2 in Ôsaka (Shôchikuza), 3 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre) and 2 tours (Eastern Provinces, Central Provinces)!

Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Matsumoto Hakuô, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Senjaku, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Chûsha, Kataoka Takatarô, Bandô Yajûrô, Bandô Takesaburô, Nakamura Karoku and Nakamura Matagorô perform at the Shôchikuza!

Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Ichikawa Ebizô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Shidô and Ichikawa Udanji perform at the Kabukiza!

Nakamura Tokizô and Nakamura Kinnosuke perform at the National Theatre!

Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Baigyoku and Kataoka Hidetarô are on tour in the Central Provinces!

Onoe Kikunosuke, Ichikawa Danzô, Bandô Hikosaburô and Nakamura Baishi are on tour in the Eastern Provinces!

Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Matsumoto Hakuô, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Senjaku, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Chûsha, Kataoka Takatarô, Bandô Yajûrô, Bandô Takesaburô, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Matsumoto Kingo, Nakamura Kazutarô, Ichikawa Komazô, Sawamura Sônosuke, Kamimura Kichiya, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Ôtani Hirotarô, Kataoka Matsunosuke

27th edition of the Kansai Kabuki Lovers Society July Grand Kabuki in Ôsaka. Matsumoto Hakuô II and his son Matsumoto Kôshirô X celebrate their shûmei in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza.

Kuruwa Sanbasô: the sanbasô is an auspicious dance based on the ritual play Okina in the classical Nô theater which shows an old man as a symbol of longevity and the energetic sanbasô as a symbol of fertility and prosperity. In Kabuki there are many different versions, but this particular one sets the dance in the pleasure quarters and has a beautiful top-ranking courtesan in place of the old man and a taiko mochi entertainer instead of the boisterous sanbasô. This dance features Kataoka Takatarô as the courtesan, Nakamura Kazutarô as the shinzô and Nakamura Kashô as the taiko mochi.

Kurumabiki: this short scene shows the three brothers that dominate the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", each with a distinctive personality. Sakuramaru (Nakamura Senjaku) and Umeômaru (Nakamura Ganjirô) have been rendered masterless by Kan Shôjô's exile. The third brother Matsuômaru (Nakamura Matagorô) serves the villain Shihei (Bandô Yajûrô), who is responsible for the downfall of Kan Shôjô. Sakuramaru and Umeômaru try to destroy Shihei's carriage but are stopped by Matsuômaru and the magical glare of Shihei. Finally the brothers agree to suspend their disputes until they all meet at their father's seventieth birthday party.

Kôchiyama: the tea priest Kôchiyama (Matsumoto Hakuô) is a skilled thief and extortionist, but cannot turn down a request to help those in need. He disguises himself as a high-ranking priest to try to gain the freedom of a girl held by a powerful samurai lord (kA() because she will not become his mistress. Using the famous poetic cadences of the late 19th century playwright Mokuami, Kôchiyama not only succeeds in his mission to rescue the girl, but he manages to extort a fair amount for himself. Featuring also Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Kazutarô and Ichikawa Komazô.

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 Matsumoto Kôshirô in the role of Benkei, with Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon and his son Kataoka Takatarô as the barrier keeper Togashi and Yoshitsune.

Ohama Goten: there are few plays more popular in Kabuki than "Chûshingura" or the Treasury of the Forty-Seven Loyal Retainers. In the modern period, this play was reworked by Mayama Seika as "Genroku Chûshingura", a play focusing on different incidents and different characters in this revenge classic adding historical details reflecting the Genroku period. One of the most popular parts of this play shows the man that will be the next Shôgun, seemingly detached from the vendetta, but in fact, intensely interested in the progress of the quest of the band of loyal retainers. Starring Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon as Lord Tsunatoyo and Ichikawa Chûsha as Tominomori Suke’emon. With Nakamura Kazutarô as Okiyo, Nakamura Senjaku as Ejima and Nakamura Karoku as Tsunatoyo’s teacher Arai Kageyû.

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 in Ôsaka of Matsumoto Hakuô II and Matsumoto Kôshirô X. Featuring Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô.

Abura no Jigoku: this play has become phenomenally popular in modern times for its hard-boiled sensibility and sensuous killing scene with the protagonists slipping and struggling through puddles of spilled oil, but was virtually ignored at the time it was written. It shows Yohê, the wastrel son of a well-to-do merchant, who constantly tries to borrow money from Okichi, the wife of a neighboring oil merchant. Pressed for funds, he tries to blackmail her, but ends up killing her in the long, dream-like scene that gives this plays its title, "the woman killer and the hell of oil". Starring Matsumoto Kôshirô and Ichikawa Ennosuke in the roles of Yohê and Okichi. Featuring also Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Kazutarô, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Ichikawa Chûsha, Bandô Takesaburô and Ichikawa Komazô.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Ichikawa Ebizô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Shidô, Ichikawa Udanji

The usual July Grand Kabuki programs at the Kabukiza with a troupe led by Ichikawa Ebizô.

Sangoku Musô Hisago no Medetaya: This is a full-length production of a play portraying the rise of the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Ichikawa Ebizô). Oda Nobunaga was about to realize his ambition of unifying Japan, when Akechi Mitsuhide (Nakamura Shidô), one of his most trusted generals, raised a rebellion against him. At the time, Hashiba (later, Toyotomi) Hideyoshi was at war with the Môri clan in Bitchû, but as soon as he heard this news he returned to Kyôto to avenge his lord Nobunaga's death by defeating Mitsuhide. In his youth, Hideyoshi was once apprenticed to a samurai named Matsushita Kahê (Ichikawa Udanji). Since Kahê supports Mitsuhide's clan, Hideyoshi makes him a present of the boy Jûjirô who was brought up as Mitsuhide's son. This gift placates the old man's anger. However, Hideyoshi discovers from the amulet that Jûjirô was wearing that Jûjirô is, in fact, his own son. After Nobunaga's death, many of Nobunaga's retainers commend Nobunaga's sons, Nobukatsu or Nobutaka, as Nobunaga's successor, but Hideyoshi objects, saying that Nobunaga's sons don't deserve to be his successor because they didn't avenge their father's death. He persuades them that Nobunaga's grandchild Sanbôshi (Ichikawa Ebizô's son Horikoshi Kangen) should be the successor and seizes real power as his guardian. Featuring also Nakamura Jakuemon (Mitsuhide's wife Satsuki), Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô (Kahê's wife Kuretake) and Nakamura Kotarô (Hideyoshi's wife Yae).

