2 shows in Kyôto (Minamiza), 3 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre, Heisei Nakamuraza), 1 in Fukuoka (Hakataza), 1 in Yamaga (Yachiyoza) and 1 tour (Classics Tour)!

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô, Matsumoto Hakuô, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Ganjirô, Kataoka Takatarô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Kataoka Hidetarô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Kazutarô, Bandô Takesaburô, Ichikawa Komazô and Ôtani Tomoemon perform at the Minamiza!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Tokizô, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Ichikawa Danzô and Ichikawa Monnosuke perform at the Kabukiza !

Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Bandô Yajûrô, Bandô Rakuzen and Ichikawa Udanji perform at the National Theatre!

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Shikan and Nakamura Senjaku perform at the Heisei Nakamuraza!

Nakamura Shidô, Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Ichimura Manjirô and Kawarasaki Gonjûrô perform at the Hakataza!

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô performs at the Yachiyoza!

Ichikawa Ebizô is on tour (Classics Tour)!

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô, Matsumoto Hakuô, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Ganjirô, Kataoka Takatarô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Kataoka Hidetarô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Kazutarô, Bandô Takesaburô, Ichikawa Komazô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Nakamura Kikaku, Kataoka Shinnosuke, Kataoka Ichizô, Kamimura Kichiya, Sawamura Sônosuke, Matsumoto Kingo, Ôtani Hirotarô, Ichikawa Otora, Kataoka Matsunosuke, Nakamura Jûjirô

The Minamiza reopens in a newly-refurbished structure! The opening program is a kaomise with Matsumoto Hakuô II, his son Matsumoto Kôshirô X and his grandson Ichikawa Somegorô VIII celebrating their shûmei in this prestigious theater.

Kenuki: in this play, which retains the light, festive atmosphere of early-period Kabuki, a princess has a mysterious ailment that makes her hair stand on end, an ailment that prevents her from carrying out her long-awaited marriage. Kumedera Danjô comes from the groom's household to investigate and finds a plot to take over the household when his tweezers float in mid-air. Ichikawa Sadanji stars in a play that features the bombastic aragoto style of acting that is a specialty of his family. Featuring also Kataoka Takatarô, Nakamura Kazutarô, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichikawa Komazô and Ôtani Tomoemon.

Renjishi: 2 entertainers dance a tale of the legendary shishi or lion-like spirits that live at the foot of a holy Buddhist mountain. There is a comic interlude with 2 Buddhist pilgrims. Then, the shishi themselves appear and perform their dance with wild shaking of their long manes. The dance shows a parent shishi forcing his cub to undergo harsh training in order to grow up strong. This theme is often associated with the training a parent actor gives his son. This performance features Matsumoto Kôshirô in the role of the parent shishi and his son Ichikawa Somegorô in the role of the cub. Featuring also Nakamura Ganjirô and Kataoka Ainosuke.

Fûin Giri:
(Breaking the Seals)
In the pleasure quarters, the most important possessions were money and reputation. In danger of losing his lover, the courtesan Umegawa, the money courier Kameya Chûbê breaks the seals on a package of money entrusted to him after being taunted by a rival, even though the use of such money is punishable by death. Starring Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon as Chûbê, Kataoka Takatarô as Umegawa, Nakamura Ganjirô as Chûbê's treacherous friend Tanbaya Hachiemon, Kataoka Hidetarô as Oen, the proprietress of the teahouse, and Ichikawa Sadanji as Tsuchiya Jiemon.

Suzu-ga-Mori: The young samurai Shirai Gonpachi (Kataoka Ainosuke) is ambushed near the execution grounds of Edo on a dark night, but he manages to escape after a gruesome but humorous fight scene. He is watched by Banzuiin Chôbê (Matsumoto Hakuô), an Edo boss, who is impressed with his fighting skills and agrees to give him shelter in the city. This meeting between the handsome young Gonpachi and the heroic Chôbê is one of the most famous meetings in Kabuki.

Soga no Taimen: this is one of the oldest and most classical of all Kabuki plays. In the Edo period, every January, plays appeared about the vendetta carried out by the Soga brothers Jûrô and Gorô after eighteen years of hardship. In "Soga no Taimen" the brothers confront Kudô Suketsune, the man responsible for their father's death. More ceremony than play, it features each of the important Kabuki character types, including the bombastic aragoto style of Gorô and the soft wagoto style of Jûrô. This month features a cast headed by Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon as Kudô and some of the most popular young stars in Kabuki with Kataoka Ainosuke as Gorô and Kataoka Takatarô as Jûrô. Featuring also Kataoka Hidetarô as Maizuru.

