4 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, Shinbashi Enbujô), 2 in Ôsaka (Shôchikuza, Ôtsuki Nô Theatre) and 3 in Kyôto (Minamiza, Shunjûza)!

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Matsumoto Hakuô, Nakamura Kaishun, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Tokizô, Ichikawa Ebizô, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Fukusuke, Nakamura Kotarô, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Bandô Hikosaburô, Nakamura Baishi and Nakamura Yonekichi perform at the Kabukiza !

Nakamura Ganjirô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Ichikawa Ennosuke and Nakamura Kazutarô perform at the Shôchikuza !

Nakamura Shidô and Hatsune Miku perform perform at the Minamiza and at the Shinbashi Enbujô!

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Matsumoto Hakuô, Nakamura Kaishun, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Tokizô, Ichikawa Ebizô, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Fukusuke, Nakamura Kotarô, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Bandô Hikosaburô, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Yonekichi, Ichikawa Komazô, Matsumoto Kingo, Bandô Kamezô, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Mantarô, Ichikawa Somegorô, Kataoka Sennosuke, Ôtani Hirotarô, Nakamura Kangyoku, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Nakamura Takanosuke, Nakamura Kichinojô, Onoe Ushinosuke, Nakamura Tanetarô, Nakamura Hidenosuke

The 1st edition at the Kabukiza of the new "Shûzan Matsuri" (the festival of Shûzan), which is staged to commemorate late Nakamura Kichiemon II. Shûzan was the haimyô used by both Nakamura Kichiemon I and Nakamura Kichiemon II. Nakamura Kashô IV's two sons, Nakamura Tanetarô V and Nakamura Hidenosuke, make their hatsubutai in "Terakoya" and receive their first stage name.

Hakurojô Monogatari: Honda Heihachirô Tadatoki (Nakamura Matagorô) plans to hold a moon viewing party for his newly wed wife Senhime (Nakamura Tokizô). Her ladies-in-waiting prepare for the party in the castle but they are afraid of something. A specter is said to appear every night at the top floor of the castle tower, so Miyamoto Musashi (Nakamura Karoku), the greatest swordsman of Japan, is invited this evening to slay the specter. This play was adapted from the history and legend of Miyamoto Musashi, arranged and directed by Nakamura Kichiemon II, and was first performed in 1999 at Himeji Castle. Starring Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke in the roles of the spirit of late Toyotomi Hideyori and Princess Osakabe. Featuring also Nakamura Kinnosuke in the role of the chief retainer Tsuzuki Sôzaemon.

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 Matsumoto Kôshirô as Matsuômaru (even-numbered days) or Genzô (odd-numbered days), Onoe Shôroku as Genzô (even-numbered days) or Matsuômaru (odd-numbered days), Nakamura Kaishun as Chiyo and Nakamura Kotarô as Tonami. Featuring also Nakamura Tanenosuke as Shundô Genba. Featuring also Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Tanetarô (Kan Shûsai) and Nakamura Hidenosuke (Kotarô).

Matsuura no Taiko: Lord Matsuura (Matsumoto Hakuô) 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 (Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku) 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.

Agehachô Tsuzure no Omokage: This is a play woven together from several of Nakamura Kichiemon II's most successful roles: Sano Jirôzaemon in "Kagotsurube", in which a courtesans' parade in the Yoshiwara Pleasure Quarters where cherry blossoms are in full bloom is truly spectacular. Banzui'in Chôbê in "Suzu-ga-Mori", a stylized masterpiece by Tsuruya Nanboku IV. Kumagai Jirô Naozane in the tragic history play "Kumagai Jin'ya" in which the theme of transience in a world torn apart by war is very moving. Lastly, members of the Genji and Heike military clans appear at the tidal beach of Harima, fighting over the red flag of a swallowtail butterfly in a danmari. Starring Matsumoto Kôshirô and Nakamura Kinnosuke in the roles of Sano Jirôzaemon/Kumagai Jirô Naozane and Banzui'in Chôbê. Featuring also Nakamura Fukusuke, Nakamura Kotarô and young actors.

