Matsumoto Kôshirô performed the famous role of Musashibô Benkei (one of his best atariyaku) in the dance-drama "Kanjinchô" for the 1100th times the 28th of April 2013 at the Kabukiza! He played the role of the first time when he was 16 years old the 21st of September 1958 at the Kabukiza and reached the 1000th times more than 50 years later the 15th of October 2008 in the city Nara, on a special stage built within the precincts of the Tôdaiji temple.

Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Tsukinosuke and Ichikawa Shun'en will celebrate the 125th anniversary of Shinpa in October 2013 at the Mitsukoshi Gekijô, performing in Izumi Kyôka's drama "Onna Keizu" along with Shinpa actors.

The 9th of April 2013 the Emperor of Japan Akihito and his wife the Empress of Japan Michiko went to the Kabukiza to enjoy the Matinée program. 10 years ago, they were at the Kabukiza the 22nd of May May 2003 to enjoy "Shibaraku". The 25th of April 2007, they also attended Kabuki at the International House of Japan [more details].

First edition of the Kamigata Kabuki Kanshôkai, the Kamigata Kabuki Appreciation Gala, in June 2013 at the Shôchikuza (Ôsaka). It will mix movie, with the screening of the different parts of Haneda Sumiko's movie "Kabuki Yakusha Kataoka Nizaemon", and Kabuki, with the staging of "Ninokuchi-Mura" [more details].

First edition of the ABKAI (Ebikai in Japanese), a gala for the young star Ichikawa Ebizô. It will be staged in August 2013 at the Shibuya Bunkamura Theater Cocoon in Tôkyô. The first item in this gala will be the long-awaited revival of the rarely-staged (last time was in 1947!) play "Ja Yanagi", which belongs to the Kabuki Jûhachiban collection. This revival was initially scheduled to be staged in January 2011 at the Theatre Ginza in Tôkyô but, following Ichikawa Ebizô's sad drunkard brawl in November 2010, it was cancelled. The second item will be "Hanasaka Jiisan", a newly-created drama, written by Miyazawa Akio and directed by Miyamoto Amon. The story is based on the famous legend of Hanasaka Jiisan, the old man who made withered trees to Blossom [more details].

A special program by the 21 Seki Kabuki Gumi, the 21st Century Kabuki Group, which gathers the best actors of the Omodakaya guild, will be staged in August 2013 at the Ôsaka Shinkabukiza. They will stage for the 3rd times "Shin Suikoden" [more details].

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, who is spending more and more time in project outside the Kabuki world, and the Kodô taiko drummers will stage "Amaterasu" in July 2013 at the Akasaka Act Theater (Tôkyô), in September 2013 at the Hakataza (Fukuoka) and in October 2013 at the Minamiza.

The Kamigata onnagata actor Bandô Takesaburô will celebrate in August 2013 at the National Bunraku Theatre (Ôsaka) both his sanju kinen and the 32nd anniversary (33rd memorial service) of the passing away of his adoptive father Onoe Kikujirô IV. Bandô Takesaburô, along with Kataoka Nizaemon, Ichikawa Ennosuke and Kataoka Takatarô, will revive Kawatake Mokuami's rarely-staged "Natsu Sugata Onna Danshichi" (commonly called "Onna Danshichi", the female Danshichi, a kakikae kyôgen based on "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami"). They will also stage Tsuruya Namboku IV's masterpiece "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan" from act II/scene 1 ("At Iemon's home in Yotsuya") to act III/scene 1 ("the Onbô canal in Sunamura") [more details].

Ichikawa Danshirô did not perform at the Kanamaruza in April 2013. He was replaced by the Omodakaya veteran Ichikawa Juen to play the role of Kawatsura Hôgen in the drama "Shi-no-Kiri" [more details].

Everything is going well and smoothly for the coming opening of the 5th Kabukiza. The yagura was built on the traditional roof of the Kabukiza the 4th of March 2013 [pictures and more details in Japanese]. 63 Kabuki actors paraded around the theater the 27th of March [pictures and more details in Japanese]. The tombo training center was opened and inaugurated the 28th of March [pictures and more details in Japanese]. It was followed by the traditional ceremonial hand-clapping (koshiki kaomise tejimeshiki in Japanese; the traditional face-showing ritual of hand-clapping) with all actors and Kabuki-related people on the brand-new stage for the successful opening of the 5th Kabukiza [pictures and more details in Japanese]. Here is a selection of articles or pictures about the new Kabukiza:

New Kabukiza theater shines brightly in the Ginza again

New Kabukiza theater, tower completed in Tôkyô

New Kabukiza Theater Illuminated

New Kabukiza To Bring Tradition, Innovation Together

High-tech Kabuki theater set to open April 2

Ichikawa Ennosuke IV will celebrate his shûmei in the eastern provinces in July 2013 [more details].

Ichikawa Ennosuke is also the prize-winner of the Excellence Prize (yûshô shô) of the 34th Matsuo Artistic Prizes (Matsuo Geinô Shô). He received his prize the 27th of March 2013 at the ANA Intercontinental Hotel in Tôkyô.

