5 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre, Shinbashi Enbujô, NHK Hall), 1 in Fukuoka (Hakataza) and 1 tour (Chikamatsuza)!

The Naritaya and Otowaya guilds celebrate at the Kabukiza an important shûmei for 3 outstanding supporting actors!

Nakamura Ganjirô and his 2 sons (Kanjaku and Senjaku) tour together with the Chikamatsuza!

Matsumoto Kôshirô and his son Ichikawa Somegorô perform at the Shinbashi Enbujô!

Ichikawa Ennosuke and his troupe perform at the Hakataza!

The Zenshinza troupe performs at National Theatre!

Ichikawa Danjûrô, Onoe Kikugorô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Bandô Mitsugorô, Sawamura Tanosuke, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Shibajaku, Onoe Kikunosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Bandô Hikosaburô, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichikawa Omezô, Ichimura Manjirô, Ichikawa Otora

This memorial program celebrates the 100th anniversaries of the death of the Meiji stars Ichikawa Danjûrô IX and Onoe Kikugorô V. It is also the shûmei of 3 actors:

Bandô Shônosuke takes the name of Kawarasaki Gonjûrô IV by playing the roles of Mizuno Jûrôzaemon, the nyûdô Kashima Shinsai and a bonze in the dramas "Kiwametsuki Banzuiin Chôbê", "Shibaraku" and "Kappore".

Kataoka Jûzô VI takes the name of Kataoka Ichizô VI by playing the roles of Senoo Jûrô, Danjûrô's stage assistant and a bonze in the dramas "Sanemori Monogatari", "Shibaraku" and "Kappore".

Ichikawa Otora VI takes the name of Ichikawa Omezô VI by playing the roles of Dejiri Seibê, Narita Gorô and a bonze in the dramas "Kiwametsuki Banzuiin Chôbê", "Shibaraku" and "Kappore".

This is also the first stage appearance of the son of Ichikawa Omezô VI, who receives the name of Ichikawa Otora VII and plays the roles of Chôbê's son Chômatsu and the little apprentice Chômatsu in the plays "Kiwametsuki Banzuiin Chôbê" and "Kamiyui Shinza".

Nakamura Ganjirô, Bandô Takesaburô, Nakamura Kanjaku, Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Kichiya, Kamimura Kichiya

17th edition of the Chikamatsuza tour, reviving Chikamatsu Monzaemon's play "Kanhasshû Tsunagi Uma", written for the puppets in 1724. According to the scholars, it is one the longest works written by Chikamatsu Monzaemon (5 acts) and it deals with the fight between Taira no Yoshikado and his younger sister Kochô, son and daughter of the defeated warrior Taira no Masakado, against the victorious Genji clan. Monzaemon added some fantastic elements like the dead spirit of Kochô haunting the world of Humans as a giant ground spider.

Chikamatsuza tour schedule:

Matsumoto Kôshirô, Ichikawa Somegorô, Kataoka Hidetarô, Kataoka Roen, Matsumoto Kingo, Matsumoto Kôemon, Sawamura Tetsunosuke, Sawamura Sônosuke, Ichikawa Komazô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Hayabusa Tarô

Third edition of an original play, combining Kabuki and modern acting. The main character is the eighteenth century Kabuki actor Nakamura Nakazô I, portrayed by Matsumoto Kôshirô. His son Ichikawa Somegorô plays the role of the actor Nakamura Konozô.

Nakamura Umenosuke, Arashi Keishi, Kawarasaki Kunitarô, Segawa Kikunojô, Nakamura Tsuruzô, Ichikawa Shônosuke, Nakamura Seinosuke, Nakamura Baijaku, Yamazaki Ryûnosuke, Fujikawa Yanosuke

???

Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Danshirô, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Nakamura Karoku, Ichikawa Danjirô, Ichikawa Kamejirô, Ichikawa Ukon, Ichikawa Shun'en, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Juen

Ichikawa Ennosuke and his troupe of young and talented actors perform a modern style of theater, which they created a few years ago and called "Super Kabuki" (Sûpâ Kabuki in Chikamatsu Monzaemon's lingo): it's spectacular (lots of chûnori), the costums are gorgeous and ultra-sophisticated, the music is modern, the texts are easy to understand and the plots are as twisted as a good Kabuki classic. Usually a big commercial success!

Nakamura Tomijûrô

30th edition of Koten Geinô Kanshô Kai (literally the "Classics Entertainment Appreciation Association"), a yearly performance produced by the National TV network NHK. The program includes one kyôgen, one Kabuki play, one traditional dance and traditional music. This program celebrates the 250th anniversary of the first performance of the great dance "Kyôganoko Musume Dôjôji", created by Nakamura Tomijûrô I.