6 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, New National Theatre, Asakusa Kôkaidô, Shinbashi Enbujô), 4 in Ôsaka (Shôchikuza, Ôsaka Club) and 1 in Kyôto (Kyôto Gekijô)!

Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Matsumoto Hakuô, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Fukusuke, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Senjaku, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Ichikawa Chûsha, Nakamura Matagorô, Bandô Yajûrô and Nakamura Kazutarô perform at the Kabukiza!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Tokizô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Bandô Hikosaburô, Nakamura Baishi and Kataoka Kamezô perform at the New National Theatre

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô performs at the Shôchikuza!

Lots of young talented actors at the Asakusa Kôkaidô!

Ichikawa Danjûrô performs at the Shinbashi Enbujô!

The Zenshinza troupe perform at the Kyôto Gekijô!

Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Matsumoto Hakuô, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Fukusuke, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Senjaku, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Ichikawa Chûsha, Nakamura Matagorô, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Kazutarô, Ichikawa Komazô, Onoe Ukon, Bandô Kamezô, Matsumoto Kingo, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Seiko, Nakamura Matsue, Nakamura Kikaku, Sawamura Sônosuke, Ôtani Keizô Nakamura Takanosuke, Nakamura Toranosuke, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Utanosuke, Nakamura Tamatarô, Onoe Sakon, Nakamura Kichinojô, Nakamura Baika

The two programs for the New Year Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza.

Gonin Sanbasô: this dance is a special five-actor auspicious dance based on the ritual play 'Okina' in the classical Nô Theatre. Five sanbasô dance energetically praying for national tranquility and a bountiful harvest of grain. Featuring Nakamura Takanosuke, Nakamura Toranosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Utanosuke and Nakamura Tamatarô.

Hanabusa Jishi: A geisha and chiefs of fire brigades dance gorgeously. A chic and lively dance is performed celebrating the beginning of the New Year. Starring Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Ganjirô and Nakamura Matagorô.

Arakawa Jûdayû: the street in front of the Sengakuji Temple is bustling with people who come to celebrate the 7th anniversary of the death of the loyal retainers of Akô Domain. Arakawa Jûdayû (Onoe Shôroku), a foot guard of the Matsudaira clan in Iyo Province, comes to visit the grave in fine attire which is unsuitable for a warrior of lower rank. Sugita Gozaemon (Nakamura Kichinojô), an inspector of the same clan who happens to be present, rebukes him for assuming a false rank which is a serious crime for a warrior. Later at court, as his lord Matsudaira Oki-no-Kami Sadanao (Bandô Kamezô) interrogates him about the reason why he assumed a false rank, he begins to talk about the day when he acted as second for Horibe Yasubê (Ichikawa Chûsha), one of the loyal retainers of Akô Domain, as he committed seppuku ritual disembowelment

and ...

Korikori Banashi:
(Bewitching Foxes and Badgers)
In Japan, foxes and tanuki badgers are said to have the power to take the shape of humans, and in that form, they play mischievously, sometimes causing great harm. In this play by the contemporary playwrite Hôjô Hideji (1902~1996), foxes and badgers do not appear, but the scheming of human beings is no less crafty than that of those magical creatures. The play features Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Onoe Ukon and Ichikawa Somegorô.

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 Nakamura Fukusuke as the empress, Matsumoto Kôshirô as the spirit of the crane and Onoe Shôroku as the spirit of the tortoise.

Soga no Taimen: this is one of the oldest and most classical of all Kabuki plays. In the Edo period, every January, plays appeared about the vendetta carried out by the Soga brothers Jûrô and Gorô after eighteen years of hardship. In "Soga no Taimen" the brothers confront Kudô Suketsune, the man responsible for their father's death. More ceremony than play, it features each of the important Kabuki character types, including the bombastic aragoto style of Gorô and the soft wagoto style of Jûrô. This month features a cast headed by Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku as Kudô and some of the most popular young stars in Kabuki with Nakamura Shikan as Gorô and Nakamura Senjaku as Jûrô. Featuring Bandô Yajûrô, Ichikawa Komazô, Nakamura Kaishun and Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô as Kobayashi no Asahina, the courtesan Kewaizaka no Shôshô (Gorô's lover), the courtesan Ôiso no Tora (Jûrô's lover) and Oniô Shinzaemon (Jûrô's retainer).

Musuko: A modern play that shows a thief on the run who takes refuge in the shack of the guardman of a fire watchhouse. The thief is the same age as the old man's son and gradually he realizes that this is his father. But he conceals his identity because the old man is fondly convinced that his son has become a success somewhere. A 3-generation Kôraiya casting: Matsumoto Hakuô as the old man, Matsumoto Hakuô's son Matsumoto Kôshirô as the thief and Matsumoto Hakuô's grandson Ichikawa Somegorô as the policeman.

Musume Dôjôji: a beautiful young woman dances under cherry blossoms at a dedication ceremony for a temple bell. She dances the many aspects of a woman in love, but is actually the spirit of a serpent, driven to destroy the bell out of jealousy. In addition to being the most famous of all Kabuki dances, "Musume Dôjôji" is considered to be the pinnacle of the art of the onnagata. The role of the shirabyôshi is played by Nakamura Kazutarô from the 2nd to the 14th of December and Onoe Ukon from the 15th to the 27th of December.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Tokizô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Bandô Hikosaburô, Nakamura Baishi, Kataoka Kamezô, Ichimura Manjirô, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Nakamura Mantarô, Ichimura Takematsu, Onoe Ushinosuke, Onoe Maholo, Ichimura Hikaru, Bandô Kamesaburô, Arashi Kitsusaburô, Ogawa Hiroharu

Ishikiri Kajiwara: the Heike general Kajiwara (Onoe Kikunosuke) 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 Bandô Hikosaburô, Nakamura Baishi and Kataoka Kamezô.

Kuzu-no-Ha: Abe no Yasuna, a court astrologer in disgrace, has married a beautiful woman named Kuzu-no-Ha, not knowing that she is actually a fox that has taken human form to repay his kindness in saving his life. The couple has a child and lives happily together until the real woman whose form the fox borrowed appears. Knowing that she can no longer stay, Kuzu-no-Ha writes a tearful farewell poem on the paper screen and returns to the wilderness. Starring Nakamura Baishi as Kuzu-no-Ha and his father Nakamura Tokizô as Yasuna.

Kioi Jishi: this dance shows an Edo festival with its lively lion dance and other entertainments. The festival is full of handsome firemen and attractive geisha who do a series of graceful dances. One of the highlights of this dance is the story of the Soga brothers avenging the death of their father by attacking their enemy during a hunting party for the Shôgun at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Featuring Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô and all the troupe of actors celebrating the opening of Kabuki performances at the New National Theatre.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

No performance at the National Theatre, which will be destroyed and rebuilt, in 2024 but there will be a subsitute theater: the New National Theatre! For the very first in the history of this theater dedicated to opera, ballet or modern dances/dramas, there are Kabuki performances in its playhouse!

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô

A special Buyô program in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza starring the amazing Living National Treasure onnagata Bandô Tamasaburô.

Kôjô: the close relationship between the actors and the audience is shown by stage announcements, usually lavish ceremonies to commemorate various important events. This month at the Shôchikuza, it is a stage speech delivered by Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô.

Kurokami:
(Black hair)
A woman's heart lamenting the painfulness and loneliness of sleeping alone is expressed with deep feeling. It is impressive that a woman's feeling of love and jealousy is skillfully expressed from the contrast of black hair, the symbol for the beauty of Japanese women, and white snow, as the words say.

Yukari no Tsuki:
(The moon of Karma)
A dance about a courtesan's sad mental state. While watching the moon, she is lamenting that she has to separate from her lover and to marry another man because of her poverty.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô

A special program starring Living National Treasure onnagata Bandô Tamasaburô in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza with the rakugo storyteller Shunpûtei Koasa.

Koshiji Fubuki Monogatari: a conversation on stage with Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô and Shunpûtei Koasa.

Shibahama: A rakugo told by Shunpûtei Koasa.

Yuki: Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô appears as an Ôsaka courtesan named Soseki, expressing her feelings of loneliness after having been jilted by her lover and who has decided to become a nun. This jiuta dance is performed in a restrained chamber style.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Kataoka Senju, Kataoka Senjirô, Kataoka Aizaburô

A special program entitled in English and starring Kataoka clan's disciples.

Kabuki no Mikata: a speech on stage about the art of Kabuki with Kataoka Senju.

Ayatsuri Sanbasô:
(The Puppet Sanbasô)
The Sanbasô is part of the ritual Nô play "Okina", a prayer for prosperity and in Kabuki the vigorous Sanbasô dance is often performed separately. To make the dance especially auspicious, the old man Okina and attendant Senzai appear as well. In Kabuki, the Sanbasô dance appears in all kinds of versions. In this particular version, the Sanbasô is actually a giant marionette (Kataoka Senjirô), dancing lightly until his antics tangle his strings, creating problems for his puppeteer (Kataoka Aizaburô).

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku, Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Hayato, Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Yonekichi, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Nakamura Kangyoku, Ichimura Kitsutarô, Nakamura Kamenojô, Nakamura Kichinojô

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).

Jusshukô: Princess Yaegaki is mourning the death of his fiance Katsuyori, but as she burns incense in his memory, she notices the resemblance between the new gardener and her fiance's portrait. The gardener is in fact Katsuyori, who has entered the household of Yaegaki's father to regain the possession of a stolen family treasure, a famous helmet, with the help of Nureginu, a woman who also mourns for the man that died in the place of the real Katsuyori. Unfortunately, Yaegaki's father has also seen through the disguise and plans to kill Katsuyori. The role of Princess Yaegaki, one of the most important onnagata roles, is played by Nakamura Yonekichi, supported by Nakamura Hashinosuke, Bandô Shingo and Nakamura Kashô in the roles of Katsuyori, Nureginu and Nagao Kenshin.

Genjidana: Yosaburô (Nakamura Hayato) fell in love with Otomi (Nakamura Yonekichi) the moment he first saw her on the beach. Otomi was the mistress of a powerful gangster and, when their relationship was discovered, Yosaburô was cut from head to toe and the two were dumped into the sea. Otomi lived and was taken in by a rich merchant. Yosaburô, who is now covered with scars, turns into a petty thief and extortionist but one day, finds that the woman he is about to blackmail is none other than Otomi, alive and well.

Dontsuku:
(Juggling to Entertain the Gods)
This lively dance features a crowd of pleasure seekers, male and female, of all kinds of social stations. But the center attraction is a performer of daikagura who does juggling acts and tops off the act with a basketwork cylinder on a pole, which he uses to deftly throw and catch several balls. Featuring Nakamura Hayato, Bandô Minosuke, Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Yonekichi, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Tanenosuke and Nakamura Kangyoku.

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

Kumagai Jin'ya: this play is a dramatization of the clash between the Genji general Kumagai Jirô Naozane and the Heike warrior Taira no Atsumori at the battle of Ichi-no-Tani, one of the most famous passages of the epic "Tales of the Heike". In the Kabuki version, on the cryptic orders of the Genji leader Yoshitsune, Kumagai hides the enemy warrior Atsumori and has his own son take the warrior's place. On the battlefield, Kumagai has to kill his own son in Atsumori's place. Things become worse when his wife Sagami and Atsumori's mother Fuji-no-Kata arrive at his camp. In the highlight of the play, he tells them the story of his mortal battle with Atsumori, keeping Atsumori's well-being and his own sacrifice a secret. He then shows the head of Atsumori for inspection by his leader to see if he has interpreted his orders correctly. This performance stars Nakamura Kashô as Kumagai, with Bandô Shingo as Kumagai's wife Sagami, Nakamura Kangyoku as Fuji-no-Kata and Bandô Minosuke as Yoshitsune.

Ryûsei:
(A Falling Star)
In myth, the heavenly shepherd boy and celestial weaver maid only can meet once a year. They no longer are united than a falling star, or ryûsei appears with an urgent report, which actually turns out to be the story of marital discord in the family of the thunder god living in a poor tenement in heaven. The highlight of this dance is this story with the dancer changing instantly from role to role playing the thunder god, his angry wife, his little son and the elderly thunder goddess from next door who tries to break up the fight. Starring Nakamura Tanenosuke as a falling star.

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

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Danjûrô, Ichikawa Udanji, Kataoka Takatarô, Nakamura Kotarô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichimura Kakitsu, Ichikawa Omezô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ichikawa Shinnosuke, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Ichikawa Otora, Ichikawa Botan

The traditional New Year Kabuki at the Shinbashi Enbujô with a troupe led by Ichikawa Danjûrô.

Kawarasaki Kunitarô, Fujikawa Yanosuke

The traditional Zenshinza New Year performances in Kyôto. Not at the Minamiza, as it used to be, but at the Kyôto Gekijô.

Kamimura Kichitarô

A special Buyô gala program in Ôsaka at the Ôsaka Club starring the young Kamigata actor Kamimura Kichitarô. The first item is a sanbasômono perforemed in suodori. The second item is a talk & lecture about the Enchantment of Kabuki.