5 in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, Heisei Nakamuraza, Meijiza), 2 shows in Nagoya (Misonoza), 2 in Kyôto (Minamiza) & 1 in Tachikawa (Tachikawa Stage Garden)!

??? perform at the Kabukiza !

Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke perform at the Heisei Nakamuraza!

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Onoe Tatsunosuke, Ichikawa Chûsha & Ichikawa Emisaburô perform at the Misonoza !

Ichikawa Danjûrô & ??? perform at the Minamiza!

Nakamura Kazutarô, Ichikawa Danko & Ichikawa Chûsha at the Tachikawa Stage Garden !

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The Autumn Brocade October Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza.

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Kantarô, Nakamura Chôzaburô

The Heisei Nakamuraza is back in Tôkyô in Asakusa in October 2026. 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).

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Onoe Tatsunosuke, Ichikawa Chûsha, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Nakamura Kikaku, Nakamura Kashô, Bandô Shingo

A special Kabuki program in Nagoya at the Misonoza instead of the usual kaomise to celebrate the shûmei of Onoe Tatsunosuke III. It also celebrates the 130th anniversary of the opening of the Misonoza.

Ichikawa Danjûrô, ???

A special program starring Ichikawa Danjûrô in Kyôto at the Minamiza.

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Kataoka Takatarô, Nakamura Kazutarô, Ichikawa Danko, Ichikawa Chûsha, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Seiko, Kataoka Matsunosuke

A special Kabuki program staged in Tachikawa at the Tachikawa Stage Garden sponsored by the Tachihi Group.

Goaisatsu | Kaisetsu: a kind of kôjô.

Soga no Taimen: this is one of the oldest and most classical of all Kabuki plays. In the Edo period, every January, plays appeared about the vendetta carried out by the Soga brothers Jûrô and Gorô after eighteen years of hardship. In "Soga no Taimen" the brothers confront Kudô Suketsune, the man responsible for their father's death. More ceremony than play, it features each of the important Kabuki character types, including the bombastic aragoto style of Gorô and the soft wagoto style of Jûrô. This month features a cast headed by Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon as Kudô and some of the most popular young stars in Kabuki with Ichikawa Danko as Gorô and Nakamura Kazutarô as Jûrô. Featuring Kataoka Takatarô, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya and Ichikawa En'ya as Kobayashi no Maizuru, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô (Gorô's lover), the courtesan Ôiso no Tora (Jûrô's lover) and Oniô Shinzaemon (Jûrô's retainer).

Shunkan: the priest Shunkan (Ichikawa Chûsha) has been exiled to Devil's Island for plotting against the dictator Kiyomori. A pardon is given to his fellow conspirators, but Shunkan is only saved by an additional pardon given by Kiyomori's compassionate son. Even so, he gives up his place on the boat to freedom so his companion's new wife can accompany her husband back to the capital. The boat leaves and Shunkan is left watching is disappear in the distance, knowing he will be left on the island forever. Featuring Ichikawa En'ya as the evil emissary Senoo and Ichikawa Emisaburô as the merciful envoy Tanzaemon. With Nakamura Kazutarô as the island girl Chidori, Ichikawa Seiko as Taira no Yasuyori and Ichikawa Danko as Fujiwara no Naritsune, Shunkan's fellow exile who has fallen in love with her.

Kumo no Hyôshimai:
(The Dance of the Spider-Woman)
One of the favorite themes for the gala performances that would open a theatre year was the general Yorimitsu and his work in vanquishing ghosts and mysterious creatures. This particular dance is one of the oldest classics in the repertory, but only the music remains and what is presented today is a spectacular modern staging. The general Yorimitsu and his retainers Sadamitsu and Kintoki are keeping guard over the palace over the Kazan retired emperor and are astonished to find a mysterious woman in the mansion. She wants to see Yorimitsu's precious sword and they dance rhythmically to the names of famous sword makers, and with beautiful branches of cherry blossoms. But she is actually the spirit of the earth spider who is trying to capture Yorimitsu and make him her retainer and the dance ends with revealing her true form and fighting with magical spider webs. Starring Nakamura Kazutarô in the role of the spirit of the earth spider. Featuring Ichikawa Emiya in the role of Minamoto Raikô. Featuring also Ichikawa En'ya and Ichikawa Danko as the shitennô Sakata Kintoki and Usui Sadamitsu.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Onoe Ukon

10th edition of the Ken no Kai, a 2-day 4-performance gala in Ôsaka at the National Bunraku Theatre starring Onoe Kikugorô VI's great-grandson Onoe Ukon. Ken no Kai literally means 'Ken's Association' with Ken being the first ideogram in Onoe Ukon's real first name Kensuke. The Ken no Kai is also held the 5th to the 6th of September in Ôsaka at the National Bunraku Theatre [more details].