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NEWS FROM THE KABUKI WORLD 2021
31 December
2021

Obituary: Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon II (1944~2021) passed away the 28th of November 2021.

The three programs for the February Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza in February 2022 have been published [more details]. Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon will do his isse ichidai performance for the role of the Heike warrior Taira no Tomomori in "Tokaiya"/"Daimotsu no Ura". The other highlight will be the revival of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Nezumi Komon Harugi no Hinagata", which has been staged only once during the Heisei era, in March 1993 at the National Theatre with Onoe Kikugorô VII in the role of Nezumi Kozô. This time, the role of Nezumi Kozô will be played by Onoe Kikunosuke.

Due to illness, Bandô Minosuke was replaced by Ichikawa Monnosuke the 26th of December to play at the Kabukiza the role of Yashio in the drama "Date no Jûyaku".

Due to illness, Bandô Takesaburô was replaced by Kataoka Aiichirô the 19th of December to play at the Minamiza the role of the nakai Okimi in the drama "Kari no Tayori".

Young actors will perform in March 2022 in Kyôto at the Minamiza [more details].

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the 36th edition of the Spring Kabuki performance Shikoku Konpira Kabuki Ôshibai at the Kanamaruza on Shikoku Island has been cancelled [more details].

A documentary about Nakamura Fukusuke's battle with aphasia has been uploaded on the All-Nippon News Network YouTube channel.

Cinema Kabuki was screened in Bangkok the 8th, the 11th and the 12th of December 2021 with English and Thai subtitles in a venue called Icon Cineconic (6th floor of ICONSIAM). The two Shinema Kabuki ("Cinema Kabuki") movies were "Rakuda" and "Renjishi", both starring late Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII [more details].

The 38th and 39th releases of Shinema Kabuki ("Cinema Kabuki") will be released all over Japan in April 2022. It will be Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", which was shot live in high definition in April 2021 (first half of "Sakura Hime") and in June 2021 (second half of "Sakura Hime") at the Kabukiza and which starred Living National Treasures Kataoka Nizaemon and Bandô Tamasaburô.

  • 38th release (first half of "Sakura Hime") from the 8th of April 2022 [more details in Japanese]

  • 39th release (second half of "Sakura Hime") from the 29th of April 2022 [more details in Japanese]

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

    Short videos with English subtitles of Kabuki performances in September 2021 at the Kabukiza and the Minamiza have been uploaded on the Shôchiku Official YouTube Channel:

    Be ready for META Kabuki, a virtual Kabuki online world which will be available late January 2022! The first experiment will be entitled "Genji Memories" and it will be distributed on the Shôchiku Kabuki On-Demand Platform. "Genji Memories" will be based on Murasaki Shikibu's masterpiece "Genji Monogatari". Nakamura Hayato will play the role of Hikaru Genji. Nakamura Kazutarô will play 5 female roles: Fujitsubo, Aoi no Ue, Rokujô no Miyasundokoro, Yûgao and Tamakazura [the flyer for "Genji Memories" | more details in Japanese].

    One poster for the production of "Date no Jûyaku" in December 2021 at the Kabukiza has been printed out and was sold in the theater during the performances.

    The fuekata Hôsei Haruyoshi has received the Cultural Affairs Commissioner Award (Bunka Chôkan Hyôshô in Japanese) for the 3rd year of the Reiwa era.

    The Duty of Remembrance:

  • The 5th December 2021, we could have celebrated the 225th anniversary of the passing away of Nakamura Nakazô II (1759~1796). This actor died the 7th day of the 11th lunar month of the 8th year of the Kansei era, which was the 5th of December 1796 in the western calendar.

  • The 4th of December 2021, we could have commemorated the 150th anniversary of the passing away of Ichikawa Danzô VI (1800~1871). This actor died the 22nd day of the 10th lunar month of the 4th year of the Meiji era, which was the 4th of December 1871 in the western calendar.

    		•
    30 November
    2021

    Obituary: the Gidayû shamisen player Tsurusawa Masaichirô (1931~2021) passed away the 17th of November 2021. His real name was Murakami Yoshie.

    Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô received the Order of Culture (Bunka Kunshô) the 3rd of November 2021. This important order was conferred by Naruhito, the Emperor of Japan.

    Due to maintenance works on the main stage, there won't be any Kabuki program in December 2021 at the National Theatre.

    The three programs for the New Year Kabuki Performances at the Kabukiza in January 2022 have been published [more details]. The son of Nakamura Shidô, Ogawa Haruki, will make his omemie on stage within the dance-drama "

    Iwau Haru Genroku Hanami Odori

    ". Others highlights will be "Ichijô Ôkura Monogatari" with Nakamura Kankurô in the role of Ichijô Ôkura Naganari, the rarely-staged drama "Rosei no Yume" with Matsumoto Kôshirô in the role of Roya Seikichi and "Kawatsura Hôgen Yakata" with Ichikawa Ennosuke performing the version of this drama ending with a spectacular chûnori. As there won't be any New Year Asakusa Kabuki in January 2022 in Tôkyô at the Asakusa Kôkaidô, the troupe of young actors will perform at the Kabukiza in Kawatake Mokuami's kagekiyomono drama "Iwato no Kagekiyo".

    The spectacular drama "Nansô Satomi Hakkenden" will be staged in January 2022 at the National Theatre. The troupe will be led by Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô [ more details].

    The 1st edition of a special Kabuki program under the guidance of Ichikawa Ebizô, entitled Ichikawa Ebizô Kikaku Kôen ~ IBUKI ('Ichikawa Ebizô Project Performances ~ Breath') and starring Nakamura Kotarô, Ichikawa Kudanji and Ôtani Hiromatsu, will be staged from the 21st to the 23rd of January 2022 at the Shinbashi Enbujô [more details].

    Ichikawa Ebizô will perform in January 2022 in Nagoya at the Misonoza for two days [ more details].

    The program for Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô performances in Fukuoka at the Hakataza has been published [more details]. The star will be supported by the 3 sons of Nakamura Shikan and Kawai Yukinojô.