Gion Ichiriki Jaya: "Chûshingura" is one of the most popular plays in the theatre and shows a true event when forty-seven masterless samurai avenged the death of their lord by killing his enemy. The seventh act is one of the most popular and shows the leader of the vendetta Yuranosuke as he is hiding his intention to avenge his lord’s death by pretending to be only interested in pleasure, but also encountering key figures on his side and the side of the enemy. Yuranosuke (Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon) spends his days and nights in the pleasure quarters of Kyôto in an effort to make their lord’s enemy, Moronô, believe he is not planning a vendetta. His acting is so good that even men in his own group believe he has given his life up to pleasure. Moronô is not so easily convinced, though, and has sent spies, including a former retainer of their late lord, En'ya Hangan, to find Yuranosuke's true intentions. Okaru (Nakamura Jakuemon), the wife of one of the retainers is now a courtesan at the Ichiriki Teahouse, unaware that her husband is dead. Okaru's brother Heiemon (Ichikawa Ebizô), a servant in the Hangan household, has also come to the teahouse and the interaction of these characters becomes a matter of life and death and ends with Yuranosuke preparing to lead the vendetta.

Fujito: Sasaki Moritsuna (Nakamura Matagorô) has arrived in Bizen Province as the new lord after the war between the Genji and the Heike clans. A year ago, he had heartlessly killed a fisherman who told him where he could get across the shoal to the enemy's camp. The fisherman's mother Fujinami (Onoe Kikunosuke) appears and demands in tears that Moritsuna give her son back to her. Moritsuna apologizes sincerely for his unjust action and holds a memorial service for her son to appease his spirit. However, the spirit's grudge turns it into an evil dragon, which shows up in front of Moritsuna.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Ganjirô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô, Kamimura Kichiya, Nakamura Kikaku, Ichikawa Seiko, Nakamura Jûjirô, Kataoka Tôjûrô, Kataoka Senju, Kataoka Rikiya, Kataoka Tôkichirô, Nakamura Kansei, Nakamura Gansei, Nakamura Gannosuke, Bandô Takenosuke, Ichikawa Danshi

A special program at the Shôchikuza starring Nakamura Ganjirô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Ichikawa Ennosuke and Nakamura Kazutarô.

Domo Mata: the artist Matahei has been refused a professional name because of his stuttering. He makes a poor life by drawing folk paintings and decides to make one last effort to gain respectability. His wife Otoku, who is given as much to chatter as Matahei is silent, pleads his case. Turned down again by his master, Matahei decides to take his life. He draws a farewell portrait of himself, a painting so skillful that the lines seep through solid rock and this miracle convinces his master to confer a professional name. Starring Nakamura Ganjirô as Matahei and Ichikawa Ennosuke as his wife Otoku. Featuring Kataoka Ainosuke Utanosuke.

Meoto Dôjôji: "Musume Dôjôji" is based on a legend about a woman transformed into a serpent out of jealousy and who destroys a temple bell keeping her from the object of her love. The original dance shows the spirit of the woman who appears at Dôjôji temple as a dancer who wants to celebrate the dedication of a new bell and does a series of dances showing the many faces of femininity. In this version there are two dancers and one is revealed to be a man in disguise and, in the highlight of the dance, transforms the romantic highpoint of the original piece into a comic scene by using masks. Starring Nakamura Kazutarô as the female dancer and Kataoka Ainosuke as the male dancer.

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 Kazutarô and his father Nakamura Ganjirô in the roles of Ofune and his father Tonbê.

Bakuchi Jûô:
(The Gambling King of Hell)
A dance adaptation by Ichikawa Ennosuke III of a farce with the same title. The hell is visited with a famine, as most people live up to Buddhism and go to paradise. Enma Daiô (Ichikawa Seiko) becomes impatient and goes out to the fork to the hell where he awaits sinners with his servants. A famous gambler (Ichikawa Ennosuke) comes long way there and demands sake as he is thirsty from long journey. Drinking, he tells the story of his life: He quarreled to death with another gambler. Seeing his evil deeds reflected in a mirror, Enma Daiô criticizes him for robbing people of money and valuables. But he insists that gamble is a game of chance. Hearing this, Enma Daiô gets interested and plays dice with him. Enma Daiô continues to lose and loses his crown, scepter, mirror and everything he bets. The gambler gets finally the passport to the paradise and leaves triumphantly for the Pure Land.

