6 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, Shinbashi Enbujô, National Theatre, NHK Hall, Nihonbashi Kôkaidô), 2 in Nagoya (NTK Hall), 1 in Yamaga (Yachiyoza) and 2 tours (Shôchiku Grand Kabuki, Classics Tour)!

Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô, Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Jakuemon, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Kaishun, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Karoku and Nakamura Matagorô perform at the Kabukiza !

Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Baigyoku, , Nakamura Senjaku, Ichikawa Sadanji, Kataoka Hidetarô, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Ichikawa Danzô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Ichikawa Komazô and Ichimura Manjirô perform at the National Theatre!

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Tokizô, Ichikawa Somegorô, Kataoka Takatarô, Bandô Yajûrô, Kataoka Kamezô and Nakamura Kikaku perform at the NTK Hall!

Ichikawa Ennosuke, the Omodakaya guild and Bandô Minosuke are on tour (Shôchiku Grand Kabuki)!

Ichikawa Ebizô and Nakamura Shidô are on tour (Classics Tour)!

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô performs at the Yachiyoza!

Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô, Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Jakuemon, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Kaishun, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Kotarô, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Utanosuke

Nakamura Hashinosuke III takes the prestigious name of Nakamura Shikan VIII! His three sons Nakamura Kunio, Nakamura Muneo and Nakamura Yoshio take the names of Nakamura Hashinosuke IV, Nakamura Fukunosuke III and Nakamura Utanosuke IV. Nakamura Shikimatsu II, a disciple of late Nakamura Shikan VII, joins the first league of Kabuki actors (kanbu shôshin) and receives the name of Nakamura Baika IV.

Takarabune: a dance newly produced to celebrate each of the three sons of Nakamura Shikan VIII taking a new name. A cheerful act which shows three brothers dance. Starring Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke and Nakamura Utanosuke.

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 Tomoe Gozen and Nakamura Matagorô as the larger-than-life villain Kaba no Kaja Noriyori, with Onoe Shôroku as a friendly stage attendant who makes sure that everything goes right.

Ukine no Tomodori: the two young lovers Osome and Hisamatsu plan to commit lover's suicide because they cannot marry. As they approach the Sumida River, they meet a female monkey trainer who guesses their intentions and tries to convince them not to kill themselves. This dance is usually performed with a male monkey trainer, but this special version features an onnagata female role specialist. Starring Onoe Kikunosuke as the monkey trainer with Onoe Matsuya as Hisamatsu and Nakamura Kotarô as Osome.

Banzui Chôbê: in the early Edo period, gallant men like Banzuiin Chôbê led the commoners. But this incurred the wrath of members of the samurai class, who were theoretically in control. This play begins with a recreation of Kabuki in its earliest days, then a fight breaks out which is settled by Chôbê (Nakamura Shikan). But this frustrates the ambitions of the samurai Mizuno (Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô) who invites Chôbê to visit. All of Chôbê's men tell him not to go because it is a trap, but Chôbê decides to meet his end and bids farewell to his wife (Nakamura Jakuemon) and son. Finally, Chôbê is killed when he is defenseless in the bath. Featuring also Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Matagorô and Nakamura Shikan's three sons.

Uirô Uri: there are many plays based on the revenge by the Soga brothers on Kudô Suketsune, the man that arranged to have their father killed. In this particular play, this dramatic fight is transformed into light fantasy by showing one of the Soga brothers disguised as a peddler of uirô, a medicine that makes it possible to speak quickly and elegantly. The highlight of the play is a long speech full of puns and wordplays. Starring Onoe Shôroku as the peddler. Featuring also Nakamura Shichinosuke and Nakamura Karoku.

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 Shikan VIII, Nakamura Hashinosuke IV, Nakamura Fukunosuke III and Nakamura Utanosuke IV.

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 Shikan as Kumagai, with Nakamura Kaishun as Kumagai's wife Sagami, Onoe Kikunosuke as Fuji-no-Kata, Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon as Yoshitsune and Nakamura Karoku as Midaroku.

