2 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza), 2 in Fukuoka (Hakataza), 1 in Nagoya (Misonoza), 1 in Komatsu (Urara Theater Komatsu), 1 in Kanazawa (Kagekiza), in Kyôto (Minamiza), 1 in Naruto (Ôtsuka Museum of Art) and 1 tour (Zenshinza)!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Hidetarô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Kataoka Gatô, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Kankurô, Kataoka Takatarô, Onoe Shôroku, Ichikawa Danzô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Karoku and Kataoka Kamezô perform at the Kabukiza !

Ichikawa Ennosuke and Nakamura Hayato perform at the Hakataza!

Ichikawa Ebizô, Ichikawa Udanji and Nakamura Kotarô perform at the Misonoza, at the Urara Theater Komatsu, at the Kagekiza, at the Minamiza and at the Hakataza !

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Hidetarô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Kataoka Gatô, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Kankurô, Kataoka Takatarô, Onoe Shôroku, Ichikawa Danzô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Karoku, Kataoka Kamezô, Bandô Shûchô, Kataoka Shinnosuke, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Yonekichi, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Kataoka Sennosuke, Nakamura Mantarô, Nakamura Kangyoku, Arashi Kitsusaburô, Kataoka Matsunosuke, Ichimura Kitsutarô, Nakamura Kichinojô

The February Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza. 3 dramas are staged to commemorate the 26th anniversary (27th memorial services) of the passing away of Kataoka Nizaemon XIII: "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", "Hachijin Shugo no Honjô" and "Michiyuki Kokyô no Hatsuyuki".

Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami:
(Sugawara and the Secrets of Calligraphy)
Sugawara no Michizane (known in this play as Kan Shôjô) was a high-ranking imperial court minister who was a brilliant calligrapher and scholar. But political rivalries forced him to be exiled to distant Kyûshû, where he died. After Michizane's death, a series of disasters in the imperial capital were attributed to his angry spirit and he was appeased by being made a god known as Tenjin, and he is now revered as the god of learning. His story was dramatized as an epic puppet drama in 1746 and the play remains a favorite in both Kabuki and the Bunraku puppet theatre.

Kamo Zutsumi:
(The Kamo Riverbank)
Young Sakuramaru (Nakamura Kankurô) serves imperial prince Tokiyo (Nakamura Yonekichi) who has fallen in love with Princess Kariya (Kataoka Sennosuke), Michizane's beautiful daughter. Sakuramaru and his wife Yae (Kataoka Takatarô) are charmed by the affair, since it reminds them of their own love. But the affair is discovered and Michizane's rivals use it as proof that he is attempting to take over the imperial court. This innocent love affair triggers the tragedies of the play.

Hippô Denju:
(Calligraphy Instruction)
Michizane, in this play called Kan Shôjô (Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon), after his title, knows that he will soon be exiled. Before he goes, he hands over the scroll of his secrets to his most talented student Genzô (Nakamura Baigyoku). But Genzô was disowned forever for having an affair with Tonami (Nakamura Tokizô), another servant in the household. Only the intervention of Kan Shôjô’s wife Sonoo-no-Mae (Living National Treasure Kataoka Hidetarô) saved their lives. Even though Genzô receives his master’s teachings, he is not forgiven. Sugawara is arrested, but as Genzô and his wife leave, they rescue Kan Shôjô’s young son and take him to safety. Featuring also Nakamura Hashinosuke as Umeômaru.

Dômyôji:
(At the Dômyôji Temple)
On his way to exile, Kan Shôjô (Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon) is allowed to stop at the home of his aunt, Kakuju (Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô). There he carves a statue of himself for his aunt. But Princess Kariya (Kataoka Sennosuke) is actually Kakuju's daughter and was adopted by Kan Shôjô. She has come desperately hoping to say farewell to him, but she is punished severely by Kakuju for having been responsible for Kan Shôjô's downfall. At the same time, Kakuju has another daughter, Tatsuta (Kataoka Takatarô) and Tatsuta's husband Sukune Tarô (Bandô Yajûrô) and father-in-law (Nakamura Karoku) are plotting to assassinate Kan Shôjô by pretending to be the emissary to take him to exile and then killing him. But miraculously, the statue Kan Shôjô carved comes to life and saves his life. Finally, when the real emissary Terukuni (Nakamura Shikan) appears, Kan Shôjô must part from his family as he goes into exile. Featuring also Nakamura Kankurô as the yakko Takunai.

