5 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre, Theatre Cocoon, Shinbashi Enbujô), 2 in Kitakyûshû (Heisei Nakamuraza), 1 in Toyooka (Eirakukan) and 1 in Yamaga (Yachiyoza)!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Kataoka Hidetarô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Shikan, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Ganjirô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Ichikawa Danzô and Onoe Shôroku perform at the Kabukiza !

Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Nakamura Karoku and Nakamura Matagorô perform at the National Theatre!

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Shidô and Kataoka Kamezô perform at the Heisei Nakamuraza!

Ichikawa Ennosuke and Nakamura Hayato perform at the Shinbashi Enbujô !

Kataoka Ainosuke and Nakamura Kazutarô perform at the Eirakukan!

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô performs at the Yachiyoza!

Ichikawa Ebizô performs at the Theatre Cocoon!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Hidetarô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Shikan, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Ganjirô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Ichikawa Danzô, Onoe Shôroku, Bandô Takesaburô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Kataoka Ichizô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Bandô Kamezô, Nakamura Kikaku, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Ichimura Manjirô, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Kangyoku, Ichikawa Sai'nyû, Ichimura Kakitsu, Bandô Shûchô, Matsumoto Kingo, Ichikawa Komazô, Sawamura Yoshijirô, Ichikawa Somegorô, Ôtani Hirotarô, Nakamura Mantarô, Nakamura Jûjirô, Ichimura Kitsutarô, Ichimura Hikaru, Onoe Ushinosuke

The traditional November kaomise programs at the Kabukiza, which celebrates the shûmei of Nakamura Kangyoku.

Togitatsu no Utare: this is a 20th century comedy originally written as one of many plays questioning the tradition of revenge plays. A skilled sword polisher named Moriyama Tatsuji (Matsumoto Kôshirô) gets promoted to a high position in a samurai clan, but cannot stand the constant criticism of the chief retainer Hirai Ichirôemon (Ôtani Tomoemon) and he finally kills him. The man's sons, a pair of brothers, Hirai Saijirô (Bandô Hikosaburô) and Hirai Kuichirô (Bandô Kamezô), are forced by the samurai ethic to pursue their father's murderer, but as the murderer constantly flees, the brothers must continue their quest endlessly, putting their own lives on hold. Featuring also Nakamura Ganjirô in the role of the priest Ryokan.

Sekisan Yakko: there are many dances featuring yakko, the boisterous footmen to samurai lords who accompanied their masters to the pleasure quarters or formed part of his ceremonial parade carrying ornamental spears decorated with white fringe. This particular dance is named after Seki Sanjûrô II, the actor who created it and features a vigorous dance with these ceremonial spears. Starring Nakamura Shikan and Onoe Shôroku.

Kamiyui Shinza: Shinza is a barber that goes from door to door, but at the same time, he is a villain that kidnaps Okuma, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy household, and even resists the efforts of Yatagorô Genshichi, the most prestigious strongman in town, to get her release. Starring Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô as Shinza, Nakamura Baishi as Okuma, Nakamura Tokizô as Chûshichi, Nakamura Kaishun as Otsune, Ichimura Manjirô as Okaku, Ichikawa Sadanji as Chôbê and Ichikawa Danzô as Yatagorô Genshichi.

Kikubatake: it is a great classic of period play Kabuki originally adapted from the Bunraku puppet theatre, full of larger-than-life characters and a stage full of dazzling color. In a garden of brilliant yellow and white chrysanthemums, there is Kiichi (Nakamura Shikan), an elderly strategist working for the dictator Kiyomori, his beautiful daughter Minazuru (Nakamura Kaishun) and two footmen, the elegant young Torazô (Nakamura Kangyoku) and the powerful Chienai (Nakamura Baigyoku). But in fact, Torazô is a young general from the enemy side here to steal Kiichi’s secrets of strategy. Chienai is his retainer. But Kiichi has realized why they are there and also knows that Chienai is actually his younger brother. At the same time, Minazuru has fallen deeply in love with Torazô. Featuring also Nakamura Ganjirô as Kasahara Tankai.

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.

Ichimatsu Kozô no Onna: This is a play written by Ikenami Shôtarô in the late 1970s, set in the Edo period. The draper Jûemon (Ichikawa Danzô) has two daughters: Ochiyo 5Nakamura Tokizô), by his deceased first wife, and Oyuki (Nakamura Baishi), by his second wife. Ochiyo is skilled in swordsmanship and Jûemon intends to find a husband for her but his second wife hopes that her own child Oyuki will inherit the business instead, and so husband and wife are at odds. Thinking that if she leaves her father will give up his idea, Ochiyo goes to live at the house of her former wet nurse Okane (Kataoka Hidetarô). Here she meets a pickpocket called Matakichi (Nakamura Ganjirô) with whom she becomes intimate. Her fellow swordsman Nagai Yogorô (Nakamura Shikan) promises to mediate between them and Ochiyo's father. Two years later, the now married couple run a successful haberdashery. But when Ochiyo hears that Matakichi has started pickpocketing again, she ....

