3 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, Makuhari Messe), 2 shows in Nagoya (Misonoza), 2 on Shikoku island (Kanamaruza), 1 in Ôsaka (Shôchikuza), 1 in Kyôto (ROHM Theatre), 1 in Noda (Noda City Culture Center) and 2 tours (Shungyô Special Tour, Ichikawa Ebizô Special Tour)!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Kataoka Takatarô, Ichikawa Danzô, Bandô Yajûrô, Onoe Shôroku and Bandô Hikosaburô perform at the Kabukiza!

Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Matsumoto Hakuô, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Ganjirô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Kataoka Hidetarô, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô and Ôtani Tomoemon perform at the Misonoza!

Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Kotarô, Nakamura Hashinosuke and Nakamura Fukunosuke perform at the Kanamaruza!

Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke are on tour (Shungyô Special Tour)!

Ichikawa Ebizô is on tour (Classics Tour)!

Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Udanji, Bandô Minosuke, Onoe Ukon, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Bandô Takesaburô and the Omodakaya guild perform at the Shôchikuza!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Kataoka Takatarô, Ichikawa Danzô, Bandô Yajûrô, Ichikawa Danzô, Onoe Shôroku, Bandô Hikosaburô, Ichikawa Sai'nyû, Bandô Kamezô, Kamimura Kichiya, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Ichimura Manjirô, Nakamura Matsue, Sawamura Yoshijirô, Kataoka Matsunosuke, Nakamura Umemaru, Bandô Kamesaburô

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon does his isse ichidai performance for the roles of the villains Tateba no Taheiji and Saeda Daigakunosuke in Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Ehon Gappô-ga-Tsuji".

Saigô to Katsu: this is a so-called 'New Kabuki' play set in the time just before the Meiji Restoration (1868). As the allied forces of the Satsuma and Chôshû domains led by Saigô Takamori (Onoe Shôroku) are about to attack Edo Castle, the minister of the shogunate, Katsu Kaishû (Nakamura Kinnosuke), makes desperate efforts to save the Shôgun's life and the people of Edo (the old name for Tôkyô) from the fires of war. Katsu goes to Saigô and they talk candidly. The negotiations result in the bloodless surrender of Edo Castle.

Ura Omote Sendai Hagi: this is a play showing both sides of the troubles that affected the Ashikaga clan. It is based on the older play "Sendai Hagi" that describes the troubles of the Date clan in Sendai. On the outside it takes the form of a jidaimono history play, while on the inside it depicts the case of a doctor's murder in the style of a sewamono play. Sewamono plays depict the lives of ordinary people in the Edo period. Nikki Danjô (Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô) plans to overtake the Ashikaga household and asks the doctor Ôba Dôeki (Ichikawa Danzô) to mix a poison to assassinate Tsuruchiyo, the young heir of Ashikaga clan. Dôeki receives money as a reward, but his servant Kosuke (Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô) kills him to steal the money, putting the blame on Otake (Kataoka Takatarô) whom he loves. The court lady Sakae Gozen (Ichimura Manjirô) brings Tsuruchiyo poisoned cakes, but Senmatsu, the son of Tsuruchiyo's wet-nurse Masaoka (Nakamura Tokizô), saves Tsuruchiyo by tasting them before his young lord, as Masaoka had taught him to do. As Otake is about to be declared guilty of murdering Dôeki, Hosokawa Katsumoto's retainer Kurahashi Yajûrô (Onoe Shôroku) produces irrefutable evidence and Kosuke is found guilty. Furthermore, Katsumoto (Nakamura Kinnosuke) convicts Nikki Danjô after an appeal by an old retainer who risks his life. Featuring also Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô and Bandô Yajûrô in the roles of Gekizaemon and Yashio.

Ehon Gappô-ga-Tsuji: this is a rare full-length production of a revenge classic by Tsuruya Nanboku IV (1755~1829). First performed in 1810, "Ehon Gappô-ga-Tsuji" was a dramatization of a popular revenge case of the time. The charm of this play lies in the activity of the two villains. Daigakunosuke, a samurai who is trying to take over his clan, steals the clan's treasures and kills everyone who gets in his way. Tateba no Taheiji, a ruffian from the lowest level of society plots together with Daigakunosuke and also kills many people. This play depicts the villains' exuberant rampage until, finally, they are defeated in a revenge vendetta by the heroes. One of the special highlights of this production is that a single actor, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, will play two different roles: that of Daigakunosuke who is a villain with power, and Tateba no Taheiji who is an evil commoner. Starring also Nakamura Tokizô, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Kataoka Takatarô and Ichikawa Danzô.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Matsumoto Hakuô, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Ganjirô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Kataoka Hidetarô, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Ichikawa Komazô, Nakamura Kazutarô, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Nakamura Yonekichi, Sawamura Sônosuke, Ôtani Hirotarô, Matsumoto Kingo, Arashi Kitsusaburô, Nakamura Jûjirô, Nakamura Kichinojô

