NEWS FROM THE KABUKI WORLD

31 May 2023	Obituary: the actor Ichikawa Danshirô IV (1946~2023) and his wife passed away the 18th of May 2023. He was a popular and talented katakiyaku of the Omodakaya guild, excelling in the art of aragoto. A terrible and sad loss for the Kabuki world. I had the chance to see him for the first time in December 1998 at the Kabukiza, where he played the roles of the evil Tôma Saburôemon and the bombastic Sakata Kintoki in "Tengajaya" and "Kumo no Hyôshimai". Unforgettable memories! The two programs for the July Grand Kabuki in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza in July 2023 have been published [more details]. The troupe will be led by Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, who will play the role of Shunkan in the eponymous drama "Shunkan" (the highlight of these programs along with Onoe Kikunosuke performing in "Musume Dôjôji"). It will be the 31st edition of the Kansai Kabuki Lovers Society July Grand Kabuki and it will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Shôchikuza in Ôsaka, which was built in 1923, modelled after the famous La Scala in Milan. After WW2, it became a movie theater. It was completely refurbished while preserving its appearance to reopen in 1999 as a theater, replacing the Nakaza for Kabuki performances. Due to a tragic and sad event, Ichikawa Ennosuke stopped acting at the Meijiza in May 2023. He was replaced from the 19th of May by Ichikawa Danko in "Fushichô yo Hatô o Koete" and by Nakamura Hayato in "Gohiiki Tsunagi Uma". Moreover, he will not perform in June 2023 at the Kabukiza. He will be replaced by Nakamura Kazutarô to play the role of Otoku in the drama "Domo Mata". Ichikawa Danjûrô XIII will celebrate his shûmei in September 2023 in Fukuoka at the Hakataza. His son Ichikawa Shinnosuke VIII will celebrate his hatsubutai. The new Danjûrô will play the roles of Akushichibyôe Kagekiyo and Kamakura Gongorô Kagemasa in "Kagekiyo" and "Shibaraku" [more details]. The Grand Kabuki Tour in the western provinces will be back, as it used to be from the 31st of August to the 24th of September 2023. Due to the COVID crisis, there was no such tour from 2020 to 2022. Nakamura Ganjirô will be the zagashira [more details]. The 13th edition of the Eirakukan Grand Kabuki will finally happen from the 22nd to the 26th of September 2023 at the Eirakukan, a renovated traditional theater built in the city of Toyooka (prefecture of Hyôgo). Due to the COVID crisis, there was no performance at the Eirakukan from 2020 to 2022. The zagashira will be as usual the young star Kataoka Ainosuke [more details]. The 8th edition of the Abeno Kabuki, a gala of the Sora no Kai (literally 'Sky Society'), will happen from the 3rd to the 6th of August 2023 in Ôsaka at the Kintetsu Art Kan. This program will star Kataoka Matsujûrô, Kataoka Senjirô, Kataoka Senju and others Kamigata Kabuki disciples. They will perform in "Higo no Komageta" (a drama revived in August 2019 by the Sora no Kai). There will be two performances each day, one at 12:00 and one at 17:00 [more details]. The drama "Shin Suikoden" will be staged in August 2023 at the Kabukiza (third program) [more details] and in September 2023 at the Minamiza [more details]. Will the troupe be led by Ichikawa Ennosuke? The question is open. "Shin Suikoden" was staged for the first time in August 2008 at Le Theatre Ginza (Tôkyô). It was staged in June 2011 at the Chûnichi Theatre (Nagoya) and in August 2013 at the Ôsaka Shinkabukiza. This drama is based on the eponymous novel "Shin Suikoden", "New Tales from the Water Margin" in English, written by Yoshikawa Eiji and published in Japan between 1960 and 1963. This novel was itself based on the famous Chinese novel "Water Margin". There will 2 special events related to the educational Kabuki program, Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class") in June 