Hachijin: this is a jidaimono period piece that dramatizes true historical events. Katô Kiyomasa (1562~1611) was one of the fiercest generals under Toyotomi Hideyoshi and continued to defend the family and Hideyoshi’s young heir Hideyori even after the world came to be ruled by crafty Tokugawa Ieyasu, who searched for any excuse he could find to destroy the clan of his most powerful rival. In the Edo period, the Shogunate banned all mention of contemporary events on stage and was especially sensitive to all mention of the Toyotomi clan and anyone associated with it. On stage, Katô Kiyomasa always appeared under the thinly disguised name of Satô Masakiyo. In this play, the aged Masakiyo defends the young heir of his late lord when he is summoned to a meeting with an old feudal lord who now rules the land. Masakiyo does not budge from his post even when he is weakened by poison. It also shows the touching romance of Masakiyo’s young son. Starring Kataoka Gatô and Nakamura Kaishun as Masakiyo and Hinaginu (the wife of Masakiyo's son).

Hagoromo: the legend of the angel who came to earth to bathe and then had her heavenly feathered robe stolen by a fisherman is famous in all forms of Japanese theater. This month features an elegant dance version of the story with Nakamura Kankurô as the fisherman and Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô as the angel.

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 Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Jakuemon and Nakamura Baishi in the roles of Chôbê, Chôbê's wife Okane and Bunshichi. Featuring also Nakamura Tokizô, Ichikawa Sadanji and Ichikawa Danzô.

Michiyuki Kokyô no Hatsuyuki: this is a dance adaptation of "Ninokuchi-mura" ['Ninokuchi Village'] from the play "Koi Bikyaku Yamato Ôrai" ['The Love Messenger to Yamato']. In danger of losing his lover, the courtesan Umegawa (Living National Treasure Kataoka Hidetarô), the money courier Kameya Chûbê (Nakamura Baigyoku) broke the seals on a package of money entrusted to him, even though the use of such money was punishable by death. In this scene, on their way to commit a lovers' double suicide (shinjû), the couple journey through the snow-covered landscape on their way to Chûbê's home town. Featuring also Onoe Shôroku.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ennosuke, Nakamura Hayato, Bandô Shingo, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Omezô, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Juen, Ichikawa Kôtarô, Ôtani Keizô, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Takanosuke, Nakamura Tamatarô, Ichikawa Otora, Asano Kazuyuki, Kashima Noritoshi, Ishibashi Shôji, Shimomura Ao, Ishiguro Hideo, Takahashi Yô

The Sûpâ Kabuki Sekando drama "Shinpan Oguri" is a revised version of 1991 Sûpâ Kabuki drama "Oguri".

Shinpan Oguri:
(Oguri, a New Version)
Oguri Hangan (alternatively Ichikawa Ennosuke or Nakamura Hayato) is the heaven-sent child of Vaisravana, a good-looking youth and a master of the martial arts and horsemanship. He comes across Princess Terute who lives in Sagami Province. They fall in love and pledge their troth. However, this is against the law and he is killed by her father. Oguri comes before Enma Daiô, the King of Hell, who sends him back to the world with his face disfigured and his limbs wasted away as a punishment for his self-indulgence and refusal to take notice of others. Totally disfigured, he cannot walk, and makes his way to Kumano Shrine to be cured, sitting in a cart drawn by volunteers. On the way, fatefully, he meets Princess Terute again but she does not notice him. Will he be able to return to his original appearance? What will become of his love for her?

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô, Kamimura Kichiya

10th edition of the Sistine Kabuki, a Kabuki program within the Sistine Hall of the Ôtsuka Museum of Art, which is located in the city of Naruto (Tokushima prefecture). Inside this museum, there are more than 1,000 replicas of priceless masterpieces of Western art, from ancient murals to modern paintings, which are reproduced in ceramic to their original size. The Sistine Hall is of course a "reproduction" of the Vatican Sistine Chapel.

