10 January: the playwright Kawatake Shinshichi III dies.

21 February: the actor Nakamura Tomijûrô III (1859~1901) dies.

March 1901: Kataoka Tsuchinosuke II takes the name of Kataoka Gadô IV in Ôsaka at the Kadoza.

May 1901: Nakamura Fukusuke IV takes the name of Nakamura Shikan V at the Kabukiza [more details].

July: premiere at the Tôkyôza of "Tsuri Onna", the Kabuki version of the kyôgen "Tsuribari", originally written in 1883 by Kawatake Mokuami (lyrics) and Kishizawa Shikisa VI (music) and revised for the stage by Takeshiba Shinkichi. It stars Ichikawa Ennosuke I and Nakamura Kangorô XII in the roles of Tarôkaja and the ugly girl.

22 August: the actor Mimasu Inemaru III (1858~1901) dies.

21 September: the actor Ichikawa Raizô VI dies.

29 September: the actor Bandô Shûchô II (1848~1901) dies.

March: the Harukiza is renamed Hongôza.

October: premiere at the Kabukiza of Enokido Kenji's drama "Ninjô Banashi Bunshichi Mottoi" [casting].

18 February: the actor Onoe Kikugorô V (1844~1903) dies.

March: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Otowaya guild; the actors Onoe Ushinosuke II, Onoe Eizaburô V and Onoe Eizô respectively take the names of Onoe Kikugorô VI, Onoe Baikô VI and Onoe Eizaburô VI [more details]. This is also the premiere of "Kichirei Soga no Ishizue", a play which is now titled "Kotobuki Soga no Taimen" in the Kabuki repertoire [casting].

May: Ichikawa Somegorô IV takes the name of Ichikawa Komazô VIII at the Kabukiza.

7 October: the actor Ichikawa Ebijûrô VI dies.

13 October: the actor Ichikawa Danjûrô IX (1838~1903) dies.

March: successful premiere at the Tôkyôza of Tsubouchi Shôyô's drama "Kiri Hitoha". The roles of Yodogimi and Katagiri Katsumoto are played by Nakamura Shikan V and Kataoka Gatô III.

27 March: the actor Ichikawa Gonjûrô (1848~1904) dies.

April: premiere at the Kabukiza of Mori Ôgai's drama "Nichiren Shônin Tsujiseppô". The leading roles are played by Onoe Baikô VI, Ichimura Uzaemon XV and Ichikawa Yaozô VII (he plays the role of the priest Nichiren).

7 August: the actor Ichikawa Sadanji I (1842~1904) dies.

11 March: the actor Iwai Matsunosuke IV (1857~1906) dies.

March: Tsubouchi Shôyô's drama "Hototogisu Kojô no Rakugetsu" is produced for the first time in Tôkyô, at the Tôkyôza [casting].

7 May: the actor Ichikawa Sumizô V (1845~1906) dies.

December: premiere at the Minamiza of Takayasu Gekkô's drama "Sakura Shigure" [casting].

11 December: the actor Kataoka Ichizô III (1851~1906) dies.

November: revival at the Kabukiza of the kabuki jûhachiban drama "Kagekiyo" [casting].

September: revival at the Meijiza of the drama "Kenuki", a long-forgotten play belonging to the kabuki jûhachiban [casting].

November: revival of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Onna Goroshi Abura no Jigoku", in Ôsaka at the Asahiza, which is based on a new script written by Watanabe Katei [casting].

January: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Onna Goroshi Abura no Jigoku" is staged for the first time in Kyôto, at the Minamiza [casting].

March: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the kyôgen "Hanago", adapted to Kabuki by Okamura Shikô and staged under the title "Migawari Zazen" [casting].

May: Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Onna Goroshi Abura no Jigoku" is staged for the first time in Tôkyô, at the Shintomiza [casting].

May: revival at the Meijiza of the drama "Narukami", a long-forgotten play belonging to the kabuki jûhachiban [casting].

10 September: the actor Bandô Minosuke V (1860~1910) dies.

2 April: the actor Sawamura Shirogorô IV (1862~1911) dies.

May: premiere at the Meijiza of the Okamoto Kidô's drama "Shuzenji Monogatari" [casting].

11 September: the actor Ichikawa Danzô VII (1836~1911) dies.

April: premiere at the Kabukiza of the dance "Hashi Benkei" [more details].

11 October: the actor Arashi Yoshisaburô IV (1872~1912) dies.

November: premiere at the Kabukiza of Enomoto Torahiko's drama "Meikô Kakiemon". The role of Kakiemon, a kind of Japanese Bernard Palissy, is played by Kataoka Nizaemon XI.

