Obituary: Kobayashi Mao, a famous actress and freelance newscaster, the spouse of Ichikawa Ebizô since 2010, has lost her courageous fight with cancer. She passed away the 22nd of June 2017. The following words have been written by my friend Marion Hudson: "It is rare for me to mention, let alone write extensively about, the women associated with Kabuki in this Journal. Not only do none of them ever appear onstage, but in truth they mostly remain shadowy figures who are very difficult to research, at any rate from the distance of England, although one or two are famous in their own right in different fields. Nevertheless, even though I know precious little about Kobayashi Mao, who was a television presenter and hence well-known in Japan, I feel strangely moved by her death. It seems so unjust that such an attractive young woman, who for a while appeared to have everything - good looks, celebrity, a high-profile career, a handsome and famous husband, and two lovely children - should be snatched away in the prime of life. I also deeply pity her children, currently aged just 4 and 5, who have been deprived of their mother so early that later in life they will probably scarcely remember her. Mao achieved additional fame by writing a blog about her battle against cancer, which I understand many fellow cancer-sufferers in Japan have found inspirational. She was also courageous enough to release pictures of herself whilst she was undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, on which she understandably looked far from her best. She was obviously a very brave woman, and let's remember her as a beautiful one. R.I.P."

The three programs for the August Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza in August 2017 have been published [more details]. The main actors will be Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Somegorô, Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Yajûrô and Ichikawa Chûsha. Okamoto Kidô's drama "Shuzenji Monogatari" will be staged to commemorate the 36th and 12th anniversaries (37th and 13th memorial services) of the passing away of Bandô Kôtarô and Bandô Kichiya II. Noda Hideki's newly-created Kabuki noda-ban drama will also be premiered.

Waterways occupy as much as ten percent of Ôsaka's city area, and have played a crucial role in its development as a strategic point in land and water transportation. One of the most picturesque among the city's numerous rivers and canals is the Dôtonbori, which flows today through Ôsaka's vibrant entertainment district. From the Edo period in the 17th century, rows of theaters formed along the river, and the area became the center for both Kabuki and Bunraku. It is a custom to do funa norikomi before July Grand Kabuki at the Shôchikuza [more details]. Actors in the July casting, led by Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Nakamura Tokizô and Nakamura Ganjirô, arrived at the theater the 29th of June 2017 in a colorful boat parade, applauded by fans and spectators on the bridges or the banks [pictures and more details in Japanese].

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform along with the Kodô taiko drummers in a newly-created 2017-premiered (in May 2017) dance-drama entitled "Yûgen", which features an array of classical Japanese images from plays by Nô founder Zeami Motokiyo, incorporating themes from iconic works such as "Hagoromo" (The Feather Robe), "Dôjôji" (Dôjôji Temple) and "Shakkyô" (The Stone Bridge). Bandô Tamasaburô will share the stage with the dance master Hanayagi Jusuke IV and his disciples. They will perform from the 2nd to the 16th of September 2017 in Fukuoka at the Hakataza [more details] and from the 21st to the 23rd of September 2017 in Kyôto at the ROHM Theatre [more details].

Tsuruya Nanboku IV's spectacular drama "Reigen Kameyama Hoko" will be staged at the National Theatre in October 2017 with Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon as zagashira [more details].

The October 2017 kaomise programs in Nagoya have been published [more details]. As the Misonoza closed in Spring 2013, these programs will be staged at the Nihon Tokushu Tôgyô Shimin Kaikan for the 5th time, a venue commonly called NTK Hall in Nagoya. "Haru o Kasanete Shikai Nami" will be staged in the evening program. This is a newly-created Kabuki drama based on a Kigeki drama, which was written by Ikkai Gyojin, who was in reality the Shinkigeki actor Soganoya Gorô. It was was premiered at the Eirakukan in November 2016.

Ichikawa Somegorô and the puppeteer Kiritake Kanjûrô III went to the Kôzugû Shrine the 24th of June 2017 to pray for the success of their coming summer performances in Ôsaka in the role of Danshichi Kurobê ("Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami"). Ichikawa Somegorô will play this role in July 2017 at the Shôchikuza. Kiritake Kanjûrô III will be the leading puppeteer handling the puppet of Danshichi Kurobê from the 22nd of July to the 8th of August at the National Bunraku Theatre [pictures and more details in Japanese].

