10 January: the playwright Kawatake Shinshichi III (1842~1901) died.

21 February: the actor Nakamura Tomijûrô III (1859~1901) died.

March 1901: Kataoka Tsuchinosuke II took the name of Kataoka Gadô IV in Ôsaka at the Kadoza.

May 1901: Nakamura Fukusuke IV took the name of Nakamura Shikan V at the Kabukiza [more details].

July: premiere at the Tôkyôza of "Tsuri Onna", the Kabuki version of the kyôgen "Tsuribari", originally written in 1883 by Kawatake Mokuami (lyrics) and Kishizawa Shikisa VI (music) and revised for the stage by Takeshiba Shinkichi. It starred Ichikawa Ennosuke I and Nakamura Kangorô XII in the roles of Tarôkaja and the ugly girl.

1 August: the playwright Namiki Gohei IV (1829~1901) died.

22 August: the actor Mimasu Inemaru III (1858~1901) died.

21 September: the actor Ichikawa Raizô VI (1876~1901) died.

29 September: the actor Bandô Shûchô II (1848~1901) died.

March: the Harukiza was renamed Hongôza.

5 April: the actor Nakamura Komagorô (1844~1902) died.

October: premiere at the Kabukiza of Enokido Kenji's drama "Ninjô Banashi Bunshichi Mottoi" [casting].

27 October: the sakusha Katsu Genzô III (1844~1902) died.

18 February: the actor Onoe Kikugorô V (1844~1903) died.

March: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Otowaya guild; the actors Onoe Ushinosuke II, Onoe Eizaburô V and Onoe Eizô respectively took the names of Onoe Kikugorô VI, Onoe Baikô VI and Onoe Eizaburô VI [more details]. This was also the premiere of "Kichirei Soga no Ishizue", a play which is now entitled "Kotobuki Soga no Taimen" in the Kabuki repertoire [casting].

30 April: the actor Onoe Kikujûrô II (1855~1903) died.

May: Ichikawa Somegorô IV took the name of Ichikawa Komazô VIII at the Kabukiza.

21 August: the actor Nakamura Kasen I (1868~1903) died.

13 September: the actor Ichikawa Danjûrô IX (1838~1903) died.

7 October: the actor Ichikawa Ebijûrô VI (1852~1903) died.

February/March: successful premiere at the Tôkyôza of Tsubouchi Shôyô's drama "Kiri Hitoha" [more details].

27 March: the actor Ichikawa Gonjûrô (1848~1904) died.

April: premiere at the Kabukiza of Mori Ôgai's drama "Nichiren Shônin Tsujiseppô". The leading roles were played by Onoe Baikô VI, Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Ichikawa Yaozô VII (he played the role of the priest Nichiren).

June: premiere at the Kabukiza of the drama "Meiboku Kasane Monogatari" [casting].

7 August: the actor Ichikawa Sadanji I (1842~1904) died.

October: premiere at the Tôkyôza of the Kabuki adaptation of the kyôgen "Buaku" [casting].

24 January: the actor Arashi Minshi V (1854~1905) died.

31 January: the actor Jitsukawa Enzaburô IV (1864~1905) died.

May: premiere of Tsubouchi Shôyô's drama "Hototogisu Kojô no Rakugetsu" in Ôsaka at the Kadoza, starring Kataoka Gatô III in the roles of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) and Katagiri Katsumoto.

4 January: the playwright Fukuchi Ôchi (1841~1906) died.

16 February: the actor Bandô Matasaburô II (1855~1906) died.

24 February: the actor Ichikawa Aragorô III (1833~1906) died.

March: premiere in Ôsaka at the Nakaza of Watanabe Katei's wankyûmono drama "Wankyû Sue no Matsuyama".

11 March: the actor Iwai Matsunosuke IV (1857~1906) died.

March: Tsubouchi Shôyô's drama "Hototogisu Kojô no Rakugetsu" was produced for the first time in Tôkyô, at the Tôkyôza [casting].

15 April: the actor Ichikawa Saruzô III (1867~1906) died.

7 May: the actor Ichikawa Sumizô V (1845~1906) died.

6 June: the actor Ichikawa Masuzô III (1857~1906) died.

December: premiere at the Minamiza of Takayasu Gekkô's drama "Sakura Shigure" [casting].

11 December: the actor Kataoka Ichizô III (1851~1906) died.

June: the dance-drama "Kyô Ningyô" was staged for the first time under the title "Meisaku Hidari Kogatana" at the Miyatoza [more details].

2 August: the actor Ichikawa Arajirô I (1850~1907) died.

18 September: the actor Nakamura Ginnosuke II (1881~1907) died.

October: premiere at the Kadoza of Watanabe Katei's chûshinguramono "Tsuchiya Chikara" [more details].

14 November: the actor Ôtani Bajû V (1842~1907) died.

18 March: the actor Ichikawa Yonejûrô IV (1874~1908) died.

April: the actors Nakamura Tokizô I and Nakamura Kashô I respectively took the names of Nakamura Karoku III and Nakamura Tokizô II at the Meijiza.

16 August: the actor Nakamura Moshio III (1843~1908) died.

November: revival at the Kabukiza of the Kabuki Jûhachiban drama "Kagekiyo" [casting].

September: revival at the Meijiza of the drama "Kenuki", a long-forgotten play belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [casting].

18 September: the actor Nakamura Tokizô II (1876~1908) died.

November: revival of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Onna Goroshi Abura no Jigoku", in Ôsaka at the Asahiza, which was based on a new script written by Watanabe Katei [casting].

January: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Onna Goroshi Abura no Jigoku" was staged for the first time in Kyôto, at the Minamiza [casting].

March: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the kyôgen "Hanago", adapted for Kabuki by Okamura Shikô and staged under the title "Migawari Zazen" [casting].

April: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Yuki no Yûbe Iriya no Azemichi", a few scenes taken from "Kumo ni Magou Ueno no Hatsuhana" and focusing on Kataoka Naojirô and his lover Michitose and staged independently from the rest of the play [casting].

May: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Onna Goroshi Abura no Jigoku" was staged for the first time in Tôkyô, at the Shintomiza [casting].

May: revival at the Meijiza of the drama "Narukami", a long-forgotten play belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [casting].

7 September: the actor Nakamura Tamashichi II (1865~1910) died.

10 September: the actor Bandô Minosuke V (1860~1910) died.

2 April: the actor Sawamura Shirogorô IV (1862~1911) died.

May: premiere at the Meijiza of the Okamoto Kidô's drama "Shuzenji Monogatari" [casting].

4 August: the actor Onoe Iwagorô (1879~1911) died.

14 August: the actor Jitsukawa Enzaburô V (1871~1911) died.

11 September: the actor Ichikawa Danzô VII (1836~1911) died.

October: premiere at the Meijiza of the Okamoto Kidô's drama "Minowa no Shinjû" [casting].

November: premiere at the Imperial Theater Tsubouchi Shôyô's Nagauta-based dance-drama "Kanzan Jittoku" [more details].

January: revival at the Meijiza of the drama "Fudô" belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [more details].

April: premiere at the Kabukiza of the dance "Hashi Benkei" [more details].

April: premiere at the Naniwaza of Okamoto Kidô's "Heikegani", which starred Onoe Baikô VI and Sawamura Sôjûrô VII.

11 October: the actor Arashi Yoshisaburô IV (1872~1912) died.

November: premiere at the Kabukiza of Enomoto Torahiko's drama "Meikô Kakiemon". The role of Kakiemon, a kind of Japanese Bernard Palissy, was played by Kataoka Nizaemon XI.

October: revival at the Kabukiza of the drama "Zôhiki" belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [more details].

January: revival at the Hongôza of the drama "Gedatsu", a long-forgotten play belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [more details].