Opening (kokera otoshi) of the new Misonoza with the shûmei of Matsumoto Hakuô II and Matsumoto Kôshirô X.

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 Ichikawa Sadanji as Kudô and some of the most popular young stars in Kabuki with Nakamura Matagorô as Gorô and Nakamura Ganjirô as Jûrô.

Kôjô: the close relationship between the actors and the audience is shown by these stage announcements, lavish ceremonies to commemorate various important events. In this case, all the stars of the cast assemble to celebrate the shûmei of Matsumoto Hakuô II and Matsumoto Kôshirô X.

Kagotsurube: one of the most sensational plays of late Kabuki, it shows a humble, pockmarked merchant from the country named Sano Jirôzaemon (Matsumoto Kôshirô). He is wealthy, but because of the way he looks, has never thought that it would be possible to have a woman. He and his servant go sightseeing in the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters and a chance look at top courtesan Yatsuhashi (Nakamura Jakuemon) who smiles at him, makes Jirôzaemon fall in love. However, the pleasure quarters are full of intrigue, and on the eve of the day that Jirôzaemon is to buy up Yatsuhashi's contract, her true love Einojô (Nakamura Karoku) forces her to reject and humiliate Jirôzaemon in the middle of the celebratory banquet. Jirôzaemon seems to forgive her, but returns with the sword Kagotsurube to exact his revenge. Featuring also Matsumoto Hakuô in the role of Tachibanaya Chôbê.

Ishikiri Kajiwara: the Heike general Kajiwara (Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon) is asked to test the sharpness of a sword by slicing two live human beings in half. He deliberately makes the sword fail the test to keep the sword, a priceless heirloom belonging to the enemy Genji clan, from falling into the hands of his Taira clan. A miracle has convinced Kajiwara to change sides. Kajiwara finally demonstrates the true power of the sword by cutting a large stone basin in two. Featuring also Nakamura Jakuemon, Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Karoku and Nakamura Matagorô.

Kanjinchô: probably the most popular Kabuki play today, it includes dance, comedy and the heart-warming pathos of a band of heroes during their last days. Disguised as a band of traveling priests the fugitive general Yoshitsune and his small band of retainers are stopped at a road barrier. They escape only through the quick thinking of the head retainer, a warrior priest named Musashibô Benkei, who improvises the text of an elaborate imperial decree. Having escaped danger Benkei and the others describe their days of glory and hardships on the road to escape in a moving dance. This program stars Matsumoto Hakuô in the role of Benkei, with Nakamura Ganjirô and Matsumoto Kôshirô as Yoshitsune and the barrier keeper Togashi.

Yoshidaya: the roots of this play go back to the earliest days of Kabuki. Izaemon, the son of a wealthy family, has been disowned for loving a courtesan and now has nothing but a paper kimono. This role is a classic example of the wagoto or soft style of acting that is one of the representative acting styles of the Kansai region. Matsumoto Kôshirô stars as Izaemon, a role that is a specialty of his family's Kansai acting style. Featuring Nakamura Kazutarô as the courtesan Ôgiya Yûgiri (Izaemon's lover), Nakamura Karoku and Kataoka Hidetarô as the proprietor and proprietress of the Yoshidaya teahouse.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Kotarô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Bandô Shûchô, Ichimura Kitsutarô, Nakamura Baika

34th edition of the Spring Kabuki performance Shikoku Konpira Kabuki Ôshibai at the Kanamaruza on Shikoku Island! Nakamura Shikan VIII and two of his three sons, Nakamura Hashinosuke IV and Nakamura Fukunosuke III, celebrate their shûmei at the Kanamaruza!

