( CNN ) -- He 's a youth icon in Japan seeking to take the ancient art of kabuki theater into the modern age . Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo . Talk Asia gets unprecedented backstage access to Ichikawa as he prepares for a spectacular performance , discussing his life in the media glare and how he felt the pull of destiny in pursuing a career in kabuki . Born into one of the most prestigious kabuki dynasties , Ichikawa Ebizo began his career at the age of six and became a star with his mixture of athletic ability and enigmatic personal image . As the poster boy for a new generation of kabuki , Ichikawa does n't feel he has to play up the flashy image that is portrayed in the media . `` Today , I love kabuki , kabuki is my life and very important to me . I accept it as my destiny as well . So rather than me becoming a star or whatever , I am very conscious that I am a creature who must carry on my family 's DNA , '' he told CNN . By taking kabuki overseas to a new audience , Ichikawa believes that as well as promoting the artform he is helping to reinvigorate interest back home in Japan . `` I asked myself whether doing my best in Japan is all that I can do for Kabuki . It is n't . Then , I came up with the idea of performing overseas . I thought it would be great if the Japanese could renew their interest in Kabuki if we performed successfully overseas , '' he told CNN . `` However , when I performed under the name 'Ebizo Ichikawa ' at Chaillot Theater in Paris , I was inspired by how seriously the audience watched the art and reacted to my performance . I was moved and happy . I really felt that I wanted to perform again overseas . ''
Ichikawa was born into one a prestigious kabuki dynasty . He began his career at the age of six and is now a youth icon . Talk Asia goes backstage as Ichikawa Ebizo prepares for a performance .