20 August: the actor Ichikawa Monnosuke VI (1862~1914) died.

September: premiere at the Imperial Theater of the dance "Onatsu Kyôran". The choreography was made by Fujima Kan'emon II and the music was made by Tokiwazu Mojidayû VI. The roles of Onatsu and the pack-horse driver were played by Onoe Baikô VI and Matsumoto Kôshirô VII.

September: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Furukawa Shinsui's drama "Ansei Kibun Tsukuda no Yoarashi" [more details].

September: premiere at the Hongôza of the drama "Waki Noboru Mizu-ni Koi Taki" [casting].

October: premiere at the Shintomiza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Sasaki Takatsuna". The role of Sasaki Takatsuna was played by Ichikawa Sadanji II.

October: premiere at the Meijiza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Soga Monogatari" [casting].

20 April: the actor Arashi Kitsusaburô IV (1841~1915) died.

August 1915: the drama "Kaidan Chibusa no Enoki" revised by the Kamigata actor Jitsukawa Enjirô I was staged for the first time in Tôkyô, at the Kabukiza [casting].

September: premiere at the Hongôza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Toribeyama Shinjû" [casting].

January: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the kyôgen "Bô Shibari", which was adapted to kabuki by Okamura Shikô [casting].

31 january: the actor Nakamura Nakazô IV (1855~1916) died.

February: premiere at the Hongôza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Banchô Sarayashiki" [casting].

18 March: the actor Ichikawa Sai'nyû (1843~1916) died.

April: Nakamura Yonekichi II took the name of Nakamura Tokizô III at the Ichimuraza.

16 November: the playwright Enomoto Torahiko (1866~1916) died.

23 March: the actor Sawamura Ujûrô III (1849~1917) died.

July: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the kyôgen "Tachi Nusubito", adapted to Kabuki by Okamura Shikô with a musical accompaniment written by Kineya Mitarô. Onoe Kikugorô VI, Bandô Hikosaburô VI and Bandô Mitsugorô VII played the 3 roles of the dance.

August: the drama "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami" was produced for the first time at the Kabukiza [casting].

9 November: the zamoto Kawarasaki Gonnosuke VIII died.

The actor Bandô Hikojûrô II (1860~1918) died.

10 January: the actor Nakamura Fukunosuke V (1871~1918) died.

September: premiere at the Meijiza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Onoe Idahachi" [casting].
Premiere at the Ichimuraza of Okamura Shikô's dance-drama "Imohori Chôja" [casting].

November: premiere at the Shintomiza of Matsui Shôyô's drama "Yodogimi". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) was played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

24 November: the actor Arashi Rikaku IV (1853~1918) died.

18 February: the actor Bandô Takesaburô III (1898~1919) died.

27 April: the actor Nakamura Kan'emon II (1851~1919) died.

17 May: the actor Nakamura Karoku III (1849~1919) died.

13 August: the actor Kawarasaki Kunitarô IV (1888~1919) died.

27 August: the actor Onoe Kikujirô III (1882~1919) died.

September: premiere at the Kabukiza of the Kiyomoto-based dance "Sumidagawa", a Nô adapted for Kabuki by Yamazaki Shikô with a musical accompaniment made by Kiyomoto Umekichi II and inspired by Russian ballets seen by Ichikawa Ennosuke II during his European study tour. Ennosuke played the role of the wandering woman Hanjo-no-Mae, desesparately looking for her abducted son Umewakamaru along the Sumida River [casting].

October: premiere at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) of the drama "Tôjûrô no Koi", a drama inspired by the life of the actor Sakata Tôjûrô I [more details].

22 February: the actor Ichikawa Gangyoku II (1835~1920) died.

19 March: the actor Nakamura Matagorô I (1885~1920) died.

May: the actor Iwai Komurasaki III (1851~1920) died.

6 September: the actor Arashi Rikan V (1870~1920) died.

November: premiere at the Meijiza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Ogurusu no Chôbê" [casting].

March: premiere at the Imperial Theater of the dance-drama "Chatsubo", which was adapted from kyôgen to Kabuki by Okamura Shikô and stars Onoe Kikugorô VI and Bandô Mitsugorô VII.

June: premiere at the Shintomiza of Takayasu Gekkô's drama "Daigo no Haru". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) was played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

8 June: the actor Nakamura Baigyoku II (1841~1921) died.

September: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Yamamoto Yûzô's drama "Sakazaki Dewa-no-Kami" [more details].

October: premiere at the Kabukiza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Ôsakajô". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) was played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

9 October: the actor Nakamura Fukunosuke VI died.

19 October: the actor Nakamura Fukuen (1865~1921) died.

30 October: the Kabukiza was burnt to the ground in a fire caused by an electrical short circuit.

15 November: the actor Ichikawa Beishô II (1891~1921) died.

February: premiere at the Shintomiza of Yamazaki Shikô's drama "Hatsushiraga". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) was played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

February: premiere at the Ichimuraza of "Shibahama no Kawazaifu", a drama adapted from a famous Rakugo story created by San'yûtei Enchô. Onoe Kikugorô VI and Sawamura Sônosuke I played the roles of Masagorô and Masagorô's wife Otatsu.

February: revival at the Imperial Theater of the Nagauta-based dance-drama "Tsuki no Kao Monaka no Natorigusa", which was entitled "Oniji Hyôshimai" [more details].

6 February: the actor Ichikawa Danshirô II (1855~1922) died.

6 May: the actor Ichikawa Kodanji V died.

July: premiere at the Imperial Theater of Tanizaki Jun'ichirô's drama "Okuni to Gohei" [casting].

September: revival at the Imperial Theater of "Uirô" [more details]. Revival at the Meijiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Nazo no Obi Chotto Tokubê" [more details].

November: creation of the Tôeikai, a Kabuki dance study group led by Onoe Eizaburô VII and Ichikawa Omezô IV.

7 February: the playwright Takeshiba Kisui (1847~1923) died.

February: premiere with a Kabuki casting at the Ichimuraza of Suzuki Senzaburô's ninjômono drama "Jirokichi Zange" [more details].

March: premiere at the Imperial Theater of Osanai Kaoru's drama "Musuko" [more details].
Premiere at the Hongôza of Matsui Shôyô's drama "Satsuma no Yodogimi". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) was played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

8 May: the actor Onoe Tamimaru III (1871~1923) died.

20 July: the actor Nakamura Denkurô VI (1859~1923) died.

1 September (11:58 AM): Tôkyô was destroyed by a powerful earthquake called Kantô Daijishin, which killed more than 200,000 people and destroyed all the Kabuki theaters.

4 February: the actor Jitsukawa Yaozô II (1880~1924) died.

8 April: the actor Sawamura Sônosuke I (1886~1924) died.

14 April: the actor Asao Kuzaemon IV (1853~1924) died.

June: premiere at the Ichimuraza of Okamura Shikô's Nagauta-based matsubamemono "Akutarô" [more details].

7 July: the actor Nakamura Kamenojô (1886~1924) died.

6 October: the playwright Suzuki Senzaburô (1893~1924) died.

The actor Matsumoto Komasaburô III (1885~1924) died.

5 June: the actor Arashi Sangorô VI (1851~1925) died.

June: premiere at the Shinbashi Enbujô of Suzuki Senzaburô's drama "Ikite-iru Koheiji" [more details].

14 November: the actor Asao Okuyama VII (1863~1925) died.

27 November: the actor Arashi Kanjûrô IV (1851~1925) died.

5 December: the actor Ichikawa Aratarô II (1892~1925) died.

18 February: the actor Ichikawa Danzaburô IX (1851~1926) died.

26 March: the actor Sawamura Tosshi VII (1860~1926) died.

April: premiere at the Kabukiza of Matsui Shôô's drama "Yodogimi Odawara-jin". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) was played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

24 April: the actor Onoe Monzaburô IV (1889~1926) died.

27 may: the actor Onoe Eizaburô VII (1899~1926) died.

July: premiere at the Kabukiza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Gonza to Sukejû" [casting].

