2 shows in Nagoya (Misonoza), 2 in Ôsaka (Heisei Nakamuraza), 5 in Tôkyô (Shinbashi Enbujô, National Theatre, Akasaka Act Theater, NHK Hall) and 1 in Kyôto (Chion'in)!

Sakata Tôjûrô, Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Kanjaku and Onoe Kikunosuke perform at the Misonoza!

Ichikawa Danjûrô, Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Tomijûrô, Bandô Mitsugorô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Kataoka Gatô and Nakamura Fukusuke perform at the Shinbashi Enbujô!

The Nakamuraya guild (Nakamura Kanzaburô and his two sons), Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Nakamura Shidô and Bandô Yajûrô perform at the Heisei Nakamuraza!

Nakamura Kichiemon and Nakamura Shibajaku perform at the National Theatre!

The star Bandô Tamasaburô perform at the Akasaka Act Theater!

Sakata Tôjûrô, Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Kanjaku, Onoe Kikunosuke, Sawamura Tanosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Ichikawa Danzô, Bandô Hikosaburô

46th kaomise at the Misonoza. Namiki Gohei's long-forgotten drama "Keisei Kogane no Shachihoko", which was revived and expanded in January 2010 at the National Theatre is staged under the new title "Asahi-ni Kagayaku Kin no Shachihoko" to commemorate the 400-year anniversary of the establishment of the city of Nagoya. The creation of the town of Nagoya began in 1610, with the beginning of the construction of Nagoya Castle, and the transfer of the entire town of Kiyosu. "Keisei Kogane no Shachihoko" was premiered in the 12th lunar month of 1782 in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai and successfully produced up to the middle of 3rd lunar month of 1783.

Kin no Shachihoko: the hero of this work is Kakinoki Kinsuke who is a legendary thief in Edo era and said to have flown on a kite to Nagoya Castle and stolen scales from a golden grampus on its roof. He appeared first in a drama as a rebel in "Keisei Kogane no Shachihoko" by Namiki Gohei in 1783. Since it had been well received Kakinoki Kinsuke became a popular character and many dramas about him had been performed. But they had not been performed about 100 year. Commemorating the 400th anniversary of Nagoya Castle, Kakinoki Kinsuke comes back to stage this month in "Asahi-ni Kagayaku Kin no Shachihoko" which is much revised from "Keisei Kogane no Shachihoko". How Kinsuke vows to avenge his father and rule over the world and the house hold trouble of Oda Harunaga family, the lord of Nagoya Castle, is shown in this drama. Enjoy entertaining directions as Kinsuke flies across over the audience seat on a big kite and steals a grampus and struggles in the water. Starring Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô as Kinsuke and Onoe Kikunosuke as Narumi Haruyoshi.

Shiokumi: in the classical Nô Theatre, there are few plays as evocative as Matsukaze, the story of a court noble exiled to the seacoast where he falls in love with two fisher women. The women make their living scooping up heavy buckets of sea water to make salt and this has become a famous dance. Starring Sakata Tôjûrô as the shiokumi Matsukaze and Nakamura Kanjaku as Konohê.

Shirabyôshi no Hana no En:
(The flowery Banquet of the shirabyôshi)
In the medieval period there were beautiful dancers called shirabyôshi who wore male court costume. they were famous for dances called otoko mai or "male dance". In this dance, Nakamura Tokizô evokes one of these beauties of ancient Japan.

Meiboku Sendai Hagi: this play is about the attempt to take over one of the most famous samurai households in the Edo period, the Date clan ruling Sendai, a scandal that caused a sensation in its day. After the death of the lord of the clan, his young heir is the target of villains. Masaoka (Sakata Tôjûrô), the boy's nurse is desperately afraid that he will be poisoned. She refuses to let anyone see him who might try to assassinate him and attempts to keep him safe in the women's quarters where men are forbidden. She even fixes his meal in her quarters using her delicate tea ceremony implements to cook rice. The plotting faction does not give up, though, and sends poison in the form of candy as a present from the Shôgun. Masaoka's son Senmatsu sacrifices his life for the young lord by eating the poisoned candy, and when he is killed by the evil Yashio (Ichikawa Danshirô), Masaoka thinks only of protecting her lord. Her fierce devotion to duty convinces the plotters that she is on their side. Masaoka's actions help save the young lord, and only when she is alone can she grieve for her son. As another faithful retainer Otokonosuke (Nakamura Kanjaku), stands guard underneath the room, the evil Nikki Danjô (Onoe Shôroku) appears as a giant rat, but then slips away, walking calmly through the clouds. Featuring also Nakamura Tokizô (Okinoi) and Sawamura Tanosuke (Sakae Gozen).