Kôjô: the close relationship between the actors and the audience is shown by these stage announcements, lavish ceremonies to commemorate various important events. In this case, all the stars of the cast assemble to celebrate the shûmei of Matsumoto Hakuô II, Matsumoto Kôshirô X and Ichikawa Somegorô VIII. Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô appears only in this kôjô.

Kanjinchô: probably the most popular Kabuki play today, it includes dance, comedy and the heart-warming pathos of a band of heroes during their last days. Disguised as a band of traveling priests the fugitive general Yoshitsune and his small band of retainers are stopped at a road barrier. They escape only through the quick thinking of the head retainer, a warrior priest named Musashibô Benkei, who improvises the text of an elaborate imperial decree. Having escaped danger Benkei and the others describe their days of glory and hardships on the road to escape in a moving dance. This program stars Matsumoto Kôshirô in the role of Benkei, with Ichikawa Somegorô and Matsumoto Hakuô as Yoshitsune and the barrier keeper Togashi.

Kari no Tayori: an unusual play in the Ôsaka acting style originally written in the 19th century by Nakamura Utaemon III. A barber (Nakamura Ganjirô) finds his feelings twisted one way and another by the events in the neighboring samurai mansion where the lord is trying to force Tsukasa (Nakamura Kazutarô), a beautiful woman, to become his mistress. The play shows the barber's changing reactions to two letters from the beautiful woman declaring her love for him. One letter is sincere, the other is a forgery but both turn out to be dangerous traps. Featuring also Matsumoto Kôshirô, Bandô Takesaburô, Kataoka Hidetarô and Kataoka Ichizô.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Tokizô, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Ichikawa Danzô, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Bandô Kamezô, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Juen, Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Kichinojô, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Hayato, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Onoe Ukon

The traditional November kaomise programs at the Kabukiza.

Oedo Miyage:
(A Souvenir of Edo)
This modern play is a light comedy with a fanciful episode from the life of commoners in the Edo period. Two women, Otsuji (Nakamura Tokizô) and Oyû (Nakamura Matagorô), who travel annually to Edo to sell the cloth that they weave encounter a young couple. Moved by the spirit of romance, Otsuji spends all the money that she has made for a once in a lifetime meeting with a fabulously handsome Kabuki actor (Nakamura Baishi). Featuring also Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô in the role of Mojitatsu.

Suô Otoshi:
(The Dropped Coat)
This play transforms a classical Kyôgen farce into Kabuki dance. Delivering a message for his lord, the servant Tarôkaja (Onoe Shôroku) charms a princess and in reward for a dance showing a famous battle, he receives a formal coat and large amounts of drink. Knowing his lord is a greedy man, he tries to hide the coat on his return, but unfortunately, the sake that helped him feel so good earlier works against him. Featuring also Ichikawa Danzô and Bandô Minosuke.

Izayoi Seishin: love suicides are common in Kabuki, but usually as the conclusion of a play, a tragic end to a love that cannot be. The playwright Kawatake Mokuami gave this play an ironic turn by putting the love suicide at the very beginning of the play. The priest Seishin (Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô) and the courtesan Izayoi (Nakamura Tokizô) are ostracized for having an affair. Seishin decides to forget her and concentrate on his religious training. Before he can leave, though, Izayoi convinces him to die with her. They throw themselves into a river, but both survive. Unaware that Izayoi is still alive and given the chance to start again, Seishin gives up his religious vows and turns to a life of crime. With Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon as the poet Hakuren, in reality the thief Ôdera Shôbê.

Sanmon: though short, this play is one of the most visually spectacular in Kabuki. The famous villain Ishikawa Goemon (Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon) enjoys a sea of cherry blossoms while sitting on top the large gate of Nanzenji Temple. His enjoyment of the scene is cut short, though, by the appearance below of his arch-nemesis, the general Mashiba Hisayoshi (Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô).

Fumi Uri:
(Love Letter Seller)
This is one of a series of four transformation dances that is now performed independently. A woman (Nakamura Jakuemon) appears carrying a branch of plum blossom to which many love letters are tied. She enacts how two courtesans Odamaki and Katsumi compete for a man. Having finished talking, she departs.