19 August: the actor Ichikawa Shôchô II (1886~1926) died.

23 December: the actor Kataoka Ichizô IV (1880~1926) died.

7 January: the actor Onoe Tamizô III (1866~1927) died.

May: premiere at the Hongôza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Shinjuku Yawa" [more details].

16 May: the actor Kataoka Ainosuke IV (1881~1927) died.

July: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Shunshoku Ume Goyomi", an adaptation to Kabuki by the playwright Kimura Kinka of Tamenaga Shunsui's 1833 eponymous novel [casting].

7 September: the actor Bandô Tamanosuke III (1874~1927) died.

4 October: the actor Arashi Kichisaburô VI (1875~1927) died.

October: revival at the Hongôza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", produced under the title "Kiyomizudera Azuma Bunshô", which has not been staged since 3rd lunar month of 1817 [casting].

November: premiere at the Hongôza of Kimura Tomiko's dance-drama "Kôya Monogurui" (a Nô drama adapted for Kabuki), which mixed Nagauta and Gidayû musical accompaniments [casting].

15 November: the actor Nakamura Jakuemon III (1875~1927) died.

16 January: the actor Onoe Usaburô II (1860~1928) died.

March: premiere at the Hongôza of Oka Onitarô's drama "Nemuru-ga-Rakuda Monogatari" [casting].

June: premiere at the Kabukiza of Okamura Shikô's dance-drama "Maboroshi Wankyû" [casting].

Summer: Ichikawa Sadanji II organized the first tour of a Kabuki troupe outside Japan. The destination was the USSR and the troupe performed in Moscow and Leningrad [more details].

5 September: the actor Onoe Matsusuke IV died.

September: premiere at the Kabukiza of Kimura Tomiko's Tokiwazu-based dance "Koma", with a choreography and a musical accompaniment made by Hanayagi Jusuke II and Tokiwazu Mojibê III. The leading role was played by Ichikawa Ennosuke II.

November: premiere at the Kabukiza of Oka Onitarô's dance-drama "Kakuju Senzai" [more details].

25 December: the playwright Osanai Kaoru (1881~1928) died.

June: revival at the Kabukiza of the dance "Gannin Bôzu", which was premiered in the 3rd lunar month of 1811 by Bandô Mitsugorô III. It was staged under the title "Ukare Bôzu". The role of the bonze look-alike beggar was played by the star Onoe Kikugorô VI, who used a different musical accompaniment, written by Kiyomoto Enjudayû V.
Premiere at the Imperial Theater of Tsubouchi Shôyô's dance-drama "Ryôkan to Komori" [more details].

1 July: the actor Ichikawa Shinjûrô III (1866~1929) died.

14 October: the actor Ichikawa Ebijûrô VII (1869~1929) died.

November: revival at the Kabukiza of the drama "Kan U" belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [casting].

December 1929: the management of the Imperial Theater is taken over by the Shôchiku Company.

17 May: the actor Ichikawa Aragorô IV (1861~1930) died.

September: revival at the Meijiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", produced under the title "Tôryû Azuma Bunshô" [casting].

15 September: the actor Kawarasaki Gonzaburô III (1902~1930) died.

8 October: the actor Azuma Tôzô VII (1904~1930) died.

19 November: the actor Arashi Ganshô (1862~1930) died.

15 February: the actor Sawamura Rensha IV (1853~1931) died.

25 February: the actor Seki Sanjûrô V (1879~1931) died.

March: premiere at the Meijiza of Hasegawa Shin's drama "Mabuta no Haha", starring Morita Kan'ya XIII and Onoe Taganojô III in the roles of Chûtarô and Ohama.

20 March: the actor Nakamura Kashichi V (1861~1931) died.

May: foundation of the Zenshinza troupe led by Nakamura Kan'emon III and Kawarasaki Chôjûrô IV.

July: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Hasegawa Shin's drama "Ippon Gatana Dohyô Iri" [casting].

21 May: a fire destroyed the Ichimuraza. This famous theater was not rebuilt.

April: premiere at the Kabukiza of Mayama Seika's drama "Yoritomo no Shi" [casting]. Pemiere at the Kabukiza of Mayama Seika's ninjômono drama "Edoe Ryôgoku Hakkei" (commonly called "Arakawa no Sakichi") [casting].

June: premiere at the Kabukiza of Hasegawa Shin's drama "Irezumi Chôhan" [casting].

16 June: the actor Morita Kan'ya XIII (1885~1932) died.

2 July: the actor Nakamura Tsuruzô III (1884~1932) died.

27 August: the actor Sawamura Shirogorô V (1877~1932) died.

October: opening of the Ôsaka Kabukiza.

November: revival at the Kabukiza of the drama "Gedatsu", a play belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [more details].

May: Ikeda Daigo's bakumatsumono drama "Saigô to Buta-hime" was staged for the first time in ôshibai, in Tôkyô at the Meijiza [more details].

September: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of the Nagauta-based kyôgen "Takatsuki", which was adapted for Kabuki by Hisamatsu Issei (lyrics) and Kashiwa Izaburô (music) and performed by Onoe Kikugorô VI and Bandô Mitsugorô VII.
Premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Kawamura Karyô's drama "Jôshû Miyage Hyakuryô Kubi" [more details].

1 August: the actor Nakamura Fukusuke V (1900~1933) died.

11 August: the actor Kataoka Matsunosuke III (1868~1933) died.

October: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Yoshida Genjirô's drama "Nijô-jô no Kiyomasa" [more details].

February: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Ôishi Saigo no Ichinichi", the tenth and last play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura" [casting].

8 February: the actor Onoe Kôzô II (1855~1934) died.

17 February: the actor Kataoka Chôdayû IV (1864~1934) died.

March: "Ôishi Saigo no Ichinichi", the tenth and last play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura" was staged for the first time in Ôsaka and in Kyôto, at the Naniwaza from the 3rd to 16th of March [casting] and at the Minamiza from the 17th to the 27th of March [casting].

April: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Kimura Tomiko's Tokiwazu-based dance "Hanami Yakko", with a choreography and a musical accompaniment made by Hanayagi Jusuke II and Tokiwazu Mojibê III. The leading role of the yakko was played by Ichikawa Ennosuke II.
Revival at the Kabukiza of "Oshimodoshi" [more details].

June: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Hasegawa Shin's drama "Kurayami no Ushimatsu" [casting].

July: premiere with a Kabuki troupe at the Kabukiza of Hasegawa Shin's 1928 drama "Kutsukake Tokijirô" [more details].

16 October: the actor Kataoka Nizaemon XI (1857~1934) died.

8 November: the actor Onoe Baikô VI (1870~1934) died.

January: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Uno Nobuo's drama "Fubuki Tôge" [casting].

January: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of "Edo-jô no Ninjô" and "Daini no Shisha", the first and second plays of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura".

January: Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Nakamura Masajirô III respectively took the names of Nakamura Baigyoku III and Nakamura Fukusuke V in Ôsaka at the Nakaza.

1 February: the actor Nakamura Ganjirô I (1860~1935) died.

March: premiere at the Kabukiza of the danmari "Otowa-ga-Dake Danmari" [more details].

April: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of "Saigo no Daihyôjô", the third play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura" [casting].

September: premiere at the Kabukiza of Uno Nobuo's drama "Kôdan Yomiya no Ame" [more details].

22 September: the actor Bandô Shûchô III (1880~1935) died.

25 September: the actor Ichimura Kamezô III (1890~1935) died.

22nd of December: the actor Ichikawa Shinshô IV (1885~1935) died.

April: revival at the Kabukiza of the drama "Uwanari" belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [more details]. Premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of "Ninin Sanbasô", a 2-dancer version of the Sanbasô dance, starring Ichikawa Ennosuke II and his son Ichikawa Danshirô III.

May: revival of "Nanatsu Men" at the Kabukiza [casting].

