4 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, Asakusa Kôkaidô, Sunshine Theatre), 4 in Ôsaka (Shôchikuza, Expo Hall), 1 in Kyôto (Minamiza) & 1 tour (Shinryoku Special Tour)!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku, Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku, Onoe Kikugorô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Manju, Ichikawa Danjûrô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Matagorô, Onoe Matsuya, Onoe Ukon, Nakamura Tokizô & Bandô Hikosaburô perform at the Kabukiza!

Nakamura Ganjirô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Ichikawa Chûsha & Nakamura Kazutarô perform at the Shôchikuza!

The Nakamuraya brothers Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke are on the Shinryoku Special Tour!

Young actors perform at the Minamiza!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku, Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku, Onoe Kikugorô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Manju, Ichikawa Danjûrô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Bandô Rakuzen, Nakamura Matagorô, Onoe Matsuya, Onoe Ukon, Ichikawa Udanji, Nakamura Tokizô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Bandô Kamezô, Kataoka Ichizô, Kataoka Kamezô, Nakamura Kotarô, Nakamura Yonekichi, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Mantarô, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Tomoemon, Ichimura Manjirô, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Takanosuke, Nakamura Kangyoku, Ichikawa Omezô, Ichikawa Shinnosuke, Onoe Maholo, Ôtani Hirotarô, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Ichimura Takematsu, Onoe Sakon, Bandô Kamesaburô, Nakamura Baishi, Ichikawa Otora, Nakamura Tamatarô, Ichimura Hikaru, Nakamura Kichinojô, Nakamura Kamenojô, Ichimura Kitsutarô

A great shûmei in May 2025 at the Kabukiza for the Otowaya guild! Onoe Kikunosuke V and his son Onoe Ushinosuke VII respectively take the names of Onoe Kikugorô VIII and Onoe Kikunosuke VI!

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 Nakamura Matagorô, Nakamura Jakuemon and Nakamura Yonekichi in the roles of the okina, the senzai and the apprentice senzai. There are also 4 sanbasô: Onoe Matsuya, Onoe Ukon, Nakamura Kashô & Nakamura Mantarô.

Kanjinchô: probably the most popular Kabuki play today, it includes dance, comedy and the heart-warming pathos of a band of heroes during their last days. Disguised as a band of traveling priests the fugitive general Yoshitsune and his small band of retainers are stopped at a road barrier. They escape only through the quick thinking of the head retainer, a warrior priest named Musashibô Benkei, who improvises the text of an elaborate imperial decree. Having escaped danger Benkei and the others describe their days of glory and hardships on the road to escape in a moving dance. This program stars Ichikawa Danjûrô in the role of Benkei, with Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku and Onoe Kikugorô as Yoshitsune and the barrier keeper Togashi.

Sannin Kichisa:
(Three Thieves Named Kichisa)
The playwright Kawatake Mokuami excelled at portrayals of thieves and this short scene, with its music and poetic lines, is one of his most famous. A beautiful young woman helps out a woman who is lost on the road. But she is actually Ojô Kichisa, a male thief who is disguised as a woman. He steals an immense sum of money that the woman is carrying and this leads to an encounter on this riverbank of three thieves, all with the name Kichisa. The two others Kichisa are Oshô Kichisa, a bonze turned thief, and Obô Kichisa, an ex-samurai turned thief Though they start out as rivals, they decide to become blood brothers and form a gang. Featuring Nakamura Tokizô as Ojô Kichisa, Nakamura Kinnosuke as Oshô Kichisa and Bandô Hikosaburô as Obô Kichisa.

Musume Dôjôji: a beautiful young woman dances under cherry blossoms at a dedication ceremony for a temple bell. She dances the many aspects of a woman in love, but is actually the spirit of a serpent, driven to destroy the bell out of jealousy. In addition to being the most famous of all Kabuki dances, "Musume Dôjôji" is considered to be the pinnacle of the art of the onnagata. The role of the shirabyôshi is played by Onoe Kikugorô, Onoe Kikunosuke & Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô.

