The educational Kabuki program, Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class") in June 2025 has been published [more details]. This will be the 107th edition! As the National Theatre is no more available, the Sunpearl Arakawa will be used as a substitute venue. Nakamura Senjaku and Nakamura Kinnosuke will perform in "Tsuchiya Chikara".

The two programs for the Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza in July 2025 have been published [more details]. 4 dance-dramas belonging to the Shin Kabuki Jûhachiban will be staged in the matinée. The highlight of the evening program will be "Onihei Hankachô (Kettô)", with Matsumoto Kôshirô and Ichikawa Somegorô, a Kabuki adaptation of "Kettô" ('Blood Battle'), the 3rd book (published in 1970) in Ikenami Shôtarô's series of novels "Onihei Hankachô". Matsumoto Kôshirô and Ichikawa Somegorô were part of the casting of Sugita Shigemichi's movie "Onihei Hankachô: Kettô", which was released in Japan in 2024.

The educational Kabuki program, Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class") in July 2025 has been published [more details]. This will be the 108th edition! As the National Theatre is no more available, the Tiara Kôtô will be used as a substitute venue. Nakamura Manju and Nakamura Shikan will perform in "Iro Moyô Chotto Karimame (Kasane)".

"Tôken Ranbu" (check March 2005 news for more details) will be staged in August 2025 in Fukuoka at the Hakataza [more details].

"Tôken Ranbu" (check March 2005 news for more details) will be staged in August 2025 in Kyôto at the Minamiza [more details].

The Zenshinza will perform at the Sunshine Theatre (Tôkyô), instead of the usual Kabuki performances at the National Theatre, from the 31st of May to the 8th of June 2025 [more details].

Bandô Minosuke will perform outside Kabuki in May and June 2025, in the drama "Hunter × Hunter The Stage 3", based on Togashi Yoshihiro's manga "Hunter × Hunter". He will perform from the 17th to the 25th of May 2025 in Tôkyô at the Galaxy Theater and from the 7th to the 15th of June 2025 in Ôsaka at the Sky Theater MBS [more details in Japanese].

Ahead of the shûmei of Onoe Kikugorô VIII and his son Onoe Kikunosuke VI in May 2025 and June 2025 at the Kabukiza, the two actors visited the 23rd of April 2025 Zôshigaya Cemetery, where the graves of the ancestors of the Otowaya family, dating back to the fifth generation, rest [pictures and more details in Japanese].

4 new videos on the YouTube channel Kabuki In-Depth: In Praise of Shadows:

The Kabuki World 100 Years Ago Part 1 (January – May 1925)

The Yorozuya Goes to Konpira!

The World of Princess Yaegaki EXPLAINED Honchô Nijûshikô (1766)

A Young Kabuki Actor's Dream! Spring Kabukiza Show

The Duty of Remembrance:

In April 1775, we could have celebrated the 250th anniversary of the premiere at the Nakamuraza of Kawatake Shinshichi I's dance-drama "Shinobu-gusa Koi no Utsushie" [more details]. This dance-drama was the main source for the 1798 dance-drama "Futa Omote Tsuki no Sugatae". The opening day was the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month of the 4th year of the An'ei era, which was the 14th of April 1775 in the western calendar.

The 27th of April 2025, we could have celebrated the 250th anniversary of the passing away of the sakusha Fujikawa Sanpachi (1723~1775). He died the 28th day of the 3rd lunar month of the 4th year of the An'ei era, which was the 27th of April 1775 in the western calendar.

The 13th of April 2025, we could have celebrated the 225th anniversary of the passing away of the actor Nakamura Noshio II (1759~1800). He died the 20th day of the 3rd lunar month of the 12th year of the Kansei era, which was the 13th of April 1800 in the western calendar.

The 21st of April 2025, we could have celebrated the 225th anniversary of the passing away of the star Iwai Hanshirô IV (1747~1800). He died the 28th day of the 3rd lunar month of the 12th year of the Kansei era, which was the 21st of April 1800 in the western calendar.

2 posters/visuals for the June 2025 performances at the Hakataza have been published:

Fuku Kanau Kami no Koibana

Kaidan Chibusa no Enoki

The performances in April 2025 at the Kabukiza were cancelled from the evening of the 14th to the 17th due to a malfunction in the seating system within the theater. Performances resumed from the 19th April.

A DVD for the newly-created Kabuki drama "Kitsunebana (Ha-mo Mizu-ni ano Yo no Michiyuki)", which was premiered in August 2024 at the Kabukiza [more details], was released in Japan the 23rd of April 2025 [more details in Japanese].

