3 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre), 1 in Kyôto (Minamiza), 2 in Fukuoka (Hakataza) and 1 in Shimonoseki (Shimonoseki Shimin Kaikan)!

Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Matsumoto Hakuô, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Kaishun, Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Kataoka Takatarô, Kataoka Hidetarô, Bandô Yajûrô, Bandô Takesaburô, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Ichikawa Komazô, Onoe Matsuya and Nakamura Kotarô perform at the Kabukiza!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Shikan, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Baishi and Onoe Shôroku perform at the Hakataza!

Nakamura Ganjirô and Nakamura Kazutarô perform at the National Theatre!

Nakamura Baigyoku and young actors perform at the Minamiza!

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô performs at the Shimonoseki Shimin Kaikan!

Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Matsumoto Hakuô, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Kaishun, Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Kataoka Takatarô, Kataoka Hidetarô, Bandô Yajûrô, Bandô Takesaburô, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Ichikawa Komazô, Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Kotarô, Ichikawa Omezô, Nakamura Matsue, Matsumoto Kingo, Sawamura Yoshijirô, Ôtani Keizô, Nakamura Kichinojô, Ichikawa Juen, Sawamura Sônosuke, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Yonekichi, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Takanosuke, Ôtani Hirotarô, Ichikawa Kôtarô, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Kataoka Matsunosuke, Yashima Norito

The traditional programs for the June Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza.

Kotobuki Shiki Sanbasô: Okina is the oldest ritual in the Nô theater. This Kabuki version shows Okina, an old man who symbolizes eternal youth, his attendant Senzai and the vigorous Sanbasô, who perform dances solemnly for good fortune. Sanbasô dances vigorously, stamping and shaking bells, praying for agricultural fertility and prosperity for all. This dances features Matsumoto Kôshirô, Onoe Matsuya and Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô in the roles of a sanbasô, another sanbasô and the okina.

Onna Kurumabiki: a usual practice was celebrated female impersonators to have famous male roles rewritten for them. Numerous titles of already popular plays to which the character onna (“woman”) was added appeared in the Kabuki repertory over the centuries, such as "Onna Narukami" ("Female Narukami") or "Onna Shibaraku" ("Female Shibaraku"). "Onna Kurumabiki" is a female parodic dance based on "Kurumabiki". The three brothers Matsuômaru, Umeômaru and Sakuramaru are replaced by their wives Chiyo (Nakamura Kaishun), Haru (Nakamura Jakuemon) and Yae (Nakamura Kotarô).

Ishikiri Kajiwara: the Heike general Kajiwara (Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon) is asked to test the sharpness of a sword by slicing two live human beings in half. He deliberately makes the sword fail the test to keep the sword, a priceless heirloom belonging to the enemy Genji clan, from falling into the hands of his Taira clan. A miracle has convinced Kajiwara to change sides. Kajiwara finally demonstrates the true power of the sword by cutting a large stone basin in two. Featuring also Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Kinnosuke and Nakamura Matagorô.

Fûin Giri:
(Breaking the Seals)
In the pleasure quarters, the most important possessions were money and reputation. In danger of losing his lover, the courtesan Umegawa, the money courier Kameya Chûbê breaks the seals on a package of money entrusted to him after being taunted by a rival, even though the use of such money is punishable by death. Starring Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon as Chûbê, Kataoka Takatarô as Umegawa, Kataoka Ainosuke as Chûbê's treacherous friend Tanbaya Hachiemon, Bandô Yajûrô as Tsuchiya Jiemon and Kataoka Hidetarô as Oen, the proprietress of the teahouse.

Fûunjitachi: this is a brand-new Kabuki play written and directed by Mitani Kôki, and adapted from "Fûunjitachi", a historical manga by Minamoto Tarô. In 1782 when Japan pursued a policy of national isolation, the merchant vessel Shinshômaru sailed out from Ise to Edo and was caught in a violent storm, losing its sail and rudder. The crew, 17 men under the captain, Daikokuya Kôdayû (Matsumoto Kôshirô), lost control and the vessel was left to drift on the open sea. After 8 months they land on Amchitka Island in the territory of Russia. Kôdayû starts his life there puzzled by the foreign language and culture. Some of the crew dies, but Kôdayû survives and sets sail for the Russian mainland in the vessel they make for themselves. They go further into Russia to carry out procedures of departure. People help them wherever they go and they finally manage to have an audience with Empress Catherine (Ichikawa Ennosuke). Starring Matsumoto Hakuô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Bandô Yajûrô and Ichikawa Komazô.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Shikan, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Baishi, Onoe Shôroku, Ichimura Manjirô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Bandô Kamezô, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Bandô Shûchô, Onoe Ukon, Nakamura Mantarô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Ichimura Kitsutarô

The traditional two programs for the June Grand Kabuki at the Hakataza.