Goto Sanba: though set in the 12th century, this history play in fact concerns Toyotomi Hideyori and his retainers who will be crushed by the military dictator Tokugawa Ieyasu. Minamoto no Yoshitsune (Nakamura Manju) is suspected by his brother Yoritomo of being a traitor, despite his distinguished service in destroying their rival Heike clan. He indulges in drinking after being turned down by his brother. His retainer Kamei Rokurô (Onoe Sakon) remonstrates with him, but he will not listen. Another loyal retainer Izumi no Saburô (Kawarasaki Gonjûrô) leads in Gotobê (Onoe Shôroku), who is disguised as a swordsmith of hilt ornaments, to recommend as a strategist for the battle against Yoritomo, but his evil retainers make Gotobê drunk. Yoshitsune is enraged at Gotobê's drunkenness and Saburô exits mortified. Gotobê performs the sanbasô dance while fighting off the Takeda footmen before leaving the mansion.

Kôjô: the close relationship between the actors and the audience is shown by these stage announcements, lavish ceremonies to commemorate various important events. In this case, all the stars of the cast assemble to celebrate the shûmei of Onoe Kikugorô VIII and Onoe Kikunosuke VI.

Benten Musume: written by Kawatake Mokuami in 1862, this play was inspired by a woodblock print of a sexy young man with tattoos covering his body with a woman's hairstyle and kimono. A beautiful young woman comes to a clothing store with her servant, but is discovered shoplifting and beaten. When she proves that she was not stealing, her servant demands compensation. However, a samurai who happens to be in the store reveals that the young woman is actually a man, and he proudly announces his name as Benten Kozô (Onoe Kikugorô/Onoe Kikunosuke), the thief. The servant is his fellow gang member Nangô Rikimaru (Onoe Matsuya/Onoe Maholo) and the samurai is actually the head of the gang Nippon Daemon (Ichikawa Danjûrô/Ichikawa Shinnosuke). The scene showing the five members of the gang in their finest kimonos under the cherry blossoms in full bloom is a kind of spectacle. In elaborate speeches, they each announce their name in the poetic diction for which the playwright Mokuami is famous. Benten, the thief drops the precious gold-lacquered incense container with plovers drawn on it into the Namerigawa River as he is surrounded by police officers betrayed by one of his fellows. He then commits suicide by stabbing himself with his sword in the stomach. Nippon Daemon is pursued by other police officers. The magistrate Aoto Saemon Fujitsuna (Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô) picks up the precious incense container from the Namerigawa River and parts with Nippon Daemon in the hope of meeting again in some day. Featuring also Bandô Kamesaburô as Tadanobu Rihei and Nakamura Baishi as Akaboshi Jûzaburô in "Inasegawa Seizoroi". Young actors perfom the 5 thieves only in the "Inasegawa Seizoroi" section of this drama.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website, Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website or others sources

Nakamura Ganjirô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Ichikawa Chûsha, Nakamura Kazutarô, Kamimura Kichiya, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa En'ya, Nakamura Kikaku, Nakamura Toranosuke, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Utanosuke, Ichikawa Seiko, Nakamura Jûjirô

Special Kabuki performances in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza to celebrate the 2025 World Exposition in Ôsaka.

Konjaku Kabuki Zôshi: a dynamic new dance performance showcasing the essence of Kabuki. From the "Kabuki Odori" initiated by Izumo no Okuni and encompassing its evolution, the performance is structured around Japanese classical dancers. It also carries forward the vibrant charm of Kamigata Kabuki and Edo Kabuki, celebrating the grand occasion of the Expo with splendour. In the Kamigata Kabuki section, Nakamura Senjaku & Nakamura Kazutarô play the roles of Fujiya Izaemon & Ôgiya Yûgiri. In the Edo Kabuki section, Nakamura Ganjirô, Kataoka Ainosuke & Ichikawa Chûsha play the roles of tobigashira.