    The fourth edition of the Roppongi Kabuki performances will happen in February 2022 and March 2022. Based on a script written by Imai Toyoshige, the stage direction will be done by the famous movie director Miike Takashi, an expert in violent and bizarre movies who worked twice with Ichikawa Ebizô for the movies "Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai" (2011) and "Over your Dead Body" (2014). It will be staged in 3 theaters: in Tôkyô at the EX THEATER in Roppongi from the 18th February to the 6th of March 2022 [more details], in Fukuoka at the Fukuoka Sunpalace Hotel & Hall from the 11th to the 13th of March 2022 [more details] and in Ôsaka at the Festival Hall from the 18th to the 21st of March 2022 [more details]. The guest will be the tarento Totsuka Shôta.

    Iwai Yumi, the eldest daughter of Iwai Hanshirô X and the adopted daughter of late Iwai Hanshirô IX, took the name of Iwai Hanshirô XI the 28th of November 2021 at the National Theatre. She is the sôke of the Iwai School of Buyô. She was expected to take this name in May 2020 but the name-taking performance had to be postponed because of the COVID-19 crisis. This is worth noting that it was the first shûmei, not a Kabuki one but nevertheless a shûmei with a prestigious Kabuki name, in the COVID times.

    Kataoka Rikiya, a disciple of late Kataoka Hidetarô, successfully passed the 2019 nadai exam and received his diploma during a special ceremony which happened at the Shôchikuza the 21st of January 2020. He will celebrate on stage in December 2021, in Kyôto at the Minamiza. He will play the role of the streetwalker Otose in the drama "Sannin Kichisa".

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

    Short videos with English subtitles of Kabuki performances in August 2021 at the Kabukiza and the Minamiza have been uploaded on the Shôchiku Official YouTube Channel:

    Two posters for the November 2021 performances at the Kabukiza have been published:

    Prior to Kyôto's year-end kaomise Kabuki performances from the 2nd to the 23th of December 2021 [more details], the annual maneki-age happened the 25th of November 2021 at the Minamiza. During this important event, huge wooden boards called maneki kanban were raised [pictures and more details in Japanese]. The boards feature the names of Kabuki performers appearing in the show and they were placed over the front of the Minamiza on a huge takeyarai. The maneki kanban were made by the calligrapher Inoue Yû IV at the Myôdenji temple in Kyôto the 6th of November 2021. The calligrapher soaked his brush in special ink mixed with sake for the purpose of purification and glossing, and wrote the names all actors with strong strokes in kanteiryû characters [pictures and more details in Japanese].

    Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke have performed in a TV Drama, which will be broadcasted next month on NHK BS Premium and NHK BS4K, two satellite television channels managed by the NHK. The chûshinguramono drama is entitled "Chûshingura Rapusodî Daigoban ~ Nakamura Nakazô Shusse no Kizahashi" ('The Rhapsody of the Treasure of the Loyal Retainers No.5 ~ Nakamura Nakazô's Stairway to Success'). The two Nakamuraya brothers played the roles of two ... Kabuki actors: Nakamura Nakazô I (Nakamura Kankurô) and Ichikawa Somegorô I (Nakamura Shichinosuke). The first half of this drama will be broadcasted the 4th of December 2021. The second half of this drama will be broadcasted the 11th of December 2021 [more details in Japanese | more details in English].

    The 2022 anti-coronavirus measures at the Kabukiza have been published [more details | notifications].

    The Duty of Remembrance:

  • The 6th of November 2021, we could have commemorated the 300th anniversary of the passing away of Yamanaka Takejûrô (1674~1721). This actor died the 17th day of the 9th lunar month of the 6th year of the Kyôhô era, which was the 6th of November 1721 in the western calendar.

  • The 15 November 2021, we could have celebrated the 100th anniversary of the passing away of Ichikawa Beishô II (1891~1921). This actor died the 15th of November 1921.

    		•
    31 October
    2021

    The three programs for the December 2021 Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza, have been published [more details]. The highlights will be:

  • Ichikawa Ennosuke will perform ten roles in a new version of "Date no Jûyaku", a classic for the Omodakaya guild.

  • "Jiisan Baasan" with Nakamura Kankurô and Onoe Kikunosuke.

  • Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform the leading role of the dance-drama "Shinano Momiji no Onizoroi".

    • The 6th anniversary (7th memorial services) of the passing away of late Bandô Mitsugorô X will be commemorated at the Kabukiza in November 2021. His son Bandô Minosuke will play the role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the drama "Soga no Taimen". The roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari will be played by Onoe Kikugorô and Nakamura Tokizô.

    The program for the Early Spring Special Dance Performances of Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô in January 2022 in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza has been published [more details].

    Ichikawa Ebizô and his two children, Horikoshi Kangen and Ichikawa Botan, will perform in January 2022 at the Shinbashi Enbujô in a newly-created Kabuki drama entitled "Puperu", which is based on Nishino Akihiro's children's picture book "Poupelle of Chimney Town". This drama will be directed by Fujima Kanjûrô VIII [more details].

    The 18th edition of the original Cocoon Kabuki will happen in February 2022 at the Theatre Cocoon [more details]. These performances recreate the atmosphere of the Edo koshibai and brings the actors closer to the audience. The play "Tennichibô" was written by Kudô Kankurô, based on Kawatake Mokuami's masterpiece "Ten'ichibô", and will be directed by Kushida Kazuyoshi. It was staged for the first time in the 2012 Cocoon Kabuki.

    Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform in February 2022 in Fukuoka at the Hakataza [more details].

    The 11th edition of the Sistine Kabuki, a Kabuki program led by Kataoka Ainosuke within the Sistine Hall of the Ôtsuka Museum of Art which is located in the city of Naruto (Tokushima prefecture), has been postponed because of the COVID-19 crisis. It will not happen in February 2022 as initially expected.

    From the 3rd to the 17th of November 2021, it will be possible to visit the stage of the Minamiza, which will open its doors and shows all its apparatus: hanamichi, koseri, ôseri, mawari-butai... It will be a 30-min tour, 5 times a day with limited capacity [more details].

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

    Short videos with English subtitles of Kabuki performances in June 2021 at the Kabukiza have been uploaded on the Shôchiku Official YouTube Channel:

    The Duty of Remembrance:

  • The 2nd of October 2021, we could have commemorated the 150th anniversary of the passing away of Nakamura Jakuemon I (1806~1871). This actor died the 18th day of the 8th lunar month of the 4th year of the Meiji era, which was the 2nd of October 1871 in the western calendar.