Migawari Zazen: a dance play adopted from a classical kyôgen farce. A man (Onoe Kikugorô) wants nothing more than to visit his lover Hanako, but he has one important problem, his homely and overbearing wife (Nakamura Kanjaku). He creates a scheme saying that he will be practicing Zen meditation all night and has his servant take his place while he visits Hanako. He returns, giddy from a night of pleasure and tells his story to his servant in dance, unaware that his wife has discovered his deception and has taken his servant's place.

Benten Musume: this play is a sewamono (realistic play about commoners) written by the late 19th century playwright Mokuami who is famous for his plays about thieves. The thief Benten Kozô dresses up as a woman to commit extortion, but his plans are ruined when his disguise is seen through. In the highlight of the play, he undresses, showing his colorful tattoos and introduces himself in a famous poetic speech. Afterwards, he is joined by the members of his gang on a riverbank, and, using the playwright's famous poetic rhythms, in turn, they each boast of their careers as thieves. Onoe Kikunosuke stars as Benten Kozô, with Ichikawa Danzô as Nippon Daemon and Onoe Shôroku as Nangô Rikimaru.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Ichikawa Danjûrô, Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Tomijûrô, Bandô Mitsugorô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Kataoka Gatô, Nakamura Fukusuke, Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Kataoka Takatarô, Kataoka Hidetarô, Bandô Takesaburô, Kamimura Kichiya, Bandô Minosuke, Kataoka Shinnosuke, Bandô Shûchô, Bandô Kokichi

Yoritomo no Shi: a play by Mayama Seika first presented in 1932. Minamoto no Yoritomo created a strong warrior government, but died very soon, leaving things to his son Yoriie (Nakamura Baigyoku). But Yoriie feels that there is something suspicious about his father’s death and is in torment because even though he is supposed to be the most powerful man in the land, no one will tell him anything. It ends with a confrontation with his mother Hôjô Masako (Nakamura Kaishun), who is ready to kill her own son rather than let the truth out that could destroy their rule. She declares that a man has only one short life, but the clan must survive to the end of time. Featuring also Nakamura Kinnosuke, Kataoka Takatarô and Ichikawa Sadanji.

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 Bandô Mitsugorô in the role of the parent shishi and his son Bandô Minosuke in the role of the cub. It is staged to commemorate the 49th anniversary (50th memorial service), the 36th anniversary (37th memorial service) and the 12th anniversary (13th memorial service) of the deaths of late Bandô Mitsugorô VII, late Bandô Mitsugorô VIII and late Bandô Mitsugorô IX.

Kagatobi: the firemen serving the fabulously wealthy Kaga clan were famous for their colorful spirit. This play features a short pageant of these firefighters combined with a dark story of the sinister masseur Dôgen who uses murder, theft and extortion to satisfy his lust and greed. The actor playing Dôgen doubles as one of the gallant bosses of the firefighting gang alongside the firefighter that unmasks Dôgen’s villainy. Starring Ichikawa Danjûrô as Dôgen and the firefighter Umekichi, and Kataoka Nizaemon as Matsuzô, the firefighter that defeats Dôgen. Featuring also Bandô Mitsugorô, Nakamura Fukusuke and Ichikawa Sadanji.