Ichikawa Ebizô, Ichikawa Udanji, Nakamura Kotarô

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

Hagoromo: the legend of the angel who came to earth to bathe and then had her heavenly feathered robe stolen by a fisherman is famous in all forms of Japanese theater. This month features an elegant dance version of the story with Nakamura Kotarô as the angel.

Goaisatsu: a kôjô on stage.

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 Ichikawa Ebizô in the role of Benkei, with Nakamura Kotarô and Ichikawa Udanji as Yoshitsune and the barrier keeper Togashi.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ebizô, Ichikawa Udanji, Nakamura Kotarô

A special program starring Ichikawa Ebizô in Komatsu at the Urara Theater Komatsu.

Hagoromo: the legend of the angel who came to earth to bathe and then had her heavenly feathered robe stolen by a fisherman is famous in all forms of Japanese theater. This month features an elegant dance version of the story with Nakamura Kotarô as the angel.

Goaisatsu: a kôjô on stage.

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 Ichikawa Ebizô in the role of Benkei, with Nakamura Kotarô and Ichikawa Udanji as Yoshitsune and the barrier keeper Togashi.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ebizô, Ichikawa Udanji, Nakamura Kotarô

A special program starring Ichikawa Ebizô in Kanazawa at the Kagekiza.

Hagoromo: the legend of the angel who came to earth to bathe and then had her heavenly feathered robe stolen by a fisherman is famous in all forms of Japanese theater. This month features an elegant dance version of the story with Nakamura Kotarô as the angel.

Goaisatsu: a kôjô on stage.

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 Ichikawa Ebizô in the role of Benkei, with Nakamura Kotarô and Ichikawa Udanji as Yoshitsune and the barrier keeper Togashi.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ebizô, Ichikawa Udanji, Nakamura Kotarô

A special program starring Ichikawa Ebizô in Kyôto at the Minamiza.

Hagoromo: the legend of the angel who came to earth to bathe and then had her heavenly feathered robe stolen by a fisherman is famous in all forms of Japanese theater. This month features an elegant dance version of the story with Nakamura Kotarô as the angel.

Goaisatsu: a kôjô on stage.

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 Ichikawa Ebizô in the role of Benkei, with Nakamura Kotarô and Ichikawa Udanji as Yoshitsune and the barrier keeper Togashi.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ebizô, Ichikawa Udanji, Nakamura Kotarô

A special program starring Ichikawa Ebizô in Fukuoka at the Hakataza. Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the performances from the 27th of February to the 1st of March were canceled!

Hagoromo: the legend of the angel who came to earth to bathe and then had her heavenly feathered robe stolen by a fisherman is famous in all forms of Japanese theater. This month features an elegant dance version of the story with Nakamura Kotarô as the angel.

Goaisatsu: a kôjô on stage.

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 Ichikawa Ebizô in the role of Benkei, with Nakamura Kotarô and Ichikawa Udanji as Yoshitsune and the barrier keeper Togashi.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Tamaura Yûnosuke, Tadamura Shin'ya, Hayase Einojô, Matsunami Kihachirô, Arashi Ichitarô, Watarai Motoyuki

A short tour for the Zenshinza troupe:

Ushiwakamaru: this newly-created Kabuki drama about Ushiwakamaru (the future young general Minamoto no Yoshitsune). The three first ideograms of the title are yuki (snow), tsuki (moon) and hana (flower). Each one symbolizes one of the 3 parts of this drama. The first part is the village of Fushimi under the snow : after her husband Minamoto no Yoshitomo was murdered in 1160, Lady Tokiwa (Hayase Einojô) and her son Ushiwakamaru escape through the snow from Kyôto to nearby Fushimi. She is caught by her enemy Taira no Munekiyo. Instead of killing her and her son, he rescue the mother and his boy. The second part is set at the Gojô Bridge at night under the moon. Ushiwakamaru (Tamaura Yûnosuke) is now a powerful warrior picking fights on the Gojô Bridge in Kyôto. A stout warrior priest named Benkei (Watarai Motoyuki) challenges him. Vanquished, he becomes a disciple of Ushiwakamaru. The third part is set in Mount Kurama during the autumn leaves season. Ushiwakamaru, who cherishes the ambition of destroying the Heike clan, discovers that his new friend is actually a tengu, who promises to teach him secret tactics and war strategies.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website