2016 in figures:

640 actors

445 summaries

440 actors lines

64 playwrights

50 lesser known actors

1700 entries in the Kabuki plays list

I would like to thank very much all the friends who helped me building this site. Happy new year of the Rooster 2017. We wish that 2017 will be the year of Nakamura Fukusuke's comeback on stage. We also wish for two successful series of shûmei performances for Ichikawa Udanji III, Bandô Rakuzen, Bandô Hikosaburô IX and Bandô Kamezô III. We also wish great hatsubutai for 4 young lads : Ichikawa Ukon II, Nakamura Kantarô III, Nakamura Chôzaburô II and Bandô Kamesaburô VI!

ACTORS: Fujii Hanamatsu and Fujita Koheiji I.

PLAYWRIGHTS: Fujikawa Sanpachi, Masuyama Kinpachi I and Mimasuya Nisôji.

CONTEMPORARY ACTORS: Ichikawa Ukon II.

PROGRAMS: January 2017 (details for the Shôchikuza, Shinbashi Enbujô and Pontochô Kaburenjô programs), February 2017 (Shôchikuza, Zenshinza Tour, details for the Hakataza programs), March 2017 (Zenshinza Tour) and April 2017 (Kanamaruza).

OTHERS: the pages on Bandô Hikosaburô VIII, Bandô Kamesaburô V, Bandô Kametoshi, Ichikawa Monnosuke V, Ichikawa Monnosuke VI, Kataoka Gadô V, Kataoka Nizaemon X, Kataoka Nizaemon XI, Kataoka Nizaemon XII, Kataoka Roen VI, Matsumoto Hakuô, Yoshida Manshirô, Yoshizawa Ayame V and Yoshizawa Iroha II were reworked (past tense, day of passing away in western calendar and added data for some of them); the page on the Ichikawa Shôchô and Kataoka Nizaemon lines of actors was reworked; 1 book was referenced in the bibliography; a new illustration page for Kataoka Nizaemon XII; daitsû, fudasashi, hoshika, jûhachi daitsû, kikaku-ryû, machidoshiyori, senryû , takarai kikaku and yûjoya are added to the glossary; 1 book was referenced in the bibliography.

ACTORS: Somekawa Jûrobê and Somematsu Shichisaburô I.

ACTORS LINES: Somematsu Shichisaburô.

KAOMISE: Kyôto 1748 (Miyako Handayû's theater).

DERIVATIVES: Kabuki Cat Moneybox.

PROGRAMS: December 2016 (details for the Kabukiza and National Theatre programs), January 2017 (Pontochô Kaburenjô, details for the Kabukiza programs), February 2017 (Kabukiza, EX THEATER) and March 2017 (National Theatre).

OTHERS: 2 new links; 15 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; an illustration for Bandô Kikumatsu I; a picture of the special celebration curtain for the October 2016 shûmei of Nakamura Shikan VIII at the Kabukiza; new illustration pages for Asao Jûjirô, Sawamura Chôjûrô I and Tsutsui Kichijûrô I; a new illustration for Bandô Hikosaburô I, Karyû Sawaemon, Shinozuka Jirozaemon I and Takeshima Kôzaemon I; a picture of the special celebration curtain for the November 2016 shûmei of Nakamura Shikan VIII at the Kabukiza; the pages on Arashi Kanshirô I, Arashi Kichisaburô I, Arashi Kichisaburô III, Arashi Kichisaburô VI, Fujioka Daikichi, Osagawa Tsuneyo I, Osagawa Tsuneyo II, Ôtani Hiroemon I, Ôtani Hiroemon II, Ôtani Hiroemon III, Ôtani Hiroji II, Yoshizawa Ayame I, Yoshizawa Ayame II, Yoshizawa Ayame III, Yoshizawa Ayame IV and Yoshizawa Tamazuma were reworked (past tense, day of passing away in western calendar and added data for some of them); san-no-kawari is added to the glossary.

KAOMISE: Edo 1735 (Nakamuraza).

