8 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre, Nihonbashi Kôkaidô), 1 in Nagoya (Chûnichi Theatre), 4 in Ôsaka (Festival Hall, ABC Hall, National Bunraku Theatre, Kintetsu Art Kan)!

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Yajûrô and Ichikawa Chûsha perform at the Kabukiza !

Ichikawa Ebizô performs at the Chûnichi Theatre and at the Festival Hall!

Onoe Matsuya performs at the ABC Hall and at the Nihonbashi Kôkaidô!

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

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Yajûrô, Ichikawa Chûsha, Kataoka Kamezô, Ichikawa En'ya, Bandô Shûchô, Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Baishi, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Mantarô

The usual summer program at the Kabukiza! It is entitled Hachigatsu Nôryô Kabuki (literally "the August cool-breeze Kabuki").

Irezumi Chôhan:
(Tattooed Hantarô)
A play by the early 20th century writer Hasegawa Shin, who portrayed the lives of those on the bottom of society, often gangsters forced to live their lives on the road. Though a good man, Hantarô (Ichikawa Chûsha) has a weakness for gambling. Having been forced to leave Edo due to this weakness, he marries Onaka (Nakamura Shichinosuke), a woman he saves from suicide by drowning. Though Hantarô has given up gambling for the sake of the ill Onaka, her dying wish is that he return to what he loves the most, and Hantarô is unable to ignore the request of his love. Featuring also Ichikawa Somegorô in the role of the local boss Masagorô.

Tama Usagi:
(The Rabbit in the Moon)
This is a dance with musical accompaniment provided by the Kiyomoto Narrative Ensemble. It is the night of a full autumn moon. Looking up at the round moon, we see the shadow of a rabbit making rice dumplings. Before long, it springs out, landing in a field of pampas grass. It proceeds to demonstrate how it makes rice dumplings with a pestle and mortar. After this, it begins to relate a famous children's tale about Mt. Kachikachi, in which a tanuki racoon dog comes to blows with a rabbit. The story mixes in the antics of an elderly man and woman. On this moonlit night, the rabbit (Nakamura Kantarô) seems in festive mood and continues to make merry through the night.

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 Kankurô and Ichikawa Ennosuke in the roles of the husband and the wife.

Shuzenji Monogatari: a mask carver (Bandô Yajûrô) has been ordered to make a portrait of Yoriie (Nakamura Kankurô), the second Shôgun, but despairs of his artistic powers because no matter how many times he tries, the mask always shows the signs of death. But finally he learns that the mask holds the secrets of the tragic fate of Yoriie and his own daughter Katsura (Ichikawa Ennosuke). This modern play by Okamoto Kidô is probably the greatest classic of New Kabuki (Shinkabuki), a perfect blend of the technique of old Kabuki and modern ideas of drama. Featuring also Bandô Minosuke, Kataoka Kamezô and Bandô Shûchô.

Tôkaidôchû Hizakurige:
(Yajirobê and Kitahachi on the Tôkaidô Highway - The Curious Casebook of the Kabukiza)
"Tôkaidôchû Hizakurige" is a comical story of a fictional journey made by Yajirobê and Kitahachi who travel from Edo along the Tôkaidô Highway. The story was a great bestseller during the Edo period. It has often been performed as Kabuki and is popular as a comedy reflecting the topics of each epoch since the Shôwa era. Yajirobê and Kitahachi have gone on a pilgrimage to the Ise Shrine, and, after experiencing many hardships such as being blown up by giant fireworks in the Ise fireworks festival, and encountering a whale on their way to Las Vegas, they finally make it back to Edo (the old name for Tôkyô). Now penniless after their travels, they have no choice but to work as black-robed stagehands at the Kabukiza Theatre. The Kabukiza Theatre is filled with big crowds day after day, and the run of the lively performance is extended again and again. But signs of unrest are found backstage and bad rumors of the actors appearing in the performance seem to be spreading. Yajirobê and Kitahachi blunder onto the stage again and again and, as ever, are scolded. One day, an actor falls on stage at the packed Kabukiza Theatre. The whole city of Edo is in uproar at this unprecedented and serious incident. People suspect Yajirobê and Kitahachi because of their blunders on stage, so the pair tries to find the real culprit to clear themselves of suspicion. Starring Ichikawa Somegorô as Yajirobê and Ichikawa Ennosuke as Kitahachi.

Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita:
(Noda-version: Under the Blossoming Cherry Trees)
This noda-ban work, based on the novels of Sakaguchi Ango, was written by Noda Hideki for his theatrical company and is adapted for Kkabuki for the first time. Deep in a forest of cherry trees, it is said that something bad happens under the trees in full bloom. Is it because dead bodies are buried there, or is it the work of demons? It is the Era of Emperor Tenchi (7th century). The king of Hida (Nakamura Senjaku) summons three master sculptors called Mimio (Nakamura Kankurô), Manako (Ichikawa En'ya) and Ôama (Ichikawa Somegorô), and orders them to compete with each other in carving a Buddhist statue. This statue is to protect the king’s daughters, Princess Yonaga (Nakamura Shichinosuke) and Princess Hayane (Nakamura Baishi). However, each of the sculptors has something to hide: Mimio is a fraud because he took the position of a master sculptor by killing his master. Manako is actually a bandit wrongly taken to be a master sculptor after he murdered the real master while stealing. Ôama is a suspicious man of unknown origin. The three men are ordered to complete their Buddhist statues in three years. One day, Princess Hayane is found dead hanging from a cherry tree, and at the same time the Emperor Tenchi passes away in the capital. The king of Hida grieves at the news of these two deaths. However, when Princess Yonaga sees her younger sister’s corpse a smile comes to her lips. Finally, the three years pass and the sculptors complete their Buddhist statues. However, each individual’s intentions become entangled... Featuring also Bandô Yajûrô and Kataoka Kamezô.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ebizô, Terajima Shinobu

