami Senzaburo’
The main character of this episode is Fukami Senzaburo. … Huh? I’ve never heard of the name … Most people think so. That’s because he was a rare genius comedian who was recognized by all Asakusa comedians, but he hated going to the center and refused to be exposed to the media at all. It may be easier for you to get used to it if you say, “Master who trained Takeshi Kitano.” I hope that as many people as possible will know about the dandy way of life of “Fukami Senzaburo,” the mentor of the legendary comedian Takeshi Kitano, who buried his bones in Asakusa, following his stubbornness and devotion to art.
◆A genius who raised a genius! Master of Takeshi Kitano called “Phantom Asakusa Geinin”
Senzaburo FUKAMI (real name: Kubo 72) was born in Hamatombetsu-cho, Hokkaido in 1923. In 1939, after graduating from Koto Elementary School, she went up to Tokyo, counting on her older sister Someko (stage name: Michiyakko), who was already active as a popular geisha and singer in Asakusa, to devote herself to various accomplishments. After that, he returned to his hometown temporarily, and started a theatrical company based on the art he learned in Asakusa and traveled around the country. During the war, an accident at a munitions factory resulted in the loss of the second joint of the four fingers of the left hand. It seems that he was tossed about by the waves of the times and had a lot of hardships. It was in 1958 that 1003 Fukami returned to Asakusa and joined Toyo Kogyo. His name has been in our ears for a long time. It seems that there is an excellent comedian named Fukami Senzsaburo. It seems that this man is quite powerful … When one of the members of the literary club heard the rumor, he hit on it, and unexpectedly the story came together smoothly, and he joined the rock band. Around 1958 was the time when the first dark clouds began to appear in the Asakusa Rokku entertainment district. Although the flow of customers changed due to the disappearance of Yoshiwara, both Lockea and Franceza managed to maintain their success, but on the other hand, there was a sense of crisis that a star comedian and another star comedian were leaving the TV world, and if things continue like this, the theater could be in a situation where there are no stars … It was at such a time that I was very thankful to have 1003 rou Fukami who was ready to work. Moreover, that ability is beyond my imagination! In addition to acting, you can sing, dance, play an instrument, and even step on a stylish tap. And above all, it was a great skit with a sharp tongue and a bizarre punch. When it was fun, it was really touching! The charm of Fukami 1003 Ro is not only about his performance. He had a style that made his small body feel bigger than others and had an actor’s sexiness. Our policy is that “comedians are always cool when they leave the stage”, so we never forget to dress up at any time. … But the attire might not have been popular (laugh). The white leather shoes, which look very luxurious with a flashy suit and a lizent, are polished and shiny. At first glance, he looks like a scary elder brother … Actually, he hated yakuza (laughs). Even now, I can still clearly see the sight of him walking briskly through the Sixth Ward with his unique aura.
He was blunt and had such a bad tongue that he repeatedly uttered “Bakayaro” and “Konoyaro” like a makurakotoba (laughs), but in fact he was a caring, tender, loving person with a tender heart, so he was adored by fellow comedians, and before long he came to be called “shisho” with admiration and respect by comedians all over Asakusa. When 1003 Fukami takes the stage at Rock Theater, young comedians fill the audience among the general audience … I remember that too often. I think that the entertainers who spent the same period in Asakusa and were able to directly experience the genius performance of Fukami 1003 Saburo were really lucky, and also for Fukami Senzaburo himself, it must have been a very happy time when he was finally released from the first half of his wandering life, settled in Asakusa, and he was at his best as an entertainer. Comedians who were enrolled at the time when Tosh 1003 iro FUKAMI was active at the Rock Theater included Hachiro HIGASHI and Jiro Kaneko, who later became Beat Kiyoshi. Nagato Isamu, who used to work together in other huts, moved from the Rock Theater to the French Theater to fill in for Atsumi, who had fallen ill. Soon after that, he went to the TV world, so I remember there was almost no contact at that time. Even so, Kiyoshi Atsumi, Isamu Nagato, who had recovered from illness, Higashi and Kinbo (Kinichi Hagimoto), who had been paying attention to him, left their nest one after another in the TV world. Naturally, 1003 Fukami would have invited him many times, but he consistently refused to do so. One of the reasons seems to have been that exposing the disability of the left hand to others was unbearable and that compassion would have prevented pure laughter if it stood first, but I am convinced that this was not the only reason. Fukami Senzaburo wanted to maintain his pride as an Asakusa comedian. Of course, I would have congratulated them from the bottom of my heart for their success and their departure to the center. But that’s why I should at least stay here and protect the performance of Asakusa. It will be a bastion of tradition. And since he is deeply affectionate in spite of his mouth, when his disciples bumped into a wall, or when he felt nostalgic, he probably thought that he wanted to protect a place where he could always return. A man’s heart changes. When I saw my colleagues playing an active part in the CRT, honestly, I couldn’t have been without feeling frustrated, and sometimes my decision was shaken. If Fukami 1003 changed his mind and entered the TV world, nobody would blame him. But he didn’t. He was a really great man with a strong plot. This is why he is a legendary comedian in both name and reality. Under various circumstances, in 1971 Toyo Kogyo practically withdrew from the management of the Rock Theater. Along with this, they restored the temporarily closed Franco-za to the 4th floor of Asakusa Engei Hall. Senzaburo Fukami was entrusted with the management of the new Franco-za in recognition of his many years of achievements at the Rock Theater. Specifically, Toyo Kogyo and Fuk 1003 ami Toshiro split the profits in a management style called “walk performance.” This is how he came to wear the triad of president, entertainer and teacher at the Frenchza. Everyone recognized his skill in art and teaching younger people, but his talent as a manager is unknown. The pressure to the expectations of the people around you was also considerable. I think they had a hard time even if they didn’t show it. but here, too, was the gleam of hope. … You already know, don’t you? Yes, it is not too much to say that Fukami 1003 Ro is the last and best apprentice in his life as an entertainer, “the most beloved son” … I met that young man. By meeting him, Senzaburo Fukami felt a sense of tranquility and happiness that made him relive his innocent youth, a different kind from the days when he was at the Rock Theater, where he kept the name of genius comedian as chairman. It was a brief moment before the heroic finale of my eventful life, but it was definitely a blissful moment for me as an entertainer and as a person. It has been more than a year since the revival of the French theater. As usual, a young man in his mid-twenties came to work wearing a stylish suit and called out to 1003 Fukami with a nervous look when he got into the elevator. The name of this elevator boy is Takeshi Kitano. … Fukami Senzaburo and Takeshi kitano, the moment when fate met …!
