with Nakamura Kanzaburo's clans. No other actor left such a wide inheritance in the kabuki world. He made the role of Benkei his trademark, performing it over 1600 times, in particular with fellow actors Ichimura Uzaemon XV in the role of Togashi and Onore Kikugoro VI or Baiko VI in the role of Yoshitsune. Recordings of these performances are some of the oldest recorded Japanese movies. Today the role of Benkei is considered the trademark of Koshiro's family. Although he was a candidate to succeed to the name of his master, who didn't have a male heir, and become Danjuro X, his youthful indiscretions foreclosed this possibility. After Danjuro IX's death his son-in-law Sansho Ichikawa V, the new head of the family, was considering the idea, but Danjuro's widow never forgot Koshiro and stopped him. Sansho (posthumously Danjuro X) decided to adopt Koshiro's eldest son instead, who became Danjuro XI and new head of the family. See also Matsumoto Kōshirō - line of kabuki actors References Matsumoto Kōshirō VII at Kabuki21.com Kabuki actors 1870 births 1949 deaths