Let's talk about merchandising by reporting the collaboration between Monchhichi, a line of Japanese stuffed monkey toys, and Kabuki [pictures and more details in Japanese].

The two programs for the Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza in May 2025 have been published [more details].

The two programs for the June Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza in June 2025 have been published [more details].

The programs for Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô performances in June 2025 in Kyôto at the Minamiza has been published. The guest star in "Nagasaki Jûnikei", the last dance in the program, will be the young actor Kohatsu Allen [more details].

"Tôken Ranbu" will be revived in July 2025 at the Shinbashi Enbujô [more details]. "Tôken Ranbu" is a newly-created Kabuki drama, which was premiered in July 2023 at the Shinbashi Enbujô and which is based on a ... free-to-play collectible card browser video game named "Tôken Ranbu" and developed by DMM.com LLC.

The 3rd edition of a gala for Nakamura Shikan's three sons will happen in Tôkyô at the Asakusa Kôkaidô from the 1st to the 2nd of May 2025. 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].

There will be a 2-day special Buyô program starring Ichikawa Danko, who will share the stage with the dance masters Fujima Kanjûrô VIII, Wakayagi Kichizô & Yoshizawa Iroha (the sister of Nakamura Takanosuke) [more details]. The Shunjûza is a theater located within the Kyôto University of the Arts

There will be a 1-day 2-session Special Traditional Arts Performances in Ôsaka at the Expo Hall of the 2025 World Exposition to celebrate the opening of the World Exposition in Ôsaka. There will be Bunraku, Nô and Kabuki [more details].

The signed handprint of Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô was taken the 15th of March 2025 and set into the Plaza of Stars (Sutâ no Hiroba in Japanese) on Orange Street (Orenji Dôri in Japanese) near the Asakusa Kôkaidô in the heart of Asakusa. Nakamura Tôzô was one of the 5 artists selected for the 7th year of the Reiwa era (2025). The others were the actor Ichimura Masachika, the rakugo storyteller Gokaidô Kumosuke VI, the actor Takenaka Naoto and the musician/singer/actor Terao Akira [pictures and more details in Japanese]:

The 5 hands with Nakamura Tôzô's hand on the right

Focus on Nakamura Tôzô's hand

Ichikawa Danko was the award-winner of the 'New Face Award' (Shinjinshô) of the 41st Asakusa Artistic Awards (Asakusa Geinô Shô). The ceremony happened the 15th of March 2025 at the Asakusa Kôkaidô [pictures and more details in Japanese].

Bandô Yajûrô and Nakamura Takanosuke were two award-winners for the 75th edition of the Art Awards of the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Bandô Yajûrô received the Monbu Kagaku Daijinshô ('The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award'). Nakamura Takanosuke received the Monbu Kagaku Daijin Shinjinshô ('The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology New Face Award').

Ahead of the shûmei of Onoe Kikugorô VIII and his son Onoe Kikunosuke VI in May 2025 and June 2025 at the Kabukiza, there was a big parade with the two actors the 31st of March 2025 in Tôkyô at the Kanda Myôjin Shrine. The two actors performed on the stage of the shrine in a suodori version of the dance "Shichi Fukujin" ('the Seven Gods of Good Fortune'):

A picture of the parade

A video of the parade

A video of the "Shichi Fukujin" auspicious dance

Ahead of the shûmei of Onoe Kikugorô VIII and his son Onoe Kikunosuke VI in May 2025 and June 2025 at the Kabukiza, there will be an important event at the Kabukiza the 29th of April 2025: there will be screening of movies/documentaries related to the Onoe Kikugorô line of actors and It will end with a traditional hand-clapping ceremony [more details].

6 new videos on the YouTube channel Kabuki In-Depth: In Praise of Shadows:

How Many Types of Kabuki Plays Are There?

The Murders of Gorozô the Gallant (1864)

Young Kabuki Actors in Kyôto!

After 12 Years, Chûshingura Is Back at the Kabukiza!

Sad and Happy News From the Puppet Theatre

The Next Generation of Kabuki Stars, Part 4

The Duty of Remembrance:

The 29th of March 2025, we could have celebrated the 250th anniversary of the passing away of the zamoto Nakamura Kanzaburô VII (1717~1775). He died the 28th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 4th year of the An'ei era, which was the 29th of March 1775 in the western calendar.