20 April: the actor Sawamura Gennosuke IV (1859~1936) died.

12 July: the actor Ichikawa Chûsha VII (1860~1936) died.

7 September: the actor Onoe Kanijûrô III (1884~1936) died.

April: revival at the Kabukiza of the drama "Fudô" belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [more details].

July: premiere in Tôkyô at the Yûrakuza of Hasegawa Shin's drama "Ori", with a casting mixing Kabuki and non-Kabuki actors. Nakamura Moshio IV, Bandô Minosuke VI and Nakamura Komanosuke VII played the roles of Yûchin/Goroichi, Shichibê and the daiku Gen.

17 January: the sakusha Segawa Jokô IV (1857~1938) died.

14 March: the actor Bandô Muraemon II (1883~1938) died.

April: premiere at the Meijiza of "Kira Yashiki Uramon" and the first act of "Sengoku Yashiki" [casting], the seventh and ninth plays of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura".

May: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Mayama Seika's drama "Katsu Awa no Chichi" [more details].

November: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Nanbuzaka no Yuki Wakare", the sixth play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura" [casting].

November: revival at the Kokusai Gekijô (International Theater) of the drama "Fudô" belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [more details].

28 December: the actor Bandô Hikosaburô VI (1886~1938) died.

February: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of the second act of "Sengoku Yashiki", the ninth play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura" [casting].

1 March: the playwright Okamoto Kidô (1872~1939) died.

April: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Fushimi Shumokumachi", the fourth play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura" [casting].

September: premiere at the Meijiza of Kimura Tomiko's dance "Kokaji" (a Nô drama adapted for Kabuki), which mixed Nagauta and Gidayû musical accompaniments. The leading role of the God Inari was played by Ichikawa Ennosuke II.

November: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Kimura Tomiko's dance-drama "Kurozuka" [casting]. The musical accompaniment was written by Kineya Sakichi IV and the choreography was made by Hanayanagi Jusuke II.

The actor Jitsukawa Yaozô III died.

January: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of "Ohama Goten Tsunatoyo-kyô", the fifth play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura" [casting].

2 February: the actor Ichikawa Ichijûrô IV (1878~1940) died.

22 February: the actor Ichikawa Sadanji II (1880~1940) died.

May: Ichikawa Komazô IX took the name of Ichikawa Ebizô IX at the Kabukiza, playing the role of role of a uirô peddler, in reality Soga Gorô Tokimune in disguise, in the drama "Uirô Uri", which was revived for this occasion.

19 August: the actor Ichikawa Shôchô II (1886~1940) died.

29 September: the actor Nakamura Utaemon V (1865~1940) died.

23 February: the actor Nakamura Nakasuke III (1889~1941) died.

April: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Kimura Tomiko's Gidayû-based dance "Yoi Yakko". The leading role of the yakko Bekunai was played by Ichikawa Ennosuke II.

28 May: the actor Azuma Ichinojô II (1875~1941) died.

November: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of "Sengakuji", the eighth play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura".

8 December: the actor Jitsukawa Enzaburô VI (1906~1941) died.

4 February: the actor Ichikawa Saruzô IV (1900~1942) died.

June: revival at the Kabukiza of the drama "Kan U" belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [casting].

January: Bandô Tsurunosuke III took the prestigious name of Nakamura Tomijûrô IV at the Ôsaka Kabukiza.

1 September: the actor Ôtani Tomoemon VI (1886~1943) died.

29 October: the playwright Oka Onitarô (1872~1943) died.

24 April: the actor Ichikawa Hakotora II (1867~1944) died.

1 August: the actor Ichikawa Ichizô IV (1868~1944) died.

17 September: the actor Ichikawa Enjo (1868~1944) died.

26 December: the playwright Kimura Tomiko (1890~1944) died.

10 March (00:08 AM): 344 US Army B29 bombers dropped 2,000 tons of bombs on Tôkyô, killing more than 120,000 people and destroying almost everything.

Night from the 13th to the 14th of March: 301 US Army B29 bombers launch a devastating air raid on the city of Ôsaka; the Nakaza, the Kadoza, the Naniwaza, the Bentenza and the Asahiza were reduced to ashes.

13 March: the actor Nakamura Kaisha (1875~1945) was killed during the bombing of Ôsaka.

6 May: the actor Ichimura Uzaemon XV (1874~1945) died.

7 December: the actor Nakamura Tsuruzô IV (1899~1945) died.

10 December: the actor Onoe Eizaburô VIII (1924~1945) died in China.

January 1946: premiere at the Ôsaka Kabukiza of the Gidayû-based version of the dance-drama "Shôjô" [more details].

16 March: the actor Kataoka Nizaemon XII (1882~1946) was assassinated.

December: a Kabuki troupe led by Nakamura Kichiemon I celebrated the reopening of the rebuilt Mitsukoshi Gekijô [more details].

January: Nakamura Kanjaku IV took the name of Nakamura Ganjirô II in Ôsaka at the Ôsaka Kabukiza.

May: revival at the Tôkyô Gekijô of the drama "Jayanagi" [more details].

10 May: the actor Ichikawa Enshô III died.

September: premiere at the Imperial Theater of Atsumi Seitarô's version of "Nansô Satomi Hakkenden" [casting].

18 March: the actor Nakamura Baigyoku III (1875~1948) died.

25 March: the playwright and novelist Mayama Seika (1878~1948) died.

17 April: the actor Ichikawa Aratarô III (1912~1948) died.

29 July: the actor Nakamura Shichisaburô V (1879~1948) died.

27 January: the actor Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (1870~1949) died.

2 March: the actor Sawamura Sôjûrô VII (1875~1949) died.

May: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of the dance-drama "Higaki" [casting].

10 July: the star Onoe Kikugorô VI (1885~1949) died.

September: Ichikawa Somegorô V and his son Matsumoto Kintarô II respectively took the names of Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII and Ichikawa Somegorô VI at the Tôkyô Gekijô.

October: Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII celebrated his shûmei in Nagoya at the Misonoza.

December: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Ikutama Shinjû" was revived at the Mitsukoshi Gekijô, using a new script written by Uno Nobuo [more details].

May: Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII celebrated his shûmei in Nagoya at the Misonoza.

December: Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII and Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII celebrated their shûmei in Kyôto at the Minamiza.

January: the Kabukiza reopened.

22 February: the actor Jitsukawa Enjaku II (1877~1951) died.

March: premiere at the Kabukiza of the first Kabuki adaptation of some chapters of Murasaki Shikibu's masterpiece "Genji Monogatari".

April: Nakamura Shikan VI took the name of Nakamura Utaemon VI at the Kabukiza.

July: premiere in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza [casting] and in Ôsaka at the Ôsaka Kabukiza [casting] of Uno Nobuo's drama "Jiisan Baasan".

July: revival at the Shinbashi Enbujô of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Jitsugetsusei Kyôwa Seidan" [casting].

October: Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII, Nakamura Utaemon VI and Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII celebrated their shûmei in Ôsaka at the Ôsaka Kabukiza.

January: premiere at the Shinbashi Enbujô of Hagiwara Yukio's Kiyomoto-based dôjôjimono "Yuki no Dôjôji" [casting].

July: premiere at the Kabukiza of Hôjô Hideji's drama "Kitsune to Fuefuki" [casting].

2 October: the actor Ichimura Uzaemon XVI (1904~1952) died.

October: premiere at the Kabukiza of Osaragi Jirô's drama "Wakaki Hi no Nobunaga" [casting].

November: premiere at the Kabukiza of Kema Nanboku's revision of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Daikyôji Mukashi Goyomi" [casting].

March: premiere at the Kabukiza of Osaragi Jirô's drama "Edo no Yûbae" [casting].

June: Ichikawa Yaozô VIII took the name of Ichikawa Chûsha VIII at the Kabukiza.

July: premiere at the Meijiza of Hôjô Hideji's drama "Ukifune" [casting]. Revival at the Meijiza of Kawatake Shinshichi III's 1878 drama "Tsûzoku Saiyûki" [casting].