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: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Ganjirô, Kamimura Kichiya, Nakamura Kazutarô, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Nakamura Jûjirô, Imai Tsubasa

A dance drama first performed in 2011 presenting the mysterious life of Ishikawa Goemon (Kataoka Ainosuke) with a new perspective. It is the time after the unification of Japan by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Nakamura Ganjirô) in the 16th century. There are several cathedrals seen in each place of Japan as a few decades have passed since Christianity has first been missioned in Japan. Ishida no Tsubone (Kamimura Kichiya), a daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide’s chief retainer Shioden Tajima-no-Kami, hates Hideyoshi and seeks opportunity to avenge her father on him. As she learns Christianity from Father Calderon (Imai Tsubasa), she has come to forget her hatred against Hideyoshi. Love has grown between her and Calderon, and Tomoichi is born between them. Calderon resigns as a priest because he has broken the law as a priest, and chooses to live together with his wife and son. 7 years later Hideyoshi prohibits Christianity to be propagated in Japan. Calderon is banished from Japan and goes back to Spain. Hideyoshi wants to make her his own and summons her to his palace Jurakudai, since he has fancied her for years. She tries in vain to kill him and dies. Having lost his parents, Tomoichi grows up to be a robber and calls himself Ishikawa Goemon who causes a great sensation in Japan. He watches eagerly for a chance to avenge his parents on Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Goemon outwits Hideyoshi and succeeds in freeing Izumo no Okuni (Nakamura Kazutarô) from him. She is Nagoya Sanza’s wife and a popular dancer in Kyôto. It turns out that Sanza (Kamimura Kichiya) is a son of Akechi Mitsuhide’s retainer Yasuda Sakubê. Goemon, Okuni and Sanza cooperate to defeat their common enemy Hideyoshi. Okuni takes great pains how she becomes the center of attention among people. Goemon teaches her flamenco the dance of his father’s country as a hint for the new dance. But Goemon is being besieged from all sides. Enjoy a novel Kabuki dance which has taken in flamenco.

Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Senjaku, Ichikawa Sadanji, Kataoka Hidetarô, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Ichikawa Danzô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Ichikawa Komazô, Ichimura Manjirô, Bandô Shûchô, Matsumoto Kingo, Nakamura Matsue, Sawamura Sônosuke, Sawamura Yoshijirô, Ôtani Keizô, Arashi Kitsusaburô, Ichimura Kitsutarô, Ichimura Takematsu, Nakamura Hayato, Nakamura Yonekichi, Ichikawa Otora

First month of the tôshi kyôgen production of the classic "Kanadehon Chûshingura" to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the National Theatre! The play "Kanadehon Chûshingura" (The Treasure of 47 Loyal Retainers) is the most popular in the Kabuki repertory and is known throughout the world.

Kabuto Aratame: daimyô lords from around the country gather for an important ceremony in the presence of Tadayoshi, the younger brother of the Shôgun. Under the watchful eye of the official Moronô (Ichikawa Sadanji), lords En'ya Hangan (Nakamura Baigyoku) and Wakasanosuke (Nakamura Kinnosuke) have been charged with making sure everything goes according to protocol. En'ya Hangan's wife Kaoyo (Kataoka Hidetarô) is asked to identify a helmet to be used in the ceremony. Moronô is in love with Kaoyo and tries to woo her, but Wakasanosuke stops him. In return, Moronô uses his position of authority to berate the young lord and Wakasanosuke decides to kill Moronô.

Rikiya Jôshi/Matsukiri: Rikiya (Nakamura Hayato), acting as an official message for En'ya Hangan, tells Wakasanosuke's karô Honzô (Ichikawa Danzô) that both En'ya and Wakasanosuke must be at the Shôgun palace the next morning. Affronted by Moronô’s behavior, Wakasanosuke discloses to Honzô a resolve to kill Moronô. Honzô expresses his support by slicing a branch from a miniature pine tree. Later, Honzô rushes to Moronô’s mansion to arrange for an apology from Moronô. Honzô acts thus in order to forestall retribution and avoid a disaster for Wakasanosuke's household. Featuring also Ichimura Manjirô and Nakamura Yonekichi in the role of Honzô's spouse and Honzô's daughter Konami, in love with Rikiya.

Shinmotsu/Ninjô: the next morning at the Shôgun's mansion, Honzô bribes Moronô to keep his master from causing an incident and although Wakasanosuke is about to attack Moronô, the aged official groveling stops him. As a result, though, Moronô is frustrated and angry and vents his feelings on En'ya Hangan, especially after Hangan innocently brings him a letter in which Kaoyo refuses Moronô's love. Moronô steadily insults Hangan, who tries to ignore the pressure, but finally draws his sword and attacks. Drawing a sword in the Shôgun's palace is a crime punishable by death, but Moronô himself escapes with only a slight wound as others within the mansion hurry in to stop Hangan. At the back gate of the mansion, Hangan's retainer Kanpei (Nakamura Senjaku), who was flirting with his lover Okaru (Ichikawa Komazô), discovers what has happened. He is about to kill himself but he is saved by Okaru. They decide to run away and go to Okaru's home in the countryside.