The 16th of March 2025, we could have celebrated the 125th anniversary of the passing away of the actor Nakamura Komanosuke VI (1849~1900). He died the 16th of March 1900.

The 28th of March 2025, we could have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the passing away of the actor Morita Kan'ya XIV (1907~1975). He died the 28th of March 1975.

5 posters/visuals for the April 2025 performances at the Kabukiza have been published:

Kobikichô no Adauchi

Kurotegumi Sukeroku

Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi (Keya-mura)

Shunkyô Kagami Jishi

Muhitsu no Shusse

There will be an in-flight screening of a 'Welcome to the Kanamaruza Theatre' video on All Nippon Airways (ANA) national and international flights [more details]:

National flights in March & April 2025

International flights in April & May 2025

The two programs for the April Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza in April 2025 have been published [more details]. Beside the two newly-created Kabuki dramas previously reported, the highlights will be "Keya-mura" with Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon and Matsumoto Kôshirô alternately playing the role of Rokusuke and "Kurotegumi Sukeroku" with Matsumoto Kôshirô in the role Sukeroku.

The program for the Kabuki Appreciation Class in May 2025 in Kyôto at the Minamiza has been published [more details].

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform in June 2025 in Kyôto at the Minamiza [more details].

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform in June 2025 in Kyôto at the Minamiza with the rakugo storyteller Shunpûtei Koasa in a special program mixing the two arts [more details].

The Nakamuraya brothers Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke will perform in June 2025 in Fukuoka at the Hakataza [more details].

The Zenshinza troupe will be on tour in Japan in March 2025 [more details] and April 2025 [more details].

Onoe Kikugorô VIII and his son Onoe Kikunosuke VI will celebrate their shûmei in July 2025 in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza [more details]. The new Kikugorô will play the roles of a depraved priest, the kamiyui Shinza and the priest Chichû (in reality the spirit of the ground spider) in "Ukare Bôzu", "Kamiyui Shinza" and "Tsuchi-gumo". The new Kikunosuke will play the roles of a kamuro and the jijo Kochô in "Hane no Kamuro" and and "Tsuchi-gumo".

Nakamura Kaishun will soon join the prestigious Japan Art Academy (Nihon Geijutsuin), from the 1st of March 2025. It was announced by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology the 20th of February 2025.

4 new videos on the YouTube channel Kabuki In-Depth: In Praise of Shadows:

A Look at Kamigata Kabuki in 2025!

The Next Great Kabuki Dancer?

400th Anniversary of Kabuki in Tôkyô!

Tamasaburo & Nizaemon Reunite in Ôsaka!

Ahead of the shûmei of Onoe Kikugorô VIII and his son Onoe Kikunosuke VI in May 2025 and June 2025 at the Kabukiza, a series of 8 beautiful visuals have been published:

Kikugorô in "Ninin Dôjôji"

Kikunosuke in "Ninin Dôjôji"

Kikugorô in "Benten Kozô"

Kikunosuke in "Benten Kozô"

Kikunosuke in "Kurumabiki"

Kikugorô in "Terakoya"

Kikugorô & Kikunosuke in "Renjishi"

Kikugorô & Kikunosuke in "Renjishi"

Ahead of the shûmei of Onoe Kikugorô VIII and his son Onoe Kikunosuke VI in May 2025 and June 2025 at the Kabukiza, there will be a big parade with the two actors the 31st of March 2025 in Tôkyô at the Kanda Myôjin Shrine [more details in Japanese].

There were mamemaki ceremonies for setsubun the 2nd or the 3rd of February 2025 in or near 3 theaters:

At the Kabukiza the 2nd of February (pictures and more details in Japanese)

At the Shôchikuza the 2nd of February (pictures and more details in Japanese)

At the Kushida Shrine in Fukuoka, near the Hakataza, the 3rd of February (pictures and more details in Japanese)

The Duty of Remembrance:

The 23rd of February 2025, we could have celebrated the 250th anniversary of the passing away of the zamoto Kawarasaki Gonnosuke III. He died the 24th day of the 1st lunar month of the 4th year of the An'ei era, which was the 23rd of February 1775 in the western calendar.

In February 2025, we could have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the premiere at the Kabukiza of Ikenami Shôtarô's drama "Debauchi Otama" [more details].

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Kataoka Ainosuke and Onoe Shôroku went the 19th of February 2025 at the Sengakuji Temple to pray for the success of the coming performances in "Kanadehon Chûshingura", at the Kabukiza in March 2025 [pictures and more details in Japanese].