Ichikawa Ebizô will be on tour all over Japan (17 cities) from the 12th of October to the 25th of November. This tour will be as usual entitled Koten he no Izanai, literally "Invitation to the Classics" [more details].

The 3rd edition of the Sôchôkai (literally "the Two Butterflies Association"), which stars Nakamura Kashô and his brother Nakamura Tanenosuke, will happen the 5th and the 6th of August 2017 in Tôkyô at the National Theatre [more details].

The Sûpâ Kabuki Sekando drama "ONE PIECE", based on Oda Eiichirô's internationally popular manga "ONE PIECE", which got his first very successful stage adaptation by Ichikawa Ennosuke in October 2015/November 2015 at the Shinbashi Enbujô, will be staged at the Shinbashi Enbujô from the 6th of October to the 25th of November 2017 [more details]. The 30th of June 2017, there was a huge oversized advertisement overhanging the famous Shibuya Crossing in Tôkyô [more details].

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform in a special Buyô program from the 1st to the 2nd of July 2017 in Hita in Ôita Prefecture at the Patria Hita which celebrates the 10th anniversary of its opening [more details].

The 19th edition of the summer program of the association Ne no Kai (the Sound Association) will happen the 11th and the 12th of August 2017 [more details].

Nakamura Kankurô is part of the casting of the movie "Gintama", which was directed by Fukuda Yûichi and released in Japan the 14th of July 2017. This movie was based on Sorachi Hideaki's eponymous manga "Gintama".

Bandô Minosuke is part of the casting of the movie "Tôkyô Gûru" (in English "Tôkyô Ghoul"), which was directed by Hagiwara Kentarô and released in Japan the 29th of July 2017. This movie was based on Ishida Sui's eponymous manga "Tôkyô Gûru".

Ichimura Manjirô will perform, along with Kitamura Rokurô, Mizutani Yaeko and Asano Yûko, in Kigeki in July 2017 at the Shinbashi Enbujô. He will perform in "Oedo Miyage" (also part of the Kabuki repertoire) and "Kon'ya to Takao".

Two posters for the July 2017 performances at the Kabukiza have been published:

Poster for the matinée program

Poster for the evening program

Obituary: the supporting actor Nakamura Matazô II (1933~2017) passed away the 7th of March 2017.

Nakamura Shidô has been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer. He will stop acting for a while as he will have to undergo surgery. We wish him a successful fight against his cancer and a return on stage. As a consequence, he will not appear on stage at the Hakataza in June 2017. He was expected to play the roles of Matsuômaru, Naoe and a sumô wrestler in "Kurumabiki", "Terutora Haizen" and "Kôsuke Mochi". He will be replaced by Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Ganjirô and Nakamura Kikaku.

The 16th of May 2017, the young star Ichikawa Ennosuke IV did his 1000th chûnori. It happened at the Shôchikuza in the drama "Kin no Zai Sarushima Dairi". His first chûnori occurred in October 1985 at the Kabukiza in the drama "Futago Sumidagawa". He was still a child and did the chûnori along with his uncle Ichikawa Ennosuke III and Onoe Kikugorô VII. His next challenge might be to do more chûnori than his uncle but there is a long way to go as his uncle did it more than 5000 times.

The two programs for the July Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza in July 2017 have been published [more details]. The zagashira will be Ichikawa Ebizô and the highlights will:

Ichikawa Udanji will play the leading role of Soga Gorô Tokimune in the spectacular sogamono "Ya-no-Ne".

Ichikawa Unosuke III will take the name of Ichikawa Sai'nyû II, playing the role of Okane in the drama "Kagatobi". This name has not been held for more than one century. Ichikawa Sai'nyû I was the great-grandfather of Ichikawa Unosuke and he held this name in his latter years, from January 1909 to his passing away the 18th of March 1916.

