4 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre), 2 in Fukuoka (Hakataza), 2 in Kyôto (Minamiza) and 1 in Matsumoto (Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre)!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Matsumoto Hakuô, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Ganjirô, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Kataoka Takatarô, Ichikawa Sadanji and Nakamura Karoku perform at the Kabukiza!

Nakamura Tokizô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Baigyoku, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô and Bandô Hikosaburô perform at the Hakataza!

Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Senjaku, Nakamura Kaishun, Ichikawa Danzô and Bandô Kamezô perform at the National Theatre!

Ichikawa Ebizô, Ichikawa Udanji, Ichikawa Sai'nyû, Kataoka Ichizô and Nakamura Kotarô perform at the Minamiza!

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Onoe Matsuya and Kataoka Kamezô perform at the Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Matsumoto Hakuô, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Ganjirô, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Kataoka Takatarô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Karoku, Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Hayato, Nakamura Kikaku, Ichikawa Komazô, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Juen, Ichikawa En'ya, Nakamura Matsue, Kamimura Kichiya, Matsumoto Kingo, Ôtani Keizô, Ôtani Hirotarô, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Yonekichi, Nakamura Kashô, Ichikawa Otora, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Utanosuke, Kataoka Sennosuke, Nakamura Tamatarô, Nakamura Kichinojô, Ichikawa Ukon

The 3 programs for the June Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza.

Ataka no Seki: "Gohiiki Kanjinchô" was first performed in 1773 and is most famous for its comic aragoto version of the famous play "Kanjinchô" (The Subscription List). As they are fleeing, the powerful warrior priest Benkei (Nakamura Shikan) gets his master Yoshitsune (Nakamura Jakuemon) through the barrier by pretending to be very weak and allowing himself to be tied up. He cries like a baby when he is tormented by the barrier attendants. But when Benkei decides that his master is safe, he explodes with energy, showing off the bombastic aragoto style of acting. He breaks the ropes and pulls off the heads of the attendants, tossing them into a barrel and washing them like a bunch of potatoes. Featuring also Nakamura Ganjirô as Togashi no Saemon.

Yûgao Dana: this modern Kabuki dance was inspired by a traditional screen painting and was first performed by Ichikawa Ennosuke II. As an elderly husband and wife sit at the veranda enjoying the summer evening breeze, they meet a young couple going to the local folk dance. The couple reminds them of their younger days and, though not quite as graceful, they perform a light-hearted dance as they reminisce about their earlier days. Starring Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô and Ichikawa Sadanji as the old woman and the old man.

Sakura Hime: unable to give up his attachment to Princess Sakura (Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô), Seigen (Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon) stays at the hermitage where Zangetsu (Nakamura Karoku) and Nagaura (Kamimura Kichiya) live, but he is murdered by them. Gonsuke (Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon) is asked to settle the matter, after which he meets Princess Sakura again and they marry. Struck by a lightning bolt, Seigen revives and clings to Princess Sakura, but he finally dies. Princess Sakura gets the nickname 'Princess Wind Chime' and becomes a popular prostitute. However, she is brought back to Gonsuke because a ghost appears by her pillow every night. She also learns from the secret letter Gonsuke drops that he is the murderer of her father and her brother... Featuring also Nakamura Kinnosuke and Kataoka Takatarô.

Kyô Ningyô: this dance tells the story of the woodcarver Hidari Jingorô, famous for the sleeping cat on the great gate of Nikkô. He brings a statue of a beautiful courtesan to life and then there is a spectacular fight scene with a variety of carpenter’s tools. Starring Matsumoto Hakuô as Jingorô and Ichikawa Somegorô as the doll of the courtesan.