September: Sawamura Tosshô IV took the name of Sawamura Sôjûrô VIII at the Kabukiza.

September: premiere at the Ôsaka Kabukiza of the dance "Ryûko", starring Bandô Minosuke VI and Jitsukawa Enjirô II in the roles of the Dragon and the Tiger.

January: revival at the Shinbashi Enbujô of the Nagauta-based dance "Taimen Hana no Harukoma", which was entitled "Ataru Toshi Iwau Harukoma" [casting].

March: premiere at the Kabukiza of the 1st part of Funahashi Seiichi's drama "Ejima Ikushima" [more details].

March: first edition at the Kabukiza from the 27th to the 28th of March of the Tsubomikai, a study group led by Nakamura Utaemon VI [more details]. It included the revivals of the dance-dramas "Oshidori" [more details] and "Imayô Suma no Utsushie" [more details].

April: revival (the 1st since the end of WW2) at the Nakaza of Katsu Genzô III's drama "Ogasawara Sôdô" [casting].

July: revival at the Kabukiza of the dance-drama "Oshidori" as part of a regular Kabuki program [more details].

5 September: the actor Nakamura Kichiemon I (1886~1954) died.

24 September: the actor Bandô Jusaburô III (1886~1954) died.

October: premiere at the Kabukiza of the 2nd part of Funahashi Seiichi's drama "Ejima Ikushima" [more details].

November: premiere at the Kabukiza of Mishima Yukio's comical play "Iwashi Uri Koi no Hikiami" [casting].

December: first Kabuki performances at the Tôyoko Hall [more details].

December: premiere at the Meijiza of Kawaguchi Matsutarô's revision of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Daikyôji Mukashi Goyomi", which was entitled "Osan Mohei" [casting].

January: premiere at the Ôsaka Kabukiza of Uno Nobuo's drama "Naniwa no Ashi" [casting].

11 January: the actor Kawarasaki Gonjûrô II (1879~1955) died.

February: second edition at the Kabukiza from the 24th to the 27th of February of the Tsubomikai, a study group led by Nakamura Utaemon VI [more details]. It included the revival of Sakurada Jisuke I's dance-drama "Kumo no Hyôshimai" (entitled "Waga Sekogakoi no Aizuchi") [casting], the premiere of Mishima Yukio's dance-drama "Yuya" [casting] and Izumi Kyôka's drama "Tenshu Monogatari", which was staged for the first time with Kabuki actors [casting].

March: premiere at the Kabukiza of the 3rd (and last) part of Funahashi Seiichi's drama "Ejima Ikushima" [more details].

March: Hasegawa Shin's drama "Ori" was staged with a full Kabuki casting for the first time, in Tôkyô at the Meijiza [more details].

22 April: the actor Nakamura Takesaburô V (1882~1955) died.

19 June: the actor Ichikawa Teruzô II (1886~1955) died.

July: premiere at the Tôkyô Takarazuka Theater of Uno Nobuo's drama "Mômoku Monogatari" [more details]. This drama was part of the first Tôhô Kabuki postwar performance. The Tôkyô Takarazuka Theater was taken over by the American occupation forces in 1945, becoming the Ernie Pyle Theater. It was forbiden to Japanese for 10 years and was finally given back to the Tôhô Company in 1955, which renamed it with its original name.

October: Bandô Hikosaburô VII took the name of Ichimura Uzaemon XVII at the Kabukiza.

October: first Kabuki tour in the Popular Republic of China, in Beijing (2~13 october), Shanghai (17~18 october) and Guangzhou (24~25 october) [casting].

26 October: the actor Ichikawa Kudanji III (1893~1955) died.

8 November: the actor Arashi Tokusaburô VI (1883~1955) died.

25 December: the actor Onoe Kikujûrô III (1888~1955) died.

26 January: the actor Matsumoto Kingo II (1895~1956) died.

1 February: the actor Ichikawa Sanshô V (1882~1956) died.

March: premiere in Kabuki at the Meijiza of Hôjô Hideji's drama "Ii Tairô" [more details].

July: revival at the Kabukiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Sumidagawa Hana no Goshozome", commonly called "Onna Seigen" [more details]. Revival at the Kabukiza of the michiyuki "Chô no Michiyuki"; the roles of Komaki and Sukekuni were played by Nakamura Utaemon VI and Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII.

September: revival at the Kabukiza of the Kiyomoto version of the dance "Takao Zange" [more details].

July: premiere at the Ôsaka Kabukiza of the dance-drama "Uma Nusubito" [casting].

13 January: the actor Ichikawa Shinnosuke V (1885~1957) died.

14 May: the playwright Kema Nanboku (1880~1957) died.

June: revival at the Shinbashi Enbujô of Sakurada Jisuke III's Nagauta-based dance-drama "Shirabyôshi no Hana no En" with Nakamura Utaemon VI in the role of the shirabyôshi.

16 June: the actor Ichikawa Arajirô II (1889~1957) died.

11 November: the sakusha Segawa Jokô V (1889~1957) died.

January: premiere at the Shinbashi Enbujô of the of the matsubamemono dance-drama "Tôzumô" [more details].

8 January: the actor Nakamura Kichinojô I (1886~1958) died.

March: final Kabuki performance at the Ôsaka Kabukiza [more details].

June: revival at the Tôyoko Hall of the drama "Kishi no Himematsu Kutsuwa Kagami" [more details].

March: revival at the Meijiza of the dance-drama "Kumo no Ito Oyozume Banashi" [more details].

11 July: the actor Nakamura Tokizô III (1895~1959) died.

27 October: the actor Sawamura Tetsunosuke IV (1888~1959) died.

November: revival at the Kabukiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", which was supervised by Mishima Yukio [casting].

The actors Ichikawa Jukai III and Ichikawa Dannosuke VI received the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

January: premiere (or revival?) at the Kabukiza of the dance "Kuruwa Sanbasô" [casting].

February: premiere at the Kabukiza of Uno Nobuo's drama "Shiranui Kengyô" [casting].

April: premiere at the Kabukiza of Hagiwara Yukio's dance-drama "Onizoroi Momijigari" [casting].

June ~ July: first Kabuki tour in the USA, in New York at the City Center (2~22 June), in Los Angeles at the Greek Theatre (27 June~10 July) and in San Francisco at the War Memorial Opera House (12~16 July) [casting].

19 August: the playwright Kimura Kinka (1877~1960) died.

17 October: the actor Nakamura Tomijûrô IV (1908~1960) died.

January: the actors Ichikawa Somegorô VI and Nakamura Mannosuke signed exclusive contracts with the Tôhô Company and left the Shôchiku Company.

February: premiere at the Tôkyô Takarazuka Theater of Hôjô Hideji's drama "Korikori Banashi" with Hisaya Morishige (Inosuke), Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII (the priest Jûzen), Yamada Isuzu (Okiwa) and Miki Norihei (Matahei).

March: the actors Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII, Ichikawa Chûsha VIII and Nakamura Shikaku II signed exclusive contracts with the Tôhô Company and left the Shôchiku Company.

4 November: the actor Bandô Mitsugorô VII (1882~1961) died.

November: premiere in Kabuki at the Ôsaka Shinkabukiza of Hôjô Hideji's drama "Korikori Banashi" [casting].

December: premiere at the Meijiza of Kawaguchi Matsutarô's drama "Oedo Miyage" [more details].

28 January: the actor Nakamura Tokizô IV (1927~1962) died.

April: Ichikawa Ebizô IX took the name of Ichikawa Danjûrô XI at the Kabukiza. his adoptive father Ichikawa Sanshô V became posthumously Ichikawa Danjûrô X.

June: revival at the Kabukiza under the supervision of Takechi Tetsuji of Namiki Gohei I's drama "Keisei Yamato Zôshi" [more details].