Takeda Haruzô's drama "Akiba Gongen Kaisen Banashi" will be revived in the evening program. This version will be updated and modified and will be staged with a different title, "Daemon Hana no Gosho Ibun", as the main character in this revival will be Nippon Daemon. "Akiba Gongen Kaisen Banashi" was staged only twice since the beginning of the Shôwa era: in October 1934 at the Shinbashi Enbujô and in May 2011 at the National Theatre. It was in both times a Zenshinza production. The role of Nippon Daemon was played by Kawarazaki Chôjûrô IV in 1934 and by Arashi Keishi in 2011.

There was an important funa norikomi on the Hakata River in Fukuoka the 29th of May 2017, before June Grand Kabuki at the Hakataza which will celebrate the shûmei of Nakamura Shikan and his three sons, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke and Nakamura Utanosuke in Fukuoka [more details]. Actors on colorful boats were applauded by fans and spectators on the bridges or the banks of the Hakata river [more details with pictures].

Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke inaugurated a statue celebrating the birth of Nakamura Kanzaburô I in the precincts of the Toyokuni Shrine in Nagoya [pictures and more details in Japanese].

The second edition of the Roppongi Kabuki performances, which happened in February 2017 at the EX THEATER in Roppongi [more details], will also be staged in Ôsaka and Nagoya in August 2017. From the 2nd to the 7th of August in Nagoya at the Chûnichi Theatre [more details] and from the 10th to the 13th in Ôsaka at the Festival Hall [more details]. Based on a script written by Lily Franky, the stage direction was done by the famous movie director Miike Takashi, an expert in violent and bizarre movies who worked twice with Ichikawa Ebizô for the movies Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011) and "Over your Dead Body" (2014). The story is about Zatô Ichi, the zatô Ichi, a blind masseur and blademaster who was created by novelist Shimozawa Kan. Ichikawa Ebizô will be the zagashira and the guest star of this production will not be a Kabuki actor but the actress Terajima Shinobu, the daughter of Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô.

For the educational Kabuki program at the National Theatre in June 2017 [more details], called Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class"), there will be two special events:

"Beginners' Kabuki for Business Person" the 7th and the 14th of July, with a special session starting at 18:30 instead of the usual 11:00 or 14:30.

"Discover KABUKI" the 16th of June, with audio earphone service not only in Japanese or English but also in Chinese and Korean.

For the educational Kabuki program at the National Theatre in July 2017 [more details], called Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class"), there will be one special event:

"Beginners' Kabuki for Business Person" the 9th of June, with a special session starting at 18:30 instead of the usual 11:00 or 14:30.

The program for the 23rd edition of the common program for 2 associations, the Chigyokai (the Young Fishes Association) and the Kabukikai (the Kabuki Association), which stars stars' disciples in the leading roles at the National Theatre in August 2017, has been published [more details].

The 3rd edition of the Ken no Kai, which stars Onoe Kikugorô VI's great-grandson Onoe Ukon, will happen the 6th and the 7th of August 2016 in Tôkyô at the National Theatre. Ken no Kai literally means "Ken's Association" with Ken being the first ideogram in Onoe Ukon's real first name Kensuke. Kataoka Ichizô and Onoe Matsuya will be the guest stars [more details].

3rd edition of the gala of the Sora no Kai (literally "the Sky Association"), which stars Kataoka Matsujûrô, Kataoka Senjirô and Kataoka Senju, Kataoka Yûjirô and Kataoka Rikiya. They will perform from the 3rd to the 6th of August 2017 in Ôsaka at the Kintetsu Art Kan [more details]. These performances are entitled Abeno Kabuki (Abeno is the name of a famous district in Ôsaka).

The program for the 27th edition of the Kamigata Kabukikai (the Kamigata Kabuki Association), a summer program in Ôsaka at the National Bunraku Theatre in August 2017 which stars Kamigata Kabuki stars' disciples in the leading roles with the guidance of Kataoka Nizaemon, Kataoka Hidetarô and Kataoka Gatô, has been published [more details].

There will be a shienkai, a trial session, within the Heisei Nakamuraza in Nagoya the 14th of June 2017. Only one play will be staged at 16:30 with stars' disciples in the leading roles. There will be also an otanoshimi zadankai (literally "Enjoyable Roundtable Discussion"), a stage speech with the stars performing at the Heisei Nakamuraza [more details].