  • The 2nd of October 2021, we could have celebrated the 100th anniversary of the premiere at the Kabukiza of "Ôsakajô". This drama about Yodogimi was written by Okamoto Kidô for Nakamura Utaemon V and was premiered at the Kabukiza from the 2nd of October 2021.

  • The 12th of October 2021, we could have celebrated the 200th anniversary of the premiere at the Kawarasakiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Kiku no En Tsuki no Shiranami" [more details]. This drama was premiered the 17th day of the 9th lunar month of the 4th year of the Bunsei era, which was the 12th of October 1821 in the western calendar.

  • The 21st of October 2021, we could have commemorated the 200th anniversary of the passing away of Arashi Kitsusaburô I (1769~1821). This Kamigata stage giant died the 26th day of the 9th lunar month of the 4th year of the Bunsei era, which was the 21st of October 1821 in the western calendar.

  • The 30th of October 2021, we could have commemorated the 100th anniversary of a sad event : the 2nd Kabukiza was burnt to the ground in a fire caused by an electrical short circuit.

    		•
    30 September
    2021

    There will be Kabuki kaomise performances in November 2021 in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza. The troupe will be led by Living National Treasures Onoe Kikugorô and Kataoka Nizaemon. The former actor will play the role of Kudô Saemon Suketsune in "Soga no Taimen" and the latter actor will play the role of the father shishi in the dance-drama "Renjishi". In the third program there will be a newly-created gishi kyôgen drama entitled "Hana Kurabe Gishi no Kaomise", which will star Ichikawa Ennosuke and Matsumoto Kôshirô [more details].

    The classic "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki" will be staged at the National Theatre in November 2021. It will be a 2-act production with the rarely-staged "Mikagehama Hamabe" act and the frequently-staged "Kumagai Jin'ya". The prestigious role of the warrior Kumagai Jirô Naozane will be played by Nakamura Shikan (who will most likely use the kata of late Nakamura Shikan IV) [more details].

    The three programs for the traditional yearly kaomise in Kyôto in December 2021 at the Minamiza have been published [more details]. The troupe will be led by Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, who will play the leading role in the dance-drama "Migawari Zazen". The others highlits will be:

  • The production of "Sonezaki Shinjû" to commemorate the passing away of Sakata Tôjûrô IV with his two sons Nakamura Ganjirô and Nakamura Senjaku playing the roles of Hiranoya Tokubê and Tenmaya Ohatsu.

  • "Sannin Kichisa" with Nakamura Shikan, Kataoka Takatarô and Nakamura Hayato in the roles of Oshô Kichisa, Ojô Kichisa and Obô Kichisa.

  • "Kari no Tayori" under the guidance of Kataoka Nizaemon with Matsumoto Kôshirô in the leading role of Sanni no goroshichi.

  • "Kumo no Ito" with Kataoka Ainosuke performing 5 roles.

    • Due to the COVID-19 crisis, there won't be any Eirakukan Grand Kabuki in November 2021 in Toyooka at the Eirakukan.

    In November 2021, there won't be any (Grand or Young Actors) Kabuki in Fukuoka at the Hakataza and any Bandô Tamasaburô (Image and) Dance Performance at the Yachiyoza. A kabukiless month for Kyûshû!

    Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will be busy in the beginning of 2022 as he will perform in January 2022 in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza [more details] and in February 2022 in Fukuoka at the Hakataza.

    The 1st edition of Kotarô no Kai, a gala starring Nakamura Kotarô, will happen in Tôkyô at the Tessenkai the 17th of October 2021 [more details].

    Ichikawa Emisaburô will take part in a special event at the Gyôtoku Cultural Hall I&I, which will happen the 16th and the 17th of October. There will be a talk show and a workshop about the art of the onnagata and Ichikawa Emisaburô will perform in the dance "Fuji Musume" [more details].

    Due to illness, Nakamura Shidô stopped acting at the Minamiza the 17th of September 2021. He was absent only for a few days as he was back on stage the 20th. He was replaced on stage by Nakamura Shiichi and Sawamura Kuniya.

    We've forgotten to report the Koten he no Izanai tour, literally 'Invitation to the Classics' with Ichikawa Ebizô and his troupe, which happened from the 4th to the 27th of September 2021 [more details].

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

    Short videos with English subtitles of Kabuki performances in June 2021 at the Kabukiza have been uploaded on the Shôchiku Official YouTube Channel:

    One poster for the production of "Yotsuya Kaidan" in September 2021 at the Kabukiza has been printed out and was sold in the theater during the performances.

    Opening of a new website dedicated to Ôta Masamitsu's Prints!
    31 August
    2021

    The September 2021 Chôkabuki (literally Ultra-Kabuki) performance in Kyôto at the Minamiza will be streamed online overseas w ith English subtitles from the 20th to the 26th of September 2021!

  • Chôkabuki Streaming

  • ZAIKO Streaming Website

  • Allowed countries: USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, France, Spain, Philippines, Singapore, Mexico, India, South Africa.

    • The three programs for the October 2021 Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza, have been published [more details]. The troupe will be led by Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô.

    "Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba" will be staged as a tôshi kyôgen in October 2021 at the National Theatre. The stars will be Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Tokizô and Nakamura Senjaku [more details].

    Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke will be on tour in October 2021 [more details].

    Ichikawa Udanji, Ichikawa Emisaburô and Ôtani Hiromatsu will be on tour in October 2021 [more details] and November 2021 [more details].

    Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke will perform in November 2021 at the TBS Akasaka Act Theater for the 5th edition of the Akasaka Grand Kabuki [more details].

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

    Opening of a new website dedicated to Modern Japanese Performing Arts Prints!

    One poster for the August 2021 performances at the Kabukiza has been printed out and was sold in the theater during the performances.

    One DVD and one MOOC related to Nichiren and Ichikawa Ennosuke's performance in the role of Nichiren in June 2021 at the Kabukiza have been released. The DVD is not a Shôchiku Company Kabuki DVD but a production released by the printing company Nichirenshû Shinbusha, wich is the media company of the Nichiren branch of Buddhism:

    The Duty of Remembrance:

  • The 11th of August 2021, we could have celebrated the 300th anniversary of the passing away of the actor Yamatoyama Jinzaemon I (1677~1721). This actor died the 19th day of the 7th lunar month of the 6th year of the Kyôhô, which was was the 11th of August 1721 in the western calendar.

