4 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre, Theatre Cocoon), 1 in Fukuoka (Hakataza), 1 in Nagoya (Chûnichi Theatre) and 2 tours (Kansai, Zenshinza)!

Kataoka Nizaemon, Sakata Tôjûrô, Nakamura Kichiemon, Nakamura Tomijûrô, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun and Nakamura Shibajaku perform at the Kabukiza!

Onoe Kikugorô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Kanjaku and Ichikawa Danshirô perform at the Hakataza!

Nakamura Kanzaburô, Nakamura Hashinosuke and Nakamura Fukusuke perform at the Theatre Cocoon!

The Omodakaya guild performs at the Chûnichi Theatre!

Nakamura Senjaku and Kataoka Takatarô perform at the National Theatre!

Kataoka Nizaemon, Sakata Tôjûrô, Nakamura Kichiemon, Nakamura Tomijûrô, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Shibajaku, Bandô Hikosaburô, Kataoka Hidetarô, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Karoku, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Tôzô

Imoseyama: "Imoseyama Onna Teikin", is a masterpiece by Chikamatsu Hanji (1725~1783) first presented in 1771 in the puppet theater. It is an epic taken from early Japanese history, weaving together history, legend and myth. The country chafes under the domination of the dictator Iruka. This short section of the full-length play shows the story of two rival families who are only alike in being dominated by the dictator until a tragedy reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet brings them together.

Komatsubara: on a beautiful spring day, handsome young Koganosuke (Nakamura Baigyoku), son of Daihanji and Hinadori (Nakamura Kaishun), the beautiful daughter of Sadaka, widow of Dazai happen to meet and fall in love, not realizing that their families are bitter enemies, with estates on either side of the Yoshino river. But Koganosuke also has heavy duties and helps Uneme, the daughter of the loyal minister Fujiwara no Kamatari to escape from the clutches of the evil minister Emiji.

Hana Watashi: Iruka (Bandô Hikosaburô) blames Koganosuke for the loss of Uneme and has heard of his love for Hinadori. He fears that these two rival clans may be plotting against him so summons Daihanji (Matsumoto Kôshirô) to Sadaka's (Sakata Tôjûrô) mansion, confronts the two rival parents and orders Koganosuke to become his retainer and Hinadori to serve in his bedchamber. He gives them branches of cherry blossoms to be thrown into the Yoshino river as a signal of the answers of the young people.

Yoshinogawa: in the most famous scene of the play, there is a spectacular set with the house of Daihanji on one side of the stage and the house of Sadaka on the other side with the river running through the center of the stage. Both parents know that their children would rather accept death than bow down to the dictator Iruka, but hide this and speak proudly and aggressively to the other, hoping desperately that at least the other child might be spared. However, all their efforts are in vain and finally, in death, the young couple is united in marriage, ending the feud between the two families.

Enma to Seirai: this is a new dance play written by Nakamura Kichiemon himself under the name Matsu Kanshi that is an adaptation of a Kyôgen farce. Enma, the king of hell (Nakamura Tomijûrô) is upset that religion has meant that fewer people are falling into hell. He summons a falconer named Seirai (Nakamura Kichiemon) and wants to condemn him for taking life, but the falconer says that it is the falcon that does it and he is blameless. In dance, he describes hunting with a falcon and this is so interesting that Enma himself wants to try it.

Harusame Gasa: this is a rare performance of a play by Fukuchi Ôchi (1841~1906) one of the fathers of modern Kabuki. It shows a confrontation between a gentle patron of the pleasure quarters who has become a gang boss (Ichikawa Somegorô) and the former samurai who is responsible for his current state (Bandô Hikosaburô) and their rivalry over a courtesan (Nakamura Shibajaku). The play is also an opportunity to present Ichikawa Somegorô’s young son on stage for the first time with greetings from the senior members of his family.

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 Kataoka Nizaemon as Lord Tsunatoyo and Ichikawa Somegorô as Tominomori Suke’emon.

Kagatobi: the firemen serving the fabulously wealthy Kaga clan were famous for their colorful spirit. This play features a short pageant of these firefighters combined with a dark story of the sinister masseur Dôgen who uses murder, theft and extortion to satisfy his lust and greed. The actor playing Dôgen doubles as one of the gallant bosses of the firefighting gang alongside the firefighter that unmasks Dôgen’s villainy. Starring Matsumoto Kôshirô as Dôgen and Nakamura Kichiemon as the firefighter that defeats him.

Funa Benkei: in this powerful dance-drama, which is based on the well-known Nô play of the same title, Ichikawa Somegorô performs two strikingly different characters, Yoshitsune's mistress Shizuka and the ghost of Taira no Tomomori. The first part of the drama shows Benkei (Matsumoto Kôshirô) persuading Yoshitsune to part with Shizuka. Then, when Yoshitsune and his retinue embark, the ghost of Tomomori, believed to have perished in the battle of Dan-no-Ura between the Minamoto and Taira forces in 1185, emerges from the raging waves and begins to attack Yoshitsune. Overpowered by Benkei's fervent prayer, Tomomori's ghost finally retreats in agony.

Sources: Earphone Guide website
Sasaguchi Rei for "Funa Benkei"

Onoe Kikugorô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Kanjaku, Ichikawa Danshirô, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Ichikawa Danzô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Ichikawa Kamejirô, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Onoe Matsuya, Bandô Kamesaburô

"If music be the food of love, play on!". The trouble caused by love is the theme of Shakespeare’s play, a comedy with great depth. June at Hakataza features an encore performance of a bold experiment. Ninagawa Yukio, known throughout the world for productions of Shakespeare and his blending of traditional and modern theatrical techniques will direct Kabuki actors in an adaptation of Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night".