30 August: the actor Suketakaya Takasuke V (1900~1962) died.

September: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for 3 generations of actors belonging to the Yamatoya guild (Yamatoya Sandai Shûmei); Bandô Minosuke VI and Bandô Yasosuke IV respectively took the names of Bandô Mitsugorô VIII and Bandô Minosuke VII, while Bandô Yasosuke V made his first appearance on stage.

November: revival at the Kabukiza of the drama "Fudô" belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [more details].

29 March: the actor Sawamura Tosshi VIII (1887~1963) died.

May: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Omodakaya guild; Ichikawa Ennosuke II, Ichikawa Danko III and Ichikawa Kamejirô I respectively took the names of Ichikawa En'ô I, Ichikawa Ennosuke III and Ichikawa Danko IV.

31 May: the actor Kataoka Gayû II (1895~1963) died.

June: premiere at the Kabukiza of Hagiwara Yukio's Nagauta-based dance-drama "Ôeyama Shuten Dôji" [casting].

June: Namiki Shôzô I's drama "Yadonashi Danshichi Shigure no Karakasa" was produced for the first time at the Kabukiza [casting].

11 June: the novelist and playwright Hasegawa Shin (1884~1963) died.

12 June: the actor Ichikawa En'ô I (1888~1963) died.

23 June: the actor Ichikawa Kôsha (1904~1963) died.

July: revival at the Yomiuri Hall in Tôkyô of Namiki Shôzô I's drama "Kuwanaya Tokuzô Irifune Monogatari" [casting].

18 November: the actor Ichikawa Danshirô III (1908~1963) died.

The actor Ichikawa Sadanji III received the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

January: revival at the Nissay Theatre of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's spectacular drama "Kin no Zai Sarushima Dairi" [casting].

April: Sawamura Yoshijirô IV and his father Sawamura Tanosuke V respectively took the names of Sawamura Tanosuke VI and Sawamura Shozan III at the Kabukiza.

May: premiere at the Kabukiza of Hagiwara Yukio's Nagauta-based dance-drama "Bukaku Setsugekka" [casting].

September: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Kyôya and Akashiya guilds; Ôtani Tomoemon VII, Ôtani Hirotarô II and Ôtani Hiromatsu I respectively took the names of Nakamura Jakuemon IV, Ôtani Tomoemon VIII and Nakamura Shibajaku VII.

January: premiere at the Nakaza of the spectacular hengemono "Ôtsue Dôjôji" [more details].

May: shûmei at the Kabukiza for 3 young actors of the Otowaya guild; Onoe Ushinosuke V, Onoe Sakon I and Bandô Kamesaburô IV respectively took the names of Onoe Kikunosuke IV, Onoe Tatsunosuke I, and Bandô Shinsui VIII. The program also commemorated the 16th anniversary (17th memorial service) of the passing away of Onoe Kikugorô VI. Revival in the same theater of the danmari "Otowa-ga-Dake Danmari" [more details].

October: first Kabuki tour in Western Europe, in West Berlin at the Der Freien Volksbühne (2~8 october), in Paris at the Théâtre de l'Odéon (15~24 october) and in Lisbonne at the Teatro São Luis (29~31 october) [casting].

10 November: the actor Ichikawa Danjûrô XI (1909~1965) died.

4 June: the actor Ichikawa Danzô VIII (1882~1966) died.

10 July: the actor Nakamura Gan'emon (1892~1966) died.

November: opening ceremony for the National Theatre in Tôkyô [more details].

31 December: the actor Hayashi Mataichirô II died.

The actor Nakamura Ganjirô II received the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

January: revival at the National Theatre of "Narukami Fudô Kitayama Zakura" [casting].

February: premiere at the Kabukiza of Hagiwara Yukio's dance-drama "Dattan" [casting].

March: revival at the National Theatre of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", which was supervised by Gunji Masakatsu [casting].

April: revival at the National Theatre of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Yari no Gonza Kasane Katabira" [casting].

April: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Narikomaya and Kagaya guilds; Nakamura Fukusuke VII, Kagaya Fukunosuke II, Kagaya Hashinosuke II and Nakamura Tamatarô III respectively took the names of Nakamura Shikan VII, Nakamura Fukusuke VIII, Nakamura Matsue V and Nakamura Tôzô VI; Shikan's son Nakamura Kotarô V makes his first stage appearance.

June: last Kabuki performances at the Tôyoko Hall [more details].

16 November: the actor Ichikawa Enjaku II (1901~1967) died.

The actors Nakamura Utaemon VI, Onoe Baikô VII and Onoe Taganojô III received the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

May: revival at the National Theatre of "Ura Omote Sendai Hagi" [casting].

July: revival at the Kabukiza of the drama "Kama-ga-Fuchi Futatsu Domoe" [casting].

22 November: the actor Seki Sanjûrô VI (1911~1968) died.

3 December: the actor Sawamura Shozan III died.

28 December: birth in France of Shôriya Aragorô, futur webmaster of www.kabuki21.com.

1 January: the actor Nakamura Fukusuke V (1910~1969), Takasagoya guild, died.

May: Ichikawa Danko IV took the name of Ichikawa Danshirô IV at the Kabukiza.

17 July: the actor Ôtani Bunzô II (1903~1969) died.

28 August: the actor Nakamura Kasen II (1893~1969) died.

21 September: the actor Ichikawa Raizô VIII (1931~1969) died.

3 October: the actor Ichikawa Sadanji III (1898~1969) died.

November: Ichikawa Shinnosuke VI took the name of Ichikawa Ebizô X at the Kabukiza.

November: premiere at the National Theatre of Mishima Yukio's drama "Chinsetsu Yumihari-zuki" [more details].

13 November: the actor Bandô Takejaku II (1895~1969) died.

December: revival at the Kabukiza of the Tokiwazu-based dance-drama "Kumo no Ito Azusa no Yumihari" [more details].

31 May: the actor Nakamura Tokiju (1910~1970) died.

25 November: the writer, and father of Mishima Kabuki, Mishima Yukio (1925~1970) died.

February: Kataoka Hidekimi took the name of Kataoka Gatô V at the Ôsaka Shinkabukiza, performing in a special program which commemorated the 36th anniversary (37th memorial service) of late Kataoka Nizaemon XI and celebrated the shûmei of Arashi Tokusaburô VII and the hatsubutai of Kataoka Gatô V's son Kataoka Shinnosuke.

3 April: the actor Ichikawa Jukai III (1886~1971) died.

April: revival at the National Theatre of Nagawa Shimesuke I's drama "Sumidagawa Gonichi no Omokage" [casting].

June: revival at the Shinbashi Enbujô of the drama "Banshû Sarayashiki" [more details].

20 June: the actor Ichikawa Chûsha VIII (1896~1971) died.

Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII, Ichikawa Somegorô VI and Nakamura Mannosuke were back to Shôchiku Company, after the failure of Tôhô Kabuki.

The actors Onoe Shôroku II and Kataoka Nizaemon XIII receive the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

May: Bandô Shinsui VIII and Ichimura Takematsu V respectively took the names of Bandô Kamezô II and Ichimura Manjirô II at the Kabukiza.

30 May: the actor Bandô Tsuruemon (1886~1972) died.

September: Ichimura Takenojô VI took the prestigious name of Nakamura Tomijûrô V at the Kabukiza.

The actor Bandô Mitsugorô VIII received the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

11 February: the actor Arashi Kichisaburô VII (1894~1973) died.

30 April: the writer and playwright Osaragi Jirô (1897~1973) died.

May: revival at the National Theatre of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Horikawa Nami no Tsuzumi" to commemorate the 249th anniversary (250th memorial service) of the playwright [casting].

June: revival at the National Theatre of Tsuruya Nanboku IV and Sakurada Jisuke II drama "Kokoro no Nazo Toketa Iroito" [casting].

20 July: the actor Nakamura Kashô II (1925~1973) died.

October: Onoe Kikunosuke IV took the name of Onoe Kikugorô VII at the Kabukiza.