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Nakamura Matsue, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Yonekichi, Nakamura Takanosuke, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Ôtani Keizô, Nakamura Kichinojô, Arashi Kitsusaburô

"Kokô no Yûshi Musume Kagekiyo" mixes elements from two puppet theater dramas about the warrior Taira no Kagekiyo (played by Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon):

"Baibutsuden Bandai no Ishizue", written by Nishizawa Ippû and Tanaka Senryû, premiered in Ôsaka in the 10th lunar month of 1725.

"Musume Kagekiyo Yashima Nikki", written by Wakatake Fuemi, Kokuzôsu and Nakamura Akei, premiered in Ôsaka at the Toyotakeza in the 10th lunar month of 1764.

Kokô no Yûshi Musume Kagekiyo: Akushichibyôe Kagekiyo is famous in Japan as a super hero, samurai of the Heike clan, who was defeated by his arch-enemies from the Genji clan while the national civil Genpei War occurred in late-Heian period. The war resulted in overthrow of the Heike clan and enactment of the Kamakura shogunate with Minamoto no Yoritomo at the head in 1192. According to legend, Kagekiyo was captured after the battle of Dan-no-Ura in 1185 and became a blind and broken man who starved to death in 1196. He mooned over a desire to retaliate against the Genji clan until the very end of his life. As such Kagekiyo entered the hall of fame of Japanese literature, appearing in fictionalized epic The Tale of Heike (Heike Monogatari), specifically in its 11th chapter, the section named The Dropped Bow, compiled prior to 1330. Since then, Kagekiyo became a highly appreciated sympathetic folk hero character, adapted in countless theatrical plays collectively called the “Kagekiyo pieces”. One of the most famous scenes of the Kagekiyo pieces takes place in Hyuga Island, where Kagekiyo was exiled. “The Hyûga Island” is also the subtitle of this November's Kabuki performance in the National Theatre of Japan, staged by Kabuki star Nakamura Kichiemon who was designated as a Living National Treasure. November's show draws on several Kagekiyo pieces, focusing on Kagekiyo's strong desire for vengeance, his frustration at being captured during a memorial service for the Great Buddha (this scene is staged after more than 100 years), and finally being praised by his arch-enemy Yoritomo (the leader of the Genji clan) for his loyalty to the Heike Clan. Yoritomo actually wants Kagekiyo to become his loyal vassal. Yoritomo tries to resolve Kagekiyo's grudge. Kagekiyo refuses this in spite of Yoritomo's good will and gouges his eyes to prove that he would never retaliate. Kagekiyo lives as an exile on the Hyûga Island (now Miyazaki Prefecture). Then we can learn about Kagekiyo's daughter Itotaki, taken as prostitute in Hanabishiya brothel at Suruga (now Shizuoka Prefecture) who is trying to get money to restore her father to his social position. She travels far away from Suruga to Hyûga Island. There Itotaki urges Kagekiyo to get an official rank, but the old, hard-nosed man refuses to ever conjoin with Yoritomo. We can see the deep love of Itotaki toward her father, which became unfulfilled and unrequited as the tragedy of Kagekiyo goes on. The drama of Kagekiyo and his loving daughter is very fitting for Japan's ephemeral autumn.

Courtesy of Petr Holý, Adjunct Researcher, The Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum, Waseda University

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Shidô, Kataoka Kamezô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Nakamura Toranosuke, Nakamura Kamenojô

The Heisei Nakamuraza is in Kitakyûshû in Fukuoka Prefecture. First time since the end of the Heisei era and first time in Kyûshû! The temporary koshibai look-alike theater is built in the precincts of the Kokura Castle. These performances celebrate the 60th anniversary of the reconstructiojn of the keep of this castle in 1959.

Tonbê Sumika: this play was written by Hiraga Gennai, an Edo inventor, explorer and writer of comic fiction. Young Ofune is the obedient daughter of her evil father Tonbê, the keeper of a river crossing. She meets and falls in love with a young fugitive. Unfortunately, her father wants to capture the fugitive for a reward and Ofune can only save his life by sacrificing her own. Starring Nakamura Shichinosuke and Bandô Yajûrô in the roles of Ofune and Tonbê.