2023 at the National Theatre [more details]: "Beginners' Kabuki for Business Person" the 9th of June, with a special session starting at 19:00 instead of the usual 11:00 or 14:30. "Discover KABUKI" the 23rd of June, with a presentation "how to appreciate Kabuki" in English. the audio guides in English and Japanese will be available for free. There will be subtitles in English displayed on a screen above the stage. Moreover, there will be multilingual booklets for free in English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French and Japanese. There will 2 special events related to the educational Kabuki program, Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class") in July 2023 at the National Theatre [more details]: "Beginners' Kabuki for Business Person" the 6th and the 20th of July, with a special session starting at 18:30 instead of the usual 11:00 or 14:30. There will a special Family Festival, called Oyako de Tanoshimu Kabuki Kyôshitsu, the 16th of July at 14:30 and from the 20th to the 24th of July at 11:00 and at 14:30. This festival will aim at gathering together children and parents to enjoy Kabuki. Single Act tickets at the Kabukiza, which used to be sold on the day of the performances, will now become available with online seat reservations in advance. In term of capacity, there are 90 Single Act Seats at the 4th floor of the Kabukiza. From the 3rd of June 2023, there will be 70 online-reserved seats and 20 non-reserved seats [more details]. Kamimura Kichitarô was the award-winner of the 2022 "Blooming Flowers Award" (Sakuya Kono Hana Shô), Theater/Dance section. This award was established in 1983 by the city of Ôsaka to promote cultural figures from Ôsaka and to develop Ôsaka culture. So far, this award has been given to the Kamigata Kabuki world a few times: Kataoka Senjirô (1986), Ichikawa Ukon (1989), Kataoka Ainosuke (1997), Bandô Shinsha (2005), Nakamura Kazutarô (2011), Kataoka Senju (2013) and Sora no Kai (2017). 4 new videos on the YouTube channel Kabuki In-Depth: In Praise of Shadows: A Guide to Kabuki in June 2023 (Kabukiza, Hakataza, National Theatre) The Ennosuke Tragedy What Is a Mie Pose? Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees The Duty of Remembrance: The 8th of May 2023, we could have celebrated the 100th anniversary of the passing away of Onoe Tamimaru III (1871~1923). This actor died the 8th of May 1923. The 2nd of May 2023, we could have celebrated the 200th anniversary of the passing away of Nakamura Daikichi I (1773~1823). This actor died the 22nd day of the 3rd lunar month of the 6th year of the Bunsei era, which was the 2nd of May 1823 in the western calendar. The 7th of May 2023, we could have celebrated the 225th anniversary of the passing away of Nakamura Tôzô I (1752~1798). This actor died the 22nd day of the 3rd lunar month of the 10th year of the Kansei era, which was the 7th of May 1798 in the western calendar. 1 poster for the June 2023 performances at the Kabukiza has been published and will be sold within the theater: Kataoka Nizaemon in "Sushiya" It will be possible to visit the National Theatre in Tôkyô before its coming "end" (the theater will be rebuilt in the future to come). Worth a visit if you are in Tôkyô! There will be a self-guided audio tour of the theater lobby or a stage tour with an english-speaking guide [more details]. Stage tour with an english-speaking guide in June: June 10(Sat.), 16(Fri.), 21(Wed.) 17:30~18:15 and 19:00PM~19:45. 2 times a day, up to 50 people for each time. Stage tour with an english-speaking guide in July: July 9(Sun.), 12(Wed.), 18(Tue.),21(Fri.) 18:00~18:45. Up to 50 people. Self-guided audio tour(Japanese/English) in June: June 10(Sat.), 16(Fri.), 21(Wed.) 17:00PM~20:00 (last entry 19:30). Self-guided audio tour(Japanese/English) in July: July 9(Sun.), 12(Wed.), 18(Tue.),21(Fri.) 17:30PM~19:30PM (last entry 19:00).
