3 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, Kabukiza), 2 on Shikoku island (Kanamaruza), 1 in Nagoya (Misonoza) & 1 tour (Zenshinza)!

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Matsumoto Hakuô, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Kaishun, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Onoe Shôroku, Kataoka Takatarô, Nakamura Kazutarô, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Matagorô, Ichikawa Chûsha & Onoe Ukon perform at the Kabukiza!

Nakamura Manju, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Nakamura Shidô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Mantarô & Kawarasaki Gonjûrô perform at the Kanamaruza!

Ichikawa Danjûrô performs at the Misonoza!

The Zenshinza troupe is on tour!

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Living National Treasure Kanda Shôri, Matsumoto Hakuô, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Kaishun, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Onoe Shôroku, Kataoka Takatarô, Nakamura Kazutarô, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Matagorô, Ichikawa Chûsha, Onoe Ukon, Ôtani Tomoemon, Ichimura Manjirô, Matsumoto Kingo, Bandô Kamezô, Ichikawa Komazô, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Nakamura Yonekichi, Ôtani Hirotarô, Nakamura Kashô, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Toranosuke, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Sawamura Sônosuke, Sawamura Yoshijirô, Ichikawa Seiko, Onoe Sakon, Onoe Maholo, Bandô Kamesaburô, Nakamura Hidenosuke, Nakamura Kichinojô, Kataoka Matsunosuke, Ichimura Kitsutarô, Nakamura Baika

The April Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza with 2 newly-created Kabuki dramas: "Kobikichô no Adauchi" based on Nagai Sayako's popular historical eponymous novel and "Muhitsu no Shusse" based on a story which was written in collaboration with Kanda Shôri III, a Living National Treasure of kôdan storytelling.

Kobikichô no Adauchi: this is a new Kabuki production adapted from a period novel by prize-winning novelist Nagai Sayako, set in Kobikichô where the Kabukiza is situated. Inô Seizaemon (Ichikawa Komazô), the chief retainer of a daimyô lord, suddenly slashes at his son Kikunosuke (Ichikawa Somegorô) who has returned from horse riding. While Kikunosuke is bewildered by his usually calm father's sudden change, his servant Sakubê (Ichikawa Chûsha) crosses swords with Seizaemon and flees. Kikunosuke heads for Edo to avenge his father's death on Sakubê. Accepting his mother's advice, Kikunosuke goes to the Morita Theatre at Kobikichô. Spending days looking for his father's killer, and assisted by those concerned with the theatre, one day Kikunosuke encounters the playwright Shinoda Kinji (Matsumoto Kôshirô) and the story unfolds. Featuring also Nakamura Jakuemon, Bandô Yajûrô & Nakamura Matagorô.

Kurotegumi Sukeroku: this play by the 19th century playwright Kawatake Mokuami combines the sunny world of the Kabuki classic "Sukeroku", the handsome hero Sukeroku and his lover Agemaki, the top courtesan in the Yoshiwara, with his own dark world of thieves and absconding clerks and the ironic twists of karma. Featuring Matsumoto Kôshirô as Sukeroku and the comic clerk Gonkurô and Nakamura Kaishun as Agemaki. Also starring Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Yonekichi, Nakamura Hashinosuke and Ôtani Tomoemon. Matsumoto Hakuô is the guest star in the role of Kinokuniya Bunzaemon.

Sugisaka/Keya-mura: Rokusuke (Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon on odd days; Matsumoto Kôshirô on even days), a farmer who lives at the foot of Mt. Hiko in Buzen Province, is a master swordsman. In Kokura Domain, a proclamation was issued that they will employ a man who defeats Rokusuke as a retainer. After his mother's death, Rokusuke keeps vigil at Sugisaka Grave for 49 nights. One night, when Rokusuke is praying to Amida Buddha, Mijin Danjô (Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku), a masterless samurai passes by with his old mother (Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô). Mijin Danjô asks Rokusuke to let him win the sword match wanting to be a good son. Touched by his filial piety towards his mother, Rokusuke promises to do so. After they part, a young samurai serving Rokusuke's master, Yoshioka Ichimisai, is attacked by a bandit. Rokusuke drives the bandit away, but he breathes his last after leaving the boy he was with in Rokusuke's care. A few days later the sword match is held at Rokusuke's house and Rokusuke gives Danjô the match as he had promised. Just after, Rokusuke's fiancee Osono (Kataoka Takatarô) whom Rokusuke has never met comes to Rokusuke's house disguised as a Zen priest. To Rokusuke's surprise, Yasomatsu, the boy left in Rokusuke's care, turns out to be the son of Osono's sister. Furthermore, Rokusuke finds out that Danjô is in reality Kyôgoku no Takumi who attacked Ichimisai, Osono's father and Rokusuke's master, under the cover of darkness. Rokusuke becomes furious to know that he was deceived, and goes out with Osono to avenge himself on Kyôgoku no Takumi.

Kagami Jishi: one of the most important dances for onnagata female role specialists and is an audience favorite. The maidservant Yayoi performs an auspicious lion dance for the Shôgun in his opulent palace, 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 Onoe Ukon as both Yayoi and the spirit of the lion.

