10 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, Shinbashi Enbujô, National Theatre, Nissay Theatre, Nihonbashi Kôkaidô) and 3 in Ôsaka (National Bunraku Theatre, Kintetsu Art Kan, Daimaru Shinsaibashi Gekijô)!

Matsumoto Kôshirô, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Yajûrô, Ichikawa Chûsha, Ichikawa Komazô, Kataoka Ichizô, Kataoka Kamezô, Nakamura Shidô and Ichimura Manjirô perform at the Kabukiza !

Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Hayato, Ichikawa Ennosuke and Kataoka Ainosuke perform at the Shinbashi Enbujô!

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

Matsumoto Kôshirô, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Yajûrô, Ichikawa Chûsha, Ichikawa Komazô, Kataoka Ichizô, Kataoka Kamezô, Ichimura Manjirô, Ichikawa Omezô, Sawamura Sônosuke, Nakamura Matsue, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Kashô, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Yonekichi, Ôtani Hirotarô, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Utanosuke, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Nakamura Takanosuke, Kataoka Sennosuke, Nakamura Tamatarô, Nakamura Toranosuke, Ichikawa Otora, Ichikawa Danko, Kataoka Matsunosuke, Nakamura Kichinojô, Nakamura Kamenojô, Nakamura Baika

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

Oiransô: this is a modern play by Hôjô Hideji. It portrays an apprentice Kabuki-actor and a low-grade prostitute from the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters who happen to meet after escaping the massive earthquake. Now that they are both refugees, they go to the countryside and begin living together. A year passes, and despite the fact that they have fallen in love with each other, the prostitute, Ochô (Nakamura Senjaku), does not dare to marry the young man, Kôtarô (Nakamura Shidô), for she once killed a man out of jealousy. But Ochô knows that the young man, Kôtarô, will not leave her and so she agrees to return to Edo with him so that he can pursue his career as an actor. Six years later, while Kôtarô has become a great success, Ochô has left him to go back to the country. When Kôtarô makes a tour of the provinces he searches for Ochô, but never notices the lone figure of a woman weeping on her own. Featuring also Matsumoto Kôshirô, Bandô Yajûrô, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichimura Manjirô, Ichikawa Komazô and Nakamura Baishi.

Ryûko: this is a modern piece created after the end of World War II on the universal theme of the unending fight between the dragon, the greatest power in the sky, and the tiger, the greatest power on land. Starring Matsumoto Kôshirô as the spirit of the dragon and Ichikawa Somegorô as the spirit of the tiger.

Shinjû Tsukiyo no Hoshinoya: this is a newly written play adapted from a rakugo story. Teruzô (Ichikawa Chûsha) has lost his money in a speculative venture. He and his concubine Otaka (Nakamura Shichinosuke) promise to commit shinjû, 'lovers' double suicide', but when the time comes he alone jumps into the river and she returns home as her mother recommended. Later, Tôsuke (Kataoka Kamezô) tells her that Teruzô's ghost appeared warning that he will haunt her. Terrified, she takes the tonsure and becomes a nun, after which Teruzô himself reappears. The double suicide was Teruzô's test of her sincerity. Featuring also Nakamura Shidô.

Tôkaidôchû Hizakurige: "Tôkaidôchû Hizakurige", also known as "Yaji Kita" after its two main protagonists Yajirobê and Kitahachi, is a famous comic novel written in the Edo period. It has often been adapted as Kabuki and has always been a popular and humorous story reflecting the contemporary topics of the age. This is the third work in a series of popular plays first staged in 2016. Many incidents happened to them along the great Tôkaidô Highway as they were heading from Edo city to the Ise Shrine. Once, Yaji and Kita were blown all the way to Las Vegas by a whale. Somehow, they got back to Edo city and then worked as black-robed stagehands at the Kabukiza. There they even solved a murder case in the theatre, but they blundered onto the stage again and again and, as ever, were scolded. Now, once more, they set off on a journey through Japan for the Ise Shrine, but what will happen to them this time?! Featuring also Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Shidô, Ichikawa Udanji, Ichikawa Chûsha and Ichikawa Monnosuke.

