2 in Ôsaka (Shôchikuza), 7 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre, Asakusa Kôkaidô, Shinbashi Enbujô) and 1 in Kyôto (Pontochô Kaburenjô)!

Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Ganjirô, Kataoka Takatarô, Kataoka Hidetarô, Bandô Yajûrô and Bandô Takesaburô perform at the Shôchikuza!

Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Kataoka Ainosuke, Ichikawa Somegorô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô and Nakamura Kazutarô perform at the Kabukiza!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Tokizô, Onoe Kikunosuke and Onoe Shôroku perform at the National Theatre

Ichikawa Ebizô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Udanji, Ichikawa Chûsha and Ichikawa Monnosuke perform at the Shinbashi Enbujô!

The Zenshinza troupe perform at the Pontochô Kaburenjô!

Lots of young talented actors at the Asakusa Kôkaidô!

Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Ganjirô, Kataoka Takatarô, Kataoka Hidetarô, Bandô Yajûrô, Bandô Takesaburô, Nakamura Kikaku, Nakamura Matsue, Kataoka Shinnosuke, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Ichikawa Fukutarô, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Utanosuke, Nakamura Kotarô, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Baika, Nakamura Jûjirô, Arashi Kitsusaburô, Kataoka Matsunosuke

The traditional two programs for the New Year Grand Kabuki at the Shôchikuza with a troupe led by Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô. Nakamura Shikan VIII and his three sons, Nakamura Hashinosuke IV, Nakamura Fukunosuke III and Nakamura Utanosuke IV, celebrate their shûmei in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza. This is also the 20th anniversary of the Shôchikuza which is celebrated.

Shigitatsusawa Taimen: This piece is an act of a history play based on the legend of the vendetta of Soga brothers and performed as a festive play to celebrate the New Year. Kudô Suketsune, a senior vassal of Minamoto no Yoritomo is appointed to the magistrate of the hunting session at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Suketsune’s wife Naginoha (Kataoka Hidetarô) comes to Ôiso to visit Izusan Shrine and Hakone Shrine as a substitute for her busy husband. As the party is taking a rest, brothers who name themselves Ichiman (Nakamura Utanosuke) and Hakoô (Nakamura Fukunosuke) appear and question them severely that the person in the palanquin must be Suketsune himself. The brothers' father Kawazu Saburô was killed by Suketsune, so they watched the opportunity to avenge their father. In the midst of such disturbances Naginoha comes out of the palanquin. She tells them to wait for the chance and gives them the pass to enter the territory for the hunting ground which Suketsune left her. Featuring also Nakamura Hashinosuke in the role of Kobayashi no Asahina.

Ishikiri Kajiwara: the Heike general Kajiwara (Nakamura Shikan) 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 Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Kotarô and Nakamura Hashinosuke.

Ninokuchi-mura: in the pleasure quarters, the most important possessions were money and reputation. In danger of losing his lover, the courtesan Umegawa (Kataoka Takatarô), the money courier Chûbê (Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon) breaks the seals on a package of money entrusted to him after being taunted by a rival, even though the use of such money is punishable by death. In this scene, on their way to love suicide, the couple go through the snow covered landscape on their way to the man's home town where they will meet their end. The role of Chûbê's father Magoemon is also played by Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon. Featuring also Bandô Takesaburô and Nakamura Kikaku.

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. Starring Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô as the empress, Nakamura Hashinosuke as the spirit of the crane, Nakamura Fukunosuke as the spirit of the tortoise and Nakamura Utanosuke as an attendant.

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 Nakamura Shikan VIII, Nakamura Hashinosuke IV, Nakamura Fukunosuke III and Nakamura Utanosuke IV.

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 Nakamura Shikan in the role of Benkei, with Nakamura Kaishun and Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon as Yoshitsune and the barrier keeper Togashi. Featuring also Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke and Nakamura Utanosuke in the roles of Kamei Rokurô, Kataoka Hachirô and Suruga Jirô.