Ejima Ikushima: this is a modern Kabuki dance-drama by Hasegawa Shigure about the love story of Ejima (Nakamura Kotarô), a high-ranking lady-in-waiting during the Tokugawa era and a Kabuki actor named Ikushima Shingorô (Onoe Matsuya). Their love was forbidden according to strict social and class codes because of the low status of the actor in that period when the samurai class ruled supreme [more details about this affair].

Sayaate: Two rivals for the love of one of the top courtesans in the pleasure quarters encounter one another and confront each other in a series of sarcastic, poetic and stately speeches. A play full of the color and ceremony of the most stylized age of Kabuki. Featuring Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Hashinosuke and Nakamura Kaishun in the roles of Nagoya Sanza, Fuwa Banzaemon and the tea house mistress. Featuring Nakamura Shikan as a guest star!

Sakanaya Sôgorô: Sôgorô (Nakamura Shikan), a fish seller, has taken a vow to not drink, but when he learns about his sister's unjust murder at the hands of a daimyô lord, a death that they were told was execution for her wrongdoing, he starts to drink again. Drunk, he storms into the lord's mansion to seek an apology. This play by Meiji playwright Kawatake Mokuami is known for its realistic portrayal of members of the common class during the Edo period and highlights their fierce pride and frustration at the privileges of the dominant samurai class. Featuring also Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Kotarô and Bandô Shûchô.

Torii Mae:
(In Front of the Fushimi Inari Shrine)
This is a short scene showing the troubles of Yoshitsune after his brother Yoritomo, the Shôgun, turns against him. Yoshitsune (Onoe Matsuya) is forced to flee from the troops sent by his brother Yoritomo. The trip will be hard and he decides he must leave behind his lover Shizuka Gozen (Nakamura Kotarô), despite her passionate pleas to remain with him. As a reminder of himself, he presents her with a precious hand drum that he had received from the emperor. Yoshitsune's retainer Tadanobu (Nakamura Hashinosuke) rescues Shizuka from Yoritomo's troops and Yoshitsune decides to have Tadanobu protect her on the road, not knowing that this Tadanobu is actually a magical fox in disguise. Featuring also Nakamura Fukunosuke in the role of Musashibô Benkei.

Kamakura Sandaiki: a rare performance of a classical history play from the Bunraku puppet theatre, which shows a heroic warrior, unbending mother and delicate princess in romance and intrigue on a grand scale. War has placed the young samurai Miuranosuke (Nakamura Baigyoku) and his fiance Princess Toki on enemy sides. She takes care of his sick mother (Bandô Shûchô) despite being on opposite sides, and Miuranosuke slips away from the battle to see his mother one last time. But she refuses to see him when he should be on the battlefield and he must leave, brokenhearted. Princess Toki's father is the leader of the enemy forces and she is faced with a terrible challenge. She will only be allowed to be united with the man she loves if she kills her father. Starring Nakamura Kaishun as Princess Toki, considered to be one of the most difficult princess roles in the Kabuki repertory. Starring Nakamura Shikan in the role of Sasaki Takatsuna.

Shakkyô:
(The Stone Bridge)
There are many plays about shishi or lion spirits in the Asian tradition, but the shishi is not actually a lion, it is a mythical animal that guards the stone bridge (Shakkyô) leading to the Buddhist paradise of Monju, the god of wisdom. Featuring Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke and Onoe Matsuya in the roles of the shishi.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Tsurumatsu

The Spring Tour of the Nakamuraya guild with performances in 12 cities. The first item (geidan) in this program is a talk.

Tsuru Kame: the crane (tsuru) is said to live for a thousand years, the tortoise (kame) is said to live for ten thousand years. Together, they are a traditional symbol of longevity. There is no particular plot to this play, but simply shows a visit by the empress to the Moon Pavilion where two courtiers dance as the spirits of the crane and tortoise.

Urashima: This dance depicts a Japanese folk tale of a young man named Urashima (Nakamura Kankurô) who is invited to the Dragon Palace under the sea for saving a turtle's life. When Urashima returns back home, he finds that many year had elapsed during the few days he spent at the Dragon Palace. When he opens up the gift boxes, lovingly thinking of the Princess of the Sea who had given them to him, a puff of smoke appears and Urashima turns into an old man with silvery white hair. This dance utilizes many beautiful melodies and brilliantly expresses Urashima's feeling at the moment of change.

Makura Jishi: the keisei Yayoi performs a dance expressing her bitterness toward her dreary life in the gay quarters, but she gradually finds herself under the control of the lion spirit. In the second half of the dance, the lion spirit itself appears and performs its crazed dance among peonies and fluttering butterflies. Starring Nakamura Shichinosuke as both the courtesan Yayoi and the spirit of the lion.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website
Nihon Buyô for "Urashima"

Ichikawa Ebizô, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichimura Kakitsu, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Katayama Kurôemon, Kanze Yoshimasa, Miroku Tadashi, Shigeyama Ippei, Ichikawa Botan

The Spring Tour of Ichikawa Ebizô with performances in 23 cities. A special program mixing Kabuki, Nô and Opera. The heir of the Naritaya guild performs in a special version of "Genji Monogatari", featuring the Nô actors Katayama Kurôemon X and Kanze Yoshimasa, and the Opera Tenor/Countertenor Miroku Tadashi. The script for this version of "Genji Monogatari" focuses on the story from Oborozukiyo to Suma/Akashi.

Genji Monogatari: Japan's oldest love story is reborn from a wondrous collaboration of Kabuki, Nô and Opera. The Tale of Genji was written in the 11th century by Murasaki Shikibu, a lady of the Heian court. The whole story consists of 54 chapters and unfolds in a number of human relationships and romances that Hikaru-no-kimi,,the hero of the tale(acted by Ichikawa Ebizô), had in his life while describing to the court about life in the Heian period of Japan. This story is to recreate a new "The Tale of Genji" incorporating the essence of Kabuki, Nô, another form of traditional Japanese theatre culture, and Opera, an art long-cultivated in Western culture. That is sometimes elegant and quiet, yet sometimes dramatic and aggressive. The beautiful four seasons of Japan are recreated on the stage which will remind audiences of profoundness Japanese sensitivity.

Source: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Udanji, Bandô Minosuke, Onoe Ukon, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Bandô Takesaburô, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Omezô, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Hayato, Ichikawa Juen, Ichikawa Kôtarô

The Sûpâ Kabuki Sekando drama "ONE PIECE", based on Oda Eiichirô's internationally popular manga "ONE PIECE", which got his first very successful stage adaptation by Ichikawa Ennosuke in October 2015/November 2015 at the Shinbashi Enbujô. It was staged one more time in the same theater in October 2017/November 2017 ... without Ichikawa Ennosuke, who broke his left arm, and could not perform the leading roles of Luffy and Hancock. He was successfully replaced by Onoe Ukon. It is staged this month in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza for the second time (first time in March 2016 in the same theater). Most of the actors are Kabuki actors, with 3 non-Kabuki guest actors : Hira Takehiro, Kashima Noritoshi and Asano Kazuyuki. It is almost the same cast as in 2015 (minor differences).

ONE PIECE: "ONE PIECE", a hugely successful manga series, first appeared in the July 1997 issue of the Weekly Shônen Jump magazine. As a book, the first volume was published in December 1997 and it soon gained a national reputation. The series has now reached 80 volumes and the number of copies printed of the series in Japan alone totals more than 350 million. As a result, it was awarded the Guinness World Record as "Most copies published for the same comic book series by a single author" in June 2015. The play is a marine adventure featuring the hero Luffy who explores the ocean with his diverse crew named the Straw Hat Pirates. They are in search of the world’s ultimate treasure known as 'One Piece' so that Luffy can become the next Pirate King. The play depicts the episode 'PARAMOUNT WAR' which is still popular among One Piece fans! Luffy engages in war determined to fight to the last in order to rescue his brother Ace who was captured!

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Kudanji

3rd edition of the Kudanji no Kai in Kyôto, which stars Ichikawa Ebizô's disciple Ichikawa Kudanji. Kudanji no Kai literally means "Kudanji's Association".

Ichikawa Kudanji

3rd edition of the Kudanji no Kai in Kyôto, which stars Ichikawa Ebizô's disciple Ichikawa Kudanji. Kudanji no Kai literally means "Kudanji's Association".

Nakamura Shidô, Hatsune Miku

The world of Kabuki and the world of otaku collide for the second time in Kabuki history! Resulting from this spectacular collision, a new genre, the Chôkabuki (literally Ultra-Kabuki), was born in 2016 [more details]. Nakamura Shidô shares the stage with the virtual 3D creature Hatsune Miku. They perform "together" in a newly-created Chôkabuki drama. It is staged at the Makuhari Messe as part of the Niconico Chôkaigi 2018 event, an important yearly event for the otaku tribes.