Ichikawa Utaki (MATSUTA Ryūya) was selected to join the National Theatre Kabuki Training School in 2016. He graduated in the 23rd Kabuki Training Class in March of 2019, and thereafter joined the artistic family of Ichikawa Monnosuke VIII, where he continues his professional training.

Since his professional debut in 2019 at the Kabuki-za Theatre, Utaki continues to perform both male and female roles in traditional as well as contemporary “Super Kabuki” productions. Most recently, Utaki was seen in The New Suikoden, written by Ennosuke Ichikawa III, which played in August 2023 at the Kabuki-za in Tokyo and in September 2023 at the Minami-za in Kyoto.

In Fall 2023 and Spring 2024, Utaki co-lead training sessions in stylized stage combat (tachimawari) and kabuki choreography.