  • The 14th of August 2021, we could have celebrated the 200th anniversary of the premiere at the Kawarasakiza of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Tamamo-no-Mae Kumoi no Hareginu", a drama mixing the sekai of Gion no Nyôgo, the Two Shinbê ("Ninin Shinbê") and Tamamo-no-Mae [more details]. This drama was premiered the 17th day of the 7th lunar month of the 4th year of the Bunsei era, which was the 14th of August 1821 in the western calendar.

    • Ichikawa Ennosuke, who has been tested positive for coronavirus, recovered and was back on stage from the 20th of August 2021 to perform in the drama "Kagamiyama Gonichi no Iwafuji".

    Nakamura Hayato, Nakamura Kashô and several staff members have bee tested positive for coronavirus. As a consequence, the Kabuki performances of the 2nd program at the Kabukiza in September 2021 will be cancelled from the 2nd to the 6th of September 2021.

    Four others Kabuki actors have also been tested positive for coronavirus: Onoe Ukon, Nakamura Kazutarô, Ichikawa Kudanji and the stage veteran Ichikawa Juen (91 years old!).
    31 July
    2021

    The three programs for the September 2021 Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza, have been published [more details]. "Oedo Miyage" and "Suma no Utsushie" will be staged to commemorate the 20th and 10th anniversaries of the passing away of Nakamura Utaemon VI and Nakamura Shikan VII. The main highlight will be the staging of two important acts from Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan", starring Living National Treasures Kataoka Nizaemon and Bandô Tamasaburô.

    No kaomise programs in October 2021 in Nagoya at the Misonoza. In replacement, there will be a special Kabuki program starring Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, who will be supported by the 3 sons of Nakamura Shikan [more details].

    "GOEMON-Ishikawa Goemon" will be staged at the Shôchikuza in October 2021 [more details]. The drama "GOEMON-Ishikawa Goemon" (In Japanese) was initially staged in November 2011 at the Ôtsuka Museum of Art and premiered in its current production in October 2014 in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza [more details].

    A special Buyô program starring Ichikawa Ennosuke will happen from the 2nd to the 5th of September 2021 in Kyôto at the Shunjûza [more details]. This program will celebrate the 30th and 20th anniversaries of the opening of the Kyôto University of the Arts (1991) and the Kyôto Art Theater (2001). Initially, it was Kyôto University of Art and Design but it was renamed Kyôto University of the Arts the 1st of April 2020.

    Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô and Nakamura Baishi have been invited to perform from the 3th to the 5th of September 2021 at the 21st edition of the Kamigata Hanabutai (the Kamigata Association), a gala program sponsored by the Kamigata Culture and Entertainment Association since 1984. This association has continuously been hosting a performance called "Kamigata Hanabutai" at the National Bunraku Theatre in Ôsaka. This performance showcases various Kamigata geisha entertainment forms, not normally presented outside the tea houses [more details].

    Opening of a website entitled Grand Kabuki History dedicated to the Kabuki tours abroad with a world map listing all cities visited by Kabuki tours.

    The 1st edition of Odori no Kai, a gala starring Nakamura Tanenosuke, will happen at the National Theatre from the 6th to the 7th of August 2021 [more details].

    The 2nd edition of the gala of the Miyoshiya Guild, Kamimura Kichiya and his disciples, will happen the 23rd of September 2021, in Ôsaka at the Ôtsuki Nô Theatre [more details]. The Ôtsuki Nô Theatre is located near Ôsaka Castle. It was established in 1935 and it is one of the few Nô theaters in Kansai which has survived WWII.

    The 7th gala of the Sora no Kai, usually in Ôsaka at the Kintetsu Art Kan, which stars mostly disciples of the Matsushimaya guild, will not happen in 2021. These performances are entitled Abeno Kabuki (Abeno is the name of a famous district in Ôsaka).

    It has been confirmed that Ichikawa Ennosuke was tested positive for coronavirus. As a consequence, he will be temporarily replaced by Bandô Minosuke to perform in the drama "Kagamiyama Gonichi no Iwafuji". We don't know when Ichikawa Ennosuke will be back on stage.

    Due to a close contact with a person infected with coronavirus, Nakamura Ganjirô was absent for the July performances at the Shôchikuza from the 3rd to the 12th of July 2021. He was temporarily replaced by Kataoka Senju to play the role of Oshika in "Ise Ondo" and by his brother Nakamura Senjaku to play the role of Kameya Chûbê in "Ninokuchi-mura". Nakamura Senjaku was himself replaced by Nakamura Ganjirô's son Nakamura Kazutarô to play the role of Umegawa in "Ninokuchi-mura". Nakamura Ganjirô was back on stage from the 13th of July.

    Due to a close contact with a person infected with coronavirus, Kataoka Kamezô stopped performing at the Kabukiza in the drama "Suzu-ga-Mori" from the 11th to the 15th of July 2021. He was replaced by Nakamura Kichibê. As he was tested negative for the PCR test, Kataoka Kamezô was back on stage from the 16th of July 2021.

    Due to the COVID-19 crisis, there won't be any New Year Asakusa Kabuki in January 2022 in Tôkyô at the Asakusa Kôkaidô.

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

    Short videos with English subtitles of Kabuki performances in April 2021 and May 2021 at the Kabukiza have been uploaded on the Shôchiku Official YouTube Channel:

    The anime "Saidâ no Yô-ni Kotoba ga Wakiagaru" ('Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop') was released all over Japan the 22nd of July 2021. Ichikawa Somegorô was voice-casted to perform the voice of the main character of this anime.

    Some Kabuki at the 2020 Tôkyô Olympic and Paralympic Games happening in 2021 as they have been postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic: the torch relay concluded its journey in Tôkyô, with Nakamura Kankurô serving as the final torchbearer. Ichikawa Ebizô performed some bits from "Shibaraku" during the opening ceremony:
    30 June
    2021

    Obituary: the Kiyomoto shamisen player Kiyomoto Yoshijirô (1945~2021) passed away the 4th of June 2021. His real name was Hanaoka Masaya.

    Due to health reasons, Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon will not perform in July 2021 at the Kabukiza. He was expected to play the role of Banzuiin Chôbê in the drama "Suzu-ga-Mori". He will be replaced by Nakamura Kinnosuke.

