In January 1949, Kikugoro who was performing Dogen at Toyoko Gekijo Theater collapsed due to a hemorrhage in the eyeground, and died without making comeback on stage; this was his last performance.
昭和24年(1949)1月、東横劇場で道玄を勤めていた菊五郎は眼底出血で倒れ、再起できぬまま死去、これが図らずも最後の舞台となった。