Omatsuri: Nakamura Kankurô as a gallant fireman boss at a festival telling a rueful tale of failure in love and showing the vigorous work songs of firefighters.

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 Nakamura Shidô as Chûbê, Nakamura Shichinosuke as Umegawa, Nakamura Kankurô as Chûbê's treacherous friend Tanbaya Hachiemon, Kataoka Kamezô as Tsuchiya Jiemon and Nakamura Kamenojô as Oen, the proprietress of the teahouse.

Ogasawara Sôdô:
(The Troubles in the Ogasawara Clan)
This play is based on a true incident in Kyûshû in which the head retainer of a clan gained great power and tried to take over. It was dramatized in the late 19th century in the showy, theatrical style of Kamigata Kabuki. It takes the sober story of the inner workings of a samurai clan and combines them with the scheming of a sexy geisha who has become the lover of a lord, and a magical fox who takes the form of a samurai footman to repay the lord for saving his life. This play was revived in recent years to showcase both this style of Kabuki and the talents of young stars and promises to be an exciting experience of Kabuki. Featuring Bandô Yajûrô (Ogasawara Tôtômi-no-Kami), Nakamura Kankurô (Okada Ryôsuke, Inugami Hyôbu), Nakamura Shidô (Ogasawara Haito, the yakko Kikuhei, in reality the fox of Mt. Myôjin), Nakamura Shichinosuke (Odai-no-Kata, Ryôsuke's wife Okano) and Kataoka Kamezô (Ogasawara Buzen-no-Kami).

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ennosuke, Nakamura Hayato, Bandô Shingo, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Omezô, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Juen, Ichikawa Kôtarô, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Ichimura Takematsu, Nakamura Tamatarô, Ichikawa Otora, Ichikawa Ukon, Asano Kazuyuki, Kashima Noritoshi, Ishibashi Shôji, Shimomura Ao, Ishiguro Hideo, Takahashi Yô

The Sûpâ Kabuki Sekando drama "Shinpan Oguri" is a revised version of 1991 Sûpâ Kabuki drama "Oguri".

Shinpan Oguri:
(Oguri, a New Version)
Oguri Hangan (alternatively Ichikawa Ennosuke or Nakamura Hayato) is the heaven-sent child of Vaisravana, a good-looking youth and a master of the martial arts and horsemanship. He comes across Princess Terute who lives in Sagami Province. They fall in love and pledge their troth. However, this is against the law and he is killed by her father. Oguri comes before Enma Daiô, the King of Hell, who sends him back to the world with his face disfigured and his limbs wasted away as a punishment for his self-indulgence and refusal to take notice of others. Totally disfigured, he cannot walk, and makes his way to Kumano Shrine to be cured, sitting in a cart drawn by volunteers. On the way, fatefully, he meets Princess Terute again but she does not notice him. Will he be able to return to his original appearance? What will become of his love for her?

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô, Kamimura Kichiya, Sawamura Sônosuke

This is the 12th Kabuki program at the Eirakukan, a renovated traditional theater built in the city of Toyooka (prefecture of Hyôgo). The first item in the program is a newly-created Kabuki dôjôjimono drama. The second item is Kawatake Mokuami's rarely-staged dance-drama "Odoke Niwaka Ataka no Shinseki", which was staged for the last time July 1993 at the Nakaza.

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.

Sagi Musume: one of the most famous dances in Kabuki, this figure is familiar through pictures and Japanese dolls. A beautiful young woman all in white appears in the snowy landscape. She dances lightly of love, but then reveals that she is the spirit of a bird, a magnificent heron that struggles wounded through a snowstorm. Starring onnagata superstar Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô in a dance that he has made famous through performances around the world.

Yôkihi: this is a rare performance of a play by Osaragi Jirô, the novelist most famous for the Robin Hood-like character Kurama Tengu. The play was originally written for a Shinpa troupe and dramatizes one of the most famous incidents in Chinese history. Yang Guifei (Yôkihi in Japanese) was a beautiful woman from a humble family who became the mistress of the Tang emperor. His love for her was such that the entire empire nearly crumbled. The play focuses on Yôkihi's rise and her relationship with the young court official that loves her, first brings her to the emperor and serves her faithfully as a court eunuch. Finally he begs to be the one to kill her when rebellion and a coup d'etat threaten the empire. Starring Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô in the role of Yôkihi.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ebizô, Ichikawa Udanji, Nakamura Kotarô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Nakamura Baika

Fifth edition of the ABKAI (Ebikai in Japanese) and first chapter (daiisshô in Japanese) of the final round of ABKAI performances, a gala for the young star Ichikawa Ebizô, who performs in a newly-created drama based on the classic "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki" and the story of the warrior Saitô no Sanemori.