Hôkaibô: Hôkaibô (Ichikawa Ennosuke), an evil begging priest, is in love with the beautiful, young Okumi (Onoe Ukon) who is herself in love with Yôsuke (Nakamura Hayato), a servant at her father's store. Yôsuke is actually an aristocrat searching for the lost treasure of his family. He regains possession only to have the scroll stolen by Hôkaibô. Yôsuke accepts Okumi's love, but is also pursued by Princess Nowake (Nakamura Tanenosuke), his true fiancee. In a grim but humorous scene at a graveyard, everyone tries to get Okumi and the scroll. But Hôkaibô ends up killing Princess Nowake and is killed himself before he can enjoy the fruits of his villainy. The last scene, "Futa Omote Mizu ni Terutsuki", is one of the great classics of dance and is often performed separately. Yôsuke and Okumi try to run off together only to find a strange figure that looks exactly like Okumi. Yôsuke tries to find out which is the real Okumi. In fact, in a virtuoso turn for the star actor who plays this double role, the mysterious figure is made up of the combined spirits of Hôkaibô and Princess Nowake, each questing for love even after death. Featuring also Ichikawa Danzô as Ôsakaya Gen'emon, Nakamura Karoku as Jinzaburô and Nakamura Jakuemon as the boatman Oshizu.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Bandô Yajûrô, Bandô Rakuzen, Ichikawa Udanji, Bandô Hikosaburô, Ichikawa Sai'nyû, Ichimura Kakitsu, Bandô Shûchô, Ichikawa Omezô, Nakamura Matsue, Ôtani Keizô, Arashi Kitsusaburô, Nakamura Kamenojô, Ichikawa Ukon

Revival at the National Theatre of Kawatake Mokuami's drama "Ten'ichibô":

Na mo Takashi Ôoka Sabaki: tales of wise magistrates are common in Asia and if China has Judge Dee, Japan has Ôoka Tadasuke, Lord of Echizen. They became popular as kôdan storytelling and have long been a staple of television. In the late 19th century, the success of these stories as kôdan inspired Kabuki versions, including this one, written by Kawatake Mokuami (the original title was "Ôgi Byôshi Ôoka Seidan"). In remote Wakayama prefecture, there is an old wet nurse. Her daughter fell in love with the Shôgun Yoshimune and bore his child. The mother and child soon died, but the old wet nurse has a sword and document signed by the Shôgun. An evil priest (Ichikawa Udanji) learns her secret, kills her and takes the sword and document. He goes to Edo and poses as the son of Yoshimune under the name Ten'ichibô. He gathers an army of out of work samurai and collects money from supporters, all eager for advantage when Ten'ichibô becomes Shôgun. Finally, the wise magistrate Ôoka (Nakamura Baigyoku) meets him and stops his plot which seemed unstoppable.

Source: National Theatre

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Senjaku, Kataoka Kamezô, Nakamura Kotarô, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Baika, Ichikawa Fukutarô, Nakamura Toranosuke, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Nakamura Kantarô, Nakamura Chôzaburô

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

Ômi no Okane: Okane was a famous strong woman living on the shores of Lake Biwa and is known for stopping a runaway horse with her bare hands. This has become a Kabuki dance that combines strength and charming femininity. This production stars Nakamura Shichinosuke as Okane.

Korikori Banashi:
(Bewitching Foxes and Badgers)
In Japan, foxes and tanuki badgers are said to have the power to take the shape of humans, and in that form, they play mischievously, sometimes causing great harm. In this play by the contemporary playwrite Hôjô Hideji (1902~1996), foxes and badgers do not appear, but the scheming of human beings is no less crafty than that of those magical creatures. The play features Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku and Kataoka Kamezô.

Iya Sakae Shibai no Nigiwai: this play is what is called Shibai-mae. The stage is made to resemble the area in front of the Nakamuraza theatre in the Edo period and the principal actors of the troupe gather here to share their memories of Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII.

Bukaku Gojôbashi: this is a dance play originally written for the actor Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII. Hearing the rumor that Ushiwakamaru (Nakamura Kantarô) is slaying many people every night at Gojô Bridge, his mother Tokiwa Gozen (Nakamura Senjaku) tells him to stop killing or she will disown him. However, she forgives him when he tells her that he is striving to excel at the military arts in order to restore of the Genji clan. One night, he encounters Benkei (Nakamura Kankurô) on Gojô Bridge, and Ushiwakamaru knocks him down with his sword. Impressed by his strength and skill, Benkei finally swears allegiance to Ushiwakamaru.