Genji Monogatari: This play is an adaptation of the "Genji Monogatari", the oldest novel in the world written by Murasaki Shikibu more than 1000 years ago, and which is still popular to this day. As the play begins, Murasaki Shikibu (Ichimura Manjirô) is writing "The Tale of Genji" in Ishiyamadera Temple. It is a moving story about the courtier Hikaru Genji (Ichikawa Ebizô) who was blessed with shining beauty and talent. He was born an imperial prince in the ancient capital of Kyôto but was the subject of great envy among others at the imperial court. Furthermore, tragedy struck at an early age when he lost his mother. Anxious about his future and wishing to protect him against court intrigue, his father, Emperor Kiritsubo (Ichikawa Ebizô), demoted him to the rank of subject. Not understanding the reason for this, Genji felt abandoned and there was a darkness in the depths of his heart. This mixture of light and darkness inspires Murasaki Shikibu to continue the story. In this production, Nô performers and opera singers will join the performance to create a new style of Kabuki combining the traditional performing arts with the latest technology like body-sensing and projection-mapping! Featuring also Nakamura Jakuemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Kaishun and Ichikawa Udanji. The Nô performers are Katayama Kurôemon X, Umewaka Kishô II and Kanze Yoshimasa. The opera performers are Anthony Roth Costanzo (apparition of Darkness) and Zachary Wilder (apparition of Light).

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Bandô Shingo

Educational program at the National Theatre called Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki Appreciation Class"). This is a very interesting formula for the beginners because there is lively presentation of Kabuki (or some aspects of the art like music, stage tricks or fighting scenes) on stage, followed by a drama ("Furisode Hajime").

Nihon Furisode Hajime: this dance is a rare example of a story from ancient Japanese mythology in a puppet play by Chikamatsu Monzaemon adapted for the Kabuki theater. As part of an annual ritual, Princess Inada has been chosen to be sacrificed to a fierce serpent that lives in the mountains of Izumo. The serpent arrives in the guise of a beautiful princess, but before it can attack it is attracted to eight jars full of sake. The jars are a trap planted by the god Susanoo, who confronts the beast in its true form as an eight-headed serpent, to save the princess. Starring Nakamura Tokizô as the serpent, with Nakamura Kinnosuke and Bandô Shingo in the roles of Susanoo and Princess Inada.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Baigyoku, Kataoka Hidetarô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Kichinojô, Nakamura Baika

The usual July Grand Kabuki Tour in the central provinces. Nakamura Shikan VIII and two of his three sons, Nakamura Hashinosuke IV and Nakamura Fukunosuke III, celebrate their shûmei.

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 Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Baika and Nakamura Hashinosuke/Nakamura Fukunosuke (alternatively) in the roles of Chôbê, Chôbê's wife Okane and Bunshichi. Featuring also Nakamura Baigyoku and Kataoka Hidetarô.

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 and Nakamura Fukunosuke III.

Bô Shibari:
(Tied to a Pole)
A dance play based on a classical Kyôgen farce. A master (Nakamura Kichinojô) is irritated that his two servants always drink his wine while he is out. He plots with his servant Tarôkaja (Nakamura Fukunosuke) to trick the other servant Jirôkaja (Nakamura Hashinosuke) 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

Onoe Kikunosuke, Ichikawa Danzô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Yonekichi, Nakamura Mantarô, Ichimura Kitsutarô

The usual July Grand Kabuki Tour in the Eastern Provinces.

Ômi no Okane: Okane was a famous strong woman living on the shores of Lake Biwa and is known for stopping a runaway horse with her bare hands. This has become a Kabuki dance that combines strength and charming femininity. This production stars Nakamura Baishi as Okane.

Gosho no Gorozô: a portrait of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters at the height of its splendor. Rival gangs dressed in the height of fashion exchange stately speeches before fighting in the elaborate poetic cadences of Kawatake Mokuami, the last great playwright of Kabuki. Gorozô is the handsome leader of a gang, but his lover, the top courtesan Satsuki pretends to reject him to save his life. Tragedy strikes when Gorozô is driven to revenge. Starring Onoe Kikunosuke as Gorozô, Bandô Hikosaburô as his rival in love, Nakamura Baishi as Gorozô's lover, the courtesan Satsuki and Nakamura Yonekichi as Ôshû, a courtesan who is tragically killed.

Takatsuki: in this relatively modern dance-comedy adapted from the style of classical Kyôgen farces, the servant Jirôkaja (Onoe Kikunosuke) is ordered by his lord (Ichikawa Danzô) to buy a takatsuki, which is a kind of ceremonial sake cup on a stand. Jirôkaja does not understand his lord's orders and is persuaded by a fast-talking geta clog salesman (Nakamura Mantarô) to buy a pair of clogs instead, thinking that this is the stand for which he was sent. After drinking a good amount of sake, he brings his purchase to the lord and responds to the lord's anger with a dance on the clogs, a virtuoso routine inspired by tap dancing, showing off the dancing skills of Onoe Kikunosuke.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website