30 April 2023	Obituary: the actor the actor Ichikawa Sadanji IV (1940~2023) passed away of lung cancer the 15th of April 2023. He held for 36 years an important name in Kabuki History and he was a popular and talented tachiyaku/katakiyaku. I had the chance to see him for the first time in December 1998 at the Kabukiza, where he played the roles of Daikokuya Sôroku and Usui Sadamitsu in "Ageya" and "Kumo no Hyôshimai". Onoe Maholo will make his hatsubutai in March 2023 at the Kabukiza. In order to celebrate this important event for the Otowaya guild, there will be a special iwai-maku, a celebration curtain, on the stage of the Kabukiza. This curtain has been designed with the support of Chanel and in collaboration with Xavier Veilhan and Aska Yamashita [pictures and more details in Japanese]. The two programs for the June Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza in June 2023 have been published [more details]. Ichikawa Sadanji was expected to play the role of the old man in "Yûgao Dana", with Onoe Kikugorô in the role of the old woman. As he passed away, it has been decided to replace "Yûgao Dana" with the dance-drama "Ôgi Jishi". The highlights will be: The revival of the "Ukiyo Matahei Sumika" act of the drama "Keisei Hangonkô" with Ichikawa Ennosuke and Ichikawa Chûsha in the roles of Otoku and Matahei. Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon playing the role of Igami no Gonta in "Sushiya". The two programs for the June Grand Kabuki at the Hakataza in June 2023 have been published [more details]. The highlights will be: "Bunshichi Mottoi" with Onoe Kikunosuke and Nakamura Jakuemon. "Natsu Matsuri" with Kataoka Ainosuke in the role of Danshichi Kurobê. The two programs for the July Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza in July 2023 have been published [more details]. The highlights will be: The revival of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's spectacular drama "Kiku no En Tsuki no Shiranami" with the troupe led by Ichikawa Ennosuke. The staging of "Shizuka no Hôrakumai" with Ichikawa Danjûrô, a dance-drama belonging to the Shin Kabuki Jûhachiban collection, to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the passing away of the Meiji star Ichikawa Danjûrô IX. The educational Kabuki program, Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class"), at the National Theatre in July 2023 has been published [more details]. The drama "Hikimado" will be staged with Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Kinnosuke and Ichikawa Komazô. Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô and Kataoka Ainosuke will perform together in "Botan Dôrô" in Kyôto at the Minamiza in August 2023 [more details]. Ahead of the Heisei Nakamuraza performances in Himeji in May 2023 [more details], the main actors were paraded the 30th of April 2023 in rickshaws (a tradition called oneri) from Himeji Station to Himeji Castle through Miyuki-dôri Shopping Street [pictures and more details in Japanese \| more pictures]. A special program in Kyôto at the Minamiza to explain stage mechanisms, from the tachimawari to the hanamichi and to help visitors experiencing some of the unique stagecraft tricks used in Kabuki theatre, will happen from the 2nd to the 8th of May 2023 [more details in Japanese]. 4 posters for the May 2023 performances at the Kabukiza have been published and will be sold within the theater: Onoe Maholo Onoe Kikunosuke Onoe Shôroku Ichikawa Danjûrô 5 new videos on the YouTube channel Kabuki In-Depth: In Praise of Shadows: A Guide to Kabuki in May 2023 (Kabukiza, Nakamuraya, Meijiza & others!) Takashimaya! The Snow Princess at the Golden Pavilion Kinkakuji (1758) The Most Unique Kabuki Dances (Part 1) A Guide to Kabuki in April 2023 (Kabukiza, Meijiza, Nakamuraya & others!) There will be an special exhibition focusing on stage photographies dedicated to late Ichikawa Danjûrô XII in the Kabukiza Gallery (5th floor of the Kabukiza building) from the 2nd to the 27th of May 2023. The Kabuki adaptation of the game "Final Fantasy X" started to be streamed online internationally with English subtitles from the 12th of April! The online stream will be available until the 31st of October 2023 [more details]. The stream is available on the following streaming platforms: TBS Ticket Lawson Ticket Live Streaming Rakuten TV U-next e-plus The Duty of Remembrance: The 4th of April 2023, we could have celebrated the 250th anniversary of the passing away of Segawa Kikunojô II (1741~1773). This actor died the 13th day of the 3rd lunar month of the 2nd year of the An'ei era, which was the 4th of April 1773 in the western calendar. The 4th of April 2023, we could have celebrated the 225th anniversary of the passing away of Nakayama Bunshichi II (1755~1798). This actor died the 19th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 10th year of the Kansei era, which was the 4th of April 1798 in the western calendar. The 17th of April 2023, we could have celebrated the 75th anniversary of the passing away of Ichikawa Aratarô III (1912~1948). He died the 17th of April 1948. The 20th of April 2023, we could have celebrated the 200th anniversary of the premiere at the Moritaza of the dance-drama "Komori" [more details]. This dance was premiered the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month of the 6th year of the Bunsei era, which was the 20th of April 1823 in the western calendar.