One third piece of news related to Ichikawa Ennosuke: the 19th of March 2013, he performed for the 100 times the role of Tadanobu/the fox Genkurô in "Kawatsura Hôgen Yakata", in Nagoya at the Misonoza (a sad reminder that this theater closed at the end of March 2013).

Ichikawa En'ô was unfortunately not able to perform everyday in March 2013 in Nagoya at the Misonoza; he was often replaced by his son Ichikawa Chûsha to play the role of Mashiba Hisayoshi in "Sanmon".

Nakamura Matagorô III and his son Nakamura Kashô IV will celebrate their shûmei in the central provinces in July 2013 [more details].

2013 is an important year for the Kabuki and for the Minamiza. 410 years since the creation of Kabuki by Izumo no Okuni in Kyôto in the Spring of 1603 near the current site of the Minamiza. A special program is offered in this prestigious theater, allowing visitors to experience some of the unique stagecraft tricks used in Kabuki such as hanamichi (runway stage), koseri/ôseri (trap-door lift stage mechanism) or mawaributai (revolving stage). This program started the 16th of March 2013 and it will end the 16th of April 2013 [more details].

The third series of Kabuki DVD masterpieces will be released from April to July 2013. There will be 17 new DVD. The first wave of 6 DVD (recorded at the 4th Kabukiza) will be sold (4,975 JPY each DVD) all over Japan from the 2nd of April 2013:

Drama	Rec time	Casting
Seki no To	May 1979	Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII, Nakamura Utaemon VI, Onoe Baikô VII
Kamiyui Shinza	April 2000	Nakamura Kankurô V, Bandô Tamasaburô, Nakamura Tomijûrô V, Nakamura Shikan VII, Nakamura Matagorô II, Ichikawa Somegorô
Kirare Yosa	January 1963	Ichikawa Danjûrô XI, Nakamura Utaemon VI, Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII, Ichikawa Ennosuke II
Shibaraku Uirô Uri	May 2003 May 2006	Ichikawa Danjûrô XII, Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Bandô Mitsugorô, Ichikawa Sadanji
Oguri Hangan	July 1983	Ichikawa Ennosuke III, Ichikawa Monnosuke VII, Ichimura Uzaemon XVII, Jitsukawa Enjaku III, Sawamura Sôjûrô IX, Ichikawa Danshirô, Nakamura Kotarô V
Ninin Dôjôji	February 2009	Bandô Tamasaburô, Onoe Kikunosuke

Late Nakamura Kanzaburô posthumously received the 12th of March 2013 the special meritorious services prize (tokubetsu kôrôshô) as part of the Asakusa Artistic Prizes (Asakusa Geinô Shô). His two sons, Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke, were present at the ceremony to receive the prize in the name of their father.

A special exhibition dedicated to the Shôwa onnagata star Nakamura Utaemon VI started the 25th of March 2013 at the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum, located within the Waseda University. It will end the 25th of April 2013. If you are in Tôkyô this spring, do not hesitate to visit this beautiful museum!

Important reminder: 2 days before the opening of the new Kabukiza!

The Kabuki star Ichikawa Danjûrô, holder of the most important name in Edo Kabuki history and keeper of 320 years of stage traditions, passed away at a Tôkyô hospital the 3rd of February 2013. He was expected to be back on stage in March 2013 and to play some of his most notable atariyaku during the opening performances of the 5th generation Kabukiza in April 2013, May 2013 and June 2013. This passing-away is a huge human loss for the Kabuki world. Ichikawa Danjûrô's funeral service was held the 27th of February 2013 at Tôkyô's Aoyama Cemetery. His son Ichikawa Ebizô was the chief mourner. Ichikawa Danjûrô won't perform in the new Kabukiza but his spirit will be there!

Popular Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjûrô dies at 66

Kabuki patriarch Danjûrô dies at 66

From heaven, Danjûrô will watch over family, Kabuki world

Danjûrô mastered bold style / Kabuki legend battled illness while living up to renowned family name

Ichikawa Danjûrô and Nakamura Kanzaburô in "Sukeroku" (two stage giants at work)

Living National Treasure Kineya Gosaburô III passed away the 2nd of February 2013. He was a Nagauta shamisen player. Living National Treasure from 1989 and member of the prestigious Japan Art Academy (Nihon Geijutsuin) since 2005. His real name was Masuda Chikahiro.

At least a happy piece of news: Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô's son Onoe Kikunosuke and Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon's 4th daughter Namino Yôko became engaged. The wedding will be celebrated the 26th of February 2013 at the Kanda Myôjin Shrine.

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, who performed in Paris (France) in February 2013, was named a Commander of the Order of Arts and Literature (Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in French), one of France's highest honors.

The Misonoza, the most famous theater in Nagoya, will definitively close after the last Kabuki performances in March 2013 [more details]. Another bad piece of news for the Kabuki world! The actors Ichikawa Ennosuke and Ichikawa Chûsha paraded around the theater block the 25th of February 2013, on Fushimi and Misono avenues, from 13:00 to 13:40. The last Kabuki parade for the Misonoza.