Kari no Tayori: an unusual play in the Ôsaka acting style originally written in the 19th century by Nakamura Utaemon III. A barber (Nakamura Ganjirô) finds his feelings twisted one way and another by the events in the neighboring samurai mansion where the lord is trying to force Tsukasa (Nakamura Kotarô), a beautiful woman, to become his mistress. The play shows the barber's changing reactions to two letters from the beautiful woman declaring her love for him. One letter is sincere, the other is a forgery but both turn out to be dangerous traps. Starring also Nakamura Shikan in the role of the young master Yorozuya Kinnosuke. Featuring also Bandô Yajûrô, Kataoka Takatarô and Nakamura Kikaku.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Kataoka Ainosuke, Ichikawa Somegorô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Nakamura Kazutarô, Kamimura Kichiya, Matsumoto Kingo, Ichikawa Komazô, Nakamura Takanosuke, Nakamura Kashô, Ôtani Hirotarô, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Nakamura Kichinojô

The traditional two programs for the New Year Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza with a troupe led by the two Living National Treasures Nakamura Kichiemon and Bandô Tamasaburô.

Shôgun Edo o Saru:
(The Shôgun's Surrender)
This modern play by Mayama Seika is part of a trilogy about the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The shogunate official Yamaoka Tetsutarô (Kataoka Ainosuke) has already pleaded successfully to the imperial forces for the life of the Shôgun in return for his surrender. But the Shôgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu (Ichikawa Somegorô) begins to reconsider and now Yamaoka must plead with the Shôgun to surrender without a struggle as he promised or he will run the risk of having the entire country fall into civil war.

Ôtsue Dôjôji: "Musume Dôjôji" or "The Maiden at Dôjôji Temple" is the most famous dance to display the alluring charm of an onnagata female role specialist and has inspired many variations. It shows the ghost of a woman who was transformed into a serpent out of passion and destroyed a temple bell. In this particular version, a mysterious figure appears as various characters famous from the cartoon like pictures called ôtsue before revealing that this is the woman of the "Dôjôji" story. Featuring Kataoka Ainosuke in the 5 roles of this hengemono and Ichikawa Somegorô in the role of the Demon Queller.

Numazu: a dramatization of one of the most famous historical vendattas of the Edo period. "Numazu" is one act that tells of the sacrifices of those not directly involved in the vendetta itself but members of the same family who are indebted to the two opposing sides. The kimono merchant Jûbê (Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon) meets a porter Heisaku (Nakamura Karoku) as he travels west on business. They find that not only are they long-separated father and son, but that they also lie on opposite sides of the vendetta. Their loyalties prevent them from openly acknowledging their relationship. Heisaku sacrifices his life to get information from his son essential to his side's cause. Featuring Nakamura Jakuemon in the role of Heisaku's daughter Oyone.

Ii Tairô: Ii Naosuke was the head of state in Japan in 1860 when there were pressures from inside and outside the country. Imperial loyalists demanded that the Shôgun step down and hand over rule to the emperor to resist the foreign barbarians. The United States and other countries insisted that Japan open its doors. On March 3, at the snow-covered gate to the Shôgun's castle, Ii Naosuke was assassinated by imperial loyalists. This modern play by Hôjô Hideji features the last day before the assassination as Naosuke senses that his end is near. The deaths of an old friend and his newborn daughter make Naosuke and his mistress Oshizu-no-Kata think back to simpler times before he was burdened by such responsibilities. Starring Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô as Oshizu-no-Kata, Matsumoto Kôshirô as Ii Naosuke and Nakamura Karoku as Naosuke's Zen teacher. Featuring also Nakamura Jakuemon, Kataoka Ainosuke, Ichikawa Somegorô and Ichikawa Komazô.

