2 in Ôsaka (Shôchikuza), 5 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre), 1 in Kyôto (Minamiza) and 1 tour (Shôchiku Kabuki Dance Tour)!

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Senjaku, Kataoka Takatarô, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke and Nakamura Kazutarô perform at the Shôchikuza!

Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Ebizô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Fukusuke, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Ichikawa Sadanji, Ichikawa Udanji, Bandô Yajûrô, Bandô Minosuke, Onoe Ukon, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô and Nakamura Kotarô perform at the Kabukiza!

Onoe Shôroku and Nakamura Baishi perform at the National Theatre!

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô performs at the Minamiza!

Nakamura Shikan and his three sons are on tour!

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Senjaku, Kataoka Takatarô, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô, Nakamura Kikaku, Nakamura Hayato, Nakamura Toranosuke, Kataoka Sennosuke, Kataoka Matsunosuke, Nakamura Jûjirô

30th edition of the Kansai Kabuki Lovers Society July Grand Kabuki in Ôsaka.

Yaegiri Kuruwa Banashi: Yamanba, or the mountain hag, has been celebrated for centuries in traditional Japanese dance and theater. In the Kabuki version, Yamanba becomes a beautiful woman, a courtesan who becomes the wife of the samurai Tokiyuki and retreats to the mountains to miraculously give birth to the powerful warrior Sakata Kintoki. This play was originally by the great Chikamatsu Monzaemon I and is a classic of Kansai style Kabuki. Kataoka Takatarô appears as the courtesan who tells the humorous story of a fight between courtesans over a handsome man and then mysteriously becomes pregnant by the spirit of her husband. Starring Matsumoto Kôshirô and Nakamura Toranosuke in the roles of Yaegiri's husband Sakata Tokiyuki and the villain Ôta Jûrô.

Ukare Shinjû: based on a novel by contemporary writer Inoue Hisashi, this is a parody of all serious love suicide plays and finally ends with the main characters flying through the air on their way to the underworld. Full of thrills and comedy and with Nakamura Kankurô making a rare flight through the theater. Featuring also Nakamura Ganjirô, Nakamura Senjaku, Nakamura Shichinosuke and Matsumoto Kôshirô.

Horikawa Nami no Tsuzumi: one of the three plays by Chikamatsu Monzaemon concerning adultery. Ogura Hikokurô's wife Otane (Nakamura Senjaku) leads a lonely life as Hikokurô (Nakamura Kankurô) takes turns in attending on the Shôgun in Edo. She offers sake to her drum master Miyaji Gen'emon (Nakamura Hayato) to prevent him from revealing her makeshift answer to her husband's colleague Isobe Yukaemon (Nakamura Kikaku) who try to seduce her. Then she also gets drunk and commits adultery with Gen'emon. When his husband comes back home and discovers what has happened, Otane stabs herself in the chest and is slayed by her husband, as adultery was punishable by death. Featuring also Kataoka Takatarô and Nakamura Kazutarô.

Gion Koi Zukushi: on his way back from a pilgrimage to Ise Shrine to Edo, Tomegorô (Matsumoto Kôshirô) stays at the Ôtsuya, an utensil's shop of the tea ceremony, run by Jirôhachi (Nakamura Ganjirô) in Kyôto. Jirôhachi has invited Tomegorô because he owes Tomegorô's father a great deal in his youth and also because it is just the time of Gion Festival in Kyôto. Tomegorô falls in love with Osono (Nakamura Toranosuke), the sister of Jirôhachi's wife Otsugi (also played by Nakamura Ganjirô), at first sight. Otsugi asks him to spy on Jirôhachi whether he is in love with another woman or not. Since this spring, Jirôhachi often came home late at night. As Otsugi suspects, Jirôhachi is head over heels in love with Someka (Matsumoto Kôshirô), a geisha in Gion, but Someka has a patron and dislikes Jirôhachi. In the mean while, Osono asks Tomegorô to take herself along to Edo; she is in love with Bunshichi (Nakamura Hayato), a clerk of Ôtsuya, but Otsugi doesn't know their relation and recommends her to marry the son of Mochimaruya. She asks Tomegorô to help her elope with Bunshichi. In exchange for telling Otsugi the name of a woman who Jirôhachi loves,Tomegorô asks her to approve the marriage between Osono and Bunshichi. Hearing this, Jirôhachi thinks that Tomegorô talked them in to humiliating him,and bears a grudge against Tomegorô and they quarrel with each other. They are reconciled at last to hear that Mochimaruya Tahê (Nakamura Kankurô) has given up getting Osono as his son's bride and approved the marriage between Osono and Bunshichi. Featuring also Nakamura Kazutarô as Tahê's wife Ogen.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Ebizô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Fukusuke, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Ichikawa Sadanji, Ichikawa Udanji, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Bandô Minosuke, Onoe Ukon, Nakamura Kotarô, Nakamura Yonekichi, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichikawa Sai'nyû, Ichimura Kakitsu, Kamimura Kichiya, Ichimura Manjirô, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Juen, Ichikawa Omezô, Ichikawa Seiko, Ichikawa Kudanji, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Ichimura Takematsu, Nakamura Kangyoku, Nakamura Baika, Ichimura Kitsutarô, Ichikawa Otora, Horikoshi Kangen, Onoe Ushinosuke, Terajima Mahoro, Kamimura Kichitarô, Ichikawa Botan, Terajima Tomoyo