Nakamura Kyôzô will perform in "Ninagawa Macbeth", the classic of the late Japanese theatre director Ninagawa Yukio based on William Shakespeare's masterpiece "Macbeth". The troupe will perform in Hong-Kong at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from the 23rd to the 25th of June 2017, in Japan in Saitama at the Sainokuni Saitama Arts Theater from the 13th to the 29th of July 2017, in Japan in Tosu at the Tosu Civic Center from the 4th to the 6th of August 2017, in London (UK) at the Barbican Theatre from the 5th to the 8th of October 2017, in Plymouth (UK) at the Theatre Royal from the 13th to the 14th of October 2017 and later (not yet scheduled) in Singapore [dedicated website in Japanese].

A rakugo storyteller will perform at the Kabukiza Gallery (5th floor of the Kabukiza building) the 8th of June 2017. It will be the 5th edition of an event called Kabuki Shibai Banashi. Shibai Banashi are "performances by rakugo artists in which they employ kabuki-type speech and movements, often with musical accompaniment and against a scenic background" (Samuel Leiter in "New Kabuki Encyclopedia"). The performer will be Ryûtei Ichiba IV and he will tell the rakugo "Shichidanme", in which a servant boy and his young master, who likes kabuki, play the roles of Okaru and Heiemon respectively (in "Shichidanme"), in a room on the second floor. The servant boy falls down the stairs and the young master asks him if he is all right. Then, the servant boy replies that he is all right and that he only fell down from shichidanme. This word has two meanings: the seventh act of the Kabuki play and the seventh step on the stairs.

Ichikawa Somegorô will perform, along with many dancers, in a special Buyô program, which will be entitled "Miraiza Sai", from the 15th to the 18th of June 2017 at the National Theatre (small hall). 4 newly-created dances, "Mizu Monogatari", "Nyonin Sumida", "Tôsei Ukiyo Neko" and "Kusuguri", will be staged. Ichikawa Somegorô will perform under his Buyô name Matsumoto Kinshô.

The two programs for the June Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza in June 2017 have been published [more details]. The highlights will be:

"Meigetsu Hachiman Matsuri" with Onoe Shôroku, Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Emiya and Bandô Kamezô.

"Benkei Jôshi" with Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon and Nakamura Jakuemon in the roles of Musashibô Benkei and Owasa.

The classic "Kamakura Sandaiki" with Matsumoto Kôshirô and Nakamura Jakuemon in the roles of Sasaki Takatsuna and Princess Toki.

"Gosho no Gorozô" with Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Ichikawa Sadanji and Nakamura Jakuemon.

"Ippon Gatana Dohyô Iri" with Matsumoto Kôshirô and Ichikawa Ennosuke.

The two programs for the July Grand Kabuki in Ôsaka at the Shôchikuza in July 2017 have been published [more details]. The troupe will be led by Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon and the highlights will be:

"Natsu Matsuri Naniwa Kagami" with Ichikawa Somegorô, Onoe Matsuya and Nakamura Ganjirô in the roles of Danshichi Kurobê, Issun Tokubê and Tsuribune Sabu.

Tsuruya Nanboku IV's masterpiece "Kamikakete Sango Taisetsu" with Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Ichikawa Somegorô and Nakamura Tokizô in the roles of Satsuma Gengobê, Sasanoya Sangorô and Koman.

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform along with the Kodô taiko drummers in a newly-created dance-drama entitled "Yûgen", which will feature an array of classical Japanese images from plays by Nô founder Zeami Motokiyo, incorporating themes from iconic works such as "Hagoromo" (The Feather Robe), "Dôjôji" (Dôjôji Temple) and "Shakkyô" (The Stone Bridge). Bandô Tamasaburô will share the stage with the dance master Hanayagi Jusuke IV and his disciples. They will perform from the 16th to the 20th of May in Tôkyô at the Orchard Hall [more details], from the 26th to the 28th of May 2017 in Niigata at the Niigata Kenmin Kaikan (Niigata Prefectural Civic Center) [more details] and from the 31st of May to the 2nd of June 2017 in Nagoya at the Aichi Arts Center [more details]. They will also perform in September 2017 in Fukuoka at the Hakataza.

