3 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, New National Theatre), 1 in Kyôto (Minamiza), 1 in Fukuoka (Hakataza) & 1 in Ôsaka (National Bunraku Theatre)!

??? perform at the Kabukiza !

??? perform at the New National Theatre

Kataoka Ainosuke, Bandô Yajûrô, Ichikawa Chûsha, Nakamura Yonekichi, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya & Ichikawa En'ya perform at the Minamiza!

Tama5 performs at the Hakataza!

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The 5th 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.

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No performance at the National Theatre, which is no more operating in 2026 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!

Kataoka Ainosuke, Bandô Yajûrô, Ichikawa Chûsha, Nakamura Yonekichi, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa En'ya

The newly-created Kabuki hero "Rupan Sansei", which was based on Monkey Punch's famous manga/anime "Lupin the Third", which was premiered in December 2023 at the Shinbashi Enbujô and which was staged in September 2025 at the Minamiza, is ready for new adventures in 2026. The first round was a huge success and the second round was premiered in March 2026 in Tôkyô at the Shinbashi Enbujô. Then, it was staged in April 2026 in Nagoya at the Misonoza. This month, it is staged in Kyôto at the Minamiza and in February 2027 it will be staged in Fukuoka at the Hakataza. It stars Kataoka Ainosuke (Lupin III & Ishikawa Goemon XIII), Ichikawa Chûsha (Inspector Zenigata Kôichi), Ichikawa Emiya (Mine Fujiko), Ichikawa Emisaburô (Jigen Daisuke) & Nakamura Yonekichi (Princess Seori).

Hekisui no Reijô: the story is set in the feudal era. Princess Seori (Nakamura Yonekichi), the daughter of the Lord of Suwa, head of the Harumiya family, was living a quiet life at the Hatsuse Temple in Kamakura. However, following her father’s death, she is forced to marry the Regent Takitsu Danjô Hisanaga (Bandô Yajûrô) to ensure her family's survival. Into this situation comes the master thief Lupin the Third (Kataoka Ainosuke), aiming to steal the vast fortune being hoarded at the temple, which leads to their fateful encounter. For this sheltered princess who dreamed of freedom, Lupin arrives like a sudden gust of wind. Together, they embark on an adventure in pursuit of a secret treasure hidden within a phantom ancient castle. Lupin and the Princess begin to develop an affection for each other, their hearts swaying as they have different destinies. Lupin, the Princess, Jigen Daisuke (Ichikawa Emisaburô), Ishikawa Goemon XIII (Kataoka Ainosuke in a second role), and Mine Fujiko (Ichikawa Emiya) clash with their formidable enemy, Danjô, over the treasure, whom Inspector Zenigata (Ichikawa Chûsha) follows in hot pursuit. The curtain now rises on this "Heroine’s Tale", weaving together the world of Kabuki and Lupin the Third.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Shindô Gaku

A special program starring the amazing Living National Treasure onnagata Bandô Tamasaburô in Fukuoka at the Hakataza. The guest in "Nagasaki Jûnikei" is the actor/singer Shindô Gaku. "Sankyoku Ito no Shirabe" is not a Kabuki number but a musical performance: Bandô Tamasaburô plays the koto, the shamisen and the kokyû as he used to play them when he performed the role of Akoya in the eponymous drama "Akoya".

10th 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 2nd to the 3rd of October in Tôkyô at the Meijiza [more details].