KABUKI ART: Kabuki Chopsticks 3.

STROLLING AROUND: Tenbô Kabuki.

PROGRAMS: November 2016 (details for the Hakataza, Yachiyoza, Eirakukan and Kinshû Special Tour programs, Shibuya-ku Bunka Sôgô Center Ôwada), December 2016 (Kabukiza), January 2017 (Shôchikuza, Kabukiza, Shinbashi Enbujô, Asakusa Kôkaidô) and February 2017 (Hakataza).

OTHERS: a new summary for "Onna Narukami"; bokuden-ryû, ittô-ryû, ittôsai kagehisa, taisei hôkan and tsukahara bokuden are added to the glossary.

ACTORS: Tsuyama Yûzô I.

PLAYS: "Futatsudama, "Hangan Seppuku", "Kanpei Harakiri", "Matsukiri", "Ninjô", "Rikiya Jôshi", "Shinmotsu", "Shiro Akewatashi" and "Teppô Watashi".

PLAYWRIGHTS: Hamaji Matoo II and Tsuuchi Eishi I.

CONTEMPORARY ACTORS: Nakamura Baika IV.

ACTORS LINES: Tsuuchi Monzaburô.

LESSER KNOWN ACTORS: Tsugawa Handayû and Tsugawa Mandayû.

PROGRAMS: October 2016 (details for the Kabukiza, NTK Hall, National Theatre and Shôchiku Grand Kabuki Tour programs), November 2016 (details for the Kabukiza and National Theatre programs), December 2016 (details for the Pontochô Kaburenjô programs) and January 2017 (National Theatre).

OTHERS: 3 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; a new illustration page for Arashi Shichigorô I; 1 book was referenced in the bibliography.

ACTORS: Ichimura Sanohachi.

PLAYS: "Jûichidanme".

CONTEMPORARY ACTORS: Nakamura Kichinojô.

ACTORS LINES: Ichikawa Shachimaru, Ichikawa Teruzô, Ichimura Tamagashiwa and Ichimura Wakadayû.

KABUKI ART: Kabuki Chopsticks 2.

LESSER KNOWN ACTORS: Ichiyama Dengorô and Ichiyama Seizô.

PROGRAMS: September 2016 (details for the Kabukiza programs, full casting and a picture for the Shinbashi Enbujô and the National Theatre), October 2016 (Kabukiza, NHK Hall, Yachiyoza, Nihonbashi Kôkaidô), November 2016 (Kabukiza, Eirakukan, Yachiyoza, Kinshû Special Tour) and December 2016 (Pontochô Kaburenjô, National Theatre).

OTHERS: 2 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; a new illustration page for the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura".

KABUKI ART: Kabuki Chopsticks 1.

DERIVATIVES: Kabuki Face Pack.

PROGRAMS: August 2016 (details for the Kabukiza, National Theatre and National Bunraku Theatre programs, Kintetsu Art Kan), September 2016 (Kabukiza, Asakusa Kôkaidô, Morinomiya Piloti Hall, Ichikawa Ebizô Special Dance Performances), October 2016 (Classics Tour) and November 2016 (National Theatre, Hakataza, Shôchiku Kabuki Dance Tour).

OTHERS: 1 new link; the data on Kataoka Matsutarô have been moved from the Nakamura Kichinosuke page to the Lesser Known Actors (Kataoka) page; ataka and wakiyaku are added to the glossary.

PLAYS: "Nazo no Obi Chotto Tokubê".

PLAYWRIGHTS: Nakamura Jûsuke II and Nakamura Jûsuke IV.

ACTORS LINES: Morita Kanjirô.

PROGRAMS: July 2016 (details for the Kabukiza, Shôchikuza and National Theatre programs, details for the tours in the central and eastern provinces), August 2016 (Kabukiza, National Theatre, National Bunraku Theatre, National Nô Theatre), September 2016 (Hiraizumi Kabuki) and October 2016 (NTK Hall, National Theatre, Shinbashi Enbujô, Shôchiku Grand Kabuki).