    The three programs for the August 2021 Young Actors Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza, have been published [more details]. The highlights will be Ichikawa Ennosuke in "Kotsuyose no Iwafuji", the Nakamuraya brothers in the kaidanmono "Toyoshiga no Shi" and Matsumoto Kôshirô for the second time in his career in "Yoshikata Saigo".

    The 23rd edition of the summer program of the association Ne no Kai (literally 'the Sound Association') will happen the 13th and the 14th of August 2021 [more details].

    There will be from the 13th to the 15th of August 2021 a Jûjiya Dance Gala in Hakodate at the Hakodate Shimin Kaikan (Hakodate City Hall), starring Ôtani Keizô and his son Ôtani Ryûsei [more details].

    The program for the 27th edition of the common program for 2 associations, the Chigyokai (the Young Fishes Association) and the Kabukikai (the Kabuki Association), which stars stars' disciples in the leading roles at the National Theatre in August 2021, has been published [more details].

    The program for the 31st edition of the Kamigata Kabukikai (the Kamigata Kabuki Association), a summer program in Ôsaka at the National Bunraku Theatre in August 2021, has been published [more details]. This summer program stars Kamigata Kabuki stars' disciples in the leading roles under the guidance of Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Kataoka Gatô and the dance master Yamamura Tomogorô III.

    Onoe Ukon performed outside Kabuki in July and August 2021. He will perform in a musical which is entitled "Eisei ~ Rizumu & Bakyûmu" (literally 'Satellite~Rythm & Vacuum'), in Tôkyô at the TBS Akasaka ACT Theater from the 9th to the 25th of July, in Ôsaka at the Orix Theater from the 30th of July to the 1st of August 2021, and in Fukuoka at the Kurume City Plaza from the 9th to the 11th of August 2021 [official website].

    Nakamura Kazutarô performed outside Kabuki in June 2021 in the drama "Yoru wa Mijikashi Aruke yo Otome" ('The Night is Short, Walk on Girl'). This play was based on Morimi Tomihiko's eponymous novel. It was staged in Tôkyô at the New National Theatre from the 6th to the 22nd of June 2021 and in Ôsaka at the Cool Japan Park Ôsaka WW Hall from the 26th to the 27th of June 2021 [official website]. Nakamura Kazutarô shared the stage with Takenaka Naoto and the idol singer Kubo Shiori.

    The Duty of Remembrance:

  • The 27th of June 2021, we could have celebrated the 250th anniversary of the passing away of the actor Ôtani Hiroemon I (1666~1721). This jô-jô-kichi Kamigata actor, who was not only the founder of the Ôtani clan and an outstanding Edo jitsuaku, died the 15th day of the 5th lunar month of the 8th year of the Meiwa era was the 27th of June 1771 in the western calendar.

  • In June 2021, we could have celebrated the 300th anniversary of the premiere in Kabuki of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's masterpiece "Shinjû Ten no Amijima". This drama was originally written for the puppet theater and premiered in the 12th lunar month of 1720, then it was adapted for Kabuki for the first time and staged in Edo at the Moritaza in the 5th lunar month of 1721. The 5th lunar month of 1721 started the 26th of May 1721 and ended the 24th of June 1721 in the western calendar.

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

    Short videos with English subtitles of Kabuki performances in March 2021 at the Kabukiza have been uploaded on the Shôchiku Official YouTube Channel:

    We've failed to report the 7th edition in June 2021 in the city of Matsumoto at the Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre of a Kabuki program called Shinshû Matsumoto Grand Kabuki (Shinshû is an old name for the province of Nagano, whose main city is Matsumoto), which happens every two years since July 2008. It will be the same program as the 17th edition of the Cocoon Kabuki in Tôkyô [more details].

    There will 3 special events related to the educational Kabuki program, Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class") in July 2021 at the National Theatre [more details]:

  • "Beginners' Kabuki for Business Person" the 9th and the 20th of July, with a special session starting at 18:00 instead of the usual 11:00 or 14:30.

  • "Discover KABUKI" the 27th of July, with a presentation "how to appreciate Kabuki" in English (with Nakamura Tanenosuke and the TV personality Kisa Ayako). 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 a special Family Festival, called Oyako de Tanoshimu Kabuki Kyôshitsu, from the 20th to the 26th of July. This festival will aim at gathering together children and parents to enjoy Kabuki.

    • The 37th release of Shinema Kabuki ("Cinema Kabuki") was released all over Japan from the 4th of June 2021. It was Mishima Yukio's masterpiece "Iwashi Uri", which was shot live in high definition in January 2009 at the Kabukiza and which starred Nakamura Kanzaburô and Bandô Tamasaburô.
    31 May
    2021

    Obituary: Living National Treasure Kataoka Hidetarô II (1941~2021) passed away the 23rd of May 2021. He was an onnagata actor who devoted himself to the promotion of Kamigata Kabuki. It was annouced the 29th of April 2021 that he would receive the Order of the Rising Sun, gold rays with rosette. He was expected to play in July 2021 at the Shôchikuza the role of Imada Manjirô in the drama "Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba".

    The three programs for the July 2021 Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza, have been published [more details]. The 1st and 2nd programs will be staged from the 4th to the 29th of July 2021. The 3rd program, with Ichikawa Ebizô and Nakamura Jakuemon performing in "Narukami Fudô Kitayama Zakura", will be staged from the 4th to the 16th of July 2021. No performance the 8th and the 19th of July 2021.

    The educational Kabuki program, Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class"), at the National Theatre in July 2021 has been published [more details].

    Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform with the Shinpa actor Kawai Yukinojô and the 3 sons of Nakamura Shikan (Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke and Nakamura Utanosuke) in August 2021 in Kyôto at the Minamiza [more details].

    The world of Kabuki and the world of otaku will collide for the 9th time in Kabuki history and for the second time in a major Kabuki theater! Chôkabuki (literally Ultra-Kabuki) will be staged in Kyôto at the Minamiza in September 2021. Nakamura Shidô will once again share the stage with the virtual 3D creature Hatsune Miku [more details]. This program, initially scheduled in June 2020, was canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis.

    The 1st edition of the Jûjiya Dance Gala at the Nihonbashi Gekijô, with Ôtani Keizô and his son Ôtani Ryûsei, will happen the 10th of August 2021 [more details].

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

    One poster for the June 2021 performances at the Kabukiza has been printed out and will be sold in the theater. It shows Ichikawa Ennosuke in the role of the priest Nichiren.

    A special program at the Minamiza in Kyôto 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, was started the 27th of March 2021. It had to stop from the 25th of April because of the third state of emergency due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It was expected to resume from the 14th to the 20th of May 2021. Because of the extension of the state of emergency, this program will not happen in May 2021.

    A special event within the educational Kabuki program, Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class"), at the National Theatre in June 2021, has been scheduled. It is entitled 'Beginners' Kabuki for Business Person' and it will happen the 11th and the 18th of June, with a special session starting at 18:00 instead of the usual 11:00 or 14:30 [more details].
    30 April
    2021

    Important: Japan's Central Government has declared a third state of emergency due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with new restrictions imposed in several areas from the 25th of April to the 11th of May 2021: Tôkyô Metropolis, Ôsaka Prefecture, Kyôto Prefecture and Hyôgo Prefecture. As a consequence, Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza had to stop from the 25th of April 2021. Several Kabuki performances in May 2021 have been rescheduled from the 12th or the 13th of May 2021.

    Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, who fell ill at the end of April 2021, will not perform as scheduled in May 2021 at the Kabukiza. He was expected to play the role of Satô Masakiyo in the drama "Hachijin". He will be replaced by Nakamura Karoku.

    The three programs for the June 2021 Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza, have been published [more details]. There will be 3 Living National Treasures on stage: Onoe Kikugorô, Kataoka Nizaemon and Bandô Tamasaburô. Onoe Kikugorô will play the role of the the old woman in "Yûgao Dana". Kataoka Nizaemon and Bandô Tamasaburô will perform together in the second half of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime". Others highlights will be "Gohiiki Kanjinchô" with Nakamura Shikan in the role of Musashibô Benkei and "Nichiren", which will be staged to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the famous Buddhist priest Nichiren.

    The two programs for the July 2021 Grand Kabuki in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza have been published [more details]. The troupe will be led by Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon. There will be a 3-generation Matsushimaya staging of the dance drama "Omatsuri" with Kataoka Nizaemon, his son Kataoka Takatarô and his grandson Kataoka Sennosuke.

    The educational Kabuki program, Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class"), at the National Theatre in June 2021 has been published [more details].

    Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform in July 2021 in Kyôto at the Minamiza [more details].

    Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform in August 2021 in Kyôto at the Minamiza [more details].

    The 1st edition of a special Kabuki program under the guidance of Ichikawa Ebizô, entitled Ichikawa Ebizô Kikaku Kôen ~ IBUKI ('Ichikawa Ebizô Project Performances ~ Breath') and starring Nakamura Kotarô, Ichikawa Kudanji and Ôtani Hiromatsu, will be staged from the 17th to the 20th of June 2021 in Kyôto at the Minamiza [more details].

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

    Short videos with English subtitles of Kabuki performances in January 2021 and March 2021 at the National Theatre have been uploaded on the Kabuki playlist of the National Theatre Official YouTube Channel:

    Short videos with English subtitles of Kabuki performances in January 2021 at the Kabukiza have been uploaded on the Shôchiku Official YouTube Channel:

    Two posters for the April 2021 performances at the Kabukiza have been published:

    The Duty of Remembrance:

  • The 13th of April 2021, we could have celebrated the 200th anniversary of the premiere at the Kado no Shibai of the drama "Kajiwara Heizô Kôbai Tazuna", a new version of the third act of "Miura no Ôsuke Kôbai Tazuna", which was revised by Kanazawa Ryûgoku I [casting]. This drama was premiered the 11th day of the 3rd lunar month of the 4th year of the Bunsei era, which was the 13th of April 1821 in the western calendar.

  • The 3rd of April 2021, we could have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the passing away of the actor Ichikawa Jukai III, who died the 3rd of April 1971.

    • We could not report earlier the following piece of news: the world of Kabuki and the world of otaku collided for the 8th time in Kabuki history in April 2021! Chôkabuki (literally Ultra-Kabuki) was back again! Nakamura Shidô once again shared the stage with the virtual 3D creature Hatsune Miku. They performed together in a Chôkabuki dance-drama entitled "Otogi Zôshi Koi no Sugatae". It was staged at the Makuhari Messe the 24th and the 25th of April 2021, as part of the Niconico Chôkaigi 2021 event, an important yearly event for the otaku tribes [more details].

    Nakamura Hashinosuke performed for a few days outside Kabuki, the 23rd and the 24th of April 2021 in Tôkyô at the Tôkyô Tatemono Brillia Hall, where he played the role of Louis XVI in the drama "Sanson Rui Jûrokusei no Kubi o Haneta Otoko" (literally 'Sanson, the Man who Cut the Head of Louis XVI'). The role of Charles-Henri Sanson was played by Inagaki Gorô. Here is the schedule of the performances to come:

  • In Ôsaka at the Orix Theater from the 21st to the 24th of May 2021.

  • In Fukuoka at the Kurume City Plaza from the 11th to the 13th of June 2021.

  • In Yokohama at the Kanagawa Arts Theatre from the 25th to the 27th of June 2021.

    • A special program at the Minamiza in Kyôto to explain stage mechanisms, from the tachimawari to the hanamichi. An interesting program to experience some of the unique stagecraft tricks used in Japanese Kabuki theatre. Tours will be organized from the 14th to the 20th of May 2021 [more details in Japanese]. This program started the 27th of March 2021 and was supposed to end the 26th of April 2021 before restarting the 1st of May and run up to the 20th of May. It had to stop from the 25th of April because of the third state of emergency due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
    31 March
    2021

    The March 2021 Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza were impacted by two incidents:

  • Due to illness, Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon could not perform the 29th of March in the drama "Sanmon". He was replaced by Matsumoto Kôshirô for the role of Ishikawa Goemon and Matsumoto Kôshirô, who used to play the role of Mashiba Hisayoshi up to the 28th of March, was replaced by Nakamura Ganjirô.

  • The second program was cancelled the 26th and the 27th of March due to the confirmation a musician being infected with coronavirus. The performances were back to normal the 28th and the 29th of March.