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform in a special Buyô program from the 24th to the 25th of June 2017 in Kyôtango at the Tango Bunka Kaikan (Tango Culture Center) [more details].

The program for the July 2017 educational Kabuki program at the National Theatre, called Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class") has been published. "Ichijô Ôkura Monogatari" will be staged with Onoe Kikunosuke in the prestigious role of Ichijô Ôkura Naganari [more details].

Several actors led by Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon went to the Konpira Shrine the 7th of April 2017 to pray for the success of April 2017 performances at the Kanamaruza, where Nakamura Jakuemon was about to celebrate his shûmei from the 8th of April. Afterwards, The 7 stars were paraded in the streets of Kotohira in rickshaws [pictures and more details in Japanese|more details about the performances].

Nakamura Shikan and his three sons, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Fukunosuke and Nakamura Utanosuke went to the Dazaifu Tenmangû Shrine the 15th of April 2017 to pray for the success of the coming performances celebrating their shûmei in June 2017 at the Hakataza. The Shintô god of scholarship Tenjin was enshrined in the Dazaifu Tenmangû Shrine. Tenjin was Sugawara no Michizane (845~903), a high-ranking imperial court minister, a brilliant calligrapher and scholar, who also became a key character in the Kabuki drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami". One act from this drama, the spectacular "Kurumabiki", will be staged at the Hakataza. The actors were paraded on the way to the shrine in rickshaws [pictures and more details in Japanese|more details about the performances].

The fourth edition of the ABKAI (Ebikai in Japanese), a gala for the young star Ichikawa Ebizô will happen from the 9th to the 25th of June 2017 at the Shibuya Bunkamura Theatre Cocoon in Tôkyô [more details]. The newly-created drama "Ishikawa Goemon Gaiden", "Goemon Ishikawa: A Side Story", will be staged. It was written by the manga storywriter, novelist and screenwriter Kibayashi Shin, based on a book of Matsuoka Ryô and it will be directed by the dance master Fujima Kanjûrô VIII. Three non-Kabuki actors, Nakayama Yûma, Maeno Tomoya and Yamada Jundai, will perform alongside Ichikawa Ebizô and his disciples of the Ichikawa clan.

Due to health related issues, Nakamura Kichinojô and Matsumoto Kôjaku could not perform in April 2017 at the Kabukiza. The former was replaced by Nakamura Kyôtae to play the role of the nakai Senno in "Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba". The latter was replaced by Matsumoto Kin'ichi to play the role of Aidamaya Jirosuke in the same drama.

Nakamura Jakuemon was the big chief of the Kotohira Police Station in Kotohira for 1 day the 10th of April 2017 [pictures and more details in Japanese].

Pictures for the opening days for the April 2017 Grand Kabuki programs at the Kabukiza, Akasaka Act Theater and Kanamaruza:

The 2nd of April 2017 at the Kabukiza

The 6th of April 2017 at the Akasaka Act Theater

The 8th of April 2017 at the Kanamaruza

One new poster celebrating the coming 3-generation shûmei of Bandô Rakuzen, Bandô Hikosaburô IX and Bandô Kamezô III and the hatsubutai of Bandô Kamesaburô VI in May 2017 at the Kabukiza has been printed out and will be sold in the theater:

Poster with the 4 actors

Obituary: the Otowaya supporting actor Onoe Jukô (1939~2017) passed away the 15th of March 2017. His real name was Kida Yasuo.

The Heisei Nakamuraza will be in Nagoya from the 1st to the 26th of June 2017. The temporary koshibai look-alike theater will be built in the precincts of the Nagoya Castle [more details].

The programs for the Grand Kabuki Tours in the eastern and central provinces in July 2017 have been published!

Nakamura Shikan VIII and two of his three sons, Nakamura Hashinosuke IV and Nakamura Fukunosuke III, will celebrate their shûmei in different eastern cities [more details].

Nakamura Jakuemon V will celebrate his shûmei in different central cities [more details].