Muhitsu no Shusse: this is a new Kabuki production adapted from a kôdan story by Kanda Shôri III, which portrays precisely how the illiterate Jisuke single-mindedly learns letters and succeeds in life. On a summer day, the servant Jisuke (Onoe Shôroku/Bandô Kamezô the 9th, 16th & 23rd of April) gets on a ferry across the Ô River to deliver a letter from his master Sassa Yozaemon (Nakamura Ganjirô) who is a direct retainer of the Shôgun. Jisuke does not know the text of the letter as he is illiterate. As he drops the letter, the priest there tells him the surprising facts and the story unfolds. Kanda Shôri III himself will also appear in the play as a ... kôdan storyteller. Featuring also Ichikawa Chûsha and Onoe Sakon.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Manju, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Nakamura Shidô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Mantarô, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Kamimura Kichitarô, Sawamura Kiyoshirô, Nakamura Haruki, Nakamura Natsuki

The 38th edition of the Spring Kabuki performance Shikoku Konpira Kabuki Ôshibai at the Kanamaruza on Shikoku Island.

Keya-mura: Rokusuke (Nakamura Mantarô), a sword master who lives a simple country life, is taking care of a small foundling child. He hangs the boy's kimono outside his house in the hope that the boy's relatives will see it and know where he is. One day he finds himself attacked by a woman named Osono (Nakamura Tokizô) who turns out to be the aunt of the child. As they talk, they find that they are in fact linked by promises of marriage although they have never met directly. Osono is searching for Kyôgoku no Takumi (Nakamura Kinnosuke), the killer of her father, Rokusuke's master, and Rokusuke promises to help in her vendetta.

Sakanaya Sôgorô: Sôgorô (Nakamura Shidô), 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 Manju, Nakamura Kinnosuke & Kawarasaki Gonjûrô.

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 Manju in the role of the spirit of the earth spider. Featuring Nakamura Tokizô in the role of Minamoto Raikô. Featuring also Nakamura Kinnosuke and Nakamura Mantarô as the shitennô Sakata Kintoki and Usui Sadamitsu.

Rakuda: this is a popular dramatization of a rakugo comic story. A petty gang boss named Rakuda has died after eating blowfish. Hanji (Sawamura Kiyoshirô), one of his gang members, finds him and hopes to bury him, but has no money. When he tries to get the neighbors to contribute, everyone is overjoyed that such a nuisance is dead, but won't contribute a cent towards his burial. Finally Hanji pulls in a passing waste paper collector named Kyûroku (Nakamura Shidô) and forces him to carry around Rakuda's body and threaten to make it dance if the neighbors won't pay up. They get a great sum of money and start drinking together. But as he drinks, the hapless Kyûroku becomes surprisingly aggressive.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Danjûrô, Ichikawa Udanji, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Ichikawa Shinjûrô, Ichikawa Shinzô, Ichikawa Masusaburô, Ichikawa Fukutarô

A special program starring Ichikawa Danjûrô in Nagoya at the Misonoza.

Otokodate Hana no Yoshiwara: Gosho no Gorozô (Ichikawa Danjûrô), the most gallant and chivalrous of men in the capital of Edo, is off to the bustling Nakanochô corner of the Yoshiwara pleasure district. He has received a love letter from his lover, a famous keisei in Yoshiwara. Gorozô tells us the story of how they met and their many rendezvous in a dance. On his way, he is ambushed by men who hold a grudge against him, but Gorozô effortlessly fends them off and continues on his way to his beloved. Featuring also Ichikawa Shinzô, Ichikawa Masusaburô & Ichikawa Fukutarô.

Tsuri Onna: a dance based on a classical Kyôgen farce. A master (Ichikawa Shinjûrô) longs for a wife and is told by the gods in a dream to go fishing for one. He is united with a beautiful princess (Ôtani Hiromatsu). His servant Tarôkaja (Ichikawa Udanji) wants a wife as well, but when he goes fishing, is stuck with a very surprising companion, played by Ichikawa Kudanji in a rare, humorous, female role.

Kagutsuchi no Mai: an old form of traditional religious dance dedicated to Kagutsuchi, the God of Fire. Starring Ichikawa Danjûrô, Ichikawa Udanji, Ichikawa Kudanji & Ôtani Hiromatsu.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website, Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website or others sources

Fujikawa Yanosuke, Yamazaki Tatsusaburô, Tamaura Yûnosuke, Hayase Einojô, Matsunami Kihachirô, Arashi Ichitarô, Watarai Motoyuki, Ishijima Ryûsei

A tour for the Zenshinza troupe:

Tanoshii Kabuki: . Literally 'Enjoyable Kabuki'. A stage sppeech/presentation about Kabuki.

Bunshichi Mottoi: Chôbê spends his days and nights gambling, but is finally made aware of his family's problems when his daughter takes a job in the pleasure quarters. Having received the money for her contract, he shows his good side to save a young man on the edge of suicide after losing a large sum of money, but nobody believes Chôbê, thinking that he has gambled the money away. The performance stars Fujikawa Yanosuke, Hayase Einojô and Ishijima Ryûsei in the roles of Chôbê, Chôbê's wife Okane and Bunshichi.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Onoe Kikugorô, Onoe Kikunosuke, ???

A special event at the Kabukiza to celebrate the coming shûmei performances in this theater of Onoe Kikugorô VIII and his son Onoe Kikunosuke VI in May 2025 and June 2025. There is screening of movies/documentaries related to the Onoe Kikugorô line of actors. It ends with a traditional hand-clapping ceremony.