2 shows in Nagoya (Misonoza), 5 in Tôkyô (Shinbashi Enbujô, National Theatre, NHK Hall, Nissay Theatre), 1 in Kyôto (Minamiza), 1 in Yoshinoyama (Kinpusanji) and 2 in Kagoshima (Mishima-mura Kabuki, Kagoshima Ôkabuki)!

Ichikawa Danjûrô, Nakamura Kichiemon, Bandô Mitsugorô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Fukusuke, Ichikawa Ebizô and Nakamura Kashô perform at the Misonoza!

Lots of young talented actors at the Shinbashi Enbujô!

Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Tokizô, Onoe Kikunosuke and Onoe Shôroku perform at the National Theatre!

Sakata Tôjûrô, Nakamura Kanjaku and Nakamura Hashinosuke perform at the Minamiza!

Bandô Tamasaburô performs at the Nissay Theatre!

Ichikawa Danjûrô, Nakamura Kichiemon, Bandô Mitsugorô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Fukusuke, Ichikawa Ebizô, Nakamura Kashô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Tôzô, Ichikawa Somegorô

47th kaomise at the Misonoza, which celebrates two shûmei: Nakamura Kashô III and his son Nakamura Tanetarô IV take the respective names of Nakamura Matagorô III and Nakamura Kashô IV.

Hakkenden:
(The Eight Dog Warriors)
the original novel is an immense epic by 19th century novelist Takizawa Bakin published over many years, but eventually reaching one-hundred and sixty volumes. The Satomi clan is being attacked and its lord offers his daughter Princess Fuse to the warrior that will bring him the head of the enemy. It is his loyal dog that kills and beheads the enemy and, saying that her father must not go back on his word, Princess Fuse goes with the dog. Nevertheless, the Satomi clan is defeated and one of its loyal retainers goes to rescue Princess Fuse, shooting the dog, but unfortunately shooting Princess Fuse as well. The eight crystal beads of her rosary, each engraved with the Chinese characters of one of the Confucian virtues, goes flying through the air. Miraculously, each will be found with a newborn baby. These eight children, all of whom have the character inu for "dog" in their names, eventually meet and join together to restore the Satomi clan. The play features all the stars of the company and follows the adventures of the eight dog warriors as they meet and gradually join together, leading to a climactic fight on the roof of a dizzyingly high tower. Featuring Ichikawa Ebizô, Ichikawa Somegorô and the new Nakamura Kashô.

Ichijô Ôkura Monogatari: the world is ruled by Taira no Kiyomori, the leader of the Heike clan. Tokiwa Gozen, the widow of the head of the defeated Genji clan and mother of Yoritomo and Yoshitsune, the future leaders of the clan, has become the mistress of the dictator Kiyomori, then the wife of Lord Ôkura, a seemingly simple-minded fool who spends all his time watching pretty women dance. Outraged members of the Genji clan sneak into Lord Ôkura's mansion only to discover that Tokiwa Gozen's immorality and Lord Ôkura's idiocy are a guise, the only way to survive in a world ruled by the enemy. This performance stars Nakamura Kichiemon as Lord Ôkura, Nakamura Kaishun as Tokiwa Gozen, Ichikawa Somegorô as Yoshioka Kijirô and Nakamura Shibajaku as Yoshioka's wife Okyô.

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 Nakamura Matagorô III and Nakamura Kashô IV.

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 Ichikawa Danjûrô as Kudô and some of the most popular young stars in Kabuki with the new Nakamura Matagorô as Gorô and Nakamura Baigyoku as Jûrô. Featuring also Bandô Mitsugorô, Nakamura Fukusuke, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Nakamura Karoku and the new Nakamura Kashô.

Sumôba: "Futatsu Chôchô" means "two butterflies" and also comes from the fact that two sumô wrestlers who play important roles in the full length play have names beginning with "chô": Chôkichi and Chôgorô. In order to help his master Yamazakiya Yogorô (Ichikawa Somegorô) buy out the contract of the beautiful Azuma (Nakamura Shibajaku), the senior wrestler Nuregami Chôgorô throws a match, letting the younger wrestler Hanaregoma Chôkichi win, hoping to get his help. But Chôkichi loses his temper and the two end up competing in a test of pride. Starring popular actor Nakamura Kichiemon as Chôgorô and the new Nakamura Matagorô as Chôkichi.

Bô Shibari:
(Tied to a Pole)
A dance play based on a classical Kyôgen farce. A master is irritated that his two servants always drink his wine while he is out. He plots with his servant Tarôkaja (Ichikawa Ebizô) to trick the other servant Jirôkaja (Bandô Mitsugorô) into demonstrating his skill at stick fighting, tying him to the stick. The master then ties up Tarôkaja as well. But he is outsmarted when the two still manage to drink his wine while tied up. Their happy singing and dancing while tied up is a dazzling display of virtuoso dancing and star two of the finest young dancers in Kabuki.

Sukeroku: the dandy Sukeroku is the most famous patron of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters. But his reputation as the lover of Agemaki, the highest ranking courtesan in the quarter is matched by that of his tendency to pick fights. In fact, Sukeroku is the samurai Soga no Gorô in disguise, and he uses the fights to find a lost heirloom sword. His search takes place in the colorful atmosphere of the Yoshiwara where processions of beautiful courtesans compete with the splendor of cherry blossoms in full bloom. All the top stars in Kabuki appear in a procession of beautiful, exciting and amusing roles. Starring Ichikawa Danjûrô and Nakamura Fukusuke as Hanakawado Sukeroku and Miuraya Agemaki. Featuring also Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Baigyoku, Ichikawa Ebizô, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Karoku, Bandô Mitsugorô, Nakamura Tôzô and Nakamura Kinnosuke in the roles of Ikyû, the shirozake seller Shinbê, Fukuyama Katsugi, the courtesan Miuraya Shiratama, the passer-by, Kanpera Monbei, Mankô and Asagao Senpei.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Kataoka Ainosuke, Ichikawa Danshirô, Ichikawa Kamejirô, Ichikawa Ukon, Ichikawa Emiya, Nakamura Shidô

Yoshikata Saigo: the full-length play shows the early rise of the Genji clan after a time of oppression. Yoshikata (Kataoka Ainosuke) is the lone member of the Genji clan and pretends to have no interest in reviving its fortunes, but Yukitsuna (Nakamura Shidô) a good-humored footman who is actually a spy, realizes his true intentions. Yoshikata is about to have a son, the general Yoshinaka, who will lead the Genji to victory, but Yoshikata himself is attacked and surrounded and dies in a spectacular scene where he falls from the top of a flight of stairs.

Kyô Ningyô: this dance tells the story of the woodcarver Hidari Jingorô, famous for the sleeping cat on the great gate of Nikkô. He brings a statue of a beautiful courtesan to life and then there is a spectacular fight scene with a variety of carpenter’s tools. Starring Ichikawa Ukon as Jingorô and Ichikawa Emiya as the doll of the courtesan.

Gozonji Isshin Tasuke:
(The Prosperity of Edo)
This is a rare performance of a play featuring the popular character Isshin Tasuke, a gallant fishmonger living in the days of the Shôgun Tokugawa Iemitsu who, although a lowly commoner, works together with the highest government officials to fight injustice. Although Isshin Tasuke is famous in ballads and movies, he is rarely presented on the Kabuki stage, making this an exciting opportunity to see this hero brought to life. Starring Nakamura Shidô in the role of Isshin Tasuke. Featuring also Ichikawa Kamejirô and Kataoka Ainosuke.

Tôryû Oguri Hangan:
(The Modern Story of Oguri Hangan)
In the medieval period, there were ballads that told tales of Buddhist miracles and various legendary heroes. One of the most popular stories was about the warrior Oguri Hangan who was able to make horses perform acrobatics and even got his horse to balance on top of a goban. He used his abilities to win the love of Princess Terute, the daughter of the governor of Hitachi, but the jealousy of her family caused him to be poisoned, transforming him into a paralyzed mummy. Princess Terute undergoes great hardship pulling a cart holding him traveling throughout the country, but finally, he is revived miraculously in a holy waterfall. The story of Oguri Hangan is one that the actor Ichikawa Ennosuke has made his own, embellishing it with spectacular staging and his trademark flight through the air. This month, the younger stars of Kabuki will perform in this play for the first time, working to keep this modern classic alive. Starring Ichikawa Kamejirô in the leading roles of Oguri Hangan, the fisherman Namishichi and Okoma. Featuring also Ichikawa Emiya (Princess Terute), Ichikawa Danshirô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Shidô and Ichikawa Ukon.

Source: Earphone Guide website
Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website for "Isshin Tasuke" and "Oguri Hangan"

Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Tokizô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Onoe Shôroku

"Kaimaku Kyôki Adauchi Monogatari" is a Kabuki version of Kyokutei Bakin's novel "Kaikan Kyôki Kyôkakuden", "Daring Adventures of Chivalrous Men", 4 volumes which were published between 1832 and 1835.

Kaimaku Kyôki Adauchi Monogatari
(A Tale of Revenge of the Two Kingdoms)
The late Edo Period writer Kyokutei Bakin (1767-1848) is famous for his long romances, full of adventure and fantasy and with his own special take on history. Readers have long thrilled to the stories of the Eight Dog Warriors of the Satomi Clan and the story of the warrior Tametomo in exile in the novel "Chinsetsu Yumiharizuki." These stories have also inspired Kabuki versions, most notably a new version of "Chinsetsu Yumiharizuki" written especially for the National Theatre by the novelist Mishima Yukio. In October 2011, to begin the season celebrating the forty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the National Theatre there will be a spectacular new version of a late unfinished novel by Bakin. The novel is set in the age of the third Ashikaga Shôgun, the fabulous Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The Ashikaga clan took power after the imperial court tried to take power back for itself and then split into two factions, each claiming legitimacy for itself. This was the period of the Northern and Southern Courts. Yoshimitsu tried to manipulate this struggle to make the Ashikaga shogunate all powerful. But each of the sides had great heroes like Nitta Yoshisada and Kusunoki Masashige. The story focuses on their descendants, the next generations of heroes. Their encounters and intrigues are full of exciting events and finally comes to a climax at Yoshimitsu's famous palace, the Golden Pavilion in Kyôto. There is a new tradition at the National Theatre of new plays and revivals supervised by the Kabuki actor Onoe Kikugorô and this will challenge the talents of his group of actors and the production staff to its fullest. The play will be full of tense drama, comedy, the spectacular tachimawari fight scenes of the Kikugorô Theatre Troupe and finally, a double chûnori flight through the air going along both sides of the auditorium, a first for the National Theatre.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Sakata Tôjûrô, Nakamura Kanjaku, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô

"Sumizome no Nenbutsu Hijiri" is a newly-created Kabuki drama, which is staged to commemorate the Buddhist priest Hônen (1133~1212).

Ya-no-Ne: like a picture come to life, this play combines the most exaggerated costumes and movements with leisurely humor. The aragoto hero Soga no Gorô is sharpening a giant arrow and sleeping in wishes of good fortune for the New Year when he sees his brother Jûrô in a dream asking him to come and rescue him. The two Soga brothers are part of one of the most popular vendetta stories in Kabuki, suffering for eighteen years before being able to avenge the death of their father. In this play, when Gorô finds out that his brother is in trouble, he jumps on the horse of a passing daikon vendor and, brandishing a giant daikon as a whip prepares to rush to his brother's side. Starring Nakamura Hashinosuke and Nakamura Kanjaku as Gorô and Jûrô.

Hônen Jônin Monogatari
(The Saint in Black: The Story of Hônen)
Hônen (1133~1212) was a Buddhist priest that revolutionized Japanese Buddhism. Until his time, Buddhism was for the powerful elite and to protect the state, but Hônen preached that through a sincere prayer to the Amidha Buddha all people could find salvation in the Pure Land. This year marks the eight hundredth anniversary of Hônen's death and to commemorate it, Minamiza will present a new play celebrating Hônen. Hônen has just died and on the occasion of the dedicating of an image of the Amidha Buddha, people recall the many people he helped, including Kumagai Jirô Naozane, a warrior tired of war. They then recall the many political battles he faced, that finally sent him into exile. Starring Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô and Nakamura Hashinosuke in the roles of Hônen and Kumagai. Featuring also Nakamura Kanjaku, Nakamura Kikaku and Nakamura Kazutarô.

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 Nakamura Kanjaku in the role of the parent shishi and his son Nakamura Kazutarô in the role of the cub.

Source: Earphone Guide website
Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website for "Hônen Jônin Monogatari"

Bandô Tamasaburô, Bandô Yajûrô

Keisei: this dance shows the cultured elegance of the top-rank of courtesan (keisei in Japanese) in the pleasure quarters. Starring Bandô Tamasaburô in the role of the keisei.

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 Bandô Tamasaburô.

Yôkihi: based on a classical Nô play, this is a new dance showing Yang Guifei (Yôkihi in Japanese), the consort of the Tang Emperor whose beauty nearly toppled the empire. The play is set after her death and shows a magician sent by the grieving Tang Emperor to try to find her spirit in the land of immortals. Starring Bandô Tamasaburô in the role of Yôkihi. Featuring also Bandô Yajûrô.

Source: Earphone Guide website
Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website for "Keisei" and "Yôkihi"

Nakamura Kichiemon, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Matagorô, Nakamura Tôzô

38th 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.

Keya-mura: Rokusuke (Nakamura Kichiemon), a sword master who lives a simple country life, is taking care of a small foundling child. He hangs the boy's kimono outside his house in the hope that the boy's relatives will see it and know where he is. One day he finds himself attacked by a woman named Osono (Nakamura Shibajaku) who turns out to be the aunt of the child. As they talk, they find that they are in fact linked by promises of marriage although they have never met directly. Osono is searching for the killer of her father, Rokusuke's master, and Rokusuke promises to help in her vendetta.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Kataoka Nizaemon, Kataoka Takatarô, Kataoka Sennosuke

Original outdoors Kabuki performance, in the precincts of the famous Kinpusanji temple which is located in the heart of Yoshinoyama:

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 Kataoka Takatarô.

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 Kataoka Nizaemon in the role of the parent shishi and his grandson Kataoka Sennosuke in the role of the cub.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Nakamura Kanzaburô, Kataoka Kamezô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Kantarô, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Nakamura Kannojô

Original outdoors Kabuki performance on the Island of Iôjima, one of the 3 islands of the Mishima Village, which belongs to the Kagoshima City. Iôjima is 5.5 kilometres in length from east to west and 4.0 kilometres from north to south. Historically it is identified as Kikai Island, an island of exile, where the priest Shunkan was exiled. A real boat will be used instead of the usual stage prop! This outdoors right-on-location "Shunkan" performance was premiered 15 years ago. This time is the second edition.

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 Kataoka Kamezô as the evil emissary Senoo and Nakamura Kantarô as the merciful envoy Tanzaemon. With Nakamura Tsurumatsu as the island girl Chidori and Nakamura Shichinosuke as Naritsune, Shunkan's fellow exile who has fallen in love with her.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Nakamura Kanzaburô, Kataoka Kamezô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Kantarô, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Nakamura Kannojô

1-evening only Kabuki performance in the city of Kagoshima.

Bô Shibari:
(Tied to a Pole)
A dance play based on a classical Kyôgen farce. A master is irritated that his two servants always drink his wine while he is out. He plots with his servant Tarôkaja (Kataoka Kamezô) to trick the other servant Jirôkaja (Nakamura Kantarô) into demonstrating his skill at stick fighting, tying him to the stick. The master then ties up Tarôkaja as well. But he is outsmarted when the two still manage to drink his wine while tied up. Their happy singing and dancing while tied up is a dazzling display of virtuoso dancing and star two of the finest young dancers in Kabuki.

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 Kataoka Kamezô as the evil emissary Senoo and Nakamura Kantarô as the merciful envoy Tanzaemon. With Nakamura Tsurumatsu as the island girl Chidori and Nakamura Shichinosuke as Naritsune, Shunkan's fellow exile who has fallen in love with her.

Source: Earphone Guide website