Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Kudanji IV Collaborates with Go U Unagi Kobo to Launch Original Domestic Grilled Eel 'Kokuhoukyu'

Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Kudanji IV's National Treasure Nine Gourmet

'Go U Unagi Kobo,' operated by 'Go U Trading Co., Ltd.' (headquartered in Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City), a comprehensive trading company dedicated to delivering culinary delight and joy, is launching an original domestic grilled eel 'Kokuhoukyu (Kokuho Kyu)' in collaboration with Kabuki actor Ichikawa Kudanji IV.

Amid growing interest in Japanese traditional culture and Kabuki, this collaboration aims to connect 'Kabuki, a traditional Japanese art form,' with 'domestic eel, a representative of Japanese food culture,' to convey a new kind of appeal.

Starting with this year's 'Day of the Ox' (July 26 for summer), and continuing beyond, this new sales initiative will deliver the charm of domestic eel to a wide range of customers.

A New Grilled Eel Born from Collaboration with Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Kudanji IV

'Kokuhoukyu (Kokuho Kyu)' – Grilled Eel with a Secret Sauce Recreated

The inspiration for 'Kokuhoukyu' came from conversations with Ichikawa Kudanji IV, during which he shared stories about 'Uokuni,' the fish restaurant run by his family. Touched by the deep affection for a flavor long cherished in the local community, the idea arose: 'Could this taste be expressed as grilled eel?'

Leveraging years of eel processing expertise cultivated in Shizuoka, Go U Unagi Kobo conducted repeated interviews to understand Kudanji's envisioned flavor. Rather than replicating his family's taste exactly, they carefully preserved its essence and developed an original sauce from scratch that best complements eel. After numerous trials and refinements, and with Kudanji himself repeatedly tasting and approving the flavor, the sauce was finalized. The grilled eel made with this sauce is 'Kokuhoukyu'.

The name 'Kokuhoukyu' combines 'Hou' from 'Uokuni,' his family's restaurant, and 'Kyu' from Ichikawa Kudanji IV. It represents an original brand infused with the sentiment of a family-inherited taste and the determination for a new challenge.

Delivering the 'Kokuhoukyu' Experience from Product to Purchase

Go U Grilled Eel

'Kokuhoukyu' is a brand that emphasizes not only taste but also the way it connects with customers. As its first initiative, an infomercial featuring Ichikawa Kudanji IV will be aired. For phone orders, the AI voice service 'TeleAI' provided by Tele Co., Ltd. will be used to guide customers and take orders in Kudanji's own voice. Customers can experience the unique world of 'Kokuhoukyu' seamlessly—from seeing the product's appeal on TV to ordering directly with the actor's voice.

Moving forward, starting with the infomercial, sales channels and information outreach will expand through e-commerce sites and various promotions, delivering the charm of the 'Kokuhoukyu' brand to even more customers.

Comment from Ichikawa Kudanji

'I am truly delighted that, through my connection with Go U Unagi Kobo, this product has come to life. During development, I recalled the flavors cherished at my family's restaurant 'Uokuni' and participated in numerous tastings. Thanks to Go U Unagi Kobo's long-cultivated techniques and experience, I believe we have created a delicious grilled eel that I can fully endorse. This time, not only in the infomercial but also on the phone, I will welcome you with my own voice. I hope many people will enjoy the deliciousness of eel and the charm of Japanese culture through 'Kokuhoukyu'.

Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Kudanji IV

Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Kudanji IV

Ichikawa Kudanji IV (born April 4, 1972, in Chiba Prefecture) is a Kabuki actor. He made his stage debut in 1998 as Bandō Takejiro, succeeded as the fourth Bandō Shūsha in 2005, became a disciple of the 13th Ichikawa Danjūrō (then Ichikawa Ebizō) in 2014, and succeeded as the fourth Ichikawa Kudanji in 2015. With his excellent physique and powerful vocal delivery, he excels in a wide range of roles, including aristocratic villains and warrior characters. Beyond Kabuki performances, he actively participates in television, commercials, and cultural outreach, promoting the appeal of Kabuki to broad generations.

The First Step in Promoting Go U Unagi Kobo's Domestic Grilled Eel 'Kokuhoukyu' is the Infomercial

A special set featuring three 'Go U Grilled Eels' and two 'Kokuhoukyu' eels from the Ichikawa Kudanji collaboration, offered at a first-time limited price of ¥9,990 (tax and shipping included)—a nod to the 'Kyu' in 'Kudanji'! Plus, a special Ichikawa Kudanji Senjafuda sticker is included!

'Kokuhoukyu' will first be introduced to the public through TV infomercials. The infomercial features Ichikawa Kudanji IV himself, showcasing the charm of 'Kokuhoukyu' and Go U Unagi Kobo's popular product, 'Go U Grilled Eel.' The infomercial video is also included in this press release—please watch it. After viewing, you can experience placing an order via phone with Kudanji's own voice. Enjoy this new purchasing experience—feeling the product's appeal on screen and ordering directly with the actor's voice.

The product featured in the infomercial is a special set combining three 'Go U Grilled Eels,' a popular item from Go U Unagi Kobo, and two newly launched original grilled eels 'Kokuhoukyu.'

This set allows customers to enjoy both Go U Unagi Kobo's staple product and the new collaboration item together, offered as the first product under the 'Kokuhoukyu' brand. The special set of three domestic eels ('Go U Grilled Eel') and two collaboration eels ('Kokuhoukyu') is offered at a first-time limited price of ¥9,990 (tax and shipping included), inspired by the 'Kyu' in 'Kudanji.'

Receive an Original Ichikawa Kudanji Senjafuda Sticker

To commemorate the product launch, customers who purchase will receive an original Ichikawa Kudanji Senjafuda sticker. Based on the Senjafuda, a token beloved in the world of Kabuki, this limited-edition design was created exclusively for this project. It will be delivered with the product as a special novelty to commemorate the birth of 'Kokuhoukyu.'

Ichikawa Kudanji Original Senjafuda Sticker

A New Dedicated Package for 'Kokuhoukyu'

For this collaboration, attention was paid not only to the product but also to the package design. 'Go U Grilled Eel' uses Go U Unagi Kobo's original package featuring ukiyo-e motifs. In contrast, 'Kokuhoukyu' comes in a dedicated package created exclusively for this product. The 'Kokuhoukyu' package features an original sticker with hand-torn washi paper texture, highlighting the strong calligraphy of the name 'Kokuhoukyu' and designed to evoke the world of Kabuki and traditional Japanese aesthetics.

'Go U Grilled Eel' with ukiyo-e motifs, and 'Kokuhoukyu' evoking the world of Kabuki and Japanese tradition

Please be sure to watch the infomercial featuring Ichikawa Kudanji IV.

It introduces the original domestic grilled eel 'Kokuhoukyu' and Go U Unagi Kobo's popular products. After watching the video, you can experience placing an order via phone with Ichikawa Kudanji IV's own voice. This is an actual purchasing pathway—enjoy the seamless experience from video to order.

*The video is currently available for a limited time on Go U Unagi Kobo's official YouTube channel. You can place an actual order using the phone number shown in the video.