Moritsuna Jin'ya: this play is one of the greatest classics of the jidaimono historical play style. Two brothers, Moritsuna and Takatsuna are generals on opposing sides. Moritsuna's forces are greater in number and strength, but his brother's brilliant strategies allow him to escape by preying on Moritsuna's psychological weaknesses. Ruthlessly, Takatsuna has his son sacrifice his life to force Moritsuna to identify the head of an imposter as that of his dead brother. Starring Kataoka Nizaemon as Moritsuna, with Kataoka Hidetarô as Mimyô, the mother of the two brothers, Nakamura Kaishun as Kagaribi, the wife of Takatsuna, and Ichikawa Danjûrô as the crafty general Wada no Hyôe. Featuring also Bandô Mitsugorô, Kataoka Gatô, Nakamura Kinnosuke and Kataoka Takatarô.

Dontsuku:
(Juggling to Entertain the Gods)
This lively dance features a crowd of pleasure seekers, male and female, of all kinds of social stations. But the center attraction is a performer of daikagura who does juggling acts and tops off the act with a basketwork cylinder on a pole, which he uses to deftly throw and catch several balls. This dance is staged to commemorate the 49th anniversary (50th memorial service), the 36th anniversary (37th memorial service) and the 12th anniversary (13th memorial service) of the deaths of late Bandô Mitsugorô VII, late Bandô Mitsugorô VIII and late Bandô Mitsugorô IX. Featuring Bandô Mitsugorô, his son Bandô Minosuke, Ichikawa Danjûrô, Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Tomijûrô, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Baigyoku and many others actors.

Sakaya: this play is supposed to be about the love suicide of Hanshichi, the son of a sake merchant, and the dancer Sankatsu, but the true heart of the drama is the effect of this romance on his family. Hanshichi is forced to kill a man and although his father has apparently disowned him, in fact, he lets himself be arrested in his son's place. The most famous moment of this play is the lament of Osono, the wife that Hanshichi was arranged to marry. Even though she has never been loved by Hanshichi, in her heart is only selfless love and concern for him. Starring Nakamura Fukusuke as both Hanshichi and Osono. Featuring also Kataoka Gatô, Bandô Takesaburô, Kamimura Kichiya and Kataoka Takatarô (Sankatsu).

Source: Earphone Guide website

Nakamura Kanzaburô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Shidô, Nakamura Kantarô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Nakamura Mantarô

The Heisei Nakamuraza is in Ôsaka for the second time. This time, it is a 2-month project, with four different programs (2 in October and 2 in November).

Kumagai Jin'ya: this play is a dramatization of the clash between the Genji general Kumagai Jirô Naozane and the Heike warrior Taira no Atsumori at the battle of Ichi-no-Tani, one of the most famous passages of the epic "Tales of the Heike". In the Kabuki version, on the cryptic orders of the Genji leader Yoshitsune, Kumagai hides the enemy warrior Atsumori and has his own son take the warrior's place. On the battlefield, Kumagai has to kill his own son in Atsumori's place. Things become worse when his wife Sagami and Atsumori's mother Fuji-no-Kata arrive at his camp. In the highlight of the play, he tells them the story of his mortal battle with Atsumori, keeping Atsumori's well-being and his own sacrifice a secret. He then shows the head of Atsumori for inspection by his leader to see if he has interpreted his orders correctly. This performance stars Nakamura Hashinosuke as Kumagai, with Nakamura Senjaku as Kumagai's wife Sagami, Nakamura Shidô as Yoshitsune and Bandô Yajûrô as Midaroku.

Momijigari: the general Taira Koremochi (Nakamura Shidô) travels to the mountains to view the autumn leaves when he suddenly encounters a beautiful princess (Nakamura Kantarô) and her entourage. Aided by the elegant dancing of the princess and a large amount of sake, Koremochi falls asleep, not knowing that she is actually a fierce demon. The god of the mountain (Nakamura Tsurumatsu) dances vigorously to try to wake up Koremochi. But as the demon appears in its true form, Koremochi is saved by the magical power of his sword.

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 Kanzaburô as Chûbê, Nakamura Shichinosuke as Umegawa, Bandô Yajûrô as Chûbê's treacherous friend Tanbaya Hachiemon, Nakamura Hashinosuke as Jiemon and Nakamura Senjaku as Oen, the proprietress of the teahouse.

