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Hanagata Masatoshi Kobayashi of Kobayashi Gekidan

Perhaps this is one of the saddest news of this year. Kobayashi Gekidan's Hanagata (Third Rank, Star) Masatoshi Kobayahi passed away last May 22. He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia after he collapsed in the middle of a show last April in Gifu. He was admitted in a hospital in Kumamoto and not even a month after admittance, he departed this life. Masatoshi was just 20 years old.

Kobayashi Gekidan is a Taishu Engeki troupe that is situated in Kyushu. It is a troupe managed by young leaders, the Kobayashi brothers: Makoto, Naoyuki and Masatoshi. The troupe is led by the eldest son, Makoto as the Zacho (chairman), followed by the second eldest, Naoyuki as the Fuku Zacho (Vice Chairman) and followed by the youngest, Masatoshi as the Hanagata (star). They are the second generation leaders after they have inherited the troupe from their mother and father, Ryujiro and Mayumi, last 2005. Masatoshi just turned twenty last April 30.

Masatoshi's passing was grieved by the whole troupe and the other troupes. The stage was Masatoshi's life and love. His death was too sudden. No one knew that he will leave this world this spring. Masatoshi was close with Taishu Engeki star, Daigoro Tachibana. Daigoro affectionately called him "Ma-kun" or little brother. Daigoro stated in his blog that it was an "unexpected farewell" and when he visited him in the hospital, he never thought that it was the last time he will see Masatoshi's smile. Last April, Masatoshi was still performing and even made a guest appearance in Gekidan Tachibana Kikutaro's performance. His fans never thought that he'll pass away suddenly, since he was so energetic and cheerful. When he was in the hospital, he was always talking about the stage. Daigoro stated in his blog that he "can't concentrate on stage for days" ever since Masatoshi's passing. He said he felt the "pain of losing someone".

Backstage photo of Masatoshi (far right) with Kado (far left) and Daigoro (center) last April 18.

This news shocked me. He was still performing last April and he was performing as a guest star in Kyushu troupes. He's very young to die and to think of it, he's  a year younger than me. No one knew he was ill, not until he collapsed last April. It's truly a sad loss.

Kobayashi Gekidan canceled all there incoming shows as of the moment. May Masatoshi's soul rest in peace.