Late Ichikawa Danjûrô was expected to perform at the new Kabukiza in April 2013, May 2013 and June 2013. In April 2013, he was expected to perform the role of Nippon Daemon in "Benten Musume Meo no Shiranami"; he will be replaced by Nakamura Kichiemon. In May 2013, he was expected to play the roles of Oshô Kichisa and Ôba Saburô in "Sannin Kichisa" and "Ishikiri Kajiwara"; he will be replaced by Matsumoto Kôshirô in the former role and by Onoe Kikugorô in the latter role. In June 2013, he was expected to play the roles of Minamoto Raikô and Sukeroku in "Tsuchi Gumo" and "Sukeroku"; he will be replaced by Nakamura Kichiemon in the former role and by his son Ichikawa Ebizô in the latter role.

The actors Ichikawa En'ô II, Ichikawa Ennosuke IV and Ichikawa Chûsha IX will celebrate their shûmei in Fukuoka in June 2013 at the Hakataza [more details].

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform in March 2013 in a newly-created Kumi Odori dance, which was entitled "Chifijin Tanjô" and was staged from the 8th to the 10th of March 2013 at the National Theatre and from the 15th to the 17th of March 2013 at the National Theatre Okinawa. He will share the stage with two young and talented Okinawa Kumi Odori dancers, Tamagusuku Seigi and Kawamitsu Kôta.

Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke received the 27th of February 2013 a prize from the 20th Yomiuri Engeki Taishô (the Yomiuri Theatrical Prizes), awarded by the famous paper Yomiuri Shimbun. Nakamura Kankurô received the Excellent Prize for Male Actors and Nakamura Shichinosuke received the Sugimura Haruko Prize.

Important reminder: 33 days before the opening of the new Kabukiza!

Kabuki films in high definition, all from the Shinema Kabuki ("Cinema Kabuki") series, will be screened in Toronto at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in February 2013 [more details].

Ichikawa Danjûrô won't be back on stage in March 2013 to perform in Shakespeare's "Othello" in Tôkyô at Le Theatre Ginza. The program has been canceled and will be replaced by Kabuki performances, starring Ichikawa Danjûrô's son Ichikawa Ebizô [more details].

The Meijiza will celebrate its 140th anniversary in May 2013 with Kabuki performances starring the young stars Nakamura Kankurô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Shichinosuke and Ichikawa Somegorô [more details].

Grand Kabuki with the Nakamuraya guild at the Akasaka Act Theater for the 3rd time since 2008 [more details].

Bandô Mitsugorô receives the 54th Mainichi Performing Arts Awards (2012).

Ichikawa Danshirô will be back on stage in March 2013 in Nagoya at the Misonoza for the special performances celebrating the shûmei of his son Ichikawa Ennosuke. He will play the role of Kawatsura Hôgen in the drama "Shi-no-Kiri" [more details].

Important reminder: 61 days before the opening of the new Kabukiza!

The Heisei star Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII, zagashira of both the Heisei Nakamuraza and the Cocoon Kabuki, passed away at a Tôkyô hospital the 5th of December 2012. He had an operation for esophageal cancer in July but later suffered pneumonia and respiratory problems. Nakamura Kanzaburô's funeral service was held the 27th of December 2012, at Tôkyô's Tsukiji Honganji Temple. His two sons, Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke, were the chief mourners. Before the ceremony, his remains were carried by his two sons to the Sumida Park, a famous place in Asakusa where Nakamura Kanzaburô founded the Heisei Nakamuraza in 2000, and to the construction site of the future 5th generation Kabukiza, about to open in April 2013. Nakamura Kanzaburô won't perform there but his spirit will be there!

Kabuki star Kanzaburô dies at 57

Japanese Kabuki star Kanzaburô dies at 57

Japanese actor who took Kabuki to the world dies at 57

Kabuki star Nakamura Kanzaburô dies at age 57 after battle with cancer

Sadness from Kanzaburô's death spreads

Mourners bid farewell to Kabuki master Kanzaburô

Kanzaburô at APEC 21 -interview with subtitles (part 1)

Kanzaburô at APEC 21 -interview with subtitles (part 2)

A very sad stage announcement at the Minamiza

Kanzaburô's funeral service (article in Japanese)

The Nagauta shamisen player and Living National Treasure Kineya Mitarô VII and his disciple Kineya Mikichi II took the names of Kineya Jôgu and Kineya Mitarô VIII in December 2012 in Tôkyô at the Shimbashi Embujô. It might be interesting to note that the ideogram for mi in Mitarô is the one used for the Year of the Serpent in the jûnishi zodiac ... and 2013 will be the year of the serpent!

The programs for the first 3 months of the 1-year long cycle of kokera otoshi for the brand-new Kabukiza have been published by the Shôchiku Company! The day will be divided in 3 instead of the usual 2 programs for April 2013, May 2013 and June 2013.

