5 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, New National Theatre, Asakusa Kôkaidô, Asakusa Kôkaidô), 1 in Kyôto (Minamiza), 1 in Ôsaka (National Bunraku Theatre) and 1 tour (Succession Announcement Tour)!

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku, Matsumoto Hakuô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Jakuemon, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Matagorô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Ichikawa Komazô, Kamimura Kichiya & Nakamura Kotarô perform at the Kabukiza !

Kataoka Takatarô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Ichikawa Omezô, Kataoka Kamezô, Bandô Kamezô, Sawamura Sônosuke & Nakamura Matsue perform at the New National Theatre

Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku and Ichikawa Danjûrô are on tour Succession Announcement Tour!

Nakamura Shidô and Nakamura Kazutarô perform at the Minamiza!

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku, Matsumoto Hakuô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Jakuemon, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Kataoka Ainosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Matagorô, Ôtani Tomoemon, Ichikawa Komazô, Kamimura Kichiya, Nakamura Kotarô, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Yonekichi, Ôtani Hirotarô, Nakamura Mantarô, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Ichikawa Somegorô, Onoe Sakon, Nakamura Kichinojô

The 3rd 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. The newly-created Kabuki drama "Shamon Kûkai Tô no Kuni nite Oni to Utagesu" is staged to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of the Buddhist monk Kôbô Daishi (774~835).

Gappô Anshitsu: frequently performed in Kabuki, this play shows the scandalous theme of a mother's passion for her son. Tamate Gozen (Onoe Kikunosuke) has become the second wife of a great lord, but has fallen in love with one of her stepsons, Takayasu Shuntokumaru (Kataoka Ainosuke). He has fled the mansion and now, disfigured by a strange illness, has taken refuge in the house of Tamate Gozen's parents. Tamate Gozen appears declaring her love and, enraged, her father Gappô (Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku) stabs her. On the point of death, Tamate Gozen reveals that this was the only way that she could save the lives of her stepsons.

Shamon Kûkai Tô no Kuni nite Oni to Utagesu: The monk Kûkai (Matsumoto Kôshirô), who traveled from Japan to Tang Dynasty China to study Buddhism, arrives at Changan where he shows Gyokuren (Nakamura Yonekichi) his magical powers and astonishes people there at the brothel. As Kûkai walks around Changan with Tachibana no Hayanari (Nakamura Kichinojô), he encounters an old man who sells suspicious gourds. Kûkai penetrates his magic, which others were unable to do. The old man asks Kûkai what he came for and Kûkai answers that he has come to steal the esoteric religion. The old man Tan'o (Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku) finds him interesting and gives him weird gourds. In Changan a strange happening occurs every night: a signboard mysteriously appears on which is written that 'the Emperor passes away, and so will the next Emperor.' Kûkai visits a mansion, which is rumored to be haunted by a monster cat, to solve this mystery and encounters Shunkin (Nakamura Kotarô) there with a black cat on her head. He visits the grave of the beauty Yôkihi (Nakamura Jakuemon) who should have been buried 50 years before, accompanied by the poet Hakurakuten. Originally written by the Japanese SF master Yumemakura Baku and first performed in April 2016 at the Kabukiza under the title "Gensôshin Kûkai" [more details]. Featuring Matsumoto Hakuô in the role of Emperor Kensô.

Imoseyama: "Imoseyama Onna Teikin", is a masterpiece by Chikamatsu Hanji (1725~1783) first presented in 1771 in the puppet theater. It is an epic taken from early Japanese history, weaving together history, legend and myth. The country chafes under the domination of the dictator Iruka. This short section of the full-length play shows the story of two rival families who are only alike in being dominated by the dictator until a tragedy reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet brings them together.

Hana Watashi: Iruka (Nakamura Kichinojô) blames Koganosuke for the loss of Uneme and has heard of his love for Hinadori. He fears that these two rival clans may be plotting against him so summons Daihanji (Onoe Shôroku) to Sadaka's (Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô) mansion, confronts the two rival parents and orders Koganosuke to become his retainer and Hinadori to serve in his bedchamber. He gives them branches of cherry blossoms to be thrown into the Yoshino river as a signal of the answers of the young people.

Yoshinogawa: in the most famous scene of the play, there is a spectacular set with the house of Daihanji on one side of the stage and the house of Sadaka on the other side with the river running through the center of the stage. Both parents know that their children would rather accept death than bow down to the dictator Iruka, but hide this and speak proudly and aggressively to the other, hoping desperately that at least the other child might be spared. However, all their efforts are in vain and finally, in death, the young couple is united in marriage, ending the feud between the two families.