31 March 2023	The programs for the great yearly Dankiku festival for the Naritaya and Otowaya guilds at the Kabukiza in May 2023 have been published [more details]. The highlights will be: The hatsubutai of Onoe Maholo, who will play the role of Iwami Jûtarô in "Oto-ni Kiku Makoto no Wakamusha". "Wakaki Hi no Nobunaga" staged to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the passing away of Ichikawa Danjûrô XII. "Kamiyui Shinza" with Onoe Kikunosuke in the eponymous role. The educational Kabuki program, Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class"), at the National Theatre in June 2023 has been published [more details]. A newly-created Kabuki drama based on a ... free-to-play collectible card browser video game named "Tôken Ranbu", developed by DMM.com LLC, will be staged in July 2023 at the Shinbashi Enbujô. The stars of the unusual production will be Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku, Onoe Matsuya, Onoe Ukon, Nakamura Kangyoku and Nakamura Takanosuke [more details]. The 31st edition of the Kansai Kabuki o Ai Suru Kai Shichigatsu Ôkabuki, 'Kansai Kabuki Lovers Society July Grand Kabuki", will happen at the Shôchikuza in July 2023 [more details]. Onoe Kikunosuke was the award-winner of the "Excellence Award" (Yûshûshô) of the 44th Matsuo Artistic Awards (Matsuo Geinô Shô). Onoe Kikunosuke was one award-winner for the 73rd edition of the Art Awards of the Agency for Cultural Affairs. He received the Monbu Kagaku Daijinshô ('The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ward'). We would like to report a short but very interesting radio program in French about Onoe Maholo, which was broadcasted by France Culture. 5 young actors, who performed in March 2023 at the Minamiza in chûshinguramono, went at the Ôishi Shrine in the Yamashina Ward of Kyôto, the 2nd of March 2023 to pray for the success of the coming performances [pictures and more details in Japanese]. Kamimura Kichiya fell ill and had to be replaced from the 21st of March 2023 to senshûraku by Kataoka Senju to play the role of Kizaemon's nyôbô Okisa in "Yoshidaya". 3 posters for the April 2023 performances at the Kabukiza have been published and will be sold within the theater: Shin Onmyôji Kirare Yosa Renjishi 4 new videos on the YouTube channel Kabuki In-Depth: In Praise of Shadows: The History of the Meijiza (1873 – 2023) Is This Japan's Greatest Playwright? Kabuki Theatre Brings Final Fantasy X Characters to Life Is This the Worst Act in Chûshingura? The Duty of Remembrance: The 31st of March 2023, we could celebrate the 300th anniversary of the passing away of Miyazaki Jûshirô I (1667~1723). This actor died the 25th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 8th year of the Kyôhô era, which was the 31st of March 1723 in the western calendar. The 4th of March 2023, we could have celebrated the 275th anniversary of the passing away of Ogino Izaburô I (1703~1748). This actor died the 6th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 5th year of the Enkyô era, which was the 4th of March 1748 in the western calendar. The 9th of March 2023, we could have celebrated the 250th anniversary of the passing away of the playwright Namiki Shôzô I (1730~1773). He died the 17th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 2nd year of the An'ei era, which was the 9th of March 1773 in the western calendar. In March 2023, we could have celebrated the 150th anniversary of the premiere in March 1873 at the Murayamaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Sakai no Taiko" [casting]. In March 2023, we could have celebrated the 100th anniversary of the premiere in March 1923 at the Imperial Theater of Osanai Kaoru's drama "Musuko" [more details]. In March 2023, we could have celebrated the 100th anniversary of the premiere in March 1923 at the Hongôza of Matsui Shôyô's drama "Satsuma no Yodogimi". The 18th of March 2023, we could have celebrated the 75th anniversary of the passing away of Nakamura Baigyoku III (1875~1948). This actor died the 18th of March 1948. The 25th of March 2023, we could have celebrated the 75th anniversary of the passing away of the playwright and novelist Mayama Seika (1878~1948). He died the 25th of March 1948. Ichikawa Danjûrô and his two children, Ichikawa Shinnosuke and Ichikawa Botan, will perform the 15th and the 16th of April 2023 in Ôsaka at the NHK Ôsaka Hall in a special dance program which will be entitled Denshô-he no Michi ('The Road to Tradition') [more details].