Amagoi Kikaku:
(Kikaku prays for Rain)
this dance is based on an episode from the 17th century. The celebrated poet Kikaku (Nakamura Senjaku) holds a poetry meeting with his pupils on a boat. He composes a poem praying for rain for the farmers who are now suffering from a drought. Heavy rain falls at once and the farmers dance for joy. Featuring also Bandô Yajûrô.

Kamikakete Sango Taisetsu: this play is a blend of "Chûshingura" with its tangled stories of loyalties and masterless samurai that ultimately avenge their master's death and the story of "Godairiki", about the love between a geisha named Koman and the samurai Satsuma Gengobê which is spoiled by the jealousy of a man named Sangorô. Sasano Sangorô (Nakamura Shidô) is married to Koman (Nakamura Shichinosuke), but she becomes a geisha to help him to raise the money to help his lord, a man that he has never seen. In the pleasure quarters the samurai Satsuma Gengobê (Matsumoto Kôshirô) falls in love with her and spends huge sums of money on her, despite the fact that he needs money for the sake of the "Chûshingura" vendetta. Finally Gengobê gets money and Sangorô and Koman decide to defraud him of the money, which results in a massacre in the pleasure quarters. Ironically, Gengobê is none other than the unknown master for whom Sangorô was trying to raise money. This story of passion and greed takes place against the background of inexplicable fate and the strict requirements of samurai society and adds ample doses of sardonic humor, the perfect play for our times. Featuring also Ichikawa Chûsha, Kataoka Kamezô and Matsumoto Kingo.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Hayato, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Kataoka Ainosuke, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa En'ya, Nakamura Umemaru, Ichinose Hidekazu, Kashima Noritoshi

Kishimoto Masashi's internationally popular manga "NARUTO" gets its Kabuki adaptation, under the supervision of G2 (both writer and director). The roles of Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke are played by Bandô Minosuke and Nakamura Hayato. A dedicated website has opened. The two guest stars, Ichikawa Ennosuke and Kataoka Ainosuke, alternatively play the same role of Uchiha Madara.

NARUTO: Once upon a time, a monstrous fox demon called Nine-Tails controlled by a mysterious masked man visited the Land of Fire and created chaos and disaster. In the Land of Fire, there was a village of ninjas called Konohagakure Village. In an attempt to save the land, the chief of the village, the 'Fourth Hokage', sacrificed his own life to seal Nine-Tails into the stomach of his newborn son, Uzumaki Naruto (Bandô Minosuke). Naruto attends the Ninja Academy with the aim of becoming a mature Ninja, but instead he proves a problem child. He has been lonely throughout his life due to the hatred everyone feels towards him for having Nine-Tails sealed within him. After graduating the Ninja Academy, together with Uchiha Sasuke (Nakamura Hayato) and Sakura Haruno, he joins the team commanded by Kakashi Hatake and works as a Ninja of Konohagakure Village. Naruto works hard to be accepted by the villagers, but at the same time he feels a sense of rivalry with Sasuke who is always ahead of him. Yet, somehow, he also has sympathy with the shadow Sasuke casts over him and feels a bond of friendship. On the other hand, Sasuke himself has a dark past. When he was just a child, his elder brother Itachi Uchiha killed the whole Uchiha clan including his own parents. Since that time, Sasuke has built an emotional barrier between himself and others and has trained to become stronger than anyone else with the sole intention of killing his brother who had escaped the village. Naruto and Sasuke face many challenges but soon meet Jiraiya, who will become Naruto's master, and Tsunade, who will become the Fifth Hokage. He also has a fight with Orochimaru, a fugitive Ninja who tries to destroy Konohagakure Village. Eventually, Naruto's battle against his powerful earth-shaking enemy Uchiha Madara (Kataoka Ainosuke/Ichikawa Ennosuke) begins.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Kataoka Takatarô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Bandô Kamezô, Ichimura Kitsutarô

A short summer program called Family Festival, aiming at gathering together children and parents to enjoy Kabuki. This year, it is part of a series of performances celebrating the 55th anniversay of the opening of the Nissay Theatre in Tôkyô.