Ichikawa Danjûrô has joined the prestigious Japan Art Academy (Nihon Geijutsuin). It was formally announced by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology the 15th of December 2012. Unfortunately, he caught a cold while performing in Kyôto at the Minamiza and had to be replaced from the 18th of December. The role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki in "Ishikiri Kajiwara" and Benkei in "Funa Benkei" were performed by Nakamura Kanjaku and Nakamura Hashinosuke. It was found later that he had the symptom of pneumonia. Therefore, he won't be able to perform in January 2013 at the Shimbashi Embujô. He will be replaced by Matsumoto Kôshirô to play the role of Yuranosuke in "Gion Ichiriki Jaya". Let's hope for a quick recovery before the opening ceremonies of the brand-new 5th Kabukiza! If everything goes well, Ichikawa Danjûrô should be back on stage in March 2013 in Tôkyô at Le Theatre Ginza to perform the role of Othello in Shakespeare's eponymous drama. The roles of Iago and Gratiano will be played by Ichikawa Ebizô and Kataoka Ichizô.

The young star Ichikawa Ennosuke IV will celebrate his shûmei at the Kanamaruza in April 2013 [more details].

Ichikawa Danshirô won't perform in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza in January 2013. He was expected to play the role of Kawatsura Hôgen in the drama "Shi-no-Kiri". He will be replaced by Ichikawa Juen.

Four young actors of the Omodakaya guild, Ichikawa Kôtarô, Ichikawa Emino, Ichikawa Kishô and Ichikawa Enshi, will celebrate their success at the nadai exam in January 2013 in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza.

Nakamura Tokizô's two sons, Nakamura Baishi and Nakamura Mantarô, celebrated their success at the nadai exam in December 2012 in Tôkyô at the Shimbashi Embujô. Bandô Yajûrô's son Bandô Shingo and Nakamura Kanjaku's son Nakamura Kazutarô did the same in December 2012 in Kyôto at the Minamiza.

The 1st anniversary of the death of late Living National Treasure Nakamura Jakuemon IV, who died the 23rd of February 2012, will be celebrated in January 2013 at the Shimbashi Embujô with the staging of two of his favorite dramas, "Domo Mata" and "Gion Ichiriki Jaya". Nakamura Jakuemon IV's son Nakamura Shibajaku VII will play the roles of Otoku in the former and Okaru in the latter [more details].

The actors Ichikawa En'ô II, Ichikawa Ennosuke IV and Ichikawa Chûsha IX will celebrate their shûmei in Ôsaka in January 2013 at the Shôchikuza [more details] and in Nagoya in March 2013 at the Misonoza [more details].

Kataoka Nizaemon fell ill the 2nd of November 2012 and had to stop acting at the Shimbashi Embujô. He was replaced by Nakamura Baigyoku and Onoe Shôroku for the roles of Jûjibei and Kumagai Naozane in "Hikimado" and "Kumagai Jin'ya". He quickly recovered and was back on stage the 23rd.

Ichikawa Somegorô will be back on stage in February 2013 at the Nissay Theatre, where he will play the roles of Tadanobu/the fox Genkurô and Isobe Kazunosuke in "Yoshinoyama" and "Shin Sarayashiki Tsuki no Amagasa".

The 21st of November 2012, a countdown machine was installed and inaugurated in the 1F lobby of the ADK Shôchiku Square Building to display the number of remaining days before the opening of the new Kabukiza, the 2nd of April 2013 [more details in Japanese and pictures]. It was moved the 26th of November to the facade of the Tôgeki Building, not so far from the Kabukiza.

Let's call it a coincidence ... this month I've worked on the page dedicated to Tsuruya Namboku IV's rarely-staged drama "Onna Seigen" and I've also heard that it would be revived in March 2013 at the National Theatre [more details]. The role of the nun Seigen will be performed by Nakamura Fukusuke.

Two young actors of the Matsushimaya guild, Kataoka Senjurô and Kataoka Matsujirô, will celebrate their success at the nadai exam in December 2012 at the Minamiza. Kataoka Senjurô and Kataoka Matsujirô will respectively take the names of Kataoka Senju and Kataoka Matsujûrô.

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform in France in Paris (Théâtre du Châtelet) in February 2013 in two different programs:

5~7 February: he will perform in the dances "Yuki", "Aoi no Ue" and "Kane no Misaki", which are 3 classics in Bandô Tamasaburô's repertoire of favourite dances.

10~16 February: he will perform in "Botantei", along with a Kunqu troupe, one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera which originated in the Suzhou region. "Botantei" is Bandô Tamasaburô's version of the famous Chinese Opera "The Peony Pavilion". It was premiered March 2008 at the Minamiza and was also staged in May 2008 in Beijing (China).

The actors Ichikawa En'ô II, Ichikawa Ennosuke IV and Ichikawa Chûsha IX will celebrate their shûmei in Ôsaka in January 2013 at the Shôchikuza [more details].

Nakamura Kankurô VI will celebrate his shûmei in Fukuoka in February 2013 at the Hakataza [more details].

