Katsura Mikisuke, a "rakugo" comic monologue storyteller, was found hanged Wednesday at his house in Tokyo's Kita Ward in what police suspect was a suicide. He was 43.
Katsura, whose real name was Morio Kobayashi, was found hanging in the first floor veranda when his mother came home around 1:25 p.m. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
He had gone home around 6 a.m. Wednesday. His mother checked on him because he had not woken up by noon, according to police.
No will has been found.
Born in Tokyo in March 1957, the son of rakugo performer Katsura Mikisuke III, Katsura became a disciple of Yanagiya Kosan in 1977 while he was a university student. He took on the name Katsura Mikisuke IV in 1985.
According to an association of rakugo performers to which he belonged, Katsura was featured Monday and Tuesday in the group's New Year show in Asakusa, and was scheduled to return Wednesday.
Some colleagues said they never noticed anything unusual about him over the past few days.
Colleagues said Katsura had been plagued by illness for several years and undergone a series of operations.
When he produced a show by younger-generation performers last month, he canceled his appearance in the middle of the 10-day schedule, citing health problems.