6 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre) and 1 in Ôsaka (National Bunraku Theatre)!

Bandô Mitsugorô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukusuke and Nakamura Senjaku perform at the Kabukiza !

All the others great Kabuki actors are on vacation ...

Bandô Mitsugorô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukusuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Nakamura Shinjirô, Kataoka Takatarô, Ichikawa Somegorô, Kataoka Ichizô, Bandô Shûchô, Bandô Yajûrô, Kataoka Kamezô, Ichikawa Komazô, Bandô Kokichi

17th edition of Nakamura Kanzaburô's summer program at the Kabukiza, the Hachigatsu Nôryô Kabuki (literally "the August cool-breeze Kabuki"), ... without Nakamura Kanzaburô for the very first time!!! Our recommendation is the third program with the spectacular drama "Nansô Satomi Hakkenden". The grandson of late Bandô Kichiya II also makes his first official stage appearance, receiving the name of Bandô Kokichi.

Marubashi Chûya: this is a classic play by Kawatake Mokuami written in the Meiji Period, when Kabuki could show historical events. This is the story of Marubashi Chûya (Nakamura Hashinosuke), who plotted to overthrow the Edo government. He approaches Edo Castle pretending to be drunk, but has actually come to measure the depth of the moat. Unfortunately, he is observed by Izu-no-Kami (Ichikawa Somegorô), one of the top officials of the shogunate. Later, Chûya has a dispute with his wife and his wife's father, that eventually leads to the failure of his revolt.

Ômi no Okane: Okane was a famous strong woman living on the shores of Lake Biwa and is known for stopping a runaway horse with her bare hands. This has become a Kabuki dance that combines strength and charming femininity. This production stars Nakamura Fukusuke as Okane.

Tanokyû: A new dance choreographed by Bandô Mitsugorô based on a folk story. Rushing to see his sick mother, the traveling performer Tanokyû (Bandô Mitsugorô) encounters a giant serpent (Ichikawa Somegorô). But this serpent enjoys watching transformations and is happily entertained by Tanokyu's performance, one that eventually wins him happiness and riches.

Yoshiwara Gitsune: the first production in forty-five years of a modern play by Murakami Genzô, who died this year at the age of ninety-six. The play is about Izumiya Okichi (Nakamura Fukusuke), a geisha in the Yoshiwara who is talented and brave, but when she falls in love with a man, acts as though she is possessed by a magical fox. Also starring Bandô Mitsugorô, Nakamura Senjaku, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Kataoka Takatarô and Ichikawa Somegorô.

Dango Uri:
(The Dumpling Peddlers)
the mortar and pestle used for pounding rice cakes and dumplings are a symbol of a happily married couple. This short, lively dance shows a couple peddling dumplings with a series of songs and dances. Starring Nakamura Senjaku and Kataoka Takatarô in the roles of the husband and the wife.

Tamaya: a lively dance accompanied by Kiyomoto music. A man goes through the streets performing with soap bubbles. He makes all kinds of shapes with them and describes them with a series of witty songs and dances. Starring Ichikawa Somegorô.

Kagoya: accompanied by Tokiwazu style music, this dance shows a palanquin bearer (Bandô Mitsugorô) who sleeps between assignments, but then has to fight with a little dog who tries to steal his lunch.

Hakkenden:
(The Eight Dog Warriors)
the original novel is an immense epic by 19th century novelist Takizawa Bakin published over many years, but eventually reaching one-hundred and sixty volumes. The Satomi clan is being attacked and its lord offers his daughter Princess Fuse to the warrior that will bring him the head of the enemy. It is his loyal dog that kills and beheads the enemy and, saying that her father must not go back on his word, Princess Fuse goes with the dog. Nevertheless, the Satomi clan is defeated and one of its loyal retainers goes to rescue Princess Fuse, shooting the dog, but unfortunately shooting Princess Fuse as well. The eight crystal beads of her rosary, each engraved with the Chinese characters of one of the Confucian virtues, goes flying through the air. Miraculously, each will be found with a newborn baby. These eight children, all of whom have the character inu for "dog" in their names, eventually meet and join together to restore the Satomi clan. The play features all the stars of the company and follows the adventures of the eight dog warriors as they meet and gradually join together, leading to a climactic fight on the roof of a dizzyingly high tower.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Ichikawa Kamejirô, Ichikawa Danshirô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Kikaku, Bandô Takesaburô

5th edition (for the second time in Tôkyô) of the program of the association Kamejirô no Kai, which stars the young and talented actor Ichikawa Kamejirô, who plays the difficult roles of Sodehagi and Abe no Sadatô in the drama "Sodehagi Saimon".

8th edition of the summer program of the association Ne no Kai (literally 'the Sound Association'). The two first items feature only the geza musicians and the music ensembles, Nagauta for the former and Gidayû for the latter. The last item is the beautiful dance "Musume Dôjôji", with Nakamura Jakuemon's disciple Nakamura Kyôtae in the leading role of the shirabyôshi Hanako.

12th edition of the common program for 2 associations, the Chigyokai (the Young Fishes Association) and the Kabukikai (the Kabuki Association), which stars stars' disciples in the leading roles of all the items in the program.

16th edition of the Kamigata Kabukikai (the Kamigata Kabuki Association), a summer program in Ôsaka which stars Kamigata Kabuki stars' disciples in the leading roles of all the items.