    • The great yearly Dankiku festival for the Naritaya and Otowaya guilds will not happen at the Kabukiza in May 2021. The Otowaya guild will be present with 3 generations of actors but not the Naritaya guild. The troupe will be led by Living National Treasures Onoe Kikugorô and Nakamura Kichiemon. The highlights of the April 2021 Grand Kabuki will be:

  • "Tsuchi-gumo" with Onoe Shôroku and Ichikawa Ennosuke.

  • The 6th act of "Kanadehon Chûshingura" with Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô and Nakamura Tokizô in the roles of Kanpei and Okaru. It is interesting to not that the 6th act will be staged without the 5th act, a very unusual feature in a Kabuki program. Instead of the 5th act, "Ochiudo" will be staged.

  • "Kosui Gozabune" with Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon and Nakamura Jakuemon in the roles of Satô Masakiyo and Hinaginu.

    • Ichikawa Ebizô will perform in May 2021 in Tôkyô at the Meijiza. He will play the role of Saitô Bettô Sanemori in the drama "Sanemori Monogatari" and he will perform in a newly-created Kabuki drama entitled "KABUKU", which has been created by the manga storywriter, novelist and screenwriter Kibayashi Shin [more details].

    Ichikawa Ebizô will perform in June 2021 in Kyôto at the Minamiza. Same troupe and same program as the one in May 2021 at the Meijiza [more details].

    There will be the 14th of April 2021 an online talk about Kabuki, entitled "The Evolution of Kabuki to the Traditional Performing Arts" and organized by the Center for Japanese Studies at Berkeley University of California:

  • The Evolution of Kabuki to the Traditional Performing Arts.

  • Center for Japanese Studies | April 14 | 5-5:30 p.m. | Online - Zoom Webinar

  • Speaker: Jihye Kim, Visiting Graduate Student Researcher, Ôsaka University

  • Sponsor: Center for Japanese Studies (CJS)

    • The Japan Arts Council has opened "National Theatre Online"! Clips of performances or videos to introduce the traditional performing arts are available, not only for Kabuki but also for Bunraku or Nô. 3 new Kabuki clips have been uploaded:

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

    Kataoka Takatarô is one of the 4 performing artists who will receive the 2020 Nihon Geijutsuin Shô, the Japan Art Academy Prize. The ceremony will happen in June 2021 in Ueno at the Nihon Geijutsuin Kaikan (Japan Art Academy Hall).

    Nakamura Yonekichi was the award-winner of the "New Face" Award (Engeki Shinjin Shô) of the 42nd Matsuo Artistic Awards (Matsuo Geinô Shô).

    Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform outside the Kabuki world in May 2021:

  • Singing recital from the 17th to the 19th of May 2021 in Tôkyô at the Blue Note.

  • A talk show along with the dancer Umekawa Ichinosuke (who used to be a disciple of Nakamura Shidô named Nakamura Shijirô) the 27th of May 2021 in Ôita at the Heiwa City Park Nô Theater.

  • A talk show along with the dancer Umekawa Ichinosuke the 28th of May 2021 in Hita at the Patria Hita.

    • Bandô Minosuke will perform outside the Kabuki world in April and May 2021, along with the Korean actress Shim Eun-kyung, in Nagahisa Makoto's musical "The Vanishing Girl &The Time Banker". From the 6th to the 25th of April 2021 in Tôkyo at the Tôkyo Metropolitan Theatre. From the 30th of April to the 1st of May 2021 in Ôsaka at the Umeda Arts Theater.

    The Duty of Remembrance:

  • The 16th of March 2021, we could have celebrated the 300th anniversary of the passing away of the actor Ôtani Hiroemon I (1666~1721). This actor, who was not only the founder of the Ôtani clan and an outstanding Edo jitsuaku, died the 19th day of the 2nd lunar month of the 6th year of the Kyôhô era was the 16th of March 1721 in the western calendar.

  • In March 2021, we could have celebrated the 100th anniversary of the premiere of the matsubamemono dance-drama "Chatsubo", which was staged for the first time in March 1921 at the Imperial Theater.

    		•
    28 February
    2021

    The three programs for the April 2021 Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza, have been published [more details]. There will be 3 Living National Treasures on stage: Kataoka Nizaemon, Bandô Tamasaburô and Nakamura Tôzô. The second item in the first program, the dance-drama "Kanjinchô", will be divided into two subprograms, A and B. The roles of Musashibô Benkei and Togashi Saemon will be played by Matsumoto Hakuô and Matsumoto Kôshirô in the A subprogram and by Matsumoto Kôshirô and Onoe Matsuya in the B subprogram. The A subprogram will be staged the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 25th and 27th of April 2021. The B subprogram will be staged the 4th, 6th, 8th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 20th, 22nd, 24th, 26th and 28th of March 2021. There won't be any performance the 9th and the 19th of April 2021. The highlights of the April 2021 Grand Kabuki will be:

  • "Kokaji", a classic of the Omodakaya guild belonging to the En'ô Jûshu collection, which was staged in ôshibai for the last time in December 1997 at the Kabukiza.

  • "Kanjinchô" with 2 generations of Kôraiya Benkei: Matsumoto Hakuô and Matsumoto Kôshirô.

  • "Taijû" with Nakamura Shikan in the role of Takechi Mitsuhide.

  • "Sakura Hime" with Living National Treasures Kataoka Nizaemon and Bandô Tamasaburô.

    • Due to heavy renovation works at the Kanamaruza, started in October 2020, the 36th edition of the Spring Kabuki performances called Shikoku Konpira Kabuki Ôshibai, Shikoku Konpira Kabuki Grand Theatre, will not happen this year.

    The Nakamuraya brothers Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke will be on tour in March 2021 [more details] and April 2021 [more details]. This is the second edition of a Spring Tour called Shungyô Tokubetsu Kôen, literally 'The Dawn of Spring Special Performances'. The first edition happened in March 2018 and April 2018.

    Nakamura Tokizô, Onoe Kikunosuke and Nakamura Baigyoku will perform in June 2021 in Fukuoka at the Hakataza [more details].

    Ichikawa Ebizô, along with Ichikawa Udanji and with Nakamura Kotarô, will be on tour all over Japan (14 cities) from the 5th to the 24th of March 2021. This tour will be as usual entitled Koten he no Izanai, literally "Invitation to the Classics" [more details].