After being shipwrecked and being separated (presumably forever) from her twin brother Sebastian, Viola dresses as a young man, calls herself Cesario and takes service with Orsino, who is in love with the fabulously wealthy Olivia. In the guise of Cesario, Viola becomes Orsino’s messenger to Olivia, but she does not love him. Instead, she falls in love with Cesario and in turn, Viola falls in love with Orsino. But while these characters suffer for love, others lust after Olivia’s wealth. Her uncle Toby cannot stand to see the money leave the family and tries to get her married to the obnoxious Andrew. Meanwhile, Olivia’s steward Malvolio is also in love with her, but he is so stuck-up and out of date that the people around him plot to make him think that Olivia returns his love, only making him seem more ridiculous than ever.

In June’s production, all of Shakespeare’s characters will take on a new, Kabuki incarnation. Viola will become Princess Biwa (a biwa is a Japanese lute), and disguised as a man, she will take the name Shishimaru, sounding like a proper samurai, and all the other characters get new Japanese names as well.

Ninagawa Yukio is famous throughout the world for his direction of new plays and the classics, using modern theatrical techniques and traditional aesthetics with a bold visual touch. For example, his production of "Macbeth" brought the play into the world of Japan and transformed the stage into a giant Buddhist altar, with mysterious old women praying throughout the play, as though the story of Macbeth took place within the altar as a message from the land of the dead. His production of "King Lear" brought together a famous English actor as Lear and a popular Japanese actor as the fool and was performed in England, while his production of "Oedipus Rex" combined an actress from the Japanese modern theater with an actor from Kyôgen, the traditional comic style, and the production even went to Greece.

The new production of "Ninagawa Jûniya", which was in fact premiered in July 2005 at the Kabukiza, will star Onoe Kikunosuke as Biwa and her twin brother Shuzennosuke, while Onoe Kikugorô will play Maruo Bôdayû and the jester Sutesuke. Also featuring Ichikawa Sadanji, Ichikawa Danshirô and Nakamura Tokizô. Don’t miss this exciting new Kabuki experiment!

Source: Earphone Guide website

Nakamura Kanzaburô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukusuke, Kataoka Kamezô, Sasano Takashi, Nakamura Kantarô, Nakamura Shichinosuke

8th edition of the original Cocoon Kabuki performance, which recreates the atmosphere of the Edo koshibai and brings the actors closer to the audience. The great play "Sannin Kichisa" narrates the adventures of three thieves whose common features are the same first name (Kichisa) and a strong sense of honour. Oshô Kichisa, an ex-bonze turned thief, is played by Nakamura Kanzaburô. Ojô Kichisa, a thief who dresses like a young woman to steal people, is played by Nakamura Fukusuke. Obô Kichisa, an ex-samurai turned thief, is played by Nakamura Hashinosuke.

Ichikawa Ukon, Ichikawa Danjirô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Shun'en, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Juen

The Chûnichi Theatre produces the Omodakaya guild in the revival of one of the most spectacular plays of the Ennosuke Jûhachiban, without Ichikawa Ennosuke (still on sick leave). The young star Ichikawa Ukon plays 15 roles in a play full of keren, including an amazing chûnori!

Hitori Tabi Gojûsan Tsugi:
(Traveling Alone to the Fifty-three Stations)
"Hitori Tabi Gojûsan Tsugi" was first performed in 1827, and was written by the famous playwright Tsuruya Nanboku IV (1755 - 1829). It built on the popular explosion of fascination of travel on this highway seen in the bestselling comic novel "Hizakurige" ("Shanks Mare") about the adventures of Yaji and Kita on the road and lavish series of multi-colored woodblock prints showing all fifty-three stations along the highway. But in addition to the expected travel scenes and comedy of Yaji and Kita, audiences also got a spectacular series of scenes scary, sexy and comic reworking all Nanboku's favorite themes including a monstrous cat. Ichikawa Ennosuke long specialized in reviving Nanboku’s plays, each production including Ennosuke’s trademark fast-changes and flight through the air. March at Minamiza features the young actors of Ennosuke’s troupe headed by Ichikawa Ukon in a full-length performance of this exciting and entertaining spectacle.

Source: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Senjaku, Kataoka Takatarô, Bandô Yajûrô

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 on stage of Kabuki or some aspects of the art like music, stage tricks or fighting scenes, followed by the drama "Hikimado", starring Nakamura Senjaku, Kataoka Takatarô and Bandô Yajûrô in the roles of Jûjibê, Ohaya and Nuregami Chôgorô.

Kataoka Gatô, Kamimura Kichiya, Kataoka Shinnosuke

32nd edition of an educational Kabuki tour in Kansai. It starts with a presentation on Kabuki and the highlight of the program is the drama "Ninokuchi-mura", starring Kataoka Gatô, Kamimura Kichiya and Kataoka Shinnosuke in the roles of Magoemon, Umegawa and Chûbê.

Nakamura Umenosuke, Kawarasaki Kunitarô, Arashi Keishi, Nakamura Baijaku, Segawa Kikunojô, Nakamura Seinosuke, Yamazaki Tatsusaburô, Yamazaki Kyôka, Osagawa Genjirô, Anegawa Shinnosuke

This production of "Kamiyui Shinza" includes the rare "Izakaya" scene:

Kamiyui Shinza: Shinza is a barber that goes from door to door, but at the same time, he is a villain that kidnaps Okuma, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy household, and even resists the efforts of Yatagorô Genshichi, the most prestigious strongman in town, to get her release. Starring Nakamura Baijaku as Shinza, Kawarasaki Kunitarô as Okuma, Segawa Kikunojô as Chûshichi and Arashi Keishi as Yatagorô Genshichi.

Source: Earphone Guide website