Echigo Jishi: one of the most popular dances in the Kabuki repertory, this shows a traveling entertainer (Nakamura Takanosuke) that performed lion dances, with an adult playing the music and a child doing acrobatics like a little lion. The dance shows the feelings of the adult performer and his feelings for his home in the Echigo region and finally ends with the famous white cloth of the area as he waves long strips of cloth in a variety of different patterns. It is staged to commemorate the 6th anniversary (7th memorial service) of the passing away of Nakamura Takanosuke's father Nakamura Tomijûrô V.

Keisei: a beautiful top-rank courtesan (keisei) with her attendants makes parade along the Nakanochô Boulevard of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarter in Edo. She enters a room in the brothel and expresses her pure love for her lover in a graceful manner, though complaining that he does not come how long she waits for him. Then she expresses in dance the scenic beauty in each season and the elegant atmosphere in the pleasure quarters, and her love for him grows stronger. A scene from a seven-transformation hengemono "Nijirigaki Nanatsu Iroha", this is an old-fashioned, tasteful dance. Enjoy the cultured elegance of the top-rank courtesan in the pleasure quarters acted by Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô with his new direction in the performance at Nissay Theatre in October 2011.

Matsuura no Taiko: Lord Matsuura (Ichikawa Somegorô) lives next door to the enemy of the loyal retainers and is disgusted because they do not seem to be interested in avenging the death of the lord. He is especially upset because he studied with the same fighting teacher as Kuranosuke, the senior retainer who should be leading the vendetta. Moreover, he learns from the haiku teacher Takarai Kikaku (Ichikawa Sadanji) that his student Ôtaka Gengo (Kataoka Ainosuke) who should be part of the vendetta left a poem suggesting that he was forgetting his former lord and going to take service with another samurai lord. Gengo's sister Onui (Nakamura Kazutarô) serves Lord Matsuura and in disgust he is about to dismiss her, when there is a disturbance from next door. The attack has begun, and in joy, Lord Matsuura counts out the strokes of the drum, struck in a pattern that is only known by students of his fighting teacher.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Tokizô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Onoe Shôroku

"Shiranui Monogatari" was originally a long novel of the same name, which was written by Ryûkatei Tanekazu (1807~1858) and started to be published in 1849, at the end of the Edo period. It was adapted by Kawatake Shinshichi II and premiered at the Kawarasakiza in the 2nd lunar month of 1853. This play is famous for its visual entertainment. The heroine, Princess Shiranui, has the magical power to turn herself into a giant earth-spider! "Shiranui Monogatari" was extremely popular in koshibai during the Meiji and Taishô eras. It was produced 57 times in Tôkyô during the Meiji era. 21 times in Tôkyô during the Taishô era. It was staged only 4 times in ôshibai the second half of the 20th century: in January 1953 at the Mitsukoshi Gekijô, in September 1953 at the Ôsaka Kabukiza, in August 1954 at the Kabukiza and in March 1977 at the National Theatre. We had to wait almost 40 years for a revival.

Ichikawa Ebizô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Udanji, Ichikawa Chûsha, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa Ukon, Ôtani Tomoemon, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichikawa Unosuke, Ichimura Kakitsu, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Juen, Ichikawa Omezô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Nakamura Yonekichi, Ôtani Hiromatsu

The traditional New Year Kabuki at the Shinbashi Enbujô with the shûmei of Ichikawa Udanji III and the hatsubutai of his son Ichikawa Ukon II.