26 October: the actor Kataoka Ainosuke V (1905~1973) died.

5 January: the Zenshinza actor Fujikawa Buzaemon IV (1906~1974) died.

13 September: the actor Ichikawa Hakuzô III (1901~1974) died.

26 November: the actor Sawamura Kunitarô IV (1905~1974) died.

29 November: the actor Asao Okuyama VIII (1894~1974) died.

20 December: the actor Onoe Koisaburô III (1897~1974) died.

The actors Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII and Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII received the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

16 January: the actor Bandô Mitsugorô VIII (1913~1975) died.

February: premiere at the Kabukiza of Ikenami Shôtarô's drama "Debauchi Otama" [more details].

March: revival at the National Theatre of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Jiraiya Gôketsu Monogatari" [casting].

28 March: the actor Morita Kan'ya XIV (1907~1975) died.

25 December: the actor Sawamura Sôjûrô VIII (1908~1975) died.

10 January: the actor Ichikawa Kodayû II (1902~1976) died.

February: revival at the Kabukiza of a 5-act revised version of Funahashi Seiichi's drama "Ejima Ikushima" [casting].

April: revival at the National Theatre of Namiki Gohei I's drama "Kinmon Gosan no Kiri" [casting].

April: revival at the Meijiza of Katsu Genzô III's drama "Ogasawara Sôdô" [casting].

September: Sawamura Tosshô V took the name of Sawamura Sôjûrô IX at the Kabukiza.

3 November: the actor Segawa Kikunojô VI (1907~1976) died.

November: the actor Ichikawa Masujaku (1912~1976) died.

February: premiere at the Kabukiza of Ikenami Shôtarô's drama "Ichimatsu Kozô no Onna" [more details].

March: revival at the National Theatre of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Shiranui Monogatari" [more details].

April: revival at the Meijiza of Katsu Genzô II's drama "Kimi-wa-Fune Nami no Uwajima" [casting].

May: revival at the Minamiza of Katsu Genzô III's drama "Ogasawara Sôdô" [casting].

July: revival at the Kabukiza of Katsu Genzô III's drama "Ogasawara Sôdô" [casting].

14 November: the actor Arashi Yoshisaburô V (1907~1977) died.

February: premiere at the Kabukiza of Ikenami Shôtarô's drama "Aibiki no Onna" [more details].

20 June: the actor Onoe Taganojô III (1889~1978) died.

September: revival at the National Theatre of Namiki Gohei I's drama "Suda no Haru Geisha Katagi" [casting].

2 October 1978: the actor Ichikawa Kuzô V (1910~1978) died.

3 November: the actor Sawamura Sônosuke II (1918~1978) died.

February: revision by Uno Nobuo at the Shinbashi Enbujô of Sakurada Jisuke III's drama "Sanzesô Nishiki Bunshô" [casting].

February: Ichikawa Omezô V took the name of Ichikawa Sadanji IV at the Kabukiza.

April: historic revival at the Meijiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV long-forgotten play "Haji Momiji Ase no Kaomise" (commonly called "Date no Jûyaku", in English "the ten roles of Date"), whose plot and characters belonged to the "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" and "Kasane" worlds. The ten roles were played by Ichikawa Ennosuke III [casting].

August: revival at the National Theatre Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Kanzen Chôaku Nozoki Garakuri" [casting].

January: revival at the National Theatre of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's kaomise drama "Modoribashi Sena-ni Gohiiki" [more details]. First Kabuki performances at the Asakusa Kôkaidô [more details].

February: Bandô Kamezô II took the name of Bandô Hikosaburô VIII at the Kabukiza.

22 March: the actor Onoe Shinshichi V (1898~1980) died.

July: revival at the Kabukiza of the never-performed 5th act of "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura" [more details].

17 july: the actor Arashi San'emon XI (1906~1980) died.

August: revival at the National Theatre of Namiki Shôzô I's drama "Yadonashi Danshichi Shigure no Karakasa" [casting].

11 August: the actor Kataoka Matsunojô I (1910~1980) died.

17 November: the actor Nakamura Naritarô II (1900~1980) died.

27 December: the actor Arashi Rikaku V (1900~1980) died.

March: revival at the National Theatre of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Jitsugetsusei Kyôwa Seidan" [casting].

9 March: the actor Ichikawa Komazô X (1925~1981) died.

April: revival at the National Theatre of Nishizawa Ippô's drama "Keisei Hama no Masago" [casting].
Premiere at the Meijiza of the dance "Taikô Sanbasô", which was staged within Nagawa Shôsuke's drama "Sennari Hisago Mashira no Kaomise" [more details].

June: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Yorozuya guild; Nakamura Yonekichi IV, Nakamura Baishi III, Nakamura Mitsuteru and Ogawa Mikihiro respectively took the names of Nakamura Karoku V, Nakamura Tokizô V, Nakamura Kashô III and Nakamura Shidô II.

July: revival at the Kabukiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Hitori Tabi Gojûsan Tsugi" [casting].

24 July: the actor Onoe Kikujirô IV (1904~1981) died.

3 September: the actor Nakamura Shikaku II (1900~1981) died.

22 September: the actor Kawarasaki Chôjûrô IV (1902~1981) died.

October: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for 3 generations of actors belonging to the Kôraiya guild (Kôraiya Sandai Shûmei); Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII, Ichikawa Somegorô VI, Matsumoto Kintarô III, Ichikawa Nakanosuke III and Ichikawa Momomaru respectively took the names of Matsumoto Hakuô, Matsumoto Kôshirô IX, Ichikawa Somegorô VII, Matsumoto Kôemon and Ichikawa Shinsha II.

28 November: the actor Bandô Kôtarô (1911~1981) died.

January: revival at the National Theatre of "Zôhiki", a bombastic play in the aragoto style belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [casting].

11 January: the actor Matsumoto Hakuô (1910~1982) died.

4 May: the actor Nakamura Komashichi (1905~1982) died.

21 September: the actor Nakamura Kan'emon III (1901~1982) died.

October: premiere at the Kabukiza of the Kiyomoto-based dôjôjimono "Bungo Dôjôji" [casting].

22 December: the actor Sawamura Gennosuke V (1907~1982) died.

January: revival of "Nanatsu Men" at the National Theatre [casting].

20 March: the actor Ichikawa Ichijûrô V (1905~1983) died.

13 April: the actor Nakamura Ganjirô II (1902~1983) died.

28 August: the actor Arashi Sangorô VII (1901~1983) died.

January: revival at the National Theatre of the drama "Sankai Nagoya", which has not been performed since 1697 [casting].

April: revival at the Meijiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's 1813 kaomise drama "Gohiiki Tsunagi Uma" [more details].

7 December: the actor Ôkawa Hashizô II (1929~1984) died.

January: revival at the National Theatre of the drama "Kan U" belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [casting].

6 January: the actor Onoe Yoshigorô (1911~1985) died.

22 January: the actor Tonegawa Kinjûrô (1897~1985) died.

7 March: the actor Ichikawa Sumizô VII (1902~1985) died.

April: Ichikawa Ebizô IX took the name of Ichikawa Danjûrô XII at the Kabukiza.

6 June: the actor Matsumoto Kôzô I (1911~1985) died.

July ~ August: special Kabuki tour in the USA, which celebrated the shûmei of Ichikawa Danjûrô XII; 38 performances in New York (Metropolitan Opera House, 8~20 July), Washington (Kennedy Center, 23 July~4 August) and Los Angeles (UCLA Royce Hall, 7~11 August). This was the first time in Kabuki history that a shûmei was staged abroad [more details].

12 August: the actor Matsumoto Someshô (1903~1985) died.

20 December: the actor Bandô Shûchô IV (1901~1985) died.

January: revival at the National Theatre of the rarely-staged drama "Uwanari" belonging to the Kabuki Jûhachiban [more details].