Hangan Seppuku/Shiro Akewatashi: emissaries from the Shôgun arrive at En'ya Hangan's mansion to announce that he has received the strictest penalty for his actions. He is ordered to commit ritual suicide and his household is to be disbanded. Hangan's hate for Moronô grows when he hears that Moronô has received no punishment. Hangan waits and waits for his head retainer, but he does not arrive. Finally, Hangan plunges in the blade. At that moment, his head retainer Ôboshi Yuranosuke (Matsumoto Kôshirô) arrives from their home province. With his last breaths, Hangan gives Yuranosuke the knife he used to commit suicide and tells him to take revenge. Now that the clan has been disbanded, Hangan's men become masterless samurai. Though some urge an immediate attack on Moronô, Yuranosuke bids them not to do anything rash. When alone in front of the closed mansion gates, though, he secretly reveals his determination that his lord will not have died in vain. Featuring also Ichikawa Sadanji, Matsumoto Kingo and Bandô Hikosaburô in the roles of Ishidô Umanojô, Ono Kudayû and Yakushiji Jirozaemon.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Tokizô, Ichikawa Somegorô, Kataoka Takatarô, Bandô Yajûrô, Kataoka Kamezô, Nakamura Kikaku, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Mantarô, Bandô Shingo, Kataoka Matsunosuke, Ôtani Hirotarô

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 fourth time, a venue commonly called NTK Hall in Nagoya.

Hashi Benkei:
(Benkei on the Bridge)
There are many legends about Benkei, the warrior-priest who was the faithful companion of the general Yoshitsune. This dance shows the first meeting of Benkei and Yoshitsune. Benkei goes nightly to the bridge at the Fifth Avenue of Kyôto, defeating men night after night and taking their swords. Finally he encounters a delicate young man that he thinks will be an easy opponent, but is defeated himself instead. This young man was Yoshitsune, under his childhood name of Ushiwakamaru. Benkei is so impressed that he becomes Yoshitsune’s retainer, right there and then. Starring Bandô Yajûrô as Benkei and Nakamura Mantarô as Ushiwakamaru.

Tsubosaka: this play stars Ichikawa Somegorô as Sawaichi, a blind masseur who has become utterly depressed by the prospect of never recovering his eyesight. His faithful wife, played by Kataoka Takatarô, has been praying to the Kannon goddess daily for several years for his recovery, and Sawaichi agrees to accompany her to the Kannon shrine to pray. Once there he announces he will stay to pray and fast for three days, and so his wife leaves to pick up some supplies for them, but in her absence, Sawaichi throws himself off a cliff. When she returns, the distraught wife decides to join her husband in death. The final scene shows the Kannon goddess, who miraculously saves the couple and cures Sawaichi's blindness.

Jiisan Baasan: based on a short story by Mori Ôgai, this modern play by Uno Nobuo shows a loving young couple. The samurai Iori travels to Kyôto with his lord, leaving Run, his beloved wife, behind. While there, he attacks another man in a fight over a sword and is forced into house arrest, separating him from his wife. Many years later, he returns to his home as an old man. There he meets an elderly woman and they do not recognize each other until she sees the one thing that has not changed with age, Iori's peculiar habit of putting his hand to his nose. Starring Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon and Nakamura Tokizô as Iori and Run.

Terakoya: Genzô and his wife Tonami run a small school and are protecting Kan Shôjô's son and heir, saying that he is their son. However, word has gotten out Kan Shôjô's son is there and Genzô has been ordered to behead him. Moreover, Matsuômaru is to come to inspect the head. Their only alternative is to kill one of the other students as a substitute, but all of the students are farmer's children who could never pass for the son of a court aristocrat. However, a new boy arrives that day and Genzô makes the terrible decision to kill him in the place of his lord. As it turns out, Matsuômaru has sent his own son to be sacrificed, because of his family's long loyalty to Kan Shôjô. But he must face the most terrible situation for a father, inspecting the head of his own son and lying when he says that it is the genuine head of the son of Kan Shôjô. Finally Matsuômaru reveals his true feelings to Genzô and he and his wife Chiyo mourn their dead son. Starring Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon as Matsuômaru, Ichikawa Somegorô as Genzô, Kataoka Takatarô as Chiyo and Nakamura Baishi as Tonami. Featuring also Kataoka Kamezô as Shundô Genba.

Shûjaku Jishi: lion dances (shishi) show a vigorous masculine spirit that is the guardian of a sacred mountain in China. But the Kabuki tradition transforms this fierce dance into a showpiece for an elegant female role specialist. Nakamura Tokizô stars as a top-ranking courtesan elegantly in a banquet parlor who is then transformed into a feminine version of the spirit of the lion.