Natsu Matsuri: this grisly murder story became a smashing hit when it was first performed in 1745 because of the chivalrous spirit of the many Ôsaka characters appearing in this story, the contrast between a brutal murder and the jovial mood of a summer festival, and the splashing of real water used on the stage. Danshichi, a gallant fishmonger, does everything he can to protect the weak young son of his patron with the help of his companion Tokubê and the older Sabu. Although even Tokubê's wife Otatsu heroically helps out, in the end, Danshichi is betrayed by his evil father-in-law Giheiji and, in the most famous scene of the play, must kill him in a mud-covered fight in a lonely alley with the shouts of the local festival nearby. This program stars Kataoka Ainosuke as Danshichi/Otatsu, with Ichikawa Seiko, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Kazutarô and Nakamura Kikaku as Tokubê, Sabu, Okaji and Mikawaya Giheiji.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Shidô, Hatsune Miku, Sawamura Kuniya, Nakamura Chôshi, Ogawa Haruki

The world of Kabuki and the world of otaku collide for the 13th time in Kabuki history! Resulting from this spectacular collision, a new genre, the Chôkabuki (literally Ultra-Kabuki), was born in 2016 [more details]. Nakamura Shidô shares the stage with the virtual 3D creature Hatsune Miku. For the first time in in Nagoya at the Misonoza. The first item in the program is a stage talk about Chôkabuki. The second item is a dance-drama written by Matsuoka Ryô and staged under the guidance of the Fujima Kanjûrô VIII. The last item is the 2022 newly-created drama Chôkabuki also written by Matsuoka Ryô. The main program is staged either once (morning or afternoon) or twice (morning/afternoon). The limited program is not staged in September.

Nakamura Shidô, Hatsune Miku, Sawamura Kuniya, Nakamura Chôshi, Ogawa Haruki

A special Chôkabuki program in Kyôto at the Minamiza. The world of Kabuki and the world of otaku collide for the 14th time in Kabuki history (for the first time in a major Kabuki theater) and for the 3rd times in Kyôto at the Minamiza! Resulting from this spectacular collision, a new genre, the Chôkabuki (literally Ultra-Kabuki), which combines Kabuki with advanced ICT technology, was born in 2016 [more details]. The first item in the program is a stage talk about Chôkabuki. The second item is a dance-drama written by Matsuoka Ryô and staged under the guidance of the Fujima Kanjûrô VIII. The last item is the 2022 newly-created drama Chôkabuki also written by Matsuoka Ryô. Nakamura Shidô shares the stage with the virtual 3D creature Hatsune Miku. The main program will is staged either once (morning) or twice (morning/afternoon). The limited edition is staged the 9th, 18th and 24th of September in the afternoon.

Ichikawa Ennosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô, Ichikawa Seiko, Ichikawa Danko

A special Buyô program starring Ichikawa Ennosuke. This program celebrates the shûmei in Kyôto of Ichikawa Seiko II. The Shunjûza is a thetater located within the Kyôto University of the Arts.

Koma: there are many dances that show street performers and others peddlers that you might have seen on the streets of old Edo. This short, energetic dance accompanied by the Tokiwazu style of music features a top vendor (Ichikawa Danko), who sells her tops by performing various tricks.

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 actors of the cast assemble to celebrate the shûmei in Kyôto of Ichikawa Seiko II.

Modori Kago: two palanquin bearers, one from Ôsaka, the other from Edo (pre-modern Tôkyô), decide to stop and rest. As they do so, each boasts of the respective merits of his native town. Finally, the little apprentice courtesan (kamuro) they have been carrying, alights from the palanquin and joins them in their dance. Featuring Ichikawa Seiko as the palanquin bearer from Ôsaka (in reality Ishikawa Goemon), Ichikawa Ennosuke as the palanquin bearer from Edo (in reality Goemon's arch-enemy Mashiba Hisayoshi) and Nakamura Kazutarô as the kamuro.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Seiko

3rd edition of the Hito Tsunagi no Kai ('People-Connecting Gala'), starring Ichikawa Ennosuke's disciples.

Kamimura Kichiya, Kamimura Kichitarô, Kamimura Orinosuke

The 3rd edition of the gala of the Miyoshiya Guild, led by Kamimura Kichiya. The first item in the program, "Goaisatsu" (literally "Greetings"), is a stage speech. The Ôtsuki Nô Theatre is located near Ôsaka Castle. It was established in 1935 and it is one of the few Nô theaters in Kansai which has survived WWII.