Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Kichiemon, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Tomijûrô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Baigyoku, Kataoka Hidetarô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Ichikawa Danshirô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Shinjirô, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Kashô, Sawamura Sônosuke, Ôtani Tomoemon, Matsumoto Kingo, Matsumoto Kôemon, Sawamura Tetsunosuke, Nakamura Tamatarô, Nakamura Utae, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Takanosuke

The dance "Kuramayama Homare no Wakataka" celebrates the shûmei of Nakamura Takanosuke, the young son of Nakamura Tomijûrô. The others highlights of this kaomise program are:

"Kumagai Jin'ya" with the leading role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane played by Kataoka Nizaemon

The bombastic dance "Ame no Gorô" with Nakamura Kichiemon in the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune

The comical dance "Ukare Bôzu" with Nakamura Tomijûrô

The great dance "Renjishi" with Matsumoto Kôshirô and his son Ichikawa Somegorô in the roles of the shishi parent and cub

The rare revival of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Daikyôji Mukashi Goyomi" with Nakamura Tokizô and Nakamura Baigyoku in the roles of Osan and Mohei

Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Kaishun, Kataoka Takatarô, Nakamura Tôzô

Rare tôshi kyôgen production of "Ehon Taikôki", a drama about the tragedy of Akechi Mitsuhide, the "3-day ruler of Japan", who killed Oda Nobunaga and was defeated three days later by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This month production is in 4 acts but the original drama was in 13 acts, 1 act for each day of these dark events that occurred in the late 16th century. Because of strict censorship, the authors had to change the names of the characters: Akechi Mitsuhide became Takechi Mitsuhide; Oda Nobunaga became Oda Harunaga; Toyotomi Hideyoshi became Mashiba Hisayoshi. This play shows Mitsuhide's emotional struggle, first trying to restrain his upstart lord Harunaga, who fears nothing and even tries to rid the country of Buddhism and the Gods. But instead, Harunaga insults him mercilessly and wounds him on the forehead with an iron battle fan. The most famous act of this play, the tenth one, is still part of the current Kabuki repertoire: after assassinating Harunaga, Mitsuhide comes to see his mother, but she refuses to forgive him for betraying his lord. Mitsuhide sees his son and mother both die before his eyes as he tries to defeat his rival Hisayoshi. The leading role of this play was expected to be performed by Ichikawa Danjûrô but he unfortunately fell sick and had to be replaced by Nakamura Hashinosuke.

The poster of the November drama at the National Theatre

Onoe Kikugorô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Ichikawa Kamejirô

The young star Onoe Kikunosuke plays for the third time the role of Jiraiya and uses in the highlight of the play the chûnori technique. The play "Jiraiya Gôketsu Monogatari" was written by Kawatake Mokuami and was premiered in the 7th lunar month of 1852 [details].

Nakamura Kanjaku, Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Takesaburô, Ichikawa Komazô, Nakamura Kikaku, Bandô Shinsha

"Kabuki e Yôkoso" is a workshop led by Bandô Shinsha. "Tsuchiya Chikara" is an important play for the Nakamura Ganjirô line of actors; Nakamura Kanjaku, the son of Nakamura Ganjirô III, plays the leading eponymous role. The leading role of the lion dance "Kagami Jishi" is performed by Nakamura Senjaku.

Bandô Tamasaburô, Ichikawa Danjirô, Ichikawa Emisaburô

A special Buyô program starring the amazing onnagata Bandô Tamasaburô in Yamaga at the Yachiyoza, a traditional wooden-built theater.

Arashi Keishi, Fujikawa Yanosuke, Nakamura Tsuruzô, Yamazaki Ryûnosuke, Yamazaki Tatsusaburô, Yamazaki Kyôka, Osagawa Genjirô, Anegawa Shinnosuke