Kinkakuji: "Kinkakuji" retains the epic scale of plays adapted from the Bunraku puppet theater and is full of miracles and larger-than-life characters common on the puppet stage. It is full of the classical forms of all kinds of stylized characters and the role of Princess Yuki is considered to be one of the most difficult and beautiful roles for an onnagata female role specialist. Matsunaga Daizen (Onoe Shôroku) has defeated the Shôgun and has set up base in the Golden Pavilion. The brilliant strategist Hisayoshi, disguised as a disgruntled retainer named Tôkichi (Nakamura Shikan), pretends to come under Daizen's employ to try to sabotage his plans from within. Princess Yuki (Nakamura Baishi) is being held prisoner by Daizen, but is able to free herself by drawing a mouse in the cherry petals of the tree that she is tied to. It comes to life and chews the ropes holding her. Starring the best of the actors in their prime in a production sure to be full of fire and excitement. Featuring also Nakamura Tokizô and Ichimura Manjirô in the roles of Kanônosuke Naonobu and Keijuin.

Yasuna: after the death of his lover, the handsome young Yasuna wanders through the open fields madly searching for his love. The tragedy is a contrast to the beautiful setting, a field of brilliant yellow flowers and the lush, sensuous Kiyomoto narrative music that accompanies it. Starring Nakamura Senjaku in the role of Yasuna.

Nozarashi Gosuke: this is a sewamono play, a work portraying in a realistic way the lives of ordinary people in the Edo period (1603-1868). Gosuke (Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô) is a chivalrous commoner in Ôsaka and a pupil of a famous priest. Being a very handsome and suave man, he finds himself proposed to by two women. But he is perplexed because he is undergoing ascetic practices. Nor is this all, having inadvertently insulted a local gang boss, he is challenged by the gang. Since it is the anniversary of his mother's death, however, he refrains from fighting back due to his religious observances. Finally, he takes his own revenge on the gang boss later, in front of a large temple gate in a spectacular fight scene. Featuring also Nakamura Tokizô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Ichikawa Danzô, Ichikawa Sadanji and Nakamura Baishi.

Yaegiri Kuruwa Banashi: Yamanba, or the mountain hag, has been celebrated for centuries in traditional Japanese dance and theater. In the Kabuki version, Yamanba becomes a beautiful woman, a courtesan who becomes the wife of the samurai Tokiyuki and retreats to the mountains to miraculously give birth to the powerful warrior Sakata Kintoki. This play was originally by the great Chikamatsu Monzaemon I and is a classic of Kansai style Kabuki. Nakamura Tokizô appears as the courtesan who tells the humorous story of a fight between courtesans over a handsome man and then mysteriously becomes pregnant by the spirit of her husband. Starring Nakamura Shikan and Onoe Shôroku in the roles of Yaegiri's husband Sakata Tokiyuki and the villain Ôta Jûrô. Featuring also Onoe Kikunosuke.

Tsuchi-gumo: a dance play adapted from the classical Nô theatre. The samurai Lord Minamoto Raikô is famous in legend for ridding Kyôto of demons. While Raikô is confined to bed with illness, a priest (Onoe Kikunosuke) from a prominent temple comes to pray for his health. In fact, the priest is actually the spirit of the earth spider which has caused Raikô's illness in the first place and hopes to destroy him. The spider's plan to kill Raikô is defeated by his retainers (the famous shitennô) in an exciting fight. Featuring Nakamura Baishi as Raikô.

Gonza to Sukejû: in this comedy by Okamoto Kidô, two palanquin bearers constantly argue and their wives, but when they witness a murder, it changes everything in the nagaya tenement where they live. This modern play takes one of the classic stories of the wise magistrage Ôoka Tadasuke and looks at it from the point of view of common townspeople. Starring Nakamura Shikan and Onoe Shôroku in the roles of Gonza and Sukejû. Featuring also Nakamura Senjaku, Ichikawa Danzô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Bandô Kamezô and Kawarasaki Gonjûrô.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Kazutarô, Nakamura Toranosuke

Educational program at the National Theatre called Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class"). This is a very interesting formula for the beginners because there is lively presentation on stage (Kabuki no Mikata) of Kabuki or some aspects of the art like music, stage tricks or fighting scenes. It is followed by the drama "Tonbê Sumika".