28 February 2023	The programs for the April Phoenix Festival April Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza in April 2023 have been published [more details]. It will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of the 5th Kabukiza and we are back to the 2-program system. The highlights will be: As already reported, "Kirare Yosa" with the goruden konbi made up of Living National Treasures Kataoka Nizaemon and Bandô Tamasaburô. They were supposed to do it in June 2022 but, due to health-related reason, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon could not perform. A newly-created Kabuki drama based on Yumemakura Baku's Onmyôji series of novels. With Nakamura Hayato and Ichikawa Ennosuke in the roles of the onmyôji Abe no Seimei and Ashiya Dôman. Onoe Kikugorô's grandson and Onoe Kikunosuke's nephew Terajima Maholo will make his official hatsubutai in May 2023 at the Kabukiza, where he will receive the name of Onoe Maholo. He is the son of the actress Terajima Shinobu and Laurent Ghnassia. Interesting to note that he will be the second Kabuki actor in Kabuki history to have roots in Japan and France. The first one was the stage giant Ichimura Uzaemon XV, whose father was also a Frenchman. The announcement for this coming hatsubutai was made the 7th of February 2023 at the French Embassy in Tôkyô. Young Maholo made his first stage appearance (omemie) in May 2017 at the Kabukiza, where he performed as a koyaku in the drama "Sakanaya Sôgorô". The world of Kabuki and the world of otaku will collide for the 13th time in Kabuki history in April 2023! Chôkabuki (literally Ultra-Kabuki) will be back again! Nakamura Shidô will once again share the stage with the virtual 3D creature Hatsune Miku. They will perform together in the 2020 Chôkabuki drama entitled "Otogi Zôshi Koi no Sugatae". It will be staged at the Makuhari Messe the 29th and the 30th of April 2023, as part of the Niconico Chôkaigi 2023 event, an important yearly event for the otaku tribes [more details]. Ichikawa Ennosuke will perform with his troupe in May 2023 at the Meijiza in a special program entitled Ichikawa Ennosuke Funtô Kôen ('Ichikawa Ennosuke's Struggle Performances') [more details]. The casting has been published and the Omodakaya zagashira will have Nakamura Ganjirô as Kabuki special guest stars and 3 non-kabuki guests: Ishibashi Shôji, Shimomura Ao and Kashima Noritoshi. The Grand Kabuki Tour in the eastern provinces will be back, as it used to be from the 30th of June to the 31st of July 2023. Due to the COVID crisis, there was no such tour from 2020 to 2022. Onoe Shôroku will be the zagashira [more details]. The 1st edition of a gala for Nakamura Shikan's three sons will happen in Tôkyô at the Asakusa Kôkaidô from the 30th of June to the 2nd of July 2023. It will be entitled Kamiyachô Shôkabuki ('Kamiyachô Little Kabuki'). Kamiyachô was the name of late Nakamura Shikan VII's neighboorhood in Tôkyô and it was used as an original way to appraise this great actor (kakegoe) [more details]. One poster for the February 2023 performances at the Kabukiza has been published and was sold within the theater: "Kameyama no Adauchi" Two posters for the March 2023 performances at the Kabukiza have been published and will be sold within the theater: "Hana no Gosho Shimatsu" "Amakawaya Gihei Uchi" The Duty of Remembrance: In February 2023, we could have celebrated the 325th anniversary of the premiere in Kyôto in the 1st lunar month of 1698 of the drama "Keisei Asama-ga-Dake", which was produced by Yamashita Hanzaemon I [casting]. The 1st of February 2023, we could have celebrated the 150th anniversary of the passing away of Ôtani Hiroji V (1833~1873). This actor died the 1st of February 1873. The 7th of February 2023, we could have celebrated the 100th anniversary of the passing away of the playwright Takeshiba Kisui (1847~1923). He died the 7th of February 1923. In February 2023, we could have celebrated the 100th anniversary of the premiere with a Kabuki casting in February 1923 at the Ichimuraza of Suzuki Senzaburô's ninjômono drama "Jirokichi Zange" [more details]. The 11th of February 2023, we could have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the passing away of Arashi Kichisaburô VII (1894~1973). This actor died the 11th of February 1973. Matsumoto Hakuô will play the lead role in the musical "Man of La Mancha" from the 14th to the 24th of April 2023 in Yokosuka at the Yokosuka Arts Theatre [more details]. There will be from the 23rd of March to the 3rd of April 2023 an exhibition on the 8th floor of the Nihonbashi Takashimaya Shopping Center about the 3-generation Kôraiya actors: Matsumoto Hakuô II, his son Matsumoto Kôshirô X and his grandson Ichikawa Somegorô VIII. Numerous stage costumes and stage photos will be displayed. This exhibition is part of a series of events celebrating the 90th anniversary of the opening of this shopping center. 4 new videos on the YouTube channel Kabuki In-Depth: In Praise of Shadows: A Guide to Kabuki in March 2023 Kabuki's First Biracial Actor? The Future of the Matsushimaya House Sumô and the Meaning of the Sanbasô Dance From the 1st of March 2023, the streaming site Kabuki on Demand will be adding Chikamatsu Monzaemon's masterpieces "Sonezaki Shinjû" and "Shunkan" to its lineup. The streaming period will be from the 1st of March 2023 12:00 PM (JST) to the 31st of October 2023 11:59 PM (JST). There was a mamemaki ceremony for setsubun the 3rd of February 2023 at the Hakataza [pictures and more details in Japanese].
31 January 2023	The three programs for the March Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza in March 2023 have been published. Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô was expected to perform in "Migawari Zazen" but he has been diagnosed with spinal stenosis. He will be replaced by Onoe Shôroku [more details]. These performances will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of the fifth Kabukiza. The highlights of these February Grand Kabuki performances will be: Revival of Uno Nobuo's Shinkabuki drama "Hana no Gosho Shimatsu" (based on William Shakespeare's drama "Richard III" but set in medieval Japan at the times of Ashikaga Yoshinori), which was premiered in June 1974 at the Imperial Theater. It was revived only once, in February 1983 at the Shinbashi Enbujô. In 1974 and in 1983, the role of Ashikaga Yoshinori was played by Ichikawa Somegorô VI/Matsumoto Kôshirô X. This time, it will be played by his son Matsumoto Kôshirô X. The rarely-staged 10th act of "Chûshingura". Revival of Yoshii Isamu's drama "Dokuro-ni" (the ama Dokuro, 'the Skull Nun'). It was premiered in February 1917 at the Ichimuraza with Onoe Baikô VI in the role of the Skull Nun. It was revived only once after WWII, in September 1962 at the Kabukiza, starring Nakamura Utaemon VI as the Skull Nun. This time, the Skull Nun will be Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô! "Yoshidaya" with Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô and Kataoka Ainosuke. The March Kabuki program at the National Theatre has been published. It is part of the program entitled Kabuki Meisaku Nyûmon (literally 'Introduction to Kabuki Masterpieces'). A few scenes from the drama "Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki" will be staged with Nakamura Matagorô in the role of Ichijô Ôkura Naganari. There will be no performance the 10th and the 20th of March 2023 [more details]. The Zenshinza started a long tour the 26th of January 2023 and they will perform up to the 5th of March 2023 [more details]. As reported last year, the game "Final Fantasy X" will become a Kabuki play in March 2023 [more details] and April 2023 [more details] in Tôkyô