Nakamura Shikan VIII and his three sons will celebrate their shûmei in June 2017 in Fukuoka at the Hakataza. The new Shikan will play the roles of Kôchiyama Sôshun and the father shishi in the drama "Kôchiyama" and the dance "Seizoroi Kotobuki Renjishi". His three sons will play the roles of the three shishi cubs in "Renjishi" [more details].

The Kabuki TV program Kabuki Kool, which is produced by NHK World TV, will have a 4th season in 10 episodes. the focus of this new season will be the star dramatists of Kabuki history. It will host Nakamura Kazutarô and the first episode of the new season will be broadcasted the 5th and the 26th of April 2017, four times each day at 04:30 08:30 16:30 and 22:30 (UTC) [more details].

An important photograph shooting session for Matsumoto Kôshirô, Ichikawa Somegorô and Matsumoto Kintarô was held, ahead of the coming 3-generation Kôraiya shûmei (Kôraiya Sandai Shûmei) of Matsumoto Hakuô II, Matsumoto Kôshirô X and Ichikawa Somegorô VIII in January and February 2018 at the Kabukiza [pictures and more details in Japanese]. The three actors were photographed at the end of March 2017 by the famous Japanese photographer Shinoyama Kishin, who is famous for his pictures of nude/undressed girls, not traditionally-dressed Kabuki actors. The mon of Ichikawa Somegorô VIII will be mitsu ichô (three ginko trees). Matsumoto Hakuô II and Matsumoto Kôshirô X will use fusenchô (raised stripe butterfly). None of them will use the old traditional mon of the Kôraiya guild: yotsu hanabishi (4 diamond-shaped flowers) [Kôshirô's crest].

As reported before, there will be in May 2017 at the Kabukiza the important 3-generation shûmei of Bandô Rakuzen, Bandô Hikosaburô IX and Bandô Kamezô III, the hatsubutai of Bandô Kamesaburô VI, the omemie of Terajima Mahoro and the commemoration of the 22nd and 16th anniversaries (23rd and 17th memorial services) of the passing away of Onoe Baikô VII and Ichimura Uzaemon XVII. There will be no kôjô performed as in independent entry in one of the two programs. The kôjô will instead be included in the staging of "Soga no Taimen" (evening program) [more details].

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô will perform in a special Buyô program from the 7th to the 9th of April 2017 in Shimonoseki at the newly-renovated Shimonoseki Shimin Kaikan (Shimonoseki Civic Center) [more details].

Kabuki on Ice! For the very first time in Kabuki history, a special performance will mix ice skating and Kabuki (hyôen in Japanese). It will happened from the 20th to the 22nd of May 2017, 2 performances a day, at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium. A newly-created dance-skate-drama entitled "Basara" will be staged. Famous Kabuki heroes or villains will appear and a battle between good and evil will break out on ice. It will star famous ice-skaters like Takahashi Daisuke, Arakawa Shizuka, Suzuki Akiko, Oda Nobunari and Asada Mai. It will also star the following Kabuki actors : Ichikawa Somegorô, Ichikawa Emiya, Nakamura Kikaku, Sawamura Sônosuke and Ôtani Hirotarô.

As part of the 55th Ôsaka International Festival, a special dance program entitled "Hanabutai Naniwa no Nigiwai" will be staged the 28th of April 2017 at the Festival Hall. The first item in the program will a dance performed by geisha and maiko from the famous district of Miyagawa-chô. The second item will be the Kamigata dance "Mitsumen Wankyû", performed by the furitsuke Yamamura Tomogorô III. The third item will be a dance performed by actresses who used to be famous members of the Takarazuka Revue. The fourth and last item will be the Kabuki dance "Renjishi", which will star Kataoka Ainosuke (the father shishi), Nakamura Kazutarô (the mother shishi) and Nakamura Tanenosuke (the child shishi) in a special version of the Umemoto school of Buyô. The rakugo storyteller Katsura Yonedanji V will be a guest in charge of all the talking.

Ôtani Ryûsei, the son of Ôtani Keizô, will make his hatsubutai in April 2017 at the Kabukiza. He will perform in the dance "Yakko Dôjôji".