Nichiren: this play is set in the 13th century, a time of great turbulence caused by raging wars, a series of natural disasters, starvation and epidemics. In the depths of night on Mount Hiei, ascetic monks gather in front of the main temple hall. Inside, Renchô has remained confined for ten days without eating or drinking, and now his voice chanting the sutras can no longer be heard. In contrast to the other monks who are repulsed by Renchô's uncompromising attitude, Jôben is moved by Renchô’s passion and is now concerned about him. Jôben breaks down the door to enter the hall. This Kabuki production commemorates the 800th anniversary of the birth of the famous Buddhist priest Nichiren. Starring Ichikawa Ennosuke in the role of Renchô (later Nichiren). Featuring also Nakamura Hayato in the role of Jôben (later Nisshô).

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Tokizô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Baigyoku, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Mantarô, Nakamura Kangyoku, Nakamura Baika

The traditional two programs for the June Grand Kabuki at the Hakataza.

Hagoromo: the legend of the angel who came to earth to bathe and then had her heavenly feathered robe stolen by a fisherman is famous in all forms of Japanese theater. This month features an elegant dance version of the story with Nakamura Mantarô as the fisherman and Nakamura Tokizô as the angel.

Kirare Yosa: Yosaburô (Onoe Kikunosuke), the refined young son of a wealthy merchant falls in love with Otomi (Nakamura Baishi) the moment he first sees her on the beach. But Otomi is the mistress of a powerful gangster, and when their relationship is discovered, the two are attacked. Yosaburô is cut from head to toe and the two are dumped into the sea. Otomi lives and is taken in by a rich merchant while Yosaburô is now covered with scars. Yosaburô 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. Featuring also Nakamura Baigyoku and Bandô Hikosaburô.

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 Nakamura Baigyoku as Matahei and Nakamura Baishi as his wife Otoku. Featuring Kawarasaki Gonjûrô as Matahei's master Tosa Shôgen Mitsunobu, Nakamura Mantarô as Utanosuke, Nakamura Kangyoku as Shûrinosuke and Nakamura Baika as Shôgen's wife Kita-no-Kata.

Migawari Zazen: a dance play adopted from a classical kyôgen farce. A man (Onoe Kikunosuke) wants nothing more than to visit his lover Hanako, but he has one important problem, his homely and overbearing wife (Nakamura Tokizô). He creates a scheme saying that he will be practicing Zen meditation all night and has his servant (Bandô Hikosaburô) take his place while he visits Hanako. He returns, giddy from a night of pleasure and tells his story to his servant in dance, unaware that his wife has discovered his deception and has taken his servant's place.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Senjaku, Nakamura Kaishun, Ichikawa Danzô, Bandô Kamezô, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Tanenosuke

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 (Kabuki no Mikata) of Kabuki or some aspects of the art like music, stage tricks or fighting scenes. It is followed by the sewamono drama "Bunshichi Mottoi".

Ichikawa Ebizô, Ichikawa Udanji, Ichikawa Sai'nyû, Kataoka Ichizô, Nakamura Kotarô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Horikoshi Kangen

The second item in this program is a newly-created Kabuki drama entitled "KABUKU", which has been created by the manga storywriter, novelist and screenwriter Kibayashi Shin.

Sanemori Monogatari: a play about the early days of the rivalry between the Genji and Heike warrior clans. The warrior Saitô Bettô Sanemori (Ichikawa Ebizô) has been charged by the leaders of the dominant Heike clan with finding Aoi Gozen (Ôtani Hiromatsu), the pregnant wife of the leader of the enemy Genji clan. He is to kill her child if it is a son who can succeed to head of the clan, but old loyalties to the Genji lead him to protect the boy. Sanemori tells the story of how Koman (Nakamura Kotarô), the daughter of the old couple who is protecting Aoi Gozen, bravely fought to protect the sacred standard of the Genji from the Heike. Koman mysteriously comes back to life when her severed arm is rejoined to it. Featuring also Ichikawa Udanji as Senoo Jûrô.