The two programs for the March Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza in March 2025 have been published [more details]. There will be 4 Living National Treasures on stage, Onoe Kikugorô, Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Baigyoku and Nakamura Karoku, for the tôshi kyôgen production of the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

The program for Ichikawa Danjûrô performances in Nagoya at the Misonoza from the 11th and the 13th of April 2025 has been published [more details].

Ichikawa Danjûrô will perform in Bangkok at the Muangthai Ratchadalai Theatre the 25th and the 26th of April 2025. He will play the leading role in the dance-drama "Otokodate Hana no Yoshiwara". The schedule will be:

There will be special Kabuki performances in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza in May 2025 to celebrate the 2025 World Exposition in Ôsaka [more details].

Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke will be on tour in May 2025 in 16 cities [more details].

There will be a Kabuki Appreciation Class in May 2025 in Kyôto at the Minamiza [more details].

4 new videos on the YouTube channel Kabuki In-Depth: In Praise of Shadows:

The Young Flowers of Kabuki! (2025)

First Time in 58 Years! The Hidden Acts of Hikosan Gongen Chikai no Sukedachi

Danjûrô XIII reimagines Chûshingura?!

Mikawaya! Ichikawa Danzô IX

The Duty of Remembrance:

The 6th of January 2025, we could have celebrated the 300th anniversary of the passing away of the playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653~1725). He died the 22nd day of the 11th lunar month of the 9th year of the Kyôhô era, which was the 6th of January 1725 in the western calendar.

The 29th of January 2025, we could have celebrated the 275th anniversary of the passing away of the actor Nakamura Matsubê I. He died the 22nd day of the 12th lunar month of the 2nd year of the Kan'en era, which was the 29th of January 1750 in the western calendar.

The 28th of January 2025, we could have celebrated the 150th anniversary of the premiere at the Moritaza of Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Ôgi Byôshi Ôoka Seidan" (commonly called "Ten'ichibô") [casting]. The opening day was the 28th of January 1875.

The 12th of January 2025, we could have celebrated the 125th anniversary of the premiere at the Kabukiza of Kawatake Shinshichi III's dance-drama "Yami no Ume Hyaku Monogatari" [more details]. The opening day was the 12th of January 1900.

The 16th of January 2025, we could have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the passing away of the actor Bandô Mitsugorô VIII (1913~1975). He died the 16th of January 1975.

Ahead of the shûmei in May and June 2025 at the Kabukiza for Onoe Kikugorô VIII and Onoe Kikunosuke VI, a visual and a short video have been released:

The visual

The short video

Matsumoto Kôshirô and Ichikawa Somegorô will perform in April 2025 at the Kabukiza in "Kobikichô no Adauchi", a newly-created Kabuki drama based on Nagai Sayako's popular historical eponymous novel, which received the Naoki Prize in 2023.

Onoe Shôroku will perform in April 2025 at the Kabukiza in "Muhitsu no Shusse", a newly-created Kabuki drama based on a story which was written in collaboration with Kanda Shôri III, a Living National Treasure of kôdan storytelling. Moreover, Kanda Shôri III will also make an appearance on stage to play the role of Natsume Sanai. It will be the third collaboration of this type, after "Arakawa Jûdayû" in 2022 and "Tawaraboshi Genba" in 2023.

Ichikawa Danjûrô will perform in a special program entitled 'Japanese Theater' (displayed in English on the flyer in Japanese) in a newly-created drama entitled "SEIMEI" (displayed in uppercase roman letters on the flyer in Japanese). The guest star will be the young tarento Shimasaki Toa. It will also feature the Kabuki actors Ichikawa Udanji, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Nakamura Takanosuke & Ichikawa Otora. The play will be about the Heian period onmyôji Abe no Seimei. Will it be Kabuki or non-Kabuki? A mix of Kabuki and modern things ? A modern drama with a bit of Kabuki injected in it? So far, we don't know [more details on the dedicated website]. The music will be made by the guitar hero Sugizo and the Nagauta musicians Tanaka Denjirô VII & Imafuji Chôtatsurô. There will be performances in Ôsaka and Tôkyô:

From the 19th to the 24th of February 2025 in Ôsaka at the Orix Theater

From the 1st to the 23rd of March 2025 in Tôkyô at the Theater MILANO-Za

2 posters/visuals for the February 2025 performances at the Kabukiza have been published:

Kirara Ukiyoden

Bunshichi Mottoi