Kanjinchô: probably the most popular Kabuki play today, it includes dance, comedy and the heart-warming pathos of a band of heroes during their last days. Disguised as a band of traveling priests the fugitive general Yoshitsune and his small band of retainers are stopped at a road barrier. They escape only through the quick thinking of the head retainer, a warrior priest named Musashibô Benkei, who improvises the text of an elaborate imperial decree. Having escaped danger Benkei and the others describe their days of glory and hardships on the road to escape in a moving dance. This program stars Matsumoto Kôshirô in the role of Benkei, with Ichikawa Somegorô and Onoe Kikunosuke as Yoshitsune and the barrier keeper Togashi.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Kataoka Takatarô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Ichikawa Omezô, Kataoka Kamezô, Bandô Kamezô, Sawamura Sônosuke, Nakamura Matsue, Nakamura Takanosuke, Ichikawa Otora, Nakamura Tamatarô, Nakamura Kamenojô, Kataoka Matsunosuke

No performance at the National Theatre, which is no more operating in 2024 but there is a subsitute theater: the New National Theatre! This playhouse dedicated to opera, ballet or modern dances/dramas has become also a new home for Kabuki performances!

Nyûmon: an introduction speech made by Kataoka Kamezô.

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 Bandô Hikosaburô as Danshichi, with Bandô Kamezô, Ichikawa Omezô, Kataoka Kamezô and Kataoka Takatarô as Issun Tokubê, Tsuribune Sabu, Mikawaya Giheiji and Otatsu.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku, Ichikawa Danjûrô, Ichikawa Udanji, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Nakamura Kangyoku

A special tour celebrating the shûmei of Ichikawa Danjûrô XIII with performances in 18 cities.

Iwau Narita Shibai no Nigiwai: The gallant commoners of Edo's neighborhoods loved nothing better than a festival. In this dance, two tobigashira (Ichikawa Udanji/Ichikawa Kudanji), a geisha (Ôtani Hiromatsu) and a shibai jaya owner (Kataoka Ichizô) dance together in joy with a festive mood to celebrate the shûmei of Ichikawa Danjûrô XIII.

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 of Ichikawa Danjûrô XIII.

Kôchiyama: the tea priest Kôchiyama (Ichikawa Danjûrô) is a skilled thief and extortionist, but cannot turn down a request to help those in need. He disguises himself as a high-ranking priest to try to gain the freedom of a girl held by a powerful samurai lord (Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku) because she will not become his mistress. Using the famous poetic cadences of the late 19th century playwright Mokuami, Kôchiyama not only succeeds in his mission to rescue the girl, but he manages to extort a fair amount for himself. Featuring also Ichikawa Udanji, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Ôtani Hiromatsu and Nakamura Kangyoku.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Shidô, Nakamura Kazutarô, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Ichimura Manjirô, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Bandô Shingo, Ichimura Takematsu, Ichimura Hikaru, Ichimura Kitsutarô

A special program starring Nakamura Shidô and Nakamura Kazutarô and reviving the 2015 Kabuki drama based on Kimura Yûichi's famous series of illustrated child books "Arashi no Yoru ni" (in English 'One Stormy Night').

Arashi no Yoru ni: it is a series of picture books written by Kimura Yûichi. The first edition was published in 1994. As many people wanted to read a sequel to the story, it lasted to the seventh volume and became a best seller. More than 3,000,000 books have been sold. It became so popular that it has been turned into a game and made into plays. In 2005, it was made into an animated movie (the voice for the main character Gabu was supplied by Nakamura Shidô) by Sugii Gisaburô, an esteemed movie producer in the animation industry. On the night of a storm, a wolf Gabu (Nakamura Shidô) and a goat Mei (Nakamura Kazutarô) encounters in a mountain hut in pitch darkness by chance. They talk through night not knowing their identity and become friends. They determine their password as 'On the night of a storm' and promise to meet again. They are shocked when they meet again, but they nurture friendship keeping it secret to their each group. But their friendship is at last known to both groups and meets with violent opposition. The two are pushed to the edge ...

Source: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Onoe Ukon, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Ichikawa En'ya, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Ichikawa Seiko, Onoe Maholo, Onoe Kikusaburô

8th edition of the Ken no Kai, a 2-day 4-performance gala in Ôsaka at the National Bunraku Theatre starring Onoe Kikugorô VI's great-grandson Onoe Ukon. Ken no Kai literally means 'Ken's Association' with Ken being the first ideogram in Onoe Ukon's real first name Kensuke. The Ken no Kai is also held the 4th and the 5th of September in Tôkyô at the Asakusa Kôkaidô [more details].

Onoe Ukon, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Ichikawa En'ya, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Ichikawa Seiko, Onoe Maholo, Onoe Kikusaburô

8th edition of the Ken no Kai, a 2-day 4-performance gala in Tôkyô at the Asakusa Kôkaidô starring Onoe Kikugorô VI's great-grandson Onoe Ukon. Ken no Kai literally means 'Ken's Association' with Ken being the first ideogram in Onoe Ukon's real first name Kensuke. The Ken no Kai is also held from the 31st of August to the 1st of September in Ôsaka at the National Bunraku Theatre [more details].

Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Utanosuke, Nakamura Tsurumatsu

2nd edition of a gala for Nakamura Shikan's three sons. It is entitled Kamiyachô Shôkabuki ('Kamiyachô Little Kabuki'). Kamiyachô was the name of late Nakamura Shikan VII's neighboorhood in Tôkyô and it was used as an original way to appraise this great actor (kakegoe).