Tonbê Sumika: this play was written by Hiraga Gennai, an Edo inventor, explorer and writer of comic fiction. Young Ofune is the obedient daughter of her evil father Tonbê, the keeper of a river crossing. She meets and falls in love with a young fugitive. Unfortunately, her father wants to capture the fugitive for a reward and Ofune can only save his life by sacrificing her own. Starring Nakamura Kazutarô and his father Nakamura Ganjirô in the roles of Ofune and Tonbê.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Hayato, Nakamura Baigyoku, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa En'ya, Nakamura Umemaru, Ichinose Hidekazu, Kashima Noritoshi

Kishimoto Masashi's internationally popular manga "NARUTO" got its Kabuki adaptation in August 2018 at the Shinbashi Enbujô, under the supervision of G2 (both writer and director). This month it is staged in Kyôto at the Minamiza. The roles of Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke are played by Bandô Minosuke and Nakamura Hayato. The guest star Nakamura Baigyoku plays the role of Uchiha Madara.

NARUTO: Once upon a time, a monstrous fox demon called Nine-Tails controlled by a mysterious masked man visited the Land of Fire and created chaos and disaster. In the Land of Fire, there was a village of ninjas called Konohagakure Village. In an attempt to save the land, the chief of the village, the 'Fourth Hokage', sacrificed his own life to seal Nine-Tails into the stomach of his newborn son, Uzumaki Naruto (Bandô Minosuke). Naruto attends the Ninja Academy with the aim of becoming a mature Ninja, but instead he proves a problem child. He has been lonely throughout his life due to the hatred everyone feels towards him for having Nine-Tails sealed within him. After graduating the Ninja Academy, together with Uchiha Sasuke (Nakamura Hayato) and Sakura Haruno, he joins the team commanded by Kakashi Hatake and works as a Ninja of Konohagakure Village. Naruto works hard to be accepted by the villagers, but at the same time he feels a sense of rivalry with Sasuke who is always ahead of him. Yet, somehow, he also has sympathy with the shadow Sasuke casts over him and feels a bond of friendship. On the other hand, Sasuke himself has a dark past. When he was just a child, his elder brother Itachi Uchiha killed the whole Uchiha clan including his own parents. Since that time, Sasuke has built an emotional barrier between himself and others and has trained to become stronger than anyone else with the sole intention of killing his brother who had escaped the village. Naruto and Sasuke face many challenges but soon meet Jiraiya, who will become Naruto's master, and Tsunade, who will become the Fifth Hokage. He also has a fight with Orochimaru, a fugitive Ninja who tries to destroy Konohagakure Village. Eventually, Naruto's battle against his powerful earth-shaking enemy Uchiha Madara (Nakamura Baigyoku) begins.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô

A special Buyô program starring the amazing Living National Treasure onnagata Bandô Tamasaburô in Shimonoseki at the Shimonoseki Shimin Kaikan (Shimonoseki Civic Center). It celebrates the 130th anniversary of the city of Akamagaseki, the former name of Shimonoseki.

Kôjô: the close relationship between the actors and the audience is shown by stage announcements, usually lavish ceremonies to commemorate various important events. This month at the Tango Bunka Kaikan, it is a stage speech delivered by Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô.

Yukari no Tsuki:
(The moon of Karma)
A dance about a courtesan's sad mental state. While watching the moon, she is lamenting that she has to separate from her lover and to marry another man because of her poverty.

Kosunoto:
(Reed Screen)
A masterpiece of tsuyamono (love story) which sings about the sentiment of love. It begins with description of a woman's heart toward a man she loves and her attachment is described gracefully with the sound of wind blowing through the pine trees, the cry of little cuckoos and the moon in the background which remind us of summer night.

Kane-ga-Misaki: Bandô Tamasaburô appears as a beautiful young girl, expressing her love and feelings of jealousy. This is the same story as the colorful "Musume Dôjôji" dance, but is performed in a restrained chamber style.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website