    Ichikawa Ebizô and his two children, Horikoshi Kangen and Ichikawa Botan, will perform from the 26th to the 29th of March 2021 in Yamaga at the Yachiyoza, a traditional wooden-built theater [more details].

    The Nakamuraya brothers Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke, ahead of the February Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza commemorating the 32nd anniversary (33rd memorial services) of the passing away of Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII [more details], went to the Edo Kabuki Hasshô no Chi monument in the district of Kyôbashi [picture].

    The Duty of Remembrance:

  • The 11th of Feburay 2021, we could have celebrated the 250th anniversary of the premiere of Namiki Shôzô I's drama "Kuwanaya Tokuzô Irifune Monogatari". This drama was premiered in Ôsaka at the Naka no Shibai the 27th day of the 12th lunar month of the Meiwa era, which was the 11th February of 1771 in the western calendar.

  • The 7th of February 2021, we could have celebrated the 150th anniversary of the passing away of the star Seki Sanjûrô III (1805~1871). This actor died the 18th day of the 12th lunar month of the 3rd year of the Meiji era, which was the 7th of February 1871 in the western calendar.

  • In Feburay 2021, we could have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the shûmei of the actor Kataoka Gatô V and the hatsubutai of Kataoka Gatô V's son Kataoka Shinnosuke.

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

    No Kabuki for Ichikawa Ennosuke in February and March 2021. He started to perform from the 10th of February 2021 in the drama "Yabuhara Kengyô" [more details], which is scheduled in 4 theaters:

  • From the 10th of February to the 7th of March 2021 in Tôkyô at the PARCO Gekijô.

  • From the 9th to the 10th of March 2021 in Nagoya at the NTK Hall (Village).

  • From the 13th to the 14th of March 2021 in Komatsu at the Urara Theater Komatsu.

  • From the 18th to the 21st of March 2021 in Kyôto at the Kyôto Art Theater Shunjûza.

    • The 2nd edition of the Yû no Kai, a gala which stars Ôtani Keizô and his son Ôtani Ryûsei, was expected to happen the 23rd of February 2021 at the Nagame Yokyôjô (Nagame Entertainment Theater), a traditional wooden-built theater (1937) in the city of Midori in Gunma Prefecture, but it was postponed one more time. It was initially expected to happen the 12th of April 2020 but it was postponed for the first time due to the COVID-19 crisis. This time, it was postponed to the 28th of February 2021 but it was staged without audience for sanitary reasons. The performance was videotaped. Moreover, this month, the actor Ôtani Keizô has also opened his own YouTube Channel.
    31 January
    2021

    The three programs for the March 2021 Grand Kabuki performances at the Kabukiza, have been published [more details]. There will be 5 Living National Treasures on stage: Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Kichiemon, Bandô Tamasaburô, Kataoka Nizaemon and Nakamura Tôzô. The 3rd program will be divided into two programs, A and B. Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform either in "Sumidagawa" (A program) or in "Yuki"/"Kane-ga-Misaki" (B program). The A program will be staged the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th and 29th of March 2021. The B program will be staged the 15th, 16th, 20th, 21st, 27th and 28th of March 2021. There won't be any performance the 11th and the 22nd of March 2021. The highlights of the March 2021 Grand Kabuki will be:

  • "Kumagai Jin'ya" with Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon.

  • "Naozamurai" with Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô and Nakamura Tokizô.

  • "Sanmon" with Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon and Matsumoto Kôshirô.

  • "Sumidagawa" with Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô and Nakamura Ganjirô.

    • The March 2021 Kabuki program at the National Theatre has been published. It will be entitled Kabuki Meisaku Nyûmon (literally 'Introduction to Kabuki Masterpieces'). The drama "Badarai no Mitsuhide" will be staged with Onoe Kikunosuke in the role of Takechi Mitsuhide. There will be no performance the 10th, the 11th and the 19th of March 2021 [more details].

    The Zenshinza celebrates its 90th anniversary in May 2021 at the National Theatre with two Kabuki programs instead of the usual one single program. The troupe will be led by the 3-generation leaders Kawarasaki Kunitarô, Fujikawa Yanosuke and Arashi Yoshisaburô [more details].

    The 17th edition of the original Cocoon Kabuki will happen in May 2021 at the Theatre Cocoon [more details]. These performances recreate the atmosphere of the Edo koshibai and brings the actors closer to the audience. The play "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami" will be revised by the playwright Kushida Kazuyoshi.

    An application for smart phones or tablets was released the 15th of January 2021. It has been developped by the Shôchiku Company and it uses an AR technology called 'Reverse Reality' (AR meaning Augmented Reality). Adopting the theme of the famous Kabuki dance-drama "Shakkyo", this application shows a 6-minute performance in which the Kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke appears as the spirit of the shishi via the camera of your smartphone or your tablet and performs a dance just as he is in front of you. By using AR (Augmented Reality) technology, the place where the application is used instantly becomes a kind of stage, and before your very eyes, you can enjoy the Kataoka Ainosuke’s performance at home. This application works with iOS (minimum 13.7) or Android (from version 10) [more details].

    Short videos with English subtitles of Kabuki performances in December 2020 at the Minamiza have been uploaded on the Shôchiku Official YouTube Channel:

    Short videos with English subtitles of Kabuki performances in December 2020 at the Kabukiza have been uploaded on the Shôchiku Official YouTube Channel:

    A new very interesting Kabuki-related YouTube Channel has just been created: Kabuki In-Depth: In Praise of Shadows. So far, two videos have been made and uploaded:

    A talk show entitled Utsukushiki Onnagata no Sekai (literally 'the world of beautiful onnagata') with Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô and Onoe Kikunosuke will be streamed online the 13th of February 2020 through the streaming service e+ Streaming+.

    We forgot at the end of last year to report a special one-day 2-performance Zenshinza Kabuki program the 27th of January 2021 in Koganei at the Koganei Miyaji Musical Hall (Koganei Citizens Exchange Center) [more details].

    Two actors performing at the Kabukiza in January 2021 had to stop acting for a few days:

  • Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon stopped acting the 17th and he was back on stage the 25th.

  • Nakamura Kangyoku stopped acting the 7th and he was back on stage the 17th.

    • Two posters for the February 2021 performances at the Kabukiza have been published:

    An opening ceremony for the Kabukiza tonbo training center happened the 28th of January 2021 [pictures and more details in Japanese].
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