Shinagawa Shinjû: based on a rakugo story, this is the story of an ageing courtesan named Osome, who used to be popular in the Shinagawa kuruwa. As she has no more the financial means to keep her status of high-ranking courtesan, she decides to end her life by committing a double suicide with one of her remaining patrons or acquittances. As the number of possible candidates is quite limited, she targets the taiko mochi Ippachi. She knows Ippachi is in love with her but she is not in love with him and she is only interested in creating a romantic legacy through her death in fear of dying gracelessly. This rarely-staged drama is a humorous sewamono, not a tragic shinjûmono. It was premiered in October 1961 at the Tôyoko Hall. It was also staged in May 1962 at the Ôsaka Shinkabukiza. No staging for more than 54 years! Starring Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Baishi and Bandô Shingo in the roles of Ippachi, Ippachi's wife Otane and Osome.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ennosuke, Bandô Minosuke, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Juen, Ichikawa Shun'en, Ichikawa En'ya

The spectacular drama "Hitori Tabi Gojûsan Tsugi", which belongs to the Ennosuke Jûhachiban collection of plays, is staged for the very first time on tour. This drama full of keren is produced in a lighter version (less roles to be performed) but the amazing chûnori with the huge cat-spirit is part of the production. Depending on the city, there is either one program (A prog) or two programs (A prog in the afternoon, B prog in the evening). In A prog, Ichikawa Ennosuke plays the roles of Yurugi Shirabenosuke and the old woman Osan, in reality the cat-spirit of Okazaki. Bandô Minosuke plays 13 roles. In B prog, it is the opposite.

Hitori Tabi Gojûsan Tsugi:
(Traveling Alone to the Fifty-three Stations)
"Hitori Tabi Gojûsan Tsugi" was first performed in 1827, and was written by the famous playwright Tsuruya Nanboku IV (1755 - 1829). It built on the popular explosion of fascination of travel on this highway seen in the bestselling comic novel "Hizakurige" ("Shanks Mare") about the adventures of Yaji and Kita on the road and lavish series of multi-colored woodblock prints showing all fifty-three stations along the highway. But in addition to the expected travel scenes and comedy of Yaji and Kita, audiences also got a spectacular series of scenes scary, sexy and comic reworking all Nanboku's favorite themes including a monstrous cat. Ichikawa Ennosuke long specialized in reviving Nanboku’s plays, each production including Ichikawa Ennosuke III’s trademark fast-changes and flight through the air. This exciting and entertaining drama is staged for the first time on tour with the Omodakaya troupe headed by Ichikawa Ennosuke. With Bandô Minosuke as guest star.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ebizô, Nakamura Shidô

An original tour, which mixes Nô and Kabuki. The first item is the Nô drama "Ataka". The second item is the famous dance-drama "Kanjinchô", which is the Kabuki version of "Ataka".

Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Ichikawa Komazô, Nakamura Matsue, Bandô Kamesaburô, Bandô Kametoshi, Nakamura Hayato, Ichimura Kitsutarô, Arashi Kitsusaburô

43rd 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 drama.

Banchô Sarayashiki: the story of Okiku, who became a ghost after breaking one of a precious set of plates and being killed in punishment by a quick-tempered lord, is one of the most famous in Japanese tradition. But this is a modern play, which transforms the ghost story into a portrait of the interaction of contrasting and incompatable personalities. The samurai lord Aoyama Harima (Nakamura Baigyoku) is passionate and quick to fight and is in the middle of a fight when he is stopped by his aunt. She has arranged a marriage for him and Harima is unable to admit that the reason he will not marry is because he is deeply in love with Okiku (Nakamura Jakuemon), a lady-in-waiting in his household. As strong as Harima is, his aunt's will is much stronger. But this makes Okiku wonder about the strength of Harima's love for her and she tests him by breaking one of a set of heirloom plates. When she tests Harima's feelings, this seals her fate and sets the tragedy of the play in motion.

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.

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.

Aki no Irokusa:
(The Colors of Autumn)
A beautiful dance about autumn and all its associated images : morning glories, violets, arrowroot, pampas grass, the cry of passing geese sounding over the sailing ships, the sweet cacophony of insects, the moon and winds of autumn. Starring Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô.

Genroku Hanami Odori:
(Viewing the Cherry Blossoms in the Genroku Period)
It is in the Genroku period (late 17th century) and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom on the hill of Ueno in Edo (present day Tôkyô). Men and women dressed up in showy outfits gather to view cherry blossoms and begin to dance. After the song about the custom of flower viewing in Kyoto, the drunken people start a lively dance. The dance under the cherry blossoms continues endlessly. Starring Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Enshi

3rd edition of the gala for the young actor Ichikawa Enshi, a disciple of Ichikawa Ennosuke.