January: revival at the Hongôza of the drama "Gedatsu", a long-forgotten play belonging to the kabuki jûhachiban. The roles of the warrior Taira no Kagekiyo and Akoya are played by Ichikawa Sadanji II and Ichikawa Shôchô II.

20 August: the actor Ichikawa Monnosuke VI (1862~1914) dies.

September: premiere at the Imperial Theater of the dance "Onatsu Kyôran". The choreography is made by Fujima Kan'emon II and the music is made by Tokiwazu Mojidayû VI. The roles of Onatsu and the pack-horse driver are played by Onoe Baikô VI and Matsumoto Kôshirô VII.

October: premiere at the Shintomiza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Sasaki Takatsuna". The role of Sasaki Takatsuna is played by Ichikawa Sadanji II.

20 April: the actor Arashi Kitsusaburô IV (1841~1915) dies.

September: premiere at the Hongôza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Toribeyama Shinjû" [casting].

January: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the kyôgen "Bô Shibari", which is adapted to kabuki by Okamura Shikô [casting].

31 january: the actor Nakamura Nakazô IV (1855~1916) dies.

February: premiere at the Hongôza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Banchô Sarayashiki" [casting].

18 March: the actor Ichikawa Sai'nyû (1843~1916) dies.

April: Nakamura Yonekichi II takes the name of Nakamura Tokizô III at the Ichimuraza.

16 November: the playwright Enomoto Torahiko dies.

July: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the kyôgen "Tachi Nusubito", adapted to Kabuki by Okamura Shikô with a musical accompaniment written by Kineya Mitarô. Onoe Kikugorô VI, Bandô Hikosaburô VI and Bandô Mitsugorô VII play the 3 roles of the dance.

9 November: the zamoto Kawarazaki Gonnosuke VIII dies.

November: premiere at the Shintomiza of Matsui Shôyô's drama "Yodogimi". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) is played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

24 November: the actor Arashi Rikaku IV (1853~1918) dies.

17 May: the actor Nakamura Karoku III dies (1849~1919).

13 August: the actor Kawarazaki Kunitarô IV (1888~1919) dies.

27 August: the actor Onoe Kikujirô III dies (1882~1919).

September: premiere at the Kabukiza of the Kiyomoto-based dance "Sumidagawa", a Nô adapted to Kabuki by Yamazaki Shikô with a musical accompaniment made by Kiyomoto Umekichi II and inspired by Russian ballets seen by Ichikawa Ennosuke II during his European study tour. Ennosuke plays the role of the wandering woman Hanjo-no-Mae, desesparately looking for her abducted son Umewakamaru along the Sumida River [casting].

October: premiere at the Naniwaza (Ôsaka) of Kikuchi Kan's drama "Tôjûrô no Koi", inspired by the life of the actor Sakata Tôjûrô I. Nakamura Ganjirô I and Nakamura Fukusuke IV play the roles of Tôjûrô and Okaji.

19 March: the actor Nakamura Matagorô I (1885~1920) dies.

6 September: the actor Arashi Rikan V dies (1870~1920).

March: premiere at the Imperial Theater of the dance-drama "Chatsubo", which is adapted from kyôgen to Kabuki by Okamura Shikô and stars Onoe Kikugorô VI and Bandô Mitsugorô VII.

June: premiere at the Shintomiza of Takayasu Gekkô's drama "Daigo no Haru". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) is played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

8 June: the actor Nakamura Baigyoku II (1841~1921) dies.

October: premiere at the Kabukiza of Okamoto Kidô's drama "Ôsakajô". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) is played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

30 October: the Kabukiza is burnt to the ground in a fire caused by an electrical short circuit.

February: premiere at the Shintomiza of Yamazaki Shikô's drama "Hatsushiraga". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) is played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

February: premiere at the Ichimuraza of "Shibahama no Kawazaifu", a drama adapted from a famous Rakugo story created by San'yûtei Enchô. Onoe Kikugorô VI and Sawamura Sônosuke I play the roles of Masagorô and Masagorô's wife Otatsu.

6 February: the actor Ichikawa Danshirô II (1855~1922) dies.

6 May: the actor Ichikawa Kodanji V dies.

July: premiere at the Imperial Theater of Tanizaki Jun'ichirô's drama "Okuni to Gohei" [casting].

September: revival at the Imperial Theater of "Uirô" [more details].

November: creation of the Tôeikai, a Kabuki dance study group led by Onoe Eizaburô VII and Ichikawa Omezô IV.

March: premiere at the Hongôza of Matsui Shôyô's drama "Satsuma no Yodogimi". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) is played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

20 July: the actor Nakamura Denkurô VI (1859~1923) dies.

1 September (11:58 AM): Tôkyô is destroyed by a powerful earthquake called Kantô Daijishin, which kills more than 200,000 people and destroys all the Kabuki theaters.