The Nakamuraya brothers, Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke, who will perform in April 2017 at the Akasaka Act Theater, went to the Hikawa Shrine in Akasaka the 14th of March 2017 to pray for the success of their coming performances [pictures and more details in Japanese].

The 16th of March 2017, Ichikawa Somegorô performed in the dance "Shakkyô" in front of "Edo Fuji", a 6m high and 23m long vegetal green monument created by the famous horticultural director and worldwide plant hunter Nishihata Seijun to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of Tôkyô Midtown, a mixed-use posh development zone in Akasaka (Tôkyô). This zone with very expensive offices, residential buildings, hotels and leisure spaces was completed in March 2007 [pictures and more details in Japanese].

Pictures for the opening days for the March 2017 Grand Kabuki programs at the National Theatre and the Kabukiza:

The 3rd of March 2017 at the Kabukiza

The 4th of March 2017 at the National Theatre

A rakugo storyteller will perform at the Kabukiza Gallery (5th floor of the Kabukiza building) the 20th of January 2017. It will be the 4th edition of an event called Kabuki Shibai Banashi. Shibai Banashi are "performances by rakugo artists in which they employ kabuki-type speech and movements, often with musical accompaniment and against a scenic background" (Samuel Leiter in "New Kabuki Encyclopedia"). The performer will be Tatekawa Danshô VI and he will tell the rakugo "Shibahama".

There will be Kabuki performances in the People's Republic of China in Beijing in March 2017! The troupe led by Nakamura Shikan and Nakamura Ganjirô will perform from the 18th to the 20th of March 2017 at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in the heart of the Tianqiao District [more details].

The two programs for the April Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza in April 2017 have been published [more details]. The highlights will be:

A tôshi kyôgen production of "Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba" in two acts (five scenes) with Ichikawa Somegorô and Ichikawa Ennosuke in the roles of Fukuoka Mitsugi and Manno.

The jidaimono "Kumagai Jin'ya" with Matsumoto Kôshirô in the role of Kumagai Jirô Naozane.

The all-time favourite "Domo Mata" with Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon and Onoe Kikunosuke in the roles of Matahei and Otoku.

The rarely-staged (in Tôkyô) Kamigata drama "Obiya", the love story of the young girl Ohan for her middle-aged neighbour Chôemon, with Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô in the role of Chôemon and his grandson Nakamura Kazutarô in the role of Ohan.

The two programs for the Dankikusai May Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza in May 2017 have been published [more details]. As reported before, there will be the important 3-generation shûmei of Bandô Rakuzen, Bandô Hikosaburô IX and Bandô Kamezô III and the hatsubutai of Bandô Kamesaburô VI. Terajima Mahoro, the grandson of Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô and son of the actress Terajima Shinobu will make his first stage appearance (omemie). Moreover, the 22nd and 16th anniversaries (23rd and 17th memorial services) of the passing away of Onoe Baikô VII and Ichimura Uzaemon XVII will be commemorated. The highlights will be:

The jidaimono "Ishikiri Kajiwara" with the new Bandô Hikosaburô in the role of Kajiwara Heizô Kagetoki.

"Sakanaya Sôgorô", a classic sewamono for the Otowaya guild, with Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô in the role of Sôgorô and his grandson in the role of a decchi.

The sogamono drama "Soga no Taimen", one of the oldest and most classical of all Kabuki play, with Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Bandô Hikosaburô and Nakamura Tokizô in the roles of Kudô Saemon Suketsune, Soga Gorô Tokimune and Soga Jûrô Sukenari.

"Meiboku Sendai Hagi" with Onoe Kikunosuke, Ichikawa Ebizô and Onoe Shôroku in the roles of Masaoka, Nikki Danjô and Arajishi Otokonosuke.

The two programs for the May Young Actors Kabuki at the Shôchikuza in May 2017 have been published [more details]. The highlights will be:

The production of Tsuruya Nanboku IV's "Kin no Zai Sarushima Dairi", a spectacular classic for the Omodakaya guild.