Second edition of the Roppongi Kabuki performances, which was premiered in Tôkyô at the EX THEATER in February 2017. Based on a script written by Lily Franky, the stage direction is done by the famous movie director Miike Takashi, an expert in violent and bizarre movies who worked twice with Ichikawa Ebizô for the movies "Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai" (2011) and "Over your Dead Body" (2014). The story is about Zatô Ichi, the zatô Ichi, a blind masseur and blademaster who was created by novelist Shimozawa Kan. The guest star of this production is not a Kabuki actor but the actress Terajima Shinobu, the daughter of Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô.

Onoe Matsuya

A gala program called Idomu (Challenge), 9th edition, for the young actor Onoe Matsuya, with performances in Ôsaka (ABC Hall) and Tôkyô (Nihonbashi Kôkaidô).

Onoe Matsuya, Ôtani Keizô

A gala program called Idomu (Challenge), 9th edition, for the young actor Onoe Matsuya, with performances in Ôsaka (ABC Hall) and Tôkyô (Nihonbashi Kôkaidô).

Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô, Nakamura Yonekichi, Nakamura Chôjûrô, Nakamura Chôshi, Nakamura Chôzaburô, Nakamura Umeno, Nakamura Matanosuke

3rd edition of the Sôchôkai (literally "the Two Butterflies Association"), which stars Nakamura Kashô and his brother Nakamura Tanenosuke. Nakamura Kazutarô and Nakamura Yonekichi are the guest stars of this program.

Ichijô Ôkura Monogatari: the world is ruled by Taira no Kiyomori, the leader of the Heike clan. Tokiwa Gozen, the widow of the head of the defeated Genji clan and mother of Yoritomo and Yoshitsune, the future leaders of the clan, has become the mistress of the dictator Kiyomori, then the wife of Lord Ôkura, a seemingly simple-minded fool who spends all his time watching pretty women dance. Outraged members of the Genji clan sneak into Lord Ôkura's mansion only to discover that Tokiwa Gozen's immorality and Lord Ôkura's idiocy are a guise, the only way to survive in a world ruled by the enemy. This performance stars Nakamura Tanenosuke as Lord Ôkura, Nakamura Kazutarô as Tokiwa Gozen, Nakamura Kashô as Yoshioka Kijirô and Nakamura Yonekichi as Yoshioka's wife Okyô.

Domo Mata: the artist Matahei has been refused a professional name because of his stuttering. He makes a poor life by drawing folk paintings and decides to make one last effort to gain respectability. His wife Otoku, who is given as much to chatter as Matahei is silent, pleads his case. Turned down again by his master, Matahei decides to take his life. He draws a farewell portrait of himself, a painting so skillful that the lines seep through solid rock and this miracle convinces his master to confer a professional name. Starring Nakamura Kashô as Matahei and Nakamura Yonekichi as his wife Otoku.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

19th edition of the summer program of the association Ne no Kai (literally 'the Sound Association'). "Dokugin Sandai" is a mix of famous music coming from "Banchô Sarayashiki", "Kamiyui Shinza" and "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan". Only "Michiyuki Hatsune no Tabi" is staged with Kabuki actors.

23rd 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 with the guidance of Nakamura Baigyoku/Nakamura Kaishun ("Banchô Sarayashiki"), Nakamura Umeya ("Benikan") and Nakamura Shikan ("Hikimado").

Onoe Ukon, Kataoka Ichizô, Onoe Matsuya, Sawamura Kuniya, Ichikawa Tsutanosuke

3rd edition of the Ken no Kai, which stars 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. Kataoka Ichizô and Onoe Matsuya are the two guest stars of this program.

Kataoka Matsujûrô, Kataoka Senjirô, Kataoka Senju, Kataoka Yûjirô, Kataoka Rikiya

The 3rd gala of the Sora no Kai (literally 'Sky Society'), in Ôsaka at the Kintetsu Art Kan, which stars Kataoka Matsujûrô, Kataoka Senjirô, Kataoka Senju, Kataoka Yûjirô and Kataoka Rikiya, 5 disciples of the Matsushimaya guild. Sora no Kai literally means "Sky Association". "Yotsuya Kaidan" is based on Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan". These performances are entitled Abeno Kabuki (Abeno is the name of a famous district in Ôsaka).

27th 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, with the guidance of Kataoka Nizaemon, Kataoka Hidetarô and Kataoka Gatô.

Ichikawa Ebizô, Terajima Shinobu

Second edition of the Roppongi Kabuki performances, which was premiered in Tôkyô at the EX THEATER in February 2017. Based on a script written by Lily Franky, the stage direction is done by the famous movie director Miike Takashi, an expert in violent and bizarre movies who worked twice with Ichikawa Ebizô for the movies "Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai" (2011) and "Over your Dead Body" (2014). The story is about Zatô Ichi, the zatô Ichi, a blind masseur and blademaster who was created by novelist Shimozawa Kan. The guest star of this production is not a Kabuki actor but the actress Terajima Shinobu, the daughter of Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô.