6 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, Shinbashi Enbujô, National Theatre, NHK Hall), 2 in Nagoya (NTK Hall), 3 in Ôsaka (Shôchikuza, Heisei Nakamuraza), 1 in Kyôto (Minamiza), 1 in Nikkô (Nikkô Tôshôgû), 2 in Kumamoto (Yachiyoza, Yachiyoza) and 1 in Izumo (Izumo Taisha)!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô, Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Tokizô, Onoe Shôroku, Onoe Kikunosuke, Kataoka Takatarô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Ichikawa Danzô, Kataoka Hidetarô and Bandô Hikosaburô perform at the Kabukiza !

Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun and Nakamura Tôzô perform at the National Theatre!

Ichikawa Ennosuke and the Omodakaya guild perform at the Shinbashi Enbujô!

Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Nakamura Matagorô and Nakamura Karoku perform at the NTK Hall!

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku and Bandô Yajûrô perform at the Heisei Nakamuraza!

Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke perform at the Shôchikuza!

Ichikawa Ebizô performs at the Yachiyoza, Izumo Taisha, Nikkô Tôshôgû and Minamiza !

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô performs at the Yachiyoza!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô, Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Tokizô, Onoe Shôroku, Onoe Kikunosuke, Kataoka Takatarô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Ichikawa Danzô, Kataoka Hidetarô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Ichimura Kakitsu, Bandô Shûchô, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Ichikawa Unosuke, Bandô Kamesaburô, Bandô Kametoshi, Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Mantarô, Nakamura Kotarô, Onoe Ukon, Onoe Sakon, Kataoka Matsunosuke

The 26th anniversary (27th memorial service) of the passing away of Onoe Shôroku II is commemorated this month at the Kabukiza. 3 plays are staged to celebrate this anniversary: "Ya-no-Ne", "Bunshichi Mottoi" and "Kamiyui Shinza". Onoe Shôroku II's grandson Onoe Shôroku IV plays the roles of Soga Gorô Tokimune and the kamiyui Shinza in "Ya-no-Ne" and "Kamiyui Shinza". He has already had the opportunity to perform the former role but it is the first time he performs the latter role. Onoe Shôroku has already performed several times the role of Shinza's henchman Katsu. The tradition is that you can't perform the role of Shinza unless you've already played the role of Katsu. The tradition is therefore fully respected! An important highlight in these October programs is the staging of "Akoya" with Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô in the leading eponympous role. Young actors Onoe Kikunosuke and Bandô Kamesaburô play the roles of Chichibu no Shôji Shigetada and Iwanaga Saemon Munetsura. It is the first time for both of them! Another interesting feature in these programs is that two Living National Treasure perform minor supporting roles in "Kamiyui Shinza": Kataoka Nizaemon and Onoe Kikugorô will play the roles of Kagaya Tobê and the bonito-seller Shinkichi!

Otowa-ga-Dake Danmari:
(The danmari on Otowa Peak)
A danmari is a fight in the dark where all the characters grope in the dark over some key object. When it occurs in a play, it showcases the different characters, while the movement of objects creates plot complications that motivate the rest of the play. When a danmari is an independent play, it has some central characters and some special plot twist and each time it is performed, the rest of the cast is filled out with typical Kabuki characters to fit the actors who will appear. "Otowa-ga-Dake Dammari" was first performed in 1935 in memory of Onoe Kikugorô V. Featuring Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Onoe Matsuya and Nakamura Baishi.

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 Onoe Shôroku and Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô as Gorô and Jûrô. Featuring also Bandô Hikosaburô and Kawarasaki Gonjûrô.

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 Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon as Lord Ôkura, Nakamura Tokizô as Tokiwa Gozen, Onoe Kikunosuke as Yoshioka Kijirô and Kataoka Takatarô as Yoshioka's wife Okyô.

Bunshichi Mottoi: Chôbê spends his days and nights gambling, but is finally made aware of his family's problems when his daughter takes a job in the pleasure quarters. Having received the money for her contract, he shows his good side to save a young man on the edge of suicide after losing a large sum of money, but nobody believes Chôbê, thinking that he has gambled the money away. The performance stars Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Tokizô and Nakamura Baishi in the roles of Chôbê, Chôbê's wife Okane and Bunshichi. Starring also Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô as Okoma. Featuring also Ichikawa Sadanji, Ichikawa Danzô, Onoe Shôroku and Onoe Matsuya.

Akoya: the courtesan Akoya is the wife of the fugitive general Kagekiyo and has been captured and will be tortured until she reveals his whereabouts. But she claims not to know. The wise Shigetada (Onoe Kikunosuke) puts Akoya to a test, all the time hindered by his companion, the humorous villain Iwanaga (Bandô Kamesaburô). Shigetada forces Akoya to play several instruments since the slightest disturbance in the sound would indicate that she is lying. A showpiece for an onnagata who must actually play the koto, the bowed kokyû and the shamisen flawlessly as part of the drama. Starring Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô as Akoya.

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 Onoe Shôroku as Shinza, Nakamura Baishi as Okuma, Nakamura Tokizô as Chûshichi and Ichikawa Danzô as Yatagorô Genshichi. Starring also Living National Treasures Onoe Kikugorô and Kataoka Nizaemon in two minor roles! Featuring also Kataoka Hidetarô, Bandô Shûchô and Ichikawa Unosuke.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Ukon, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa Omezô, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Shun'en, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Juen, Ichikawa Kôtarô, Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Hayato

A hot topic in Fall 2015: Oda Eiichirô's internationally popular manga "ONE PIECE" gets his first Kabuki adaptation by Ichikawa Ennosuke. Technically and artistically speaking, it is not Kabuki but Sûpâ Kabuki Sekando (the second generation of Sûpâ Kabuki), a genre created by Ichikawa Ennosuke III and continued by his nephew Ichikawa Ennosuke IV. Most of the actors are Kabuki actors, with 3 non-Kabuki guest actors : Fukushi Seiji, Kashima Noritoshi and Asano Kazuyuki.

ONE PIECE: "ONE PIECE", a big hit comic of Japan, and Super Kabuki II by Ichikawa Ennosuke IV make a miraculous collaboration! The largest-scale project ever begins! "ONE PIECE" has started since the July 1997 issue of Weekly Shônen Jump. As a book, the first volume was published in December 1997 and gained a national reputation soon. The series reach 77 volumes and the number of copies printed of the series is more than the world record 320,000,000, so it was awarded Guinness World Record as the most printed comic series by a writer in June 2015. Ichikawa Ennosuke IV is one of star Kabuki actors who will bear the next generation. He challenges aggressively to classic kabuki and new kabuki with rich expression and unique personality. He succeeded to the spirit of Super Kabuki which had been originated by his uncle Ichikawa Ennosuke III (Ichikawa En’ô II) and performed "Sora o Kizamu Mono" [A Man who sculptures the Sky] as the first play of Super Kabuki II in March and April 2014, which resulted in a great success. It is a marine adventure roman by the hero Luffy (Ichikawa Ennosuke) who explores the ocean with his diverse crew of pirates, named the Straw Hat Pirates, in search of the world ultimate treasure known as ONE PIECE in order to become the next Pirate King. The Straw Hat Pirates broke up in the battle against the navy at Sabaody Islands, the entrance to the new world, the next step to the big navigation in search of the world ultimate treasure. Luffy became alone, hears of his brother Ace’s execution and hurries to rescue him. Luffy is able to break through the navy’s barricade, but Ace has already been transferred to the navy head quarter. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates fight Summit Battle against the navy at its head quarter!

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Tôzô, Ichikawa Komazô, Nakamura Kikaku, Nakamura Matsue, Nakamura Kazutarô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Matsumoto Kingo, Ôtani Keizô, Sawamura Yoshijirô, Nakamura Jûjirô

"Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba" is staged in a tôshi kyôgen production (3 acts; 8 scenes) at the National Theatre. The rarely-staged "Daidaikô" act is revived! It was staged for the last time in July 1962 at the Kabukiza, more than 53 years ago.

Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba: in May 1796, there was a murder case caused by a local doctor Magofuku Itsuki at Aburaya, a courtesan house in Furuichi, Ise Province. Based on this incident, this piece has been enjoying high popularity since its first performance in July 1796, which got favorable notices for its artful structure and ingenious staging. Centering around the investigation into the celebrated sword Aoe Shimosaka that caused the feud of a daimyô family, the story set in the notable site in Ise unfolds, depicting the love between the main character Fukuoka Mitsugi who was modeled on Itsuki and Okon (Nakamura Kazutarô), a courtesan at Aburaya. This program is first performed in the National Theatre’s Kabuki Performance, and you can enjoy the full-length play, which is performed for the first time in 53 years. Aoe Shimosaka, a sword treasured in the Hachisuka family, the domain lords in Awa Province, went missing. Chief retainer’s son Imada Manjirô (Ichikawa Komazô) found the sword, but he pawns it for his amusement expenses, instigated by Tokushima Iwaji and his fellow-conspirators, part of the ensuing rebellion. On top of that, the ring replaces the genuine written appraisal for the sword with forged one. With his birth parents being the retainers of the Imada family, Mitsugi, an adopted son of his Ise mentor Fukuoka Magodayû, busily involves in the recovery of the sword and the appraisal. Magodayû's younger brother Saruta Hikodayû (Matsumoto Kingo) makes his nephew Shôjiki Shôdayû steal the daidaikô (a religious body set up for the visit to the Grand Shrines of Ise) reserve fund worthy 100 ryô, fixing the blame on Mitsugi. However, Mitsugi’s aunt Omine’s wittiness catches out the wrongdoing by Hikodayû and Shôdayû. Mitsugi visits Aburaya in order to give Manjirô the Aoe Shimosaka sword, which he obtained in cooperation with Omine. However, Iwaji switches the blades secretly. Besides, Mitsugi gets abandoned by his sweetheart Okon. Her true intention, however, was to take back the appraisal for Mitsugi by pretending she was giving herself to Iwaji. Insulted by chief maid Manno who supports Iwaji, and also abused by Iwaji and his sidekicks, Mitsugi goes off keeping a lid on his anger. Then, the cook Kisuke, a retainer of Mitsugi, notices that Iwaji switched the swords so he hands Mitsugi the genuine one. But Mitsugi believes he has the fake not knowing the fact, and returns to Aburaya, then slashes Manno during arguments with her. As if led by the weird and ghostly air of the sword, he goes on to slay Manno, Iwaji and others. Later, Mitsugi finds the real intention of Okon, who hands the appraisal to him, and realizes from Kisuke’s words that he has the genuine sword. He heads to see Manjirô, to hand him the sword and the appraisal. In roller-coastering opening acts, you can enjoy the natural appeal of Kabuki such as the funny give-and-take over the secret letters on an evil deed in "Okkake" and "Jizô-mae", and a fantastic dumb show given in the dark in "Futami-ga-Ura". In the comedy "Daidaikô", the humorous performance by the clown villain Shôdayû livens up the stage. In "Aburaya", Mitsugi’s anger gradually boils up while the characters with lots of personality get involved. The elaborate depiction of such a process attracts the interest of the audience, making all of you glue to the stage till the end, the appalling scene of murder in "Okuniwa". Nakamura Baigyoku plays the role of the good-looking hero Mitsugi throughout the whole play. Also, we have a variegated lineup for you, including Nakamura Kaishun as Manno; Nakamura Tôzô as Omine; and Nakamura Ganjirô, doubling as Shôdayû and Kisuke. Featuring also Ôtani Tomoemon and Nakamura Kikaku as Fujinami Sazen and the yakko Rinpei.

Source: National Theatre

Nakamura Kikaku, Nakamura Umemaru, Matsumoto Kin'ya, Nakamura Gannosuke, Sawamura Ujûrô, Nakamura Toshiya, Nakamura Toshijirô, Nakamura Harunosuke, Matsumoto Kinji

16th Training Recital at the National Theatre produced by the Organization for the Preservation of Kabuki. "Otanoshimi Zadankai" (literally "Enjoyable Roundtable Discussion") is a stage speech supervised by the long-time NHK announcer Kasai Seiji.

Ise Ondo: this play is famous for its classical depiction of a woman who must pretend to reject her lover for his sake and for the beautiful and gruesome dance-like killing scene at the end, done to the music of the Ise pleasure quarters. Fukuoka Mitsugi (Nakamura Kikaku), a young apprentice at the holy Shrine of Ise tries to help find the stolen treasured sword of his clan out of duty to his former lord. Mitsugi has the sword in his possession, but must now find the certificate of authentication and in order to get it for him, Okon (Nakamura Umemaru), a courtesan who is in love with Mitsugi must pretend to forsake Mitsugi. But he believes that she has truly betrayed him and further angered by the humiliating accusations of Manno (Nakamura Gannosuke), the head maid of the Aburaya brothel, Mitsugi inadvertently draws the sword, said to be cursed, and the rampage begins. Featuring also Matsumoto Kin'ya in the role of the cook Kisuke.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Nakamura Matagorô, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Yonekichi, Nakamura Tanenosuke

The October kaomise programs in Nagoya. As the Misonoza closed in Spring 2013, these programs are staged at the Nihon Tokushu Tôgyô Shimin Kaikan for the third time, a venue commonly called NTK Hall in Nagoya.

Anma to Dorobô:
(The Blind Masseur and the Thief)
This modern play by Murakami Genzô shows a thief (Nakamura Kinnosuke) who tries to rob a blind masseur (Nakamura Karoku) of his savings, thinking that he would be an easy target. But the masseur is more than a match for him and before the thief knows what has happened, the two are drinking together like old friends and the masseur begins to try to persuade him to give up his life of crime.

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 Nakamura Shibajaku.

Matsuura no Taiko: Lord Matsuura (Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon) lives next door to the enemy of the loyal retainers and is disgusted because they do not seem to be interested in avenging the death of the lord. He is especially upset because he studied with the same fighting teacher as Kuranosuke, the senior retainer who should be leading the vendetta. Moreover, he learns from the haiku teacher Takarai Kikaku (Nakamura Karoku) that his student Ôtaka Gengo (Nakamura Matagorô) who should be part of the vendetta left a poem suggesting that he was forgetting his former lord and going to take service with another samurai lord. Gengo's sister Onui (Nakamura Yonekichi) serves Lord Matsuura and in disgust he is about to dismiss her, when there is a disturbance from next door. The attack has begun, and in joy, Lord Matsuura counts out the strokes of the drum, struck in a pattern that is only known by students of his fighting teacher.

Shunkan: the priest Shunkan (Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon) 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 Nakamura Matagorô as the evil emissary Senoo and Nakamura Karoku as the merciful envoy Tanzaemon. With Nakamura Shibajaku as the island girl Chidori and Nakamura Kinnosuke as Naritsune, Shunkan's fellow exile who has fallen in love with her.

Tachi Nusubito: the farces of the classical Kyôgen theater have universal appeal, showing the relationships of masters and servants and husbands and wives. In this particular dance play, a farmer named Manbê (Nakamura Kinnosuke) carries a precious sword, which is made of gold. The thief Kurobê (Nakamura Matagorô) quietly removes the sword from Manbê in a crowd. When Manbê finds his sword missing and notices Kurobê wearing it, a loud dispute ensues. Manbê and Kurobê must both explain who owns the sword, first in words, then in dance to a magistrate, who must try to figure out who tells the truth.

Ukiyozuka Hiyoku no Inazuma: originally based on a comic book which wittily showed the daily life of famous historical characters fallen on hard times, the full length play dramatized the stories of the handsome young samurai Nagoya Sanza and Shirai Gonpachi, creating the classical versions of these old characters that have become standard today. Nagoya Sanza was a flashy hero of the late 16th century who became the model of masculine beauty in the earliest days of Kabuki. The play also shows his lover Iwahashi, a lady-in-waiting in a samurai household who becomes a courtesan to be with her love and the darkly attractive Fuwa Banzaemon who is Sanza’s enemy because he killed Sanza’s father. The play shows the rivalries and fights within the samurai household that result in all these characters being thrown into the nightlife of Edo’s pleasure quarters, then with exaggeration and grotesque humor shows Nagoya Sanza’s life as a masterless samurai. Finally, with swaggering movements and stately spectacle, it shows the confrontation of the two men in the middle of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters with the cherry trees in full bloom. Starring Nakamura Kinnosuke as Nagoya Sanza, Nakamura Shibajaku in three roles as the courtesan Katsuragi, the maid Okuni and a woman who stops the fight between the two in the pleasure quarters, and Nakamura Matagorô as Fuwa Banzaemon.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Yajûrô, Kataoka Kamezô, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Nakamura Toranosuke, Nakamura Kunio

The Heisei Nakamuraza is in Ôsaka for the third time. This time, it is a 33-day project, with two different programs. The temporary koshibai look-alike theater is built in the precincts of the Ôsaka Castle, in the heart of the Nishi no Maru Park. These performances celebrate the 400th anniversary of the beginning of the Siege of Ôsaka, which started in Fall/Winter 2014 (the "Winter Siege" (Fuyu no Jin in Japanese) from November 1614 to January 1615) and ended in Summer 2015 (the summer siege (Natsu no Jin in Japanese) in May and June 1615). The output of this bloody war was the complete destruction of both the Ôsaka Castle and the line of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Onna Shibaraku: more ceremony than play, "Shibaraku" is one of the oldest pieces in Kabuki. Just as an evil villain is about to execute a group of loyal retainers, a voice calls out for him to wait and a hero appears to save the day. This version is a parody, though, as the hero is played by an onnagata female role specialist, who mixes the super-human strength of an aragoto hero with the soft gentleness of a Kabuki heroine. Featuring Nakamura Shichinosuke as the heroine and Nakamura Hashinosuke as the larger-than-life villain, with Nakamura Kankurô as a friendly stage attendant who makes sure that everything goes right. Featuring also Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Yajûrô and Kataoka Kamezô.

Saru no Kusemai: Toyotomi Heikichi (Nakamura Kankurô) demonstrates his fighting skills in front of his master Oda Harunaga. This dance is a beautiful tachimawari with Toyotomi Heikichi gracefully fighting against yakko. "Saru no Kusemai" means literally the old dance of the monkey. Toyotomi Heikichi was said in his teens to look like a monkey.

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 Hashinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke and Kataoka Kamezô.

Shunkan: the priest Shunkan (Nakamura Hashinosuke) 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 Senjaku as the merciful envoy Tanzaemon. With Shingo/Nakamura Tsurumatsu as the island girl Chidori (Bandô Shingo from October to the 10th of November; Nakamura Tsurumatsu from the 11th to the 20th of November) and Nakamura Kunio as Naritsune, Shunkan's fellow exile who has fallen in love with her.

Mômoku Monogatari: this modern play by Uno Nobuo based on a story by Tanizaki Jun'ichirô shows some of the most famous figures in Japanese history through the unique perspective of the experiences of a blind masseur. Oichi, said to be the most beautiful woman of the day, constantly finds herself becoming a pawn to the ambitions and desires of the powerful men that surround her, including the man that eventually becomes the great Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Starring Nakamura Kankurô as both the blind Yaichi and Hideyoshi, and Nakamura Senjaku as Oichi. Featuring also Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Bandô Yajûrô and Kataoka Kamezô.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke

A brand new genre was born in the Kabuki world! After Kabuki, Shinkabuki, Sûpâ Kabuki, Sûpâ Kabuki II and Roppongi Kabuki (Sci-Fi Kabuki), here comes alive Kabuki NEXT. The first Kabuki NEXT drama is "Aterui", which was written by Nakajima Kazuki for Ichikawa Somegorô. It was staged for the first time in August 2002 at the Shinbashi Enbujô, starring Ichikawa Somegorô with a non-Kabuki cast. In 2002, it was not a Kabuki or a Kabuki NEXT production. In 2015, it was revised to become the first Kabuki NEXT drama in Kabuki history, with a full Kabuki cast. It was staged in July 2015 at the Shinbashi Enbujô. The story is about the Emishi warrior Aterui (Ichikawa Somegorô), who is fighting for the independence of the Emishi people against the Japanese army led by the general Sakanoue no Tamuramaro (Nakamura Kankurô). The third character of "Aterui" is the Emishi beautiful woman Tate Eboshi (Nakamura Shichinosuke).

Ichikawa Ebizô, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu

A special JAPAN THEATER Kabuki program at the Yachiyoza, starring Ichikawa Ebizô.

Ichikawa Ebizô, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu

A special JAPAN THEATER Kabuki program at the Izumo Taisha, starring Ichikawa Ebizô. The performances are done on a special stage built within the shrine.

Ichikawa Ebizô, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu

A special JAPAN THEATER Kabuki program at the Nikkô Tôshôgû, starring Ichikawa Ebizô. The performances are done on a special stage built within the shrine.

Ichikawa Ebizô, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu

A special JAPAN THEATER Kabuki program at the Minamiza, starring Ichikawa Ebizô. The third item in the program is a Nô drama performed (hannô, not the full Nô performance) by two Nô actors: Kanze Tetsunojô IX and Katayama Kurôemon X.

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Ichikawa Sadanji, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Nakamura Baishi, Onoe Ukon

42nd 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 traditional music, one kyôgen and one Kabuki dance-drama.

Migawari Zazen: a dance play adopted from a classical kyôgen farce. A man (Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô) wants nothing more than to visit his lover Hanako, but he has one important problem, his homely and overbearing wife (Ichikawa Sadanji). He creates a scheme saying that he will be practicing Zen meditation all night and has his servant (Kawarasaki Gonjûrô) 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.

Source: Earphone Guide 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. The first item in the program is a kôjô.

Keisei: a beautiful top-rank courtesan (keisei) with her attendants makes parade along the Nakanochô Boulevard of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarter in Edo. She enters a room in the brothel and expresses her pure love for her lover in a graceful manner, though complaining that he does not come how long she waits for him. Then she expresses in dance the scenic beauty in each season and the elegant atmosphere in the pleasure quarters, and her love for him grows stronger. A scene from a seven-transformation hengemono "Nijirigaki Nanatsu Iroha", this is an old-fashioned, tasteful dance. Enjoy the cultured elegance of the top-rank courtesan in the pleasure quarters acted by Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô with his new direction in the performance at Nissay Theatre in October 2011.

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.

Source: Earphone Guide website