2021 in figures:

720 actors

530 summaries

520 actors lines

110 playwrights

120 lesser known actors

50 playwrights lines

2200 entries in the Kabuki plays list

740 entries in the list of roles

I would like to thank very much all the friends who helped me building this site. Happy new year of the tora (tiger) 2022. We hope that the 4th year of the Reiwa era will be the year of the announcement of the shûmei of Ichikawa Danjûrô XIII, which should have happened in 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis. A thought for Nakamura Kichiemon II and Kataoka Hidetarô II, two Living National Treasures who passed away in 2021.

KAOMISE: Ôsaka 1721 (Naka no Shibai), Ôsaka 1721 (Kado no Shibai), Ôsaka 1721 (Higashi no Shibai), Kyôto 1721 (Miyako Mandayû's theater), Kyôto 1721 (Ebisuya Kichirôbê's theater), Kyôto 1721 (Hoteiya Umenojô's theater) and Kyôto 1721 (Hayagumo Chôdayû's theater).

PROGRAMS: January 2022 (details for the Kabukiza and Shinbashi Enbujô programs), February 2022 (Kabukiza), March 2022 (Minamiza) and April 2022 (Kanamaruza).

OTHERS: 1 new link; 1 book was referenced in the bibliography; the pages on the Kirinami Senju, Nakamura Kichiemon, Nakamura Kumetarô and Ogino Yaegiri lines of actors have been reworked; a special page for the book "Hana no Edo Kabuki Nendaiki" (1811); 5 new illustrations for the book "Sangoku Rôei Kyôbutai" (1731); 2 new illustrations for the 2nd book of "Hana no Edo Kabuki Nendaiki" (1811); 5 new illustrations for the 3rd book of "Hana no Edo Kabuki Nendaiki" (1811); New illustrations for the actors Bandô Hikosaburô I, Ichikawa Danjûrô II [1714 | 1718 | 1727 | 1730 | 1731], Ogino Izaburô I, Ôtani Hiroji I and Sawamura Sôjûrô I [1727 | 1730]; a new illustration page for the actors Fujita Kantarô, Hagino Matsuyo, Kirinami Senju II, Mihogi Shichitarô and Ogino Yaegiri I; the pages on the actors Nakamura Karoku I, Nakamura Karoku III, Nakamura Kashichi IV, Nakamura Kazuma II, Nakamura Kichibê I, Nakamura Kichiemon I (old line), Nakamura Kichiemon I, Nakamura Kichiemon II, Nakamura Kichinojô II, Nakamura Kosanza II, Nakamura Kumetarô I and Nakamura Kumetarô II have been reworked (past tense, day of passing away in western calendar and added data/illustrations for some of them); a temporary page for the drama "Katakiuchi Noriai Banashi" (without any global summary); 12 new guilds in the guilds list (Daikokuya, Hôraiya, Ishikawaya, Maruya, Masatsuya, Owariya, Shôkakuya, Tamuraya, Tanbaya, Wakamatsuya, Wataya, Zeniya); fuekata and senshûraku have been added to the glossary.

KAOMISE: Edo 1721 (Nakamuraza), Edo 1721 (Ichimuraza) and Edo 1721 (Moritaza).

PROGRAMS: December 2021 (a new flyer for the Kabukiza, details for the Kabukiza and Minamiza programs), January 2022 (Kabukiza, National Theatre, Shinbashi Enbujô, Misonoza), February 2022 (details for the Hakataza and a new flyer, details for the Theatre Cocoon and a new flyer, EX THEATER) and March 2022 (EX THEATER, Fukuoka Sunpalace Hotel & Hall, Festival Hall).

OTHERS: 3 new links; 5 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; a new illustration for the actors Asao Jûjirô I, Fujii Hanamatsu, Jitsukawa Gakujûrô II, Matsushima Hyôtarô, Segawa Kikunojô I and Yoshizawa Ayame I; a new illustration page for the actors Arashi Jûjirô I, Fujii Kokon, Hiraoka Yasohachi, Itô Kodayû II, Itô Kodayû III, Izumikawa Sennosuke, Ogino Izaburô I and Segawa Kikujirô I; the pages on the Ichikawa Somegorô, Itô Kodayû, Iwai Hanshirô and Segawa Rokô lines of actors have been reworked; 11 new illustrations for the book "Sangoku Rôei Kyôbutai" (1731); the pages on the actors Ichinokawa Hikoshirô II, Ichiyama Sukegorô I, Itô Kodayû I, Itô Kodayû II, Iwai Hanshirô I, Iwai Hanshirô III, Iwai Hanshirô IV, Iwai Hanshirô VI, Iwai Hanshirô VII, Iwai Hanshirô VIII and Iwai Hanshirô X have been reworked (past tense, day of passing away in western calendar and added data/illustrations for some of them); 3 new guilds in the guilds list (Kameya, Shinkomaya, Toyodaya); urakata has been added to the glossary.