The usual July Grand Kabuki programs at the Kabukiza.

Oguri Hangan: by order of the Shôgun, Oguri Hangan (Ichikawa Ennosuke) becomes engaged to Princess Terute (Ichikawa Emiya), the daughter of the lord of Hitachi domain, Yokoyama Gunji. The domain was to be handed down to Oguri, but Gunji's brother Yokoyama Daizen and his sons, who plot to usurp the domain, steal the deeds and an heirloom from Gunji's mansion, kill Gunji and confine Princess Terute there. Daizen conspires further to assassinate Oguri, and leads out the unruly horse Onikage, but Oguri manages to tame it with his excellent equestrian skill. Discovering the truth that Daizen and his sons killed Gunji, he determines to avenge Gunji's death. Meanwhile, as she shelters from danger, Princess Terute is helped out by chance by the fisherman Namishichi (Ichikawa Ennosuke) who formerly served Oguri. As Namishichi is very faithful, he promises to reunite her with Oguri. Featuring also Nakamura Karoku, Ichikawa Monnosuke and Bandô Minosuke.

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 Ichikawa Ebizô as Danshichi, with Ichikawa Udanji, Ichikawa Sadanji and Nakamura Jakuemon as Tokubê, Sabu and Otatsu.

Nakakuni: though Lady Kogô (Nakamura Kotarô) is loved by Emperor Takakura, she fears the Empress' father Taira no Kiyomori and goes undercover. While she is absent, a period of turmoil ensues caused by famine and epidemic in the capital. Ordered to protect her by the Emperor, Minamoto no Nakakuni (Ichikawa Ebizô) sets out for Ôhara with the spirits of insects and butterflies in order to pray for an abundant harvest and peace throughout the Empire. Lady Kogô awaits him there. Featuring also Nakamura Fukusuke.

Shiroki Majo no Senki: a thousand years have passed since the great industrial civilization was destroyed. The entire earth is now covered with a vast Sea of Decay, giving off noxious fumes among which giant insects swarm. Nevertheless, conflict has not ended, and two big countries, the Kingdom of Tolmekia and the Dorok Principalities, continue to oppose each other. The Valley of the Wind, a remote and small country, formed an alliance with Tolmekia long ago. Following that alliance, Nausicaä (Nakamura Yonekichi), the daughter of the chieftain, embarks for the battlefront and stands by Kushana (Onoe Kikunosuke), the noble princess of Tolmekia who is called 'The White Witch'. As Kushana is the only one who inherits the blood of the late great King, she is a target for others and her life is in danger. Taking her place, her mother goes insane after drinking poisoned alcohol. With high aspirations and the trust of her subordinates, Kushana stands at the battlefront, and fights not only her enemies, but also the conspiracies of her allies. Featuring also Nakamura Kinnosuke, Bandô Yajûrô, Nakamura Matagorô and Onoe Ukon.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Baishi, Ichikawa Komazô, Bandô Kamezô, Nakamura Mantarô, Onoe Sakon, Nakamura Tamatarô

Educational program at the National Theatre called Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki Appreciation Class"). This is a very interesting formula for the beginners because there is lively presentation on stage (Kabuki no Mikata) of Kabuki or some aspects of the art like music, stage tricks or fighting scenes. It is followed by the dance-drama "Momijigari".

