5 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre, Heisei Nakamuraza), 1 in Nagoya (Misonoza) and 1 in Ôsaka (Shôchikuza)!

??? perform at the Kabukiza !

Onoe Kikunosuke performs at the National Theatre !

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô performs at the Misonoza !

Kataoka Ainosuke and Nakamura Kazutarô perform at the Shôchikuza !

Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke perform at the Heisei Nakamuraza!

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The October Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza.

Onoe Kikunosuke, ???

The October Grand Kabuki at the National Theatre with the tôshi kyôgen of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura", chopped up into 3 programs, all of them starring Onoe Kikunosuke in the main roles. 3 hours and 20 minutes for Program A. 3 hours and 30 minutes for Program B. 2 hours and 40 minutes for Program C.

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Utanosuke, Kitamura Rokurô, Kawai Yukinojô

No classic October kaomise programs in Nagoya this year but a special Kabuki program starring Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô.

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 Misonoza, it is a stage speech done by Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô.

Jusshukô: Princess Yaegaki is mourning the death of his fiance Katsuyori, but as she burns incense in his memory, she notices the resemblance between the new gardener and her fiance's portrait. The gardener is in fact Katsuyori, who has entered the household of Yaegaki's father to regain the possession of a stolen family treasure, a famous helmet, with the help of Nureginu, a woman who also mourns for the man that died in the place of the real Katsuyori. Unfortunately, Yaegaki's father has also seen through the disguise and plans to kill Katsuyori. The role of Princess Yaegaki, one of the most important onnagata roles, is played by Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, supported by Nakamura Hashinosuke, Kawai Yukinojô and Kitamura Rokurô in the roles of Katsuyori, Nureginu and Nagao Kenshin.

Kitsunebi: magical foxes possess Princess Yaegaki (Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô) to help her stealing a precious helmet, the treasure of the Shingen clan, and to allow her to save the life of her beloved Katsuyori.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô, Imai Tsubasa

A special program at the Shôchikuza starring Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô and Imai Tsubasa. The newly-created kaidanmono drama, which is entitled "Toki o Koe Rinne no Furuido", is a mix of "Sarayashiki" and the world of Sadako, the ghost in Suzuki Kôji's J-horror series "Ring".

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, ???

The Heisei Nakamuraza is back in Tôkyô in Asakusa. Not in the Sumida Park as it used to be but in the precincts of the Sensôji Temple (at the back of the main temple hall). This program commemorate the 180th anniversary of the 1842 move of all major Kabuki theaters to the remote district of Saruwaka-chô (Edo).