OTHERS: 5 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; the pages on the lines Bandô Matakurô, Bandô Tsurunosuke, Ichimura Takenojô, Ichimura Uzaemon, Kawarasaki Chôjûrô, Kawarasaki Gonnosuke, Nakamura Akashi and Nakamura Kanzaburô were reworked; 1 book was referenced in the bibliography; a new illustration page for Arashi San'emon I, Nakamura Kanzaburô II, Nakamura Kanzaburô III and Takeshima Kôzaemon I; a new illustration for Arashi San'emon I, Ichimura Takenojô I and Nakamura Kanzaburô V; honjo, naniwa tachigiki mukashi banashi, nuno-zarashi, shin yarô hanagaki and yarô sanza no wabi are added to the glossary.

ACTORS: Arashi Rikaku V, Ichikawa Danjûrô III, Ichikawa Gangyoku II, Nakamura Kamon II and Nakamura Noshio III.

PLAYWRIGHTS: Fukumori Kyûsuke II and Fukumori Kyûsuke III.

ACTORS LINES: Arashi Tomisaburô, Ichikawa Gangyoku, Ichikawa Morinosuke, Nakamura Kamon and Nakamura Noshio.

LESSER KNOWN ACTORS: Kataoka Gayû II, Kataoka Hanzô III and Kataoka Ichimatsu.

PROGRAMS: June 2016 (details for the Kabukiza programs), July 2016 (Kabukiza, Shinshû Matsumoto, Cerulean Tower), August 2016 (Chûnichi Theatre, National Theatre) and September 2016 (Western Provinces).

OTHERS: 8 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; a new illustration for Jitsukawa Enjaku III; a new illustration page for the actor Jitsukawa Enjaku III; kyôkakumono is added to the glossary.

ACTORS: Hayakawa Denshirô.

PLAYS: "Kumo no Ito" and "Kurama Jishi".

PLAYWRIGHTS: Hayakawa Denshirô.

ACTORS LINES: Ichikawa Danshichi, Ichikawa Hakuen, Ichikawa Masuzô and Ichikawa Saruzô.

LESSER KNOWN ACTORS: Ichikawa Kôsha, Ichikawa Masuju, Ichikawa Rikô and Ichikawa Shôhaku.

PROGRAMS: May 2016 (details for the Kabukiza programs), June 2016 (details for the Theatre Cocoon program) and July 2016 (Shôchikuza).

OTHERS: 14 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; an illustration page for the actor Kasaya Matakurô I; a new illustration for the actor Ichikawa Ebizô XI; an illustration page for the actor Ichikawa Ebizô VII; the page for the Ichikawa Ebizô line was reworked; the shûmei curtains of Nakamura Ganjirô IV and Nakamura Jakuemon V; the data about Ichikawa Raizô III were revised and corrected; atsuta jingû, bun'ya no asayasu, chisuji no ito, daikagura, fujiwara yasumasa, hirai saemonnojô yasumasa, hirai yasumasa, hishû, hizen, hyûga, ise jingû, isuzugawa, kagura, kaomise buyô, kawagoe shigeyori, kawagoe tarô shigeyori, kôshû, kumo, kumo no sei, kumo taiji, kumo yoten, kurama, kuramadera, kuramayama, kyô-no-kimi, mimosusogawa, nisshû, raikô, sakata kintoki, sakata shumenojô kintoki, sato gozen, seishitsu, tango, tanshû, urabe kageyu suetake, urabe suetake, usui sadamitsu, usui yukienojô sadamitsu, watanabe genji tsuna, watanabe tsuna, yamai hachimaki and yamato katsuragisan are added to the glossary.

ACTORS: Nakagawa Kinnojô, Nakamura Jusaburô III and Nakayama Kiyonosuke.

PLAYS: "Komori", "Korikori Banashi" and "Kozaru Shichinosuke".

PLAYWRIGHTS: Nagawa Shimesuke III.