June: premiere at the Ichimuraza of the Nagauta-based kyôgen "Akutarô", which is adapted to Kabuki by Okamura Shikô, with a choreography and a musical accompaniment made by Hanayagi Jusuke II and Kineya Sakichi IV. The leading role of Akutarô is played by Ichikawa Ennosuke II.

8 April: the actor Sawamura Sônosuke I (1886~1924) dies.

5 June: the actor Arashi Sangorô VI (1851~1925) dies.

26 March: the actor Sawamura Tosshi VII (1860~1926) dies.

April: premiere at the Kabukiza of Matsui Shôô's drama "Yodogimi Odawara Jin". The leading role of Lady Yodo (Yodogimi) is played by Nakamura Utaemon V.

27 may: the actor Onoe Eizaburô VII (1899~1926) dies.

19 August: the actor Ichikawa Shôchô II (1886~1926) dies.

23 December: the actor Kataoka Ichizô IV (1880~1926) dies.

7 January: the actor Onoe Tamizô III (1866~1927) dies.

July: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Shunshoku Ume Goyomi", an adaptation to Kabuki by the playwright Kimura Kinka of Tamenaga Shunsui's 1833 novel [casting].

4 October: the actor Arashi Kichisaburô VI (1875~1927) dies.

October: revival at the Hongôza of Tsuruya Namboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", produced under the title "Kiyomizudera Azuma Bunshô", which has not been staged since March 1817 [casting].

November: premiere at the Hongôza of Kimura Tomiko's dance "Kôya Monogurui" (a Nô drama adapted to Kabuki), which mixes Nagauta and Gidayû musical accompaniments. The leading role of Kôshi no Shirô is played by Ichikawa Ennosuke II.

15 November: the actor Nakamura Jakuemon III (1875~1927) dies.

Summer: Ichikawa Sadanji II organizes the first tour of a Kabuki troupe outside Japan. The destination is the USSR and the troupe performs in Moscow and Leningrad [more details].

5 September: the actor Onoe Matsusuke IV dies.

September: premiere at the Kabukiza of Kimura Tomiko's Tokiwazu-based dance "Koma", with a choreography and a musical accompaniment made by Hanayagi Jusuke II and Tokiwazu Mojibei III. The leading role is played by Ichikawa Ennosuke II.

June: revival at the Kabukiza of the dance "Gannin Bôzu", which was premiered in March 1811 by Bandô Mitsugorô III. It is staged under the title "Ukare Bôzu". The role of the bonze look-alike beggar is played by the star Onoe Kikugorô VI, who uses a different musical accompaniment, written by Kiyomoto Enjudayû V.

14 October: the actor Ichikawa Ebijûrô VII (1869~1929) dies.

17 May: the actor Ichikawa Aragorô IV (1861~1930) dies.

September: revival at the Meijiza of Tsuruya Namboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", produced under the title "Tôryû Azuma Bunshô" [casting].

19 November: the actor Arashi Ganshô (1862~1930) dies.

25 February: the actor Seki Sanjûrô V (1879~1931) dies.

March: premiere at the Meijiza of Hasegawa Shin's drama "Mabuta no Haha", starring Morita Kan'ya XIII and Onoe Taganojô III in the roles of Chûtarô and Ohama.

May: formation of the Zenshinza troupe led by Nakamura Kan'emon III and Kawarasaki Chôjûrô IV.

July: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Hasegawa Shin's drama "Ippon Gatana Dohyô Iri" [casting].

21 May: a fire destroys the Ichimuraza. This famous theater is not rebuilt.

June: premiere at the Kabukiza of Hasegawa Shin's drama "Irezumi Chôhan" [casting].

16 June: the actor Morita Kan'ya XIII (1885~1932) dies.

2 July: the actor Nakamura Tsuruzô III dies.

27 August: the actor Sawamura Shirogorô V (1877~1932) dies.

October: opening of the Ôsaka Kabukiza.

September: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of the Nagauta-based kyôgen "Takatsuki", which is adapted to Kabuki by Hisamatsu Issei (lyrics) and Kashiwa Izaburô (music) and performed by Onoe Kikugorô VI and Bandô Mitsugorô VII.

1 August: the actor Nakamura Fukusuke V (1900~1933) dies.

February: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Ôishi Saigo no Ichinichi", the tenth play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura".

April: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Kimura Tomiko's Tokiwazu-based dance "Hanami Yakko", with a choreography and a musical accompaniment made by Hanayagi Jusuke II and Tokiwazu Mojibei III. The leading role of the yakko is played by Ichikawa Ennosuke II.

June: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Hasegawa Shin's drama "Kurayami no Ushimatsu" [casting].