25 January: the actor Nakamura Komajaku (1908~1986) died.

29 January: the actor Arashi Hinasuke X (1913~1986) died.

April: Kabuki tour in South America [more details].

7 January: the actor Bandô Yaenosuke (1909~1987) died.

19 January: the actor Ichikawa Yaozô IX (1906~1987) died.

28 March: the actor Onoe Tatsunosuke I (1946~1987) died.

3 September: the actor Arashi Kichisaburô VIII (1932~1987) died.

3 March: the actor Nakamura Tokisaburô (1906~1988) died.

16 April: the actor Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII (1909~1988) died.

15 November: the actor Sawamura Shônosuke (1921~1988) died.

21 May: the actor Nakamura Tarô II (1928~1989) died.

June: the drama "Kaidan Botan Dôrô" using Ônishi Nobuyuki's script was staged for the first time with a full Kabuki casting, at the Shinbashi Enbujô [casting].

25 June: the actor Onoe Shôroku II (1913~1989) died.

21 August: the actor Segawa Shinzô (1925~1989) died.

11 December: the actor Nakamura Kamon II (1911~1989) died.

The actor Ichimura Uzaemon XVII received the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

3 May: the novelist (and occasionally playwright) Ikenami Shôtarô (1923~1990) died.

June ~ July: Kabuki tour in the USA, 26 performances in Columbus (Ohio), San Antonio (Texas), Atlanta (Georgia), Indianapolis (Indiana), Iowa City (Iowa), Lincoln (Nebraska), Minneapolis (Minnesota), Costa Mesa (California), Los Angeles (California), Berkeley (California), Portland (Oregon) and Seattle (Washington) [casting].

August: revival at the Kabukiza of the kaidanmono "Kaidan Chibusa no Enoki" [casting].

4 August: the actor Ichikawa Fukunosuke III (1904~1990) died.

11 October: the actor Kawarasaki Kunitarô V (1909~1990) died.

13 October: the actor Ichikawa Monnosuke VII (1928~1990) died.

15 October: the actor Nakamura Kichigorô I (1930~1990) died.

November: Nakamura Senjaku II took the name of Nakamura Ganjirô III at the Kabukiza.

March: revival at the National Theatre of Namiki Gohei I's play "Sode Nikki Banshû Meguri" [more details].

The actor Nakamura Jakuemon IV received the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

14 May: the actor Jitsukawa Enjaku III (1921~1991) died.

June: premiere at the Shinbashi Enbujô of Hagiwara Yukio's dance-drama "Sakuragawa" [casting].

30 June: the actor Kataoka Ichizô V (1916~1991) died.

28 October: the playwright Uno Nobuo (1904~1991) died.

28 December: the actor Ichikawa Nedanji II (1920~1991) died.

1 January: the actor Kamimura Kichiya V (1909~1992) died.

February: special program at the Kabukiza to commemorate the 99th anniversary (100th memorial service) of the death of the great playwright Kawatake Mokuami, which included his best masterpieces like "Sannin Kichisa", "Shiranami Gonin Otoko", "Momijigari", "Keian Taiheiki" and "Gosho no Gorozô". The casting was equal to the importance of the event: Onoe Baikô VII, Ichikawa Danjûrô, Onoe Kikugorô, Sawamura Sôjûrô IX, Ichimura Uzaemon and Bandô Mitsugorô IX.

20 February: the actor Suketakaya Kodenji II (1909~1992) died.

April: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Narikomaya and Takasagoya guilds; Nakamura Fukusuke VIII and Nakamura Kotarô V respectively took the names of Nakamura Baigyoku IV and Nakamura Fukusuke IX.

8 December: the actor Nakamura Nakazô V (1935~1992) died.

31 December: the actor Kataoka Gadô V (1910~1993) died.

The actors Nakamura Ganjirô III et Nakamura Tomijûrô V received the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

20 March: the actor Nakamura Kikaku I (1948~1994) died.

26 March: the actor Kataoka Nizaemon XIII (1903~1994) died.

May ~ June: first edition of the Cocoon Kabuki, which was staged at the Shibuya Bunkamura Theatre Cocoon and recreated the atmosphere of the Edo koshibai, bringing the actors closer to the audience. The play "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan" was coproduced by Nakamura Kankurô V and the playwright Kushida Kazuyoshi [more details].

21 August: the actor Matsumoto Kôjaku I (1933~1994) died.

January: 14th Kabuki performances at the Asakusa Kôkaidô to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Shôchiku Company [more details].

January: great shûmei at the Nakaza (Ôsaka) for the Narikomaya guild; Nakamura Tomotarô and Nakamura Hirotarô respectively took the names of Nakamura Kanjaku V and Nakamura Senjaku III.

24 March: the actor Onoe Baikô VII (1915~1995) died.

29 May: the actor Nakamura Ôsai (1922~1995) died.

October: premiere at the Kabukiza of the drama "Ningen Banji Mawari Tôrô", based on a comical torimonochô written by Okamoto Kidô, starring Nakamura Kankurô V in the main role.

The actor Nakamura Shikan VII received the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

May: Onoe Ushinosuke VI took the name of Onoe Kikunosuke V at the Kabukiza.

19 May: the playwright Hôjô Hideji (1902~1996) died.

22 August: the actor Arashi Yoshisaburô VI (1935~1996) died.

August: revival at the Kabukiza of Hôjô Hideji's drama "Korikori Banashi" [more details].

August ~ September: second edition of the Cocoon Kabuki, which was staged at the Shibuya Bunkamura Theatre Cocoon. The play "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami" was coproduced by Nakamura Kankurô V and the playwright Kushida Kazuyoshi [more details].

January: tôshi kyôgen revival at the National Theatre of the drama "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki" [casting].

12 February: the actor Sawamura Kasen (1913~1997) died.

10 March: the actor Yorozuya Kinnosuke (1932~1997) died.

May: the actor Nakamura Matagorô II received the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhô in Japanese).

15 November: the actor Nakamura Kyôka (1929~1997) died.

January: Kataoka Takao took the prestigious name of Kataoka Nizaemon XV at the Kabukiza.

18 February: the actor Kawarasaki Gonjûrô III (1918~1998) died.

1 March: the actor Onoe Fujaku X (1924~1998) died.

June: great revival of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's play "Keisei Mibu Dainenbutsu" for the 14th Chikamatsuza tour led by Nakamura Ganjirô III. This plays has not been performed for 296 years !

September: third edition of the Cocoon Kabuki, which was staged at the Shibuya Bunkamura Theatre Cocoon. The play "Kamikakete Sango Taisetsu" was coproduced by Nakamura Kankurô V and the playwright Kushida Kazuyoshi [more details].

January: revival at the National Theatre of Kawatake Mokuami's zangirimono "Irogoyomi Gen'yadana" [casting].

8 February: the actor Bandô Yagorô II (1909~1999) died.

1 April: the actor Bandô Mitsugorô IX (1929~1999) died.

June: opening of the Hakataza, a new theater in the city of Fukuoka.

August: the Nakaza (Ôsaka) definitively closed its doors.

September: revival at the Minamiza of Katsu Genzô III's drama "Ogasawara Sôdô" [casting].

28 November: the actor Nakamura Kyôemon (1924~1999) died.

June: revival at the Kabukiza of the spectacular hengemono "Ôtsue Dôjôji" [more details].

30 October: the actor Onoe Kikuzô VI died.

November: Nakamura Kankurô supervises the construction of a temporary Theater in the district of Asakusa in Tôkyô, called Heisei Nakamuraza (the Nakamuraza of the Heisei Era), and produced the play "Sumidagawa Gonichi no Omokage" (commonly called "Hôkaibô").

5 December: the actor Arashi Tokusaburô VII (1933~2000) died.

December: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Kaka Saiyûki", Ichikawa Ennosuke III's version of Kawatake Shinshichi III's 1878 drama "Tsûzoku Saiyûki" (Kaka was the haimyô of Ichikawa Ennosuke III) [casting].