Shunkan: the priest Shunkan (Nakamura Kanzaburô) has been exiled to Devil's Island for plotting against the dictator Kiyomori. A pardon is given to his fellow conspirators, but Shunkan is only saved by an additional pardon given by Kiyomori's compassionate son. Even so, he gives up his place on the boat to freedom so his companion's new wife can accompany her husband back to the capital. The boat leaves and Shunkan is left watching is disappear in the distance, knowing he will be left on the island forever. Featuring Bandô Yajûrô as the evil emissary Senoo and Nakamura Kantarô as the merciful envoy Tanzaemon. With Nakamura Tsurumatsu/Bandô Shingo (in turns) as the island girl Chidori.

Taikô Zakura: in the late 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi took a fancy to the Daigoji Temple in Kyôto and ordered extensive rebuilding. A beautiful Japanese garden was built for Toyotomi Hideyoshi's famous hanami (cherry blossom viewing) party of 1598. This newly-created dance recreates the atmosphere of this spectacular hanami. Featuring Nakamura Kanzaburô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Nakamura Shidô and Nakamura Shichinosuke.

Benten Musume: this play is a sewamono (realistic play about commoners) written by the late 19th century playwright Mokuami who is famous for his plays about thieves. The thief Benten Kozô dresses up as a woman to commit extortion, but his plans are ruined when his disguise is seen through. In the highlight of the play, he undresses, showing his colorful tattoos and introduces himself in a famous poetic speech. Afterwards, he is joined by the members of his gang on a riverbank, and, using the playwright's famous poetic rhythms, in turn, they each boast of their careers as thieves. Nakamura Shichinosuke stars as Benten Kozô, with Nakamura Hashinosuke as Nippon Daemon, Nakamura Kantarô as Nangô Rikimaru and Nakamura Shidô as Tadanobu Rihei.

Source: Earphone Guide website, except "Taikô Zakura"

Nakamura Kichiemon, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Kashô, Ichikawa Somegorô

Tenpô Yûkyôroku: a low-ranking warrior is universally disliked for his dissolute behavior but he reforms for the sake of his small son who later becomes Katsu Kaishû, one of the leading figures of the Meiji Restoration of 1868. A modern historical play, it was written by Mayama Seika, one of the most important Japanese dramatists of the twentieth century.

Shôgun Edo o Saru: this modern play by Mayama Seika is part of a trilogy about the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The shogunate official Yamaoka Tetsutarô has already pleaded successfully to the imperial forces for the life of the shogun in return for his surrender. But the Shôgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu begins to reconsider and now Yamaoka must plead with the shogun to surrender without a struggle as he promised or he will run the risk of having the entire country fall into civil war.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Bandô Tamasaburô

"Botantei" is a new creation initiated by the star Bandô Tamasaburô and based on the famous Chinese Opera "The Peony Pavilion". The lyrics were written by Yumemakura Baku, who worked in 1991 with Bandô Tamasaburô for the creation of "Yôkihi". Bandô Tamasaburô shares the stage with performers of Kunqu, one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera which originated in the Suzhou region. This program was premiered in March 2008 at the Minamiza and was also staged in May 2008 in Beijing (China).

Kataoka Nizaemon, Kataoka Hidetarô, Kataoka Takatarô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Kataoka Sennosuke

37th edition of Koten Geinô Kanshô Kai (literally the "Classics Entertainment Appreciation Association"), a yearly performance produced by the National TV network NHK. The program includes one kyôgen, one Kabuki play, one traditional dance and traditional music.

Sanemori Monogatari: a play about the early days of the rivalry between the Genji and Heike warrior clans. The warrior Saitô Bettô Sanemori (Kataoka Nizaemon) has been charged by the leaders of the dominant Heike clan with finding Aoi Gozen, 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, 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.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Ichikawa Danjûrô, Sakata Tôjûrô, Nakamura Kinnosuke

Original outdoors Kabuki performance, in the precincts of the famous Chion'in temple which is located in Kyôto. This performance mixes a religious ceremony and two Kabuki dance-dramas. This special program commemorates the Daionki service, which is held once every 50 years.