The production of "Kaidan Chibusa no Enoki", a classic kaidanmono for the Nakamuraya guild.

Ichikawa Ebizô will be on tour all over Japan in April 2017. This tour will be entitled Koten he no Izanai, literally "Invitation to the Classics" [more details].

The program for the June 2017 educational Kabuki program at the National Theatre, called Kabuki Kanshô Kyôshitu ("Kabuki appreciation class") has been published. "Kenuki" will be staged with Nakamura Kinnosuke and Kataoka Takatarô [more details].

Nakamura Takanosuke, Nakamura Tamatarô and Nakamura Umemaru will perform, along with the dance masters Fujima Kanjûrô VIII and Onoe Kikunojô III, at the Kanagawa Arts Theatre from the 23rd to the 26th of March 2017 in a dance program which is entitled "SUGATA". The program is made up of a newly-created dance-drama which is entitled "Zoku Shinsetsu Saiyûki", a sequel to 2016 ""Shinsetsu Saiyûki".

Nakamura Kinnosuke is one the award-winners of the 38th Matsuo Artistic Awards (Matsuo Geinô Shô). He will receive at the end of March 2017 the "Outstanding Performance Award" (Yûshû Shô in Japanese).

The 38th Haiyûsai (literally Actors Festival) will happen at the Kabukiza the 28th of March 2017 with most of the Kabuki actors. This special gala is sponsored by the Japan Actors Association. It is usually a mix of classic dances, newly-created or newly-revised dramas and ... the most appreciated item in the program: all the refreshment stands which are managed by the actors. If you are lucky, your coffee will be made and given to you by one of the top Kabuki stars. Actors Festival is more a parody of Kabuki full of funny surprise than a set of real Kabuki performances. Some people might even think that it looks like an art university graduation show.

There were mamemaki ceremonies for setsubun the 3rd of February 2017 at the Kabukiza, the Shôchikuza and the Hakataza:

Setsubun at the Kabukiza.

Setsubun at the Shôchikuza.

Setsubun at the Hakataza.

Pictures for the opening day at the Kabukiza in February 2017. The ichiban taiko was beaten by Tanaka Denzaemon XIII the 2nd of February 2017 at 10:10:

Kabukiza, 2nd of February 2017

The Duty of Remembrance:

The 28th of february 2017, we could have celebrated the 300th anniversary of the passing away of Yamashita Kyôemon I. This stage giant of the Genroku era died the 18th day of the 1st lunar month of the 2nd year of the Kyôhô era, which was the 28th of February 1717 in the western calendar.

The 15th of March 2017, it will be the 200th anniversary of the passing away of Sawamura Tanosuke II (1788~1817), who died the 28th day of the 1st lunar month of the 14th year of the Bunka era which was the 15th of March 1817.

The two programs for the March Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza in March 2017 have been published [more details]. The highlights will be:

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon playing the role of Taira no Tomomori in the "Tokaiya" and "Daimotsu no Ura" scenes of the classic "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".

The dance-drama "Dontsuku" staged to commemorate the 2nd anniversary (3rd memorial service) of the passing away of Bandô Mitsugorô X.

Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô playing the role of the keisei Ishikawaya Masagoji in the short but spectacular drama "Onna Goemon".

"Sukeroku" with Ichikawa Ebizô and Nakamura Jakuemon in the roles of Hanakawado Sukeroku and Miuraya Agemaki.

Opening the 1st of January 2017 of the Shôchiku official Kabuki facebook site:

KABUKI by Shôchiku

The drama "Igagoe Dôchû Sugoroku" will be staged as a tôshi kyôgen in March 2017 at the National Theatre. The core of this revival will be "Okazaki" but it is also very interesting to report that the third act, commonly called "Engakuji", which was staged for the last time in February 1931 at the Meijiza, will be revived as well [more details | casting].

No Kabuki for Nakamura Senjaku from January to March 2017! He started to perform from the 18th of January and he will perform up to the 12th of March at the Tôkyô Metropolitan Theatre in Noda Hideki's new drama "Ashiato Hime" (literally "Princess Footprints" [more details in Japanese].

The Zenshinza troupe will perform as usual in May 2017 at