PROGRAMS: November 2021 (details for the Kabukiza and National Theatre programs), December 2021 (Kabukiza), January 2022 (Shinbashi Enbujô, the program and a new flyer for the Shôchikuza) and February 2022 (Hakataza, Shibuya Bunkamura Theatre).

OTHERS: 1 new link; an illustration page for the dramas "Genpei Nunobiki no Taki" and "Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki"; the pages on the Yamamura Takumi and Yamamura Tomoemon lines of actors have been reworked; the pages on the actors Jitsukawa Enjaku I, Jitsukawa Enjaku II, Jitsukawa Enjaku III, Jitsukawa Gakujûrô I, Jitsukawa Gakujûrô II, Jitsukawa Yaozô I, Kamakura Chôkurô II, Kamakura Heikurô I, Kasaya Matakurô I and Kasaya Matakurô II have been reworked (past tense, day of passing away in western calendar and added data/illustrations for some of them); 10 new illustrations for the book "Sangoku Rôei Kyôbutai" (1731); a new illustration for the actors Tsugawa Kamon, Yamamura Utanosuke and Yamashita Kinsaku I; a new illustration page for the actors Shibazaki Tamijûrô, Sodesaki Miwano I, Tomizawa Montarô I, Uemura Hanakiku and Yoshizawa Tamazuma; 3 new guilds in the guilds list (Awaya, Edoya, Itaya).

ACTORS: Fujikawa Kanekurô.

LESSER KNOWN ACTORS: Fujita Kuhachirô.

PROGRAMS: October 2021 (new flyers for the Kabukiza, National Theatre and Misonoza, details for the Kabukiza, National Theatre and Misonoza programs, Tessenkai), November 2021 (Kabukiza, National Theatre), December 2021 (Minamiza) and January 2022 (Shôchikuza).

OTHERS: 3 new links; a new guild in the guilds list (Takegawaya).

ACTORS: Shinomiya Heihachi I.

PLAYWRIGHTS: Shibaya Katsusuke.

LESSER KNOWN PLAYWRIGHTS: Shibazaki Genzô and Shimada Kôzô.

PROGRAMS: September 2021 (a new flyer and details for the Kabukiza programs), October 2021 (Kabukiza, National Theatre, Kinshû Special Tour, Hana no Mai Tour) and November 2021 (TBS Akasaka Act Theater, Hana no Mai Tour).

OTHERS: 3 new links; 9 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; 1 new role in the bilingual list of roles; the pages on the Shibazaki Rinnosuke and Shinozuka Jirozaemon lines of actors have been reworked; the pages on the actors Shibazaki Rinzaemon I, Shibazaki Rinzaemon II, Shinomiya Genpachi, Shinozuka Jirozaemon I and Shinozuka Kazaemon have been reworked (past tense, day of passing away in western calendar and added data/illustrations for some of them); 2 new guilds in the guilds list (Yoshidaya, Nakajimaya); a temporary page for the dramas "Shikorobiki", "Shina Sadame", "Shitennô Oedo no Kaburaya" and "Shitennôji Garan Kagami" (without any global summary); akushichibyôe kagekiyo, garan, kaburaya, kamitsumiya ôji, kuni kuzushi, mayasan, mononobe no moriya, mononobe-shi, ono no imoko, shikoro, shikorobiki, shikorobikimono, soga umako, soga-shi, suiko tennô, sushun tennô, taira kagekiyo, umayado ôji and yômei tennô have been added to the glossary.

ACTORS: Nakajima Saburoshirô.

PLAYS: "Nakazô Kyôran".

PLAYWRIGHTS: Nakamura Seigorô II.

ACTORS LINES: Nakamura Denzô, Nakamura Gyoraku, Nakamura Kasen, Nakayama Icchô and Nakayama Ihachi.

LESSER KNOWN ACTORS: Nakagawa Shigejûrô and Nakagawa Takegorô.

LESSER KNOWN PLAYWRIGHTS: Naka Kiichi, Nakagawa Shôemon, Nakamatsu Bunzô, Nakamura Seijûrô, Nakanogawa Tôshichi, Nakata Mansuke and Nakayama Otohachi.