ACTORS LINES: Nakamura Jusaburô.

PROGRAMS: April 2016 (details for the Kabukiza and Kyôto Gekijô programs, Makuhari Messe), May 2016 (Kabukiza, Ishikawa Ongakudô), June 2016 (Kabukiza, details for the Hakataza programs) and July 2016 (National Theatre, Kabuki Tours in the Central and Eastern Provinces).

OTHERS: 2 new links; 17 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; the summary for "Kama-ga-Fuchi" has been edited; abura-age, bakuchiuchi, chôkabuki, dakigo, dodoitsu, eitaibashi, eitaibashi rakkyô jiken, engawa, enmadô, furoshiki, hachisuka masakatsu, hanafuda, hiyoshimaru, kaoshi, kewaishi, nobushi, ôkawa, ôkawabata, okesa, roji, sanbusei, soba, susaki, tada yakushi, tenuguiya, tonbi, tôryô, uobune and yahagibashi are added to the glossary.

ACTORS: Bandô Manzô and Bandô Yasuke.

PLAYS: "Chibusa no Enoki" and "Kama-ga-Fuchi".

PLAYWRIGHTS: Segawa Jokô II and Sei Basetsu.

ACTORS LINES: Ôtani Bunzô and Ôtani Hiromatsu.

LESSER KNOWN ACTORS: Bandô Mitsusaburô and Bandô Yaenosuke.

PROGRAMS: March 2016 (details for the Kabukiza programs), April 2016 (Kabukiza, Kyôto Gekijô, details for the Meijiza programs), May 2016 (details for the program at the National Theatre) and June 2016 (Hakataza, Cocoon Kabuki, National Theatre).

OTHERS: 23 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; the pages on the actors Ôtani Hiroji II and Onoe Baikô VII are slightly reworked (data); a new illustration for the actor Nakamura Kanzaburô XVIII; enoki, fuji-no-mori jinja, hondô, ishikawa-goemonmono, jûjô, junisôike, kama, kama-ga-fuchi, kamairi, kanda gekijô, kawara, mamako ijime, meisho edo hyakkei, misakiza, nanzôin, ôtaki, ryôtei, shichijô, uwabami, yanagishima and yôkihi are added to the glossary.

ACTORS: Anegawa Daikichi I.

PLAYS: "Enmeiin Nittô".

PLAYWRIGHTS: Okuno Sasuke.

ACTORS LINES: Anegawa Daikichi.

KAOMISE: Kyôto 1750 (Ebisuya Kichirôbê's theater).

NI-NO-KAWARI: Kyôto 1751.

LESSER KNOWN ACTORS: Nakamura Kanjûrô, Nakamura Keijo, Nakamura Komajaku and Nakamura Kyôemon.

PROGRAMS: February 2016 (details for the Kabukiza and Hakataza programs, Zenshinza Tour), March 2016 (Kabukiza), April 2016 (Meijiza) and May 2016 (National Theatre).

OTHERS: 13 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; an illustration page for the drama "Kamakura Sandaiki"; two new illustrations for the actor Nakamura Kichiemon II; 1 book was referenced in the bibliography; a new image for Nakamura Shikan IV; the page on the Nakamura Utaemon line of actors was slightly reworked; two new illustrations for the actor Nakamura Tomijûrô V; more details about the career of Kataoka Nizaemon XIII; the data on Bandô Sadajûrô were moved from the Sawamura Kodenji page to the Lesser Known Actors (Bandô) page with a new picture; the page on the Sawamura Kodenji line of actors was reworked; an illustration page for the actor Sawamura Otoemon II; Sawamura Kodenji I was slightly edited; two new illustrations for the actor Sakakiyama Sagisuke; akatsuki hoshiemon, enmeiin, enmeiin jiken, haiyû makie sakazuki, hatsuyaku, hikite jaya, jisha bugyô, makie sakazuki, meshitsukai, nassho, sengi, tôzoku and yanaka are added to the glossary.