Futago Sumidagawa: it is a spectacular jidaimono play, a history play written by Chikamatsu Monzaemon based on a tragic legend about twins, their mother and their retainer in Heian era (10th century). Incurring the enmity of Jirobô Tengu in Mt. Hiragatake, Yoshida no Shôshô Yukifusa (Ichikawa Monnosuke) has his son Matsuwakamaru (Ichikawa Ukon) kidnapped and himself killed by Jirobô Tengu. Matsuwakamaru's twin brother Umewakamaru (Ichikawa Ukon) is egged on by Kageyu Byôe Kagehaya (Ichikawa En'ya) and others, who plot to take over Yoshida clan, into drawing eyes on the carp in the scroll which he kept from the Imperial Court. Then the carp pops out of the scroll and Umewakamaru conceals himself as Kagehaya advises him to wait before he catches the carp and returns it to the scroll. Shôshô's widow Hanjo Gozen (Ichikawa Ennosuke) goes insane as a result of excessive anxiety. Awaji no Shichirô (Ichikawa Udanji) who was once a retainer of Yoshida clan names himself Sarushima Sôta and makes a living as a slave trader to compensate for 10,000 gold coins he embezzled from his lord. He has 10 gold coins left to compensate for all sum as he beat a boy from the capital to death. He learns the boy is Umewakamaru and repents of what he has done. He thrusts at the ceiling and commits suicide by disembowelment in the gold coins he saved falling from the ceiling. His prayer with a concentration of his mind is heard and he becomes Shichirô Tengu to restore Yoshida clan. Hanjo Gozen wanders to Sumida River in search for her son Umewakamaru. Hearing from Sôta's wife Karaito that Umewakamaru is dead, she tries to throw herself into the river. But she reunites with Matsuwakamaru and recovers her sences. Shichirô Tengu flies with Hanjo Gozen and Matsuwakamaru to the capital. Starring also Ichikawa Ebizô and Ichikawa Chûsha.

Yoshikata Saigo: the full-length play shows the early rise of the Genji clan after a time of oppression. Yoshikata (Ichikawa Ebizô) is the lone member of the Genji clan and pretends to have no interest in reviving its fortunes, but Yukitsuna (Ichikawa Chûsha) a good-humored footman who is actually a spy, realizes his true intentions. Yoshikata is about to have a son, the general Yoshinaka, who will lead the Genji to victory, but Yoshikata himself is attacked and surrounded and dies in a spectacular scene where he falls from the top of a flight of stairs.

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 Ichikawa Udanji III and the hatsubutai of his son Ichikawa Ukon II.

Shikorobiki:
(The Tug of War Over the Armor)
In the wars between the Genji and Heike clans, an episode at the battle of Ichi-no-Tani became famous. Kagekiyo (Ichikawa Udanji) on the Heike side and Mionoya (Nakamura Baigyoku) on the Genji side fought and when halberds and swords proved ineffective, one grabbed the flap of the other's helmet and they tugged back and forth until the flap of the armor tore off and they both fell on the ground. They laughed praising the other's strength and that began the battle in earnest. This play is a kind of parody of that incident. In a hut on Mt. Maya above present day Kôbe, a beggar and a pilgrim meet and chat and suddenly, a treasure of the Heike clan appears. As they fight over the treasure, it falls off the mountain. The two follow it and eventually re-enact the tug of war over the armor.

Kurozuka: a woman has grown bitter at the world after being rejected by her husband and now loves in seclusion, killing travelers and becoming a kind of demon. However, when she gives shelter to a holy man and his party, she rejoices at this opportunity to find salvation. She goes to get firewood to keep her visitors warm, cautioning them not to look into the back room, where the bodies of her victims are. She dances in joy among the dry autumn grasses under the full moon at her chance for absolution. But the porter in the holy man's party looks in the back room and they all leave in a panic. The old woman is furious at being betrayed and this transforms her into a demon, which is finally vanquished by the power of the holy man. Starring Ichikawa Ennosuke as the old woman and Ichikawa Udanji as the holy man. Featuring also Ichikawa Monnosuke and Ichikawa Chûsha as two yamabushi priests, and Ichikawa En'ya as the porter.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Kinnosuke, Ôtani Keizô, Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô, Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Hayato, Nakamura Umemaru, Nakamura Kamenojô

The yearly show for young promising actors at the Asakusa Kôkaidô in Asakusa, a lively and colorful neighboorhood that keeps the scent of old Edo.

Otoshidama: a special kôjô for new year greetings (nenshi goaisatsu in Japanese).

Domo Mata: the artist Matahei has been refused a professional name because of his stuttering. He makes a poor life by drawing folk paintings and decides to make one last effort to gain respectability. His wife Otoku, who is given as much to chatter as Matahei is silent, pleads his case. Turned down again by his master, Matahei decides to take his life. He draws a farewell portrait of himself, a painting so skillful that the lines seep through solid rock and this miracle convinces his master to confer a professional name. Starring Bandô Minosuke as Matahei and Nakamura Kazutarô as his wife Otoku. Featuring Ôtani Keizô as Matahei's master Tosa Shôgen Mitsunobu.

Yoshinoyama: a dance travel scene from the epic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura". Now in exile and disgrace, Yoshitsune has left his lover Shizuka in the safekeeping of his trusted retainer Tadanobu. But she is unaware that this Tadanobu is actually a magical fox who has disguised himself to be near the treasured drum that Shizuka carries, a drum made from the skins of his fox parents. Starring Onoe Matsuya as Tadanobu, with Nakamura Kazutarô as Shizuka. Featuring also Bandô Minosuke as Hayami no Tôta.

Sumôba: "Futatsu Chôchô" means "two butterflies" and also comes from the fact that two sumô wrestlers who play important roles in the full length play have names beginning with "chô": Chôkichi and Chôgorô. In order to help his master Yamazakiya Yogorô (Nakamura Hayato) buy out the contract of the beautiful Azuma (Nakamura Umemaru), the senior wrestler Nuregami Chôgorô throws a match, letting the younger wrestler Hanaregoma Chôkichi win, hoping to get his help. But Chôkichi loses his temper and the two end up competing in a test of pride. Starring popular actor Nakamura Kinnosuke as Chôgorô and Onoe Matsuya as Chôkichi.

Suzu-ga-Mori: The young samurai Shirai Gonpachi (Nakamura Hayato) is ambushed near the execution grounds of Edo on a dark night, but he manages to escape after a gruesome but humorous fight scene. He is watched by Banzuiin Chôbê (Nakamura Kinnosuke), an Edo boss, who is impressed with his fighting skills and agrees to give him shelter in the city. This meeting between the handsome young Gonpachi and the heroic Chôbê is one of the most famous meetings in Kabuki.

Bô Shibari:
(Tied to a Pole)
A dance play based on a classical Kyôgen farce. A master (Nakamura Hayato) is irritated that his two servants always drink his wine while he is out. He plots with his servant Tarôkaja (Bandô Minosuke) to trick the other servant Jirôkaja (Onoe Matsuya) into demonstrating his skill at stick fighting, tying him to the stick. The master then ties up Tarôkaja as well. But he is outsmarted when the two still manage to drink his wine while tied up. Their happy singing and dancing while tied up is a dazzling display of virtuoso dancing and star two of the finest young dancers in Kabuki.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Arashi Keishi, Kawarasaki Kunitarô, Fujikawa Yanosuke, Arashi Yoshisaburô, Motomura Yûki, Nakajima Kôtarô, Tadamura Shin'ya, Yagyû Keisuke, Yamazaki Tatsusaburô, Hayase Einojô, Matsunami Kihachirô, Arashi Ichitarô

The traditional Zenshinza New Year performances in Kyôto. As the Minamiza is closed, it is staged at the Pontochô Kaburenjô, a venue in the famous hanamachi district of Pontochô. The Zenshinza troupe celebrates both the 85th anniversary of its foundation and the 40th anniversary of its early spring special performances in Kyôto.

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 (Kawarasaki Kunitarô) and her son Ushiwakamaru escape through the snow from Kyôto to nearby Fushimi. She is caught by her enemy Taira no Munekiyo (Arashi Yoshisaburô). 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 is now a powerful warrior picking fights on the Gojô Bridge in Kyôto. A stout warrior priest named Benkei 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.

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, Kawarasaki Kunitarô and Tadamura Shin'ya in the roles of Chôbê, Chôbê's wife Okane and Bunshichi. Featuring also Arashi Yoshisaburô.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website