Musô Saiyûki: This new kabuki production reimagines the well-known "Journey to the West" (Saiyûki), setting it in Kyôto and Ôsaka during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Against the backdrop of Kyôto, Ôsaka, and the Expo venue in Yumeshima, Son Gokû (Sun Wukong), Cho Hakkai (Zhu Bajie), and Sa Gojô (Sha Wujing) engage in fierce battles with various Kabuki villains and mythical creatures. Featuring Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke & Nakamura Utanosuke as Son Gokû, Cho Hakkai & Sa Gojô. Featuring also Kataoka Ainosuke, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya and Nakamura Kikaku.

Sen'ya Ichiya Monogatari: "The book of the Thousand and One Nights" is a collection of tales compiled by the wives of Persian kings during the Sasanian Persian period, which flourished from the third to the fifth century. It takes the form of folk tales told nightly by the Persian king's wife to the king. This new Kabuki performance is based on the original story of the particularly popular 'Aladdin and the Magic Lamp' from that collection. Featuring Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Toranosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Ichikawa Chûsha, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya & Nakamura Kazutarô in the roles of King Shahryar, Aladdin, the mother of Aladdin, Makuribu, the genie of the magic lamp, the spirit of the ring, Queen Shahr & Princess Marika.

Koi Tsukami: a koi tsukami is a spectacular scene in a Kabuki drama, where a hero fights in real water (honmizu) the spirit of a giant carp. During the Edo period, it was developped by the Onoe clan, from Onoe Kikugorô I to Onoe Kikugorô III through Onoe Shôroku I. In modern times, it became the trademark of the Ichikawa Udanji line. "Waki Noboru Mizu-ni Koi Taki", a rarely-staged drama, was premiered in September 1914 at the Hongôza of the drama "Waki Noboru Mizu-ni Koi Taki" [more details] and it used the sekai of the Priest Seigen and the Princess Sakura. Starring Kataoka Ainosuke in 11 roles : Takimado Shiganosuke, the spirit of a giant carp, Tawara Tôta Hidesato, a giant centipede, Kinri (the Prince of the Carp King), Funagorô, the yakko Setahei, Tachibana no Hirotsugu, Shinoda Kiyoharu, Sazanami (widow of the late lord of the Tsuri family) & Yogo Saemon. Featuring also Nakamura Kazutarô, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Chûsha & Kamimura Kichiya in the role of Princess Kozakura and the Carp King, Shinomura Jirô Kimimitsu & Kuretake (wife of Shinomura).

Sources: Earphone Guide Website, Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website or others sources

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Tsurumatsu

A Spring Tour of the Nakamuraya guild with performances in 16 venues.

Tôku & Mini Kabuki-juku: a talk on stage with Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke & Nakamura Tsurumatsu.

Takao Zange: in summer near Yoshiwara, the ghost of courtesan Takao rises from her grave, recalling her hard life and lost love. She briefly becomes human, warns of hell’s torments, then vanishes back into the mound. Starring Nakamura Shichinosuke.

Tachi Nusubito: the farces of the classical Kyôgen theater have universal appeal, showing the relationships of masters and servants and husbands and wives. In this particular dance play, a farmer named Manbê (Nakamura Tsurumatsu) carries a precious sword, which is made of gold. The thief Kurobê (Nakamura Kankurô) quietly removes the sword from Manbê in a crowd. When Manbê finds his sword missing and notices Kurobê wearing it, a loud dispute ensues. Manbê and Kurobê must both explain who owns the sword, first in words, then in dance to a magistrate, who must try to figure out who tells the truth.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website, Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website or others sources

Kamimura Kichitarô, Kataoka Senju

Young actors performing in Kyôto at the Minamiza.

Kabuki no Ohanashi: A talk on stage about the Art of Kabuki made by the rakugo storyteller Katsura Danjirô.

Aioi Jishi: shishi (mythical lion-like spirits) are usually thought of as vigorous masculine creatures, but when shishi dances were first adapted for Kabuki from the classical Nô theatre, they were danced by actors portraying an elegant, feminine atmosphere. This dance is one of the earliest in the genre and stars onnagata female role specialists. Featuring Kamimura Kichitarô and Kataoka Senju.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Utanosuke, Arashi Kitsusaburô

3rd edition of a gala for Nakamura Shikan's three sons. It is entitled Kamiyachô Shôkabuki ('Kamiyachô Little Kabuki'). Kamiyachô was the name of late Nakamura Shikan VII's neighboorhood in Tôkyô and it was used as an original way to appraise this great actor (kakegoe).

Goaisatsu: a kôjô on stage made by Nakamura Utanosuke.

Asakusa Matsuri: in the Edo period, there were virtuoso sets of dances with one actor changing from character to character with a series of spectacular quick changes (hengemono). This is a set of four dances. It begins in the ancient past with Empress Jingô and her aged minister Takeuchi Sukune. It is said that the empress delayed the birth of her child, the emperor, so that she could conduct an attack on the Asian continent. Then the scene changes to the exuberant Sanja festival and shows two fishermen who discover a sacred statue in a river. Suddenly, the fishermen are possessed by the spirits of Good and Evil and dance vigorously. The scene switches to the pleasure quarters with two patrons, a sophisticated urban playboy and a clumsy unfashionable man. Finally it ends on a fantastic note with the two dancers as lion spirits. The roles are performed by disciples of the Narikomaya guild and Arashi Kitsusaburô.

Kawatsura Hôgen Yakata/Okuniwa: "Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees" was first performed in the Bunraku puppet theatre and is an epic story about the famous 12th century general Yoshitsune. After the end of the war between the Genji and Heike clans, the Genji clan was victorious, making its leader Yoritomo the ruler. But even though his brother Yoshitsune’s brilliant strategies were responsible for the victory, Yoritomo came to suspect Yoshitsune of treason and made him a fugitive. Although Yoshitsune is the title character, the main characters of the play are actually different and this month features the acts of the play about the Heike warrior Tomomori and the acts about the magical fox Tadanobu. In this part of the draman, the genuine Tadanobu (Nakamura Utanosuke) visits Yoshitsune at Kawatsura Hôgen's mansion. Then Shizuka (Nakamura Hashinosuke) and another Tadanobu arrive. This second Tadanobu is actually a fox which took on human form to be close to the precious drum which is made from the skins of his fox parents. Touched by this, Yoshitsune (Nakamura Fukunosuke) gives him the drum. Overjoyed, with his supernatural powers the fox defeats a group of evil priests who come to capture Yoshitsune, after which he goes back to his den in the wild. Benkei finds out that the true identity of Yokawa no Kakuhan (Nakamura Hashinosuke), who commands the evil priests, is the Heike commander Noritsune. Tadanobu tries to avenge his brother’s death, but Yoshitsune stops him, telling him to guard Emperor Antoku.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website, Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website or others sources

Nakamura Ganjirô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Ichikawa Chûsha

Special Traditional Arts in Ôsaka at the Expo Hall of the 2025 World Exposition to celebrate the opening of the World Exposition in Ôsaka.

Kawarasaki Kunitarô, Arashi Yoshisaburô, Soganoya Kantarô, Yagyû Keisuke & others

The usual Zenshinza Spring program, not at the National Theatre (closed) but at the Sunshine Theatre (Tôkyô)! "Ura Nagaya Sôdôki", which was written by the veteran movie director Yamada Yôji and was premiered in May 2017 at the National Theatre, is based on two famous rakugo stories, "Rakuda" and "Ido no Chawan". The guest star is the Shinkigeki actor Soganoya Kantarô.