Goaisatsu: a kôjô on stage made by Kataoka Takatarô.

Tachi Nusubito: the farces of the classical Kyôgen theater have universal appeal, showing the relationships of masters and servants and husbands and wives. In this particular dance play, a farmer named Manbê (Bandô Kamezô) carries a precious sword, which is made of gold. The thief Kurobê (Bandô Hikosaburô) quietly removes the sword from Manbê in a crowd. When Manbê finds his sword missing and notices Kurobê wearing it, a loud dispute ensues. Manbê and Kurobê must both explain who owns the sword, first in words, then in dance to a magistrate (Ichimura Kitsutarô), who must try to figure out who tells the truth.

Kabuki no Tanoshimi: How to enjoy Kabuki? Explanation and demonstration on stage.

Fuji Musume: the spirit of wisteria blossoms dances of love in the form of a beautiful young maiden. One of Kabuki's most famous and colorful dances, it will feature the dancing skills of Kataoka Takatarô.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Bandô Takesaburô, Bandô Takenosuke, Kamimura Kichiya, Kamimura Orinosuke, Nakamura Gandai

A gala program called Takenosuke no Kai, 1st edition, for Bandô Takesaburô's disciple Bandô Takenosuke. Special guest will be the Rakugo storyteller Katsura Kujaku, the Kigeki actor Soganoya Yasokichi, the Buyô master Fujima Ryôtarô and the Shinpa onnagata actor Kawai Yûki (who used to be the Kabuki actor Ichikawa Enju, a disciple of Ichikawa Shun'en).

Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Nakamura Kotarô

4th edition of the Sôchôkai (literally "the Two Butterflies Association"), which stars Nakamura Kashô and his brother Nakamura Tanenosuke.

Kawatsura Hôgen Yakata: the epic "Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees" ("Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura") features many characters around the famous general Yoshitsune, but none more memorable than a magic fox that takes the guise of Tadanobu, one of Yoshitsune's most trusted retainers. The fox wants to get close to a precious drum that Yoshitsune has made from the skins of his fox parents. In this excerpt from the longer play, the fox reveals his true identity with a series of spectacular stage tricks and Yoshitsune is moved to grant him the drum. Starring Nakamura Tanenosuke as the fox Tadanobu. Also featuring Nakamura Kashô as Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

Seki no To:
(The Snowbound Barrier)
A snow-covered barrier decorated by a mysteriously blooming cherry tree provides the background for the larger-than-life story of a traitorous aristocrat disguised as a barrier guard and the beautiful woman, actually a supernatural spirit in disguise, that will defeat him. Nakamura Kotarô (Ono no Komachi, the keisei Sumizome, in reality the spirit of Komachi's cherry tree), Nakamura Kashô (Sekibê, in reality Ôtomo no Kuronushi) and Nakamura Tanenosuke (Yoshimine Munesada) star in what is considered to be one of the greatest Kabuki dance-dramas.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

20th edition of the summer program of the association Ne no Kai (literally 'the Sound Association'). Only "Domo Mata" is staged with Kabuki actors. Others items in this program are only musically-performed.

24th 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 under the guidance of Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Tokizô and Nakamura Matagorô.

Onoe Ukon, Nakamura Kikaku, Nakamura Kazutarô, Kamimura Kichiya, Arashi Kitsusaburô

4th 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. Nakamura Kikaku, Nakamura Kazutarô, Kamimura Kichiya and Arashi Kitsusaburô are the guest stars of this program.

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

The 4th 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, Kataoka Rikiya and Kataoka Tôjûrô (and a few others), 6 disciples of the Matsushimaya guild. Sora no Kai literally means "Sky Association". These performances are entitled Abeno Kabuki (Abeno is the name of a famous district in Ôsaka).

28th edition of the Kamigata Kabukikai (the Kamigata Kabuki Association), a summer program in Ôsaka which stars Kamigata Kabuki stars' disciples in the leading roles under the guidance of Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Kataoka Gatô and Kataoka Hidetarô.

Ichikawa Tsutanosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô, Onoe Ukon

1st edition of the Tsuta no Kai (literally "the Ivy Association"), which stars Ichikawa Tsutanosuke III.