Matsumoto Kôshirô was put by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in the list of Japanese personalities who have made outstanding culture contributions in Japan in 2012 (bunka kôrôsha).

An amazing piece of news this month: the brand-new Kabukiza will open its doors the 2nd of April 2013! There will be one year of kokera otoshi new building opening ceremonies. Here is the schedule:

The 120th anniversary of the death of Kawatake Mokuami will be celebrated at the National Theatre in January 2013 with the revival by Onoe Kikugorô and Nakamura Tokizô of Kawatake Shinshichi II's long-forgotten drama, "Yagura Daiko Otomo Yoshiwara", which was premiered in the 2nd lunar month of 1866 at the Ichimuraza. This drama will be quite refurbished and a brand new title will be used: "Yume no Ichi Otokodate Kurabe" [more details].

Kabuki lectures and performances in Israel for the very first times: Nakamura Kyôzô and Onoe Matsugorô went in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv at the end of August 2012. The 30th and 31st of August, they performed at the Auditorium of Israel Museum in Jerusalem; Nakamura Kyôzô played the role of the Heron Maiden in "Sagi Musume". The 6th and 7th of September, they were at the Suzanne Dellal Center in Tel Aviv; "Shakkyô" and "Sagi Musume" were staged. The lectures were about the history of Kabuki, the basics of onnagata or music and sound effects in Kabuki [more details].

In order to pray for the success of the performance at the National Theatre in October 2012 [more details] and to get some protection from the soul of Shiobara Tasuke, Bandô Mitsugorô went the 31st of August 2012 to the Tôyôji temple in the Adachi Ward of Tôkyô, where the tombstone of Shiobara Tasuke is [more details in Japanese]. Shiobara Tasuke was born in 1743 in Gumma Prefecture. He settled with little money in Edo in 1761, established his business, the Yamaguchiya house, in 1785 and became a successful charcoal merchant. He died in Edo the 5th of October 1816. Some episodes of his life became famous rakugo stories. Then, Kawatake Shinshichi III's made a drama out of these stories.

Following a terrible fall which happened the 27th of August 2012, Ichikawa Somegorô won't appear on stage in October 2012 and November 2012. He will be replaced as follows:

The young stars of the Nakamuraya guild, Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke, paraded the 27th of September in Nagoya near the Ôsu Shopping Mall ahead of the succession ceremony of Nakamura Kankurô, who will celebrate his shûmei in October 2012 at the Misonoza [more details]. The 26th of September, Nakamura Kankurô went to the Genkurô Inari Shrine in Nara prefecture in order to pray for the success of the coming performances and to get some protection from the Spirit of the Fox Genkurô, who is enshrined there as Nakamura Kankurô will play this role in the evening program in "Michiyuki Hatsune no Tabi" and "Kawatsura Hôgen Yakata".

Nakamura Kankurô VI will celebrate his shûmei in Kyôto in December 2012 at the Minamiza [more details].

A special exhibition dedicated to the Edo actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII will be held at the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum, located within the Waseda University, from the 2nd of October 2012 to the 2nd of December 2012. A lecture about the attractiveness of Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII will be made by Ichikawa Danjûrô XII the 30th of October 2012, from 14:45 to 16:15.

Young actor Ichikawa Somegorô was victim of an accident while performing in a special Buyô program at the National Theatre the 27th of August 2012. He abruptly fell from the stage about 3 meters down. Because of this accident, the performance was discontinued. Ichikawa Somegorô had contusion on the right side of his head and body. His appearance at Shimbashi Embujô, where he was scheduled to perform in September 2012, will be cancelled as well. He was expected to play the roles of Matsuômaru and Oda Harunaga in "Terakoya" and "Badarai no Mitsuhide". The role of Matsuômaru will be performed by Nakamura Kichiemon (who was expected to play the role of Takebe Genzô, which will be performed by Nakamura Baigyoku). The role of Oda Harunaga will be performed by Nakamura Karoku.

The movie "Tenchi Meisatsu", which was directed by Takita Yôjirô, will be released all over Japan the 15th of September 2012. It is a chronicle of the life of Yasui Santetsu, a 17th century master of shôgi who turned his attention to astronomy and created a new calendar for Japan. Two Kabuki actors were casted in this movie: Ichikawa Ennosuke and Ichikawa Somegorô!

Bandô Tamasaburô will perform in December 2012 in Izumi Kyôka's drama "Nihombashi" with a non-Kabuki cast of stage partners, in Tôkyô at the Nissay Theatre from the 3rd to the 26th of December 2012.

The Cultural Affair Council has designated the onnagata actor Bandô Tamasaburô as a Living National Treasure [more details]. 4 others Kabuki actors are Living National Treasures: Sakata Tôjûrô, Sawamura Tanosuke, Onoe Kikugorô and Nakamura Kichiemon.

The 10th and final edition of the gala of the association Kamejirô no Kai will be staged from the 16th to the 20th of August 2012 in Tôkyô at the National Theatre [more details]. This association supports the young and talented actor Ichikawa Ennosuke, who stopped using the name of Ichikawa Kamejirô in June 2012. Next year, we assume there'll the 1st gala of a brand new association, the Ennosuke no Kai!

Nakamura Kankurô VI will celebrate his shûmei in Ôsaka in September 2012 at the Shôchikuza [more details] and in Nagoya in October 2012 at the Misonoza [more details].

6 Kabuki performances in Kanazawa near the Saigawa river from the 17th to the 20th of August 2012 [more details].

Tsuruya Namboku IV's masterpiece "Ukiyozuka Hiyoku no Inazuma" will be revived in November 2012 at the National Theatre with two scenes not staged since April 1993 ("Tôkaidô Sakaigimura" and "Sukedayû Yashiki") and starring Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Fukusuke and Ichikawa Somegorô [more details].

Ichikawa Ennosuke IV and the Omodakaya guild will be at the Meijiza in November 2012, a Tôkyô theater where his uncle Ichikawa Ennosuke III revived and refurbished (making them more spectacular!) a lot of long-forgotten Edo period dramas. This time, the highlight of these performances will be Tsuruya Namboku IV's "Tenjiku Tokubei Ikoku Banashi" [more details].

A very shocking and saddening piece of news: after having completed a successful 7-month long-run for the Heisei Nakamuraza in Asakusa (from November 2011 to May 2012), the Kabuki star Nakamura Kanzaburô revealed to the media that he has cancer. He has been diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus and, for this kind of malicious cancer the chances of recovery are around 15%. Nakamura Kanzaburô will cancel performances scheduled for September in Ôsaka and October in Nagoya (to celebrate the shûmei of his son Nakamura Kankurô in this city) in order to fully concentrate on the tough fight against disease. We do wish him to recover from this cancer and to be back on stage in the new Kabukiza!

Kawatake Shinshichi III's drama "Shiobara Tasuke Ichidaiki" will be revived in October 2012 at the National Theatre, starring Bandô Mitsugorô and Nakamura Hashinosuke [more details].

Kabuki actor Nakamura Kankurô, the eldest son of Nakamura Kanzaburô, has been named "Father of the Year 2012" in Japan. Nakamura Kankurô was given the 31st annual "Father of the Year" award on the 6th of June 2012. The award was also given to Nakamura Kankurô’s father Nakamura Kanzaburô before him in 1990.

As part as the Shinema Kabuki ("Cinema Kabuki") series, the drama "Kagotsurube Sato no Eizame", which was shot live in February 2010 at the Kabukiza, will be released all over Japan from the 29th of September 2012 (this will be the 18th "Cinema Kabuki"). The roles of the courtesan Yatsuhashi, Sano Jirôzaemon and Shigeyama Einojô were played by Bandô Tamasaburô, Nakamura Kanzaburô and Kataoka Nizaemon.

Waterways occupy as much as ten percent of Ôsaka's city area, and have played a crucial role in its development as a strategic point in land and water transportation. One of the most picturesque among the city's numerous rivers and canals is the Dôtombori, which flows today through Ôsaka's vibrant entertainment district. From the Edo period in the 17th century, rows of theaters formed along the river, and the area became the center for both Kabuki and Bunraku. It is a custom to do funa norikomi before July Grand Kabuki at the Shôchikuza: the stars in the July casting arrived at the theater the 29th of June 2012 in a colorful boat parade, applauded by fans and spectators on the bridges or the banks. Nakamura Kichiemon, Nakamura Matagorô, Nakamura Kashô and others boarded the boats in Hachikenya pier in Temmabashi and went up to Ebisu Bridge on the Dôtombori [pictures and more details in Japanese].

The 1st edition of the gala program of the Support Association for Kataoka Sennosuke will happen the 29th of July 2012 [more details].

The Kabuki actors of the Omodakaya guild Ichikawa Ennosuke III, Ichikawa Danshirô IV and Ichikawa Kamejirô II, along with Ichikawa Ennosuke's son Kagawa Teruyuki and Ichikawa Ennosuke's grandson Kagawa Masaaki, paraded the 11th of May 2012 in Asakusa ahead of the coming shûmei of both Ichikawa En'ô II and Ichikawa Ennosuke IV and the hatsubutai of both Ichikawa Chûsha IX and Ichikawa Danko V, which will start the 5th of June 2012 at the Shimbashi Embujô.

Nakamura Matagorô III and his son Nakamura Kashô IV will celebrate their shûmei in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza in July 2012 [more details]!

The staging of the Heisei Nakamuraza last programs in May 2012 was extended one more day. It was supposed to end the 27th of May 2012 but there were performances also the 28th. During the 3 days (from the 18th to the 20th of May 2012) of the famous Sanja Matsuri, which celebrated its 700th anniversary, a real omikoshi, held by 60 people from 6 different districts of Asakusa, was exhibited on the stage of the Heisei Nakamuraza during the performance of the drama "Megumi no Kenka" [more details in Japanese, with a picture!].

Two spectacular dramas created by Tsuruya Namboku IV will be revived in August 2012 at the Shimbashi Embujô: "Sakura Hime" and "Date no Jûyaku". The star in these two revivals will be Ichikawa Ebizô. He will share the stage with Kataoka Ainosuke and Nakamura Fukusuke.

The 1050th anniversary of the foundation of the Rokuharamitsuji temple in Kyôto [more details in Japanese] will be celebrated through the staging of a special Kabuki program at the Minamiza, starring Bandô Tamasaburô and Kataoka Ainosuke [more details].

"Tennichibô", which will be staged at the Cocoon Kabuki in June 2012 and July 2012 [more details], will also be staged from the 12th to the 18th of July 2012 in Matsumoto (3rd edition of the Shinshû Matsumoto Grand Kabuki). Moreover, 3 movie actors will be part of the cast (in minor roles): Kondô Kôen, Manako Keiji and Shirai Akira.

Saruwaka Seizaburô I, the 8th headmaster of the Saruwaka-ryû school of Buyô, and his son Saruwama Yûki took the names of Saruwaka Kiyokata II and Saruwaka Seizaburô II. The new Saruwaka Seizaburô became at the same time the 9th headmaster of the Saruwaka-ryû school of Buyô. This double shûmei was celebrated through a 1-day special dance program the 30th of April 2012 (today) at the National Theatre, with prestigious guests: Nakamura Kanzaburô and his son Nakamura Kankurô. The new Saruwaka Seizaburô and Nakamura Kankurô performed together in the Kiyomoto-based dance "Sanja Matsuri".

Two special charity Kabuki performances for the victims of the 2011 Great Eastern Japan Earthquake Disaster were staged the 25th of April in Natori and the 26th of April in Tagajô, two cities which were seriously affected by the March 2011 tsunami. The two shows were free for the citizens of these two towns. Here are the dances and the actors:

The Kinokuniya onnagata veteran Sawamura Tetsunosuke V (1930~2012) passed away the 13th of March 2012, victim of a pancreatic cancer.

The Chikamatsuza troupe, led by Sakata Tôjûrô and his two sons Nakamura Kanjaku and Nakamura Senjaku, will celebrate its 30th anniversary by touring in the central provinces in July 2012 [more details]!

The programs for the last month of performances at the 7-month long run Heisei Nakamuraza project have been published [more details]. The 700th anniversary of the famous Sanja Matsuri will be celebrated through the staging of the hengemono "Yayoi no Hana Asakusa Matsuri"!

The June 2012 and July 2012 performances celebrating the shûmei or hatsubutai for 3 generations of Omodakaya actors have been published. The core drama in both programs will be the famous sûpâ kabuki drama "Yamato Takeru". Others highlights in June 2012 will be "Shi-no-Kiri" with the famous chûnori ending the play and the funny one-act drama "Ogurusu no Chôbei". Others highlights in July 2012 will be the En'ô Jûshu masterpiece "Kurozuka" and the spectacular "Sanmon" scene, with Ichikawa Ebizô and the new Ichikawa En'ô (who stopped performing in 2004!) playing the roles of Ishikawa Goemon and Mashiba Hisayoshi.

Nakamura Matagorô III and his son Nakamura Kashô IV will celebrate their shûmei at the Hakataza in June 2012 [more details]!

The funeral of Living National Treasure Nakamura Jakuemon IV occurred the 29th of February 2012. The funeral procession stopped off outside of the Shimbashi Embujô en route to the funeral proper (in Aoyama Cemetery) and all the Shôchiku staff, and all the actors who were rehearsing, went to bid him a final farewell [more details in Japanese].

The official website of the young actor Onoe Shôroku has opened.

"Gojûsan Tsugi Tennichibô", a long-forgotten Kawatake Mokuami's drama, which was staged for the last time in 1867, will be revived (and refurbished) in June 2012 and July 2012 at the Cocoon Kabuki. This drama was about the Ten'ichibô affair. In the Edo period, the Shogunate banned all mention of contemporary events on stage. On stage, the yamabushi priest Ten'ichibô appeared under the thinly disguised name of Tennichbô. Kushida Kazuyoshi (the director) and Kudô Kankurô (the script writer) will be in charge of the revival and renewal of "Azuma Kudari Gojûsan Tsugi" (the stage title of "Gojûsan Tsugi Tennichibô"), which was premiered in the 9th lunar month of 1854 at the Kawarazakiza (with Ichikawa Kodanji IV in the role of Tennichibô). The new title will simply be "Tennichibô".

Bandô Tamasaburô will perform in May 2012 in the drama "Furu Amerika-ni Sode-ha Nurasaji" with a non-Kabuki cast of stage partners, at the Misonoza from the 3rd to the 6th of May 2012 and at the Minamiza from the 12th to the 27th of May 2012. "Furu Amerika-ni Sode-ha Nurasaji" ("My Sleeves Will Never Be Wet With the Rain of America") is a modern play, which was written by the novelist Ariyoshi Sawako (1931~1984) for the great modern actress Sugimura Haruko (1906~1997) who created the role of the drinking, chattering Osono who makes up stories to escape a tight situation and finds that she is trapped by her lies. After Sugimura's death, the play was performed by many other performers, most notably by Bandô Tamasaburô in a cast featuring actresses and actors from other genres as it will be the case in May 2012. "Furu Amerika-ni Sode-ha Nurasaji" was be transformed into Kabuki only once, in December 2007 at the Kabukiza, with Bandô Tamasaburô in the role of Osono. The play is set during the final days of the Edo period as there were tense relations between Japanese and foreigners. A geisha named Kiyû is beautiful, but she is sickly and steadily moves downward until she comes to a teahouse that is especially for foreigners. There she encounters her old friend Osono who has also fallen in the world because of her failures caused by drink. Alone and despondent, Kiyû commits suicide and on the spur of the moment, Osono explains it away by saying that Kiyû decided to die rather than serve the foreign barbarians. Unfortunately, this becomes a famous story and Osono tells the heroic story of Kiyû night after night with more and more elaborate embellishments including Kiyû's death poem in which she declares that she will "never let her sleeves get wet with the American rain". But eventually, Osono's lies catch up with her.

Living National Treasure Nakamura Jakuemon IV (1920~2012) passed away the 23rd of February 2012.

Kabuki legend Jakuemon dies at 91

Japanese National Treasure Kabuki Actor Nakamura Jakuemon Dies

Kabuki actor Jakuemon dies at 91 (Mainichi)

Kabuki actor Jakuemon dies at 91

Mishima Yukio's spectacular Mishima Kabuki drama "Chinsetsu Yumihari Zuki" will be revived at the Shimbashi Embujô in May 2012 [more details].

The Shimbashi Embujô will celebrate in March 2012, through the production of "Sakura Giminden", the 360th anniversary of the bold direct appeal to the Shôgun made by a village headman named Kiuchi Sôgo in 1652. After a severe crop failure in the Sakura district (nowadays in the Chiba Prefecture), taxes remained too high for the farmers. Kiuchi Sôgo directly petitioned the Shôgun for relief. Such a petition was punishable by death and Kiuchi Sôgo and his four children were crucified in 1653. However, his sacrifice was not made in vain as the heavy taxes were lifted. Matsumoto Kôshirô will perform the role of Kiuchi Sôgo for the third times (1st time in March 1985 and second time in December 2008, both times at the Kabukiza) and his son Ichikawa Somegorô will play the role of the Shôgun Tokugawa Ietsuna. In order to pray for the success of the performance and to get some protection from the soul of Kiuchi Sôgo, Matsumoto Kôshirô went in February 2012 to the Tôshôji in Narita, which was Kiuchi’s family temple and in which Kiuchi Sôgo was enshrined [more details in Japanese].

Nakamura Kankurô is the prize-winner of the Theater "New Face" Prize (engeki shinjin shô) of the 33rd Matsuo Artistic Prizes (Matsuo Geinô Shô). He will receive his prize the 29th of March 2012 at the ANA Intercontinental Hotel in Tôkyô.

Ichikawa Danshirô is still on sick leave. He won't perform as expected at the National Theatre in April 2012.

A few Cinema Kabuki movies, with English subtitles, will be screened in February 2012 in Canada, in Toronto and Vancouver. The list is made up of "Abura no Jigoku", "Migawari Zazen", "Sagi Musume" and "Hôkaibô" [more details].

Ichikawa Rikô, a supporting onnagata actor of the Naritaya guild, died the 27th of December 2011. He was born in Yokohama the 20th of February 1927 and he started his career in his native town, at the Kirakuza in 1931. He became a disciple of the Naritaya guild and received the name of Ichikawa Shinjirô. He became nadai and took the name of Ichikawa Rikô in November 1969 at the Kabukiza during the great shûmei of Ichikawa Ebizô X. He made his last stage appearance in November 2003, at the Shimbashi Embujô, where he performed in the drama "Miyamoto Musashi". During his 72-year career, he served 3 generations of Naritaya masters, Ichikawa Danjûrô XI, his son Ichikawa Danjûrô XII and his grandson Ichikawa Ebizô XI.

In order to prepare their shûmei at the Minamiza in March 2012, Nakamura Matagorô III and his son Nakamura Kashô IV were at the Yasaka Shrine in Kyôto the 29th of January 2012, where they performed the auspicious offering dance "Sambasô" along with Nakamura Kichiemon.

Nakamura Kankurô will celebrate his shûmei at the family theater, the Heisei Nakamuraza, in March 2012 [more details]!

In order to celebrate the shûmei of Onoe Kikunojô III, the new 4th headmaster of the Onoe-ryû school of Buyô, Onoe Kikugorô, Onoe Kikunosuke and Nakamura Kanjaku took part in a 2-day special dance program in Kyôto at the Minamiza at the end of January 2012. Nakamura Kanjaku played the role of Chûbei in the Kiyomoto-based dance "Umegawa" the 28th of January 2012. Onoe Kikunosuke and Onoe Kikugorô respectively performed the 29th of January 2012 in "Yoshinoyama" and "Matsu no Okina".