KABUKU:
(Behaving Oddly)
This is a brand-new Kabuki dance based on audio chat first heard on the SNS app 'Clubhouse'. It's the end of the Edo period in the city of Kyôto. A peddler of newssheets (Ichikawa Ebizô) appears in front of people who have fallen on hard times. With his bad drinking habit, the peddler causes a great disturbance as he turns nasty when drunk. Co-directed by Ichikawa Ebizô and Fujima Kanjûrô VIII and choreographed by Fujima Kanjûrô VIII, this work was originally created by the popular manga artist Kibayashi Shin.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Kotarô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Ichikawa Shinzô, Ichikawa Shinjûrô, Nakamura Shinobu, Ichikawa Fukutarô, Ichikawa Masusaburô, Ichikawa Ujaku

1st edition of a special Kabuki program under the guidance of Ichikawa Ebizô and starring Nakamura Kotarô, Ichikawa Kudanji and Ôtani Hiromatsu.

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. The two scenes from this epic classic show love and jealousy in a realm ruled by an evil dictator.

Michiyuki Koi no Odamaki:
(The Spool of Love)
Motome (Ôtani Hiromatsu), the son of an important aristocrat opposed to the rule of the dictator Soga no Iruka is secretly planning to kill him. Having disguised himself as a commoner, he has had nightly trysts with a mysterious woman, an elegant princess (Nakamura Shinobu). In this dance, he has attached a string to her kimono to follow her and discover her identity. But Motome is followed as well by Omiwa (Nakamura Kotarô), the beautiful daughter of a humble sake shop owner who has fallen in love with him during his time living undercover as a humble maker of court caps.

Mikasayama Goten:
(The Mikasayama Palace Scene)
The dictator Soga no Iruka has set up his own court and now seeks to destroy his opponent Kamatari. A mysterious fisherman named Fukashichi (Ichikawa Kudanji) comes as a messenger from Kamatari, claiming to bring a message of surrender. Meanwhile, Iruka's younger sister, Princess Tachibana (Nakamura Shinobu) has fallen in love with a handsome young man named Motome (Ôtani Hiromatsu). But Motome is actually the son of Kamatari and says that he will only grant her love if she will cut off Iruka's head. Moreover, a country girl named Omiwa (Nakamura Kotarô) has also followed Motome. Omiwa's blood and the work of all these people combined are what is necessary to finally defeat the magical powers of the evil Iruka.

Noriaibune: at the new year a group of merrymakers happen to meet on a ferry boat. They include a pair of manzai entertainers, who would go from door to door performing auspicious songs and dances. Featuring all actors.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Onoe Matsuya, Kataoka Kamezô, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Nakamura Toranosuke, Nakamura Chôzaburô, Sasano Takashi

7th edition in the city of Matsumoto (first time in July 2008; second time in July 2010; third time in July 2012; fourth time in July 2014); fifth time in July 2016; sixth time in June 2018) of a Kabuki program, which is called Shinshû Matsumoto Ôkabuki (Shinshû is an old name for the province of Nagano, whose main city is Matsumoto). Same program as the 17th edition of the Cocoon Kabuki in Tôkyô in May 2021:

Natsu Matsuri: this grisly murder story became a smashing hit when it was first performed in 1745 because of the chivalrous spirit of the many Ôsaka characters appearing in this story, the contrast between a brutal murder and the jovial mood of a summer festival, and the splashing of real water used on the stage. Danshichi, a gallant fishmonger, does everything he can to protect the weak young son of his patron with the help of his companion Tokubê and the older Sabu. Although even Tokubê's wife Otatsu heroically helps out, in the end, Danshichi is betrayed by his evil father-in-law Giheiji and, in the most famous scene of the play, must kill him in a mud-covered fight in a lonely alley with the shouts of the local festival nearby. This program stars Nakamura Kankurô as Danshichi, with Onoe Matsuya, Kataoka Kamezô and Nakamura Shichinosuke as Tokubê/Otatsu, Sabu and Danshichi's wife Okaji.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website