Momijigari: the general Taira Koremochi (Onoe Shôroku) travels to the mountains to view the autumn leaves when he suddenly encounters a beautiful princess (Nakamura Baishi) and her entourage. Aided by the elegant dancing of the princess and a large amount of sake, Koremochi falls asleep, not knowing that she is actually a fierce demon. The god of the mountain (Bandô Kamezô or Nakamura Mantarô) dances vigorously to try to wake up Koremochi. But as the demon appears in its true form, Koremochi is saved by the magical power of his sword.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô

Kôjô: the close relationship between the actors and the audience is shown by stage announcements, usually lavish ceremonies to commemorate various important events. This month at the Tango Bunka Kaikan, it is a stage speech done by Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô.

Takao: an elegant dance showing the ghost of a courtesan who died because a samurai lord fell in love with her. She describes her life in the pleasure quarters and then shows the torment she is suffering in the afterworld. Starring Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô in the role of the ghost of the courtesan Takao.

Fuji Musume: the spirit of wisteria blossoms dances of love in the form of a beautiful young maiden. One of Kabuki's most famous and colorful dances, it will feature the dancing skills of Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

A special Buyô program in Kyôto at the Minamiza starring the amazing Living National Treasure onnagata Bandô Tamasaburô.

Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Matsue, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Utanosuke

The Summer Buyô Tour of Nakamura Shikan and his three sons.

Goaisatsu: a speech on stage.

Ayatsuri Sanbasô:
(The Puppet Sanbasô)
The Sanbasô is part of the ritual Nô play "Okina", a prayer for prosperity and in Kabuki the vigorous Sanbasô dance is often performed separately. To make the dance especially auspicious, the old man Okina and attendant Senzai appear as well. In Kabuki, the Sanbasô dance appears in all kinds of versions. In this particular version, the Sanbasô is actually a giant marionette (Nakamura Hashinosuke or Nakamura Fukunosuke), dancing lightly until his antics tangle his strings, creating problems for his puppeteer (Nakamura Fukunosuke or Nakamura Hashinosuke).

Renjishi: 2 entertainers dance a tale of the legendary shishi or lion-like spirits that live at the foot of a holy Buddhist mountain. There is a comic interlude with 2 Buddhist pilgrims. Then, the shishi themselves appear and perform their dance with wild shaking of their long manes. The dance shows a parent shishi forcing his cub to undergo harsh training in order to grow up strong. This theme is often associated with the training a parent actor gives his son. This performance features Nakamura Shikan in the role of the parent shishi and his son Nakamura Utanosuke in the role of the cub.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Takanosuke, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Onoe Shôroku, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa En'ya, Onoe Sakon, Watanabe Aiko

7th edition of the Shô no Kai, a gala program which stars Nakamura Tomijûrô V's son Nakamura Takanosuke. Nakamura Takanosuke's sister Watanabe Aiko also performs in this gala.

Tomo Yakko: a samurai footman rushes after his master in the pleasure quarters, but loses sight of him. He dances with pride in his master and enjoys his dance so much that he begins emphasizing it with vigorous foot stamping. Starring Nakamura Takanosuke in the role of the yakko.

Fuji Musume: the spirit of wisteria blossoms dances of love in the form of a beautiful young maiden. One of Kabuki's most famous and colorful dances, it will feature the dancing skills of Watanabe Aiko.

Funa Benkei: although he won a war against the enemy Heike clan, the young general Yoshitsune (Onoe Sakon) has gained the disfavor of his brother, the Shôgun, and tries to flee to Kyûshû by boat. Before he sets sail, he must say farewell to his lover Shizuka (Nakamura Takanosuke), who performs a dance expressing her grief at their separation. Once the boat sets sail, the spirit of the great Heike general Tomomori (Nakamura Takanosuke), killed by Yoshitsune in battle at sea, appears and attacks to take revenge for the destruction of his clan. They are only saved by the prayers of Yoshitsune's companion, the warrior-priest Benkei (Onoe Shôroku). The roles of both Shizuka and Tomomori are played by the same actor. Featuring also Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Monnosuke and Ichikawa En'ya in the roles of the boatmen.

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website