Raizô Ichikawa(1931-1969)

In 1949, Raizo formed a study group with two other young kabuki performers. These were Risho Arashi (known later in his kabuki career as Arashi Kichisaburo VIII, and as Yataro Kitagami in his acting career) and Nakamura Taro II. They called this group the "Tsukushikai" which can be translated as "exhaustive meeting," and together they focused diligently on training.

[Speaking of transition from Kabuki to films] In Kabuki you're no good unless you're old. In film you're no good once you're old. While I'm still young I'll make a living in film, once I've gotten older I'll try kabuki again.