PROGRAMS: August 2021 (National Theatre, a new flyer for the Kabukiza, details for the Kabukiza and Minamiza Theatre programs), September 2021 (Kabukiza, Shunjûza, National Bunraku Theatre, Ôtsuki Nô Theatre, a new flyer for the Minamiza) and October 2021 (Shôchikuza, Misonoza).

OTHERS: 2 new links; 9 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; 4 new roles in the bilingual list of roles; the pages on the Nakajima Kanzaemon and Nakayama Shinkurô lines of actors have been reworked; the pages on the actors Nakajima Mihoemon I, Nakamura Kanjaku III, Nakamura Sôjûrô, Nakamura Tokizô III, Nakayama Kiraku I, Nakayama Shinkurô I and Nakayama Tomisaburô I have been reworked (past tense, day of passing away in western calendar and added data/illustrations for some of them); 2 new guilds in the guilds list (Oriya, Suehiroya); dewa gunji, eiri kyôgenbon, goshuden, gunji, kugyô, mura musume, ono yoshizane, shigayama-ryû and yoshimine munesada have been added to the glossary.

ACTORS: Tamekawa Kohyôe.

PLAYWRIGHTS LINES: Tamenaga Tarobê.

LESSER KNOWN PLAYWRIGHTS: Hirata Bunji, Iozaki Kyûsuke, Kadota Kyôsuke, Okuno Eiji, Sawai Chûzô and Yamada Heizô.

PROGRAMS: June 2021 (Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre, a new flyer for the Kabukiza and for the National Theatre), July 2021 (details for the Kabukiza, Shôchikuza and National Theatre programs, a new flyer for the Kabukiza, for the Minamiza and for the National Theatre), August 2021 (Kabukiza, National Theatre, National Bunraku Theatre, Hakodate Shimin Kaikan) and September 2021 (a new flyer for the Minamiza).

OTHERS: 1 new link; 22 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; 9 new roles in the bilingual list of roles; a more detailed casting for the premiere of the drama "Kiku no En Tsuki no Shiranami"; a new page dedicated to lesser known playwrights; a temporary page for the dramas "Imaori Hakata no Irifune", "Okuni-iri Soga Nakamura", "Shitennô Ubuyu no Tamagawa", "Shitennô Yagura no Ishizue", "Torimazete Sekison Miyage" and "Yaegasumi Soga no Kumiito" (without any global summary); furugane-kai, haru kyôgen, hatsuharu kyôgen, ishizue, itoya, machigakae, nusubito, tabi, tabiya, tatamiya, ubuyu and yayoi kyôgen have been added to the glossary.

PLAYS: "Gohiiki Tsunagi Uma" and "Kiku no En Tsuki no Shiranami".

PLAYWRIGHTS: Tajima Konosuke I.

PROGRAMS: June 2021 (details for the Kabukiza programs), July 2021 (Kabukiza, National Theatre), August 2021 (Minamiza, Nihonbashi Kôkaidô) and September 2021 (Minamiza).

OTHERS: 11 new links; 17 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; 30 new roles in the bilingual list of roles; a temporary page for the dramas "Imoseyama Hitome Senbon", "Iroeiri Otogi Zôshi", "Kachi Zumô Ukina no Hanabure", "Nazoraete Fujigane Soga" and "Shitennô Momiji no Edoguma" (without any global summary); amanawa, ashigarayama, bushû, chigo, daiya, dôji, fujiwara sumitomo, furubone-kai, furudôguya, furugasa-kai, hanabi, hanabi taikai, hanayashiki, ichiharano, ichijô, isaragomachi, ishikiri, ishiya, jodô, jorô, jorô-gumo, kan shôjô, kanke, kashimonoya, kedamonoya, kintokisan, kintokiyama, kirimise, kôguya, kohata koheiji, modoribashi, musashi, onagigawa, otogi zôshi, ôyane, rashômon kashi, ryôgoku, ryôgokubashi, sairei, sajiki-ga-dake, sakanaya, shakuya, shiba, shin-torigoe-chô, sôma tarô yoshikado, sôma-shi, sugawara michizane taira masamori, taira yoshikado, tako, tsuchi-gumo, tsunagi uma, ushi no gozen, ushijima jinja and yugasan have been added to the glossary.

ACTORS: Murayama Heijûrô IV.

PLAYS: "Musuko" and "Rakuda".

PLAYWRIGHTS: Murase Genzaburô.

LESSER KNOWN ACTORS: Murakami Takenojô, Murakami Zenzaemon, Murayama Jûrobê and Murayama Shirotarô.

PROGRAMS: April 2021 (coronavirus updates, Makuhari Messe), May 2021 (coronavirus updates, details for the Kabukiza, National Theatre, Cocoon Kabuki and Meijiza programs), June 2021 (Kabukiza, Minamiza, details for the Hakataza and Minamiza programs), July 2021 (Shôchikuza, Minamiza) and August 2021 (Minamiza).

OTHERS: 1 new link; 12 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; 10 new roles in the bilingual list of roles; 4 new illustrations for the book "Sangoku Rôei Kyôbutai" (1731); the pages on the Nakamura Shichisaburô and Shibazaki Rinzaemon lines of actors have been reworked; the pages on the actors Ikushima Hanroku, Ikushima Shingorô, Murayama Heiemon III and Murayama Heijûrô I have been reworked (past tense, day of passing away in western calendar and added data/illustrations for some of them); a new illustration for the actors Anegawa Kiyosaburô, Fujikawa Buzaemon I, Fujioka Daikichi, Sakata Tôjûrô I and Shibazaki Rinzaemon I; a new illustration page for the actors Fujita Daijirô II, Ichikawa Danzô V and Yamatoyama Jinzaemon II; a new guild in the guilds list (Amazuya); buraikan, dokufumono, hi-no-bangoya, hitomaku-mono, hori, kamikuzu-kai, kan'oke, kasôba, keibo, kôden, mita bungaku, nagaya, ogakuzu, oka onitarô, osanai kaoru, rakuda, rôya, shigai, sonja, taru, tsukemono, tsuya, yoshi-chô and yûjin have been added to the glossary.

ACTORS: Sagawa Bunzô I.

PLAYS: "Saigô to Buta-hime" and "Sakazaki Dewa-no-Kami".

ACTORS LINES: Sagawa Bunzô.

KABUKI ART: Kabuki Murals in the USA - Stillwater.

STROLLING AROUND: Fushimi Inari Kabuki.

PROGRAMS: April 2021 (details and a flyer for the Kabukiza programs), May 2021 (Kabukiza, Meijiza) and June 2021 (Minamiza).

OTHERS: 11 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; 28 new roles in the bilingual list of roles; 6 new illustrations for the book "Sangoku Rôei Kyôbutai" (1731); a new illustration page for the actors Hanai Saizaburô III, Ichikawa Gennosuke, Nakamura Kiyosaburô I, Nakayama Shinkurô I and Sakakiyama Shirotarô IV; a new illustration for the actors Arashi Koroku I, Asao Tamejûrô I, Hanai Saizaburô III, Ichikawa Ebizô II, Ôtani Hiroji II, Sanogawa Hanazuma I and Sanogawa Jûkichi I; two new illustrations for the actor Arashi Koroku I [one | two]; the pages on the Sakakiyama Koshirô and Sakakiyama Shirotarô lines of actors have been reworked; the pages on the actors Sadoshima Chôgorô I, Sadoshima Denpachi, Sakata Hangorô II, Sakata Hangorô III, Sakata Hangorô IV, Sakata Tôjûrô I and Sakata Tôjûrô III have been reworked (past tense, day of passing away in western calendar and added data/illustrations for some of them); a temporary page for the drama "Sanshô-dayû" (without any global summary); 4 new guilds in the guilds list (Hiiragiya, Shôgatsuya, Surugaya); bakumatsu yondai hitokiri, bakumatsumono, cha zashiki, cha-no-yu zashiki, dewa, fushimi inari taisha, geigi, goyôkiki, hashidate, hitokiri, honda heihachirô, honda heihachirô tadatoki, honda masazumi, honda sado, honda tadamasa, honda tadatoki, honda yahachirô, honda yahachirô masazumi, ikeda daigo, inari daimyôjin, inga, ishin sûden, iwami, kagoshima-jô, kirino toshiaki, konchiin sûden, meakashi, nakamura hanjirô, nariai, ôkubo ichisuke, ôkubo toshimichi, omote zashiki, rakujô, rakushoku, ri, saigô kichinosuke, saigô takamori, saigô takanaga, sanbongi, satsuma-han, sekishû, sekkyô-bushi, sen-hime, sakazaki naomori, sakazaki narimasa, shichiri no watashi, tayû, tayû, tayû, tenpura, tenpuraya, tesaki, tori musume, tsurumaru-jô, tsuwano-han, ukita akiie, ushû and yura have been added to the glossary.

ACTORS: Sodeshima Genji.

PLAYS: "Sode Nikki Banshû Meguri".

ACTORS LINES: Sodesaki Wakano and Sodeshima Ichiya.

LESSER KNOWN ACTORS: Sodeoka Sasao and Sodesaki Tsumanosuke.

PROGRAMS: March 2021 (details for the Kabukiza, Minamiza and National Theatre programs, Shungyô Special Tour, Classics Tour, Yachiyoza, a new flyer for the Kabukiza), April 2021 (Kabukiza, Shungyô Special Tour), May 2021 (a flyer for the Theatre Cocoon) and June 2021 (Hakataza).

OTHERS: 2 new links; 5 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; 34 new roles in the bilingual list of roles; a special page for the book "Sangoku Rôei Kyôbutai" (1731); a new illustration for the actors Hayakawa Hatsuse, Hayakawa Shinkatsu, Ichikawa Ebizô II, Katayama Tokujûrô, Kirinami Takie, Namie Karumo, Sodeoka Sasao, Wakaura Kinjûrô, Yamashita Kametarô and Yamashita Kinsaku I; three illustrations for the actor Sodesaki Iseno I [one | two | three]; a new illustration page for the actors Ichikawa Monnosuke I, Ichikawa Sadanji I, Nanboku Sabu II, Sodesaki Iseno I and Yamatoya Jinbê IV; the pages on the actors Sodeoka Masanosuke II, Sodesaki Iroha I, Sodesaki Iseno I and Sodesaki Miwano I have been reworked (past tense, day of passing away in western calendar and added data/illustrations for some of them); a new guild in the guilds list (Hiranoya); ashikaga yoshimasa, ashikaga yoshimitsu, ashikaga yoshinori, edo kabuki hasshô no chi, hime-ga-jô, himeji-han, hôin, jûnihitoe, kahô, kanetsukidô, kyôbashi, maiko no hama, murotsu, ôkuradani, sangoku rôei kyôbutai, shôrô, shukurô, torii-ha, yamato hasedera and zôritori have been added to the glossary.

ACTORS: Tsugawa Kamon.

PLAYS: "Tôjin Goroshi" and "Tôzumô".

ACTORS LINES: Takenaka Kichisaburô and Tsutsui Kichijûrô.

PLAYWRIGHTS LINES: Takeshiba Hyôzô and Tsuchii Hyôshichi.

LESSER KNOWN ACTORS: Takeshima Kôzaburô.

PROGRAMS: January 2021 (Koganei Miyaji Musical Hall), February 2021 (details for the Kabukiza programs, new flyers for the Kabukiza and the Hakataza), March 2021 (Kabukiza, National Theatre, a new flyer for the Minamiza), April 2021 (details for the Misonoza program) and May 2021 (National Theatre, Theatre Cocoon).

OTHERS: 1 new link; 10 new entries in the Japanese-English Kabuki plays list; 24 new roles in the bilingual list of roles; the pages on Yakusha Mono Iwai (1784) have been reworked (second book); an illustration page for the actors Arashi Sangorô I, Fujikawa Sango, Fujita Koheiji I, Hayakawa Shinkatsu, Nakamura Kazuma I and Suzuki Heizaemon I; a new illustration for the actors Anegawa Daikichi I, Anegawa Daikichi I, Anegawa Shinshirô I, Anegawa Shinshirô III, Arashi Bungorô I, Arashi Sangorô I, Arashi Shinpei II, Azuma Tôzô III, Fujikawa Hachizô II, Fujikawa Happo I, Fujikawa Happo II, Hayakawa Shinkatsu, Ichikawa Yaozô II, Ichimura Uzaemon IX, Onoe Kikugorô I, Onoe Kikugorô I, Onoe Koisaburô I, Segawa Kikunojô I, Segawa Kikunojô II, Segawa Senjo and Yamashita Yaozô I; the pages on the actors Ichimura Takenojô V, Ichimura Uzaemon XVII and Ichimura Yoshigorô II have been reworked (past tense, day of passing away in western calendar and added data/illustrations for some of them); a temporary page for the dramas "Taiheiki Chûshin Kôshaku", "Tenjiku Tokubê Kikigaki Ôrai", "Tenjiku Tokubê Kokyô no Torikaji" and "Tomioka Koi no Yamabiraki" (without any global summary); a new guild in the guilds list (Kodamaya, Nanbuya, Sakaiya, Ujiya); aizomeya, edobashi, gesaku, hosokawa katsumoto, junkabuki, kandagawa, kanjin, kannin, kanrei, karako, kokubunji, kon'ya, kôya, kutsuwa, kutsuwaya, kyakuden, kyôka, maruyamamachi, muko, nihonbashigawa, oyakata, pintokona, tanka, tera-otoko, tôjin, tsûji, tsukasabito, tsukkorobashi, yari and yoriaimachi have been added to the glossary.