Gion Ichiriki Jaya: "Chûshingura" is one of the most popular plays in the theatre and shows a true event when forty-seven masterless samurai avenged the death of their lord by killing his enemy. The seventh act is one of the most popular and shows the leader of the vendetta Yuranosuke as he is hiding his intention to avenge his lord’s death by pretending to be only interested in pleasure, but also encountering key figures on his side and the side of the enemy. Yuranosuke (Nakamura Shikan) spends his days and nights in the pleasure quarters of Kyôto in an effort to make their lord’s enemy, Moronô, believe he is not planning a vendetta. His acting is so good that even men in his own group believe he has given his life up to pleasure. Moronô is not so easily convinced, though, and has sent spies, including a former retainer of their late lord, En'ya Hangan, to find Yuranosuke's true intentions. Okaru (Nakamura Shichinosuke), the wife of one of the retainers is now a courtesan at the Ichiriki Teahouse, unaware that her husband is dead. Okaru's brother Heiemon (Nakamura Kankurô), a servant in the Hangan household, has also come to the teahouse and the interaction of these characters becomes a matter of life and death and ends with Yuranosuke preparing to lead the vendetta.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

The Heisei Nakamuraza is back in Tôkyô in Asakusa. These two programs commemorate the 6th anniversary (7th memorial services) of the passing away of the Heisei star Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII.

Nakamura Shidô, Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Ichimura Manjirô, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Nakamura Mantarô, Nakamura Yonekichi, Ichimura Takematsu, Ichimura Kitsutarô

The newly-created Kabuki drama "Arashi no Yoru ni", which was based on Kimura Yûichi's famous series of illustrated child books "Arashi no Yoru ni" (in English 'One Stormy Night') and which was premiered in September 2015 in Kyôto at the Minamiza [more details], is staged for the first time in Fukuoka at the Hakataza with almost the same casting.

Arashi no Yoru ni: it is a series of picture books written by Kimura Yûichi. The first edition was published in 1994. As many people wanted to read a sequel to the story, it lasted to the seventh volume and became a best seller. More than 3,000,000 books have been sold. It became so popular that it has been turned into a game and made into plays. In 2005, it was made into an animated movie (the voice for the main character Gabu was supplied by Nakamura Shidô) by Sugii Gisaburô, an esteemed movie producer in the animation industry. On the night of a storm, a wolf Gabu (Nakamura Shidô) and a goat Mei (Onoe Matsuya) encounters in a mountain hut in pitch darkness by chance. They talk through night not knowing their identity and become friends. They determine their password as 'On the night of a storm' and promise to meet again. They are shocked when they meet again, but they nurture friendship keeping it secret to their each group. But their friendship is at last known to both groups and meets with violent opposition. The two are pushed to the edge ...

Source: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô

A special Buyô program starring the amazing Living National Treasure onnagata Bandô Tamasaburô in Yamaga at the Yachiyoza, a traditional wooden-built theater. There will be a mix of video projection (with video sequences coming from the high-quality Shinema Kabuki, "Cinema Kabuki") and real dancing on stage.

Kôjô: the close relationship between the actors and the audience is shown by stage announcements, usually lavish ceremonies to commemorate various important events. This month at the Yachiyoza, it is a stage speech delivered by Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô.

Kagami Jishi: one of the most important dances for onnagata female role specialists and is an audience favorite. The maidservant Yayoi performs an auspicious lion dance for the Shôgun in his opulent palace, but she gradually finds herself under the control of the lion spirit. In the second half of the dance, the lion spirit itself appears and performs its crazed dance among peonies and fluttering butterflies. Starring Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô as both Yayoi and the spirit of the lion.

Fuji Musume: the spirit of wisteria blossoms dances of love in the form of a beautiful young maiden. One of Kabuki's most famous and colorful dances, it will feature the dancing skills of Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ebizô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Ichikawa Fukutarô

The second leg (November) of the Fall Tour of Ichikawa Ebizô with performances in 14 cities. The first number in the program is not a Kabuki dance-drama but a performance of taiko drum. The second item is a greetings stage talk ("Goaisatsu") done by Ichikawa Ebizô.

Komori: a young girl (Ichikawa Fukutarô) runs onto stage chasing after a bird that has stolen the abura-age (deep fried tôfu) she just bought. The girl is babysitting and begins to daydream as she tries to calm the crying baby strapped to her back. Dancing to a tune based on what was popular at the time, she plays doll shop, sings of love and romance and finally describes what life was like in her hometown.

Sanja Matsuri: a vigorous dance starring Ichikawa Kudanji and Ôtani Hiromatsu. It is based on dolls at the Sanja festival showing the founding of the temple at Asakusa when two fishermen found a golden image of the Kannon in their nets. In this case, the holy spirits that they encounter are two spheres with the characters for "good" and "evil" on them, and the spirits possess the two and animate them into a lively dance.

Jayanagi: an extremely rare play from the original Kabuki Jûhachiban. High on holy Mt. Kôya, there is a willow tree that attracts the vengeful spirits of jealous women which possesses a passing traveler. Starring Ichikawa Ebizô in the roles of Suketarô of Tanba Province (in reality the spirit of the willow tree) and the powerful warrior Kongômaru in the oshimodoshi grand finale.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website