16 October: the actor Kataoka Nizaemon XI (1857~1934) dies.

8 November: the actor Onoe Baikô VI (1870~1934) dies.

January: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Uno Nobuo's drama "Fubuki Tôge" [casting].

January: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of "Edojô no Ninjô" and "Daini no Shisha", the first and second plays of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura".

1 February: the actor Nakamura Ganjirô I (1860~1935) dies.

April: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of "Saigo no Ôhyôjô", the third play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura".

22 September: the actor Bandô Shûchô III (1880~1935) dies.

April: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of "Ninin Sambasô", a 2-dancer version of the Sambasô dance, starring Ichikawa Ennosuke II and his son Ichikawa Danshirô III.

May: revival of "Nanatsu Men" at the Kabukiza [casting].

20 April: the actor Sawamura Gennosuke IV (1859~1936) dies.

12 July: the actor Ichikawa Chûsha VII (1860~1936) dies.

7 September: the actor Onoe Kanijûrô III (1884~1936) dies.

April: premiere at the Meijiza of "Kira Yashiki Uramon" and the first act of "Sengoku Yashiki", the seventh and ninth plays of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura".

November: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Nambuzaka no Yuki Wakare", the sixth play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura".

28 December: the actor Bandô Hikosaburô VI (1886~1938) dies.

February: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of the second act of "Sengoku Yashiki", the ninth play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura".

April: premiere at the Kabukiza of "Fushimi Shumokumachi", the fourth play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura".

September: premiere at the Meijiza of Kimura Tomiko's dance "Kokaji" (a Nô drama adapted to Kabuki), which mixes Nagauta and Gidayû musical accompaniments. The leading role of the God Inari is played by Ichikawa Ennosuke II.

November: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Kimura Tomiko's dance-drama "Kurozuka" [casting]. The musical accompaniment is written by Kineya Sakichi IV and the choreography is made by Hanayanagi Jusuke II.

January: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of "Ohama Goten Tsunatoyokyô", the fifth play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura".

2 February: the actor Ichikawa Ichijûrô IV (1878~1940) dies.

22 February: the actor Ichikawa Sadanji II dies (1880~1940).

May: Ichikawa Komazô IX takes the name of Ichikawa Ebizô IX at the Kabukiza, playing the role of role of a moxa peddlar, in reality Soga Gorô Tokimune in disguise, in the drama "Uirô Uri", which is revived for this occasion.

19 August: the actor Ichikawa Shôchô II dies (1886~1940).

29 September: the actor Nakamura Utaemon V dies (1865~1940).

April: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of Kimura Tomiko's Gidayû-based dance "Yoi Yakko". The leading role of the yakko Bekunai is played by Ichikawa Ennosuke II.

November: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of "Sengakuji", the eighth play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura".

January: Bandô Tsurunosuke III takes the prestigious name of Nakamura Tomijûrô IV at the Ôsaka Kabukiza.

1 September: the actor Ôtani Tomoemon VI (1886~1943) dies.

1 August: the actor Ichikawa Ichizô IV (1868~1944) dies.

10 March (00:08 AM): 344 US Army B29 bombers drops 2,000 tons of bombs on Tôkyô, killing more than 120,000 people and destroying almost everything.

13 March: the actor Nakamura Kaisha (1875~1945) is killed during the bombing of Ôsaka.

6 May: the actor Ichimura Uzaemon XV (1874~1945) dies.

7 December: the actor Nakamura Tsuruzô IV (1899~1945) dies.

10 December: the actor Onoe Eizaburô VIII (1924~1945) dies in China.

16 March: the actor Kataoka Nizaemon XII (1882~1946) is assassinated.

January: Nakamura Kanjaku IV takes the name of Nakamura Ganjirô II in Ôsaka at the Kabukiza.

10 May: the actor Ichikawa Enshô III dies.

September: premiere at the Imperial Theater of Atsumi Seitarô's version of "Nansô Satomi Hakkenden" [casting].

18 March: the actor Nakamura Baigyoku III (1875~1948) dies.

27 January: the actor Matsumoto Kôshirô VII (1870~1949) dies.

2 March: the actor Sawamura Sôjûrô VII (1875~1949) dies.

May: premiere at the Tôkyô Gekijô of the dance-drama "Higaki" [casting].

10 July: the actor Onoe Kikugorô VI (1885~1949) dies.

January: the Kabukiza reopens.

22 February: the actor Jitsukawa Enjaku II (1877~1951) dies.

April: Nakamura Shikan VI takes the name of Nakamura Utaemon VI at the Kabukiza.

July: premiere in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza [casting] and in Ôsaka at the Ôsaka Kabukiza [casting] of Uno Nobuo's drama "Jiisan Baasan".

2 October: the actor Ichimura Uzaemon XVI (1904~1952) dies.

October 1952: premiere at the Kabukiza of Osaragi Jirô's drama "Wakaki Hi no Nobunaga" [casting].

June: Ichikawa Yaozô VIII takes the name of Ichikawa Chûsha VIII at the Kabukiza.

July: premiere at the Meijiza of Hôjô Hideji's drama "Ukifune" [casting].

September: Sawamura Tosshô IV takes the name of Sawamura Sôjûrô VIII at the Kabukiza.

September: premiere at the Ôsaka Kabukiza of the dance "Ryûko", starring Bandô Minosuke VI and Jitsukawa Enjirô II in the roles of the Dragon and the Tiger.

5 September: the actor Nakamura Kichiemon I (1886~1954) dies.

24 September: the actor Bandô Jusaburô III (1886~1954) dies.

November: premiere at the Kabukiza of Mishima Yukio's comical play "Iwashi Uri Koi no Hikiami" [casting].

January: premiere at the Ôsaka Kabukiza of Uno Nobuo's drama "Naniwa no Ashi" [casting].

11 January: the actor Kawarazaki Gonjûrô II (1879~1955) dies.

February: Izumi Kyôka's drama "Tenshu Monogatari" is staged for the first time with Kabuki actors, at the Kabukiza [casting].

22 April: the actor Nakamura Takesaburô V (1882~1955) dies.

July 1955: premiere at the Tôhô Takarazuka Gekijô of Uno Nobuo's drama "Mômoku Monogatari", which stars Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII (Tôkichirô/Hideyoshi, Yaichi), Nakamura Utaemon VI (Oichi-no-Kata), Hasegawa Kazuo (Shibata Katsuie) and Nakamura Senjaku II (Ochacha/Yodogimi). This drama is part of the first Tôhô Kabuki postwar performance. The Tôhô Takarazuka Gekijô was taken over by the American occupation forces in 1945, becoming the Ernie Pyle Theater. It was forbiden to Japanese for 10 years and was finally given back to the Tôhô company in 1955, which renamed it with its original name.

October: Bandô Hikosaburô VII takes the name of Ichimura Uzaemon XVII at the Kabukiza.

October: first Kabuki tour in the Popular Republic of China, in Beijing (2~13 october), Shanghai (17~18 october) and Guangzhou (24~25 october) [casting].

8 November: the actor Arashi Tokusaburô VI (1883~1955) dies.

26 January: the actor Matsumoto Kingo II (1895~1956) dies.

1 February: the actor Ichikawa Sanshô V (1882~1956) dies.

July: revival at the Kabukiza of the michiyuki "Chô no Michiyuki"; the roles of Komaki and Sukekuni are played by Nakamura Utaemon VI and Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII.

July: premiere at the Ôsaka Kabukiza of the dance-drama "Uma Nusubito" [casting].

13 January: the actor Ichikawa Shinnosuke V (1885~1957) dies.

March: final Kabuki performance at the Ôsaka Kabukiza [more details].

11 July: the actor Nakamura Tokizô III (1895~1959) dies.

November: revival at the Kabukiza of Tsuruya Namboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", which is supervised by Mishima Yukio [casting].

The actors Ichikawa Jukai III and Ichikawa Dannosuke VI receive the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).

June ~ July: first Kabuki tour in the USA, in New York at the City Center (2~22 June), in Los Angeles at the Greek Theatre (27 June~10 July) and in San Francisco at the War Memorial Opera House (12~16 July) [casting].

17 October: the actor Nakamura Tomijûrô IV (1908~1960) dies.

January: the actors Ichikawa Somegorô VI and Nakamura Mannosuke sign exclusive contracts with the Tôhô and leave the Shôchiku.

March: the actors Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII, Ichikawa Chûsha VIII and Nakamura Shikaku II sign exclusive contracts with the Tôhô and leave the Shôchiku.

4 November: the actor Bandô Mitsugorô VII (1882~1961) dies.

28 January: the actor Nakamura Tokizô IV (1927~1962) dies.

April: Ichikawa Ebizô IX takes the name of Ichikawa Danjûrô XI at the Kabukiza. his adopted father Ichikawa Sanshô V becomes posthumously Ichikawa Danjûrô X.

30 August: the actor Suketakaya Takasuke V (1900~1962) dies.

September: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for 3 generations of actors belonging to the Yamatoya guild (Yamatoya Sandai Shûmei); Bandô Minosuke VI takes the name of Bandô Mitsugorô VIII, Bandô Yasosuke IV becomes Bandô Minosuke VII and Bandô Yasosuke V makes his first appearance on stage.

29 March: the actor Sawamura Tosshi VIII (1887~1963) dies.

May: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Omodakaya guild; Ichikawa Ennosuke II, Ichikawa Danko III and Ichikawa Kamejirô I respectively take the names of Ichikawa En'ô, Ichikawa Ennosuke III and Ichikawa Danko IV.

12 June: the actor Ichikawa En'ô (1888~1963) dies.

18 November: the actor Ichikawa Danshirô III (1908~1963) dies.

The actor Ichikawa Sadanji III receives the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).

April: Sawamura Yoshijirô IV and his father Sawamura Tanosuke V respectively take the names of Sawamura Tanosuke VI and Sawamura Shozan V at the Kabukiza.

September: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Kyôya and Akashiya guilds; Ôtani Tomoemon VII, Ôtani Hirotarô II and Ôtani Hiromatsu I respectively take the names of Nakamura Jakuemon IV, Ôtani Tomoemon VIII and Nakamura Shibajaku VII.

May: shûmei at the Kabukiza for 3 young actors of the Otowaya guild; Onoe Ushinosuke V, Bandô Kamesaburô IV and Onoe Sakon I respectively take the names of Onoe Kikunosuke IV, Bandô Shinsui VIII, and Onoe Tatsunosuke I.

October: first Kabuki tour in Western Europe, in West Berlin at the Der Freien Volksbühne (2~8 october), in Paris at the Théâtre de l'Odéon (15~24 october) and in Lisbonne at the Teatro São Luis (29~31 october) [casting].

10 November: the actor Ichikawa Danjûrô XI (1909~1965) dies.

4 June: the actor Ichikawa Danzô VIII (1882~1966) dies.

November: opening ceremony for the National Theater in Tôkyô [more details].

31 December: the actor Hayashi Mataichirô II dies.

The actor Nakamura Ganjirô II receives the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).

March: revival at the National Theater of Tsuruya Namboku IV's masterpiece "Sakura Hime Azuma Bunshô", which is supervised by Gunji Masakatsu [casting].

April: revival at the National Theater of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Yari no Gonza Kasane Katabira" [casting].

April: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Narikomaya and Kagaya guilds; Nakamura Fukusuke VII, Kagaya Fukunosuke, Kagaya Hashinosuke and Nakamura Tamatarô III respectively take the names of Nakamura Shikan VII, Nakamura Fukusuke VIII, Nakamura Matsue V and Nakamura Tôzô VI; Shikan's son Nakamura Kotarô V makes his first stage appearance.

The actors Nakamura Utaemon VI, Onoe Baikô VII and Onoe Taganojô III receive the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).

May: revival at the National Theater of "Ura Omote Sendai Hagi" [casting].

22 November: the actor Seki Sanjûrô VI (1911~1968) dies.

3 December: the actor Sawamura Shozan V dies.

28 December: birth in France of Shôriya Aragorô, futur webmaster of www.kabuki21.com.

1 January: the actor Nakamura Fukusuke V (1910~1969), Takasagoya guild, dies.

May: Ichikawa Danko IV takes the name of Ichikawa Danshirô IV at the Kabukiza.

3 October: the actor Ichikawa Sadanji III (1898~1969) dies.

November: Ichikawa Shinnosuke VI takes the name of Ichikawa Ebizô X at the Kabukiza.

3 April: the actor Ichikawa Jukai III (1886~1971) dies.

June: revival at the Shimbashi Embujô of the drama "Banshû Sarayashiki" [more details].

20 June: the actor Ichikawa Chûsha VIII (1896~1971) dies.

Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII, Ichikawa Somegorô VI and Nakamura Mannosuke are back to Shôchiku, after the failure of Tôhô Kabuki.

The actors Onoe Shôroku II and Kataoka Nizaemon XIII receive the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).

May: Bandô Shinsui VIII and Ichimura Takematsu V respectively take the name of Bandô Kamezô II and Ichimura Manjirô II at the Kabukiza.

September: Ichimura Takenojô VI takes the prestigious name of Nakamura Tomijûrô V at the Kabukiza.

The actor Bandô Mitsugorô VIII receives the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).

11 February: the actor Arashi Kichisaburô VII (1894~1973) dies.

May: revival at the National Theater of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Horikawa Nami no Tsuzumi" to commemorate the 249th anniversary (250th memorial service) of the playwright [casting].

October: Onoe Kikunosuke IV takes the name of Onoe Kikugorô VII at the Kabukiza.

26 November: the actor Sawamura Kunitarô IV dies (1905~1974).

20 December: the actor Onoe Koisaburô III dies.

The actors Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII and Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII receive the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).

16 January: the actor Bandô Mitsugorô VIII (1913~1975) dies.

28 March: the actor Morita Kan'ya XIV (1907~1975) dies.

25 December: the actor Sawamura Sôjûrô VIII (1908~1975) dies.

September: Sawamura Tosshô V takes the name of Sawamura Sôjûrô IX at the Kabukiza.

3 November: the actor Segawa Kikunojô VI (1907~1976) dies.

April: revival at the Meijiza of Katsu Genzô II's drama "Kimi-wa-Fune Nami no Uwajima" [casting].

14 November: the actor Arashi Yoshisaburô V (1907~1977) dies.

20 June: the actor Onoe Taganojô III (1889~1978) dies.

September: revival at the National Theater of Namiki Gohei I's drama "Suda no Haru Geisha Katagi" [casting].

2 October 1978: the actor Ichikawa Kuzô V (1910~1978) dies.

February: Ichikawa Omezô V takes the name of Ichikawa Sadanji IV at the Kabukiza.

April: historic revival at the Meijiza of Tsuruya Namboku IV long-forgotten play "Haji Momiji Ase no Kaomise" (commonly called "Date no Jûyaku", in English "the ten roles of Date"), whose plot and characters belong to the "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" and "Kasane" worlds. The ten roles are played by Ichikawa Ennosuke III [casting].

February: Bandô Kamezô II takes the name of Bandô Hikosaburô VIII at the Kabukiza.

22 March: the actor Onoe Shinshichi V (1898~1980) dies.

17 july: the actor Arashi San'emon XI (1906~1980) dies.

27 December: the actor Arashi Rikaku V (1900~1980) dies.

9 March: the actor Ichikawa Komazô X (1925~1981) dies.

June: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Yorozuya guild; Nakamura Yonekichi IV, Nakamura Baishi III, Nakamura Mitsuteru and Ogawa Mikihiro respectively take the names of Nakamura Karoku V, Nakamura Tokizô V, Nakamura Kashô III and Nakamura Shidô II.

24 July: the actor Onoe Kikujirô IV (1904~1981) dies.

3 September: the actor Nakamura Shikaku II (1900~1981) dies.

22 September: the actor Kawarazaki Chôjûrô IV (1902~1981) dies.

October: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for 3 generations of actors belonging to the Kôraiya guild (kôraiya sandai shûmei); Matsumoto Kôshirô VIII, Ichikawa Somegorô VI, Matsumoto Kintarô III, Ichikawa Nakanosuke III and Ichikawa Momomaru respectively take the names of Matsumoto Hakuô, Matsumoto Kôshirô IX, Ichikawa Somegorô VII, Matsumoto Kôemon and Ichikawa Shinsha II.

28 November: the actor Bandô Kôtarô dies.

11 January: the actor Matsumoto Hakuô (1910~1982) dies.

21 September: the actor Nakamura Kan'emon III (1901~1982) dies.

22 December: the actor Sawamura Gennosuke V dies.

January: revival of "Nanatsu Men" at the National Theater [casting].

20 March: the actor Ichikawa Ichijûrô V (1905~1983) dies.

13 April: the actor Nakamura Ganjirô II (1902~1983) dies.

28 August: the actor Arashi Sangorô VII (1901~1983) dies.

January: revival at the National Theater of the drama "Sankai Nagoya", which has not been performed since 1697 [casting].

7 December: the actor Ôkawa Hashizô II (1929~1984) dies.

7 March: the actor Ichikawa Sumizô VII dies.

April: Ichikawa Ebizô IX takes the name of Ichikawa Danjûrô XII at the Kabukiza.

July ~ August: special Kabuki tour in the USA, which celebrates the shûmei of Ichikawa Danjûrô XII; 38 performances in New York (Metropolitan Opera House, 8~20 July), Washington (Kennedy Center, 23 July~4 August) and Los Angeles (UCLA Royce Hall, 7~11 August). This is the first time in Kabuki history that a shûmei is staged abroad [more details].

20 December: the actor Bandô Shûchô IV (1901~1985) dies.

29 January: the actor Arashi Hinasuke X dies.

19 January: the actor Ichikawa Yaozô IX (1906~1987) dies.

28 March: the actor Onoe Tatsunosuke I (1946~1987) dies.

3 September: the actor Arashi Kichisaburô VIII (1932~1987) dies.

16 April: the actor Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII (1909~1988) dies.

June: the drama "Kaidan Botan Dôrô" using Ônishi Nobuyuki's script is staged for the first time with a full Kabuki casting, at the Shimbashi Embujô [casting].

25 June: the actor Onoe Shôroku II (1913~1989) dies.

The actor Ichimura Uzaemon XVII receives the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).

June ~ July: Kabuki tour in the USA, 26 performances in Columbus (Ohio), San Antonio (Texas), Atlanta (Georgia), Indianapolis (Indiana), Iowa City (Iowa), Lincoln (Nebraska), Minneapolis (Minnesota), Costa Mesa (California), Los Angeles (California), Berkeley (California), Portland (Oregon) and Seattle (Washington) [casting].

11 October: the actor Kawarazaki Kunitarô V (1909~1990) dies.

13 October: the actor Ichikawa Monnosuke VII (1928~1990) dies.

November: Nakamura Senjaku II takes the name of Nakamura Ganjirô III at the Kabukiza.

The actor Nakamura Jakuemon IV receives the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).

14 May: the actor Jitsukawa Enjaku III (1921~1991) dies.

30 June: the actor Kataoka Ichizô V (1916~1991) dies.

28 December: the actor Ichikawa Nedanji II (1920~1991) dies.

1 January: the actor Kamimura Kichiya V (1909~1992) dies.

February: special program at the Kabukiza to commemorate the 99th anniversary (100th memorial service) of the death of the great playwright Kawatake Mokuami, which includes his best masterpieces like "Sannin Kichisa", "Shiranami Gonin Otoko", "Momijigari", "Keian Taiheiki" and "Gosho no Gorozô". The casting is equal to the importance of the event: Onoe Baikô VII, Ichikawa Danjûrô, Onoe Kikugorô, Sawamura Sôjûrô IX, Ichimura Uzaemon and Bandô Mitsugorô IX.

20 February: the actor Suketakaya Kodenji II dies.

April: great shûmei at the Kabukiza for the Narikomaya and Takasagoya guilds; Nakamura Fukusuke VIII and Nakamura Kotarô V respectively take the names of Nakamura Baigyoku IV and Nakamura Fukusuke IX.

8 December: the actor Nakamura Nakazô V dies.

31 December: the actor Kataoka Gadô V (1910~1993) dies.

The actors Nakamura Ganjirô III et Nakamura Tomijûrô V receive the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).

26 March: the actor Kataoka Nizaemon XIII (1903~1994) dies.

May ~ June: first edition of the Cocoon Kabuki, which is staged at the Shibuya Bunkamura Theater Cocoon and recreates the atmosphere of the Edo koshibai and brings the actors closer to the audience. The play "Tôkaidô Yotsuya Kaidan" is coproduced by Nakamura Kankurô V and the playwright Kushida Kazumi [more details].

January: great shûmei at the Nakaza (Ôsaka) for the Narikomaya guild; Nakamura Tomotarô and Nakamura Hirotarô respectively take the names of Nakamura Kanjaku V and Nakamura Senjaku III.

24 March: the actor Onoe Baikô VII (1915~1995) dies.

October: premiere at the Kabukiza of the drama "Ningen Banji Mawari Tôrô", based on a comical torimonochô written by Okamoto Kidô, starring Nakamura Kankurô V in the main role.

The actor Nakamura Shikan VII receives the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).

May: Onoe Ushinosuke VI takes the name of Onoe Kikunosuke V at the Kabukiza.

22 August: the actor Arashi Yoshisaburô VI (1935~1996) dies.

August ~ September: second edition of the Cocoon Kabuki, which is staged at the Shibuya Bunkamura Theater Cocoon. The play "Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami" is coproduced by Nakamura Kankurô V and the playwright Kushida Kazumi [more details].

January: tôshi kyôgen revival at the National Theater of the drama "Dan no Ura Kabuto Gunki" [casting].

May: the actor Nakamura Matagorô II receives the prestigious title of Living National Treasure (ningen kokuhô in Japanese).

January: Kataoka Takao takes the prestigious name of Kataoka Nizaemon XV at the Kabukiza.

18 February: the actor Kawarazaki Gonjûrô III (1918~1998) dies.

June: great revival of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's play "Keisei Mibu Dainenbutsu" for the 14th Chikamatsuza tour led by Nakamura Ganjirô III. This plays has not been performed for 296 years !

September: third edition of the Cocoon Kabuki, which is staged at the Shibuya Bunkamura Theater Cocoon. The play "Kamikakete Sango Taisetsu" is coproduced by Nakamura Kankurô V and the playwright Kushida Kazumi [more details].

January: revival at the National Theater of Kawatake Mokuami's zangirimono "Irogoyomi Gen'yadana" [casting].

1 April: the actor Bandô Mitsugorô IX (1929~1999) dies.

June: opening of the Hakataza, a new theater in the city of Fukuoka.

August: the Nakaza (Ôsaka) definitively closes its doors.

30 October: the actor Onoe Kikuzô VI dies.

November: Nakamura Kankurô supervises the construction of a temporary Theater in the district of Asakusa in Tôkyô, called Heisei Nakamuraza (the Nakamuraza of the Heisei Era), and produces the play "Sumidagawa Gonichi no Omokage" (commonly called "Hôkaibô").

5 December: the actor Arashi Tokusaburô VII dies (1933~2000).