at the IHI Stage Around Theater! The project will be led by Onoe Kikunosuke who will be both the stage director and the leading actor. Others members of this project will be Nakamura Shidô, Onoe Matsuya, Bandô Yajûrô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Yonekichi, Nakamura Mantarô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Shinobu and Kamimura Kichitarô. As reported last year, the Nakamuraya brothers Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke will perform in Nagoya at the Misonoza in April 2023 [more details]. It will be a festival of hayagawari with Nakamura Shichinosuke performing 7 roles in "Osome no Nanayaku" and Nakamura Kankurô performing 3 roles in "Chibusa no Enoki". Ichikawa Ennosuke will perform with his troupe in May 2023 at the Meijiza in a special program entitled Ichikawa Ennosuke Funtô Kôen ('Ichikawa Ennosuke's Struggle Performances') [more details]. This production is part of a series of events celebrating the 150th anniversary of this prestigious theater located in the district of Nihonbashi Hama-chô. Ueda Shinji's drama "Fushichô yo Hatô o Koete", premiered with Ichikawa Ennosuke III in February 1979 in Ôsaka at the Umeda Koma Gekijô, will be revived for the first time in 44 years! Tsuruya Nanboku IV's spectacular 1813 kaomise drama "Gohiiki Tsunagi Uma", which was revived by Ichikawa Ennosuke III in April 1984 at the Meijiza, will also be staged. The Heisei Nakamuraza will be in Himeji in May 2023! The temporary koshibai look-alike theater will be built in the precincts of the Himeji Castle. Interesting to note that the stories of "Banshû Sarayashiki" and "Tenshu Monogatari" are set within this castle [more details]. The Zenshinza will perform in Tôkyô at the National Theatre in May 2023 [more details]. There will be a Kabuki Appreciation Class in May 2023 in Kyôto at the Minamiza [more details]. Matsumoto Hakuô had to stop acting the 27th of January, the senshûraku of the Congratulation Early Spring Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza. He was replaced by Nakamura Karoku to play the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune in the sogamono "Kotobuki Ehô Soga". The Duty of Remembrance: In January 2023, we could have celebrated the 125th anniversary of the premiere at the Kabukiza in January 1898 of Kawatake Shinshichi III's dance-drama "Hagoromo" [casting]. In January 2023, we could have celebrated the 25th anniversary of the shûmei of Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon XV. Ichikawa Ennosuke will perform with Kabuki and non-Kabuki actors in March 2023 in the 3rd edition of a special program entitled Ennosuke to Yukai-na Nakamatachi ('Ennosuke and Happy Friends'). They will perform in "Namida Doroppusu" ('Teardrops'), a newly-created hybrid drama mixing elements from Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Kin no Zai Sarushima Dairi" and Victor Hugo's masterpiece "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame". From the 8th to the 14th of March 2023 in Tôkyô at the Kanda Myôjin Hall, the 19th of March 2023 in Kyôto at the Kyôto Art Theater (Shunjûza) and the 21st of March 2023 in Okazaki at the Okazaki Shimin Kaian Aoi Hall. One poster for the production of "Funa Benkei" in February 2023 at the Kabukiza has been printed out and will be sold in the theater during the performances. The 1st edition of the Hakuenkai, a gala for young actor Nakamura Tamatarô will happen the 1st of May 2023, in Tôkyô at the Nihonbashi Kôkaidô [more details]. 5 new videos on the YouTube channel Kabuki In-Depth: In Praise of Shadows: A Guide to Kabuki in February 2023 (Kabukiza & Hakataza) "For, By Viewing the Flowers, We May Forget Out Own Despair" The World of the Soga Brothers The Future of the Tennôjiya House A Guide to Kabuki in January 2023 (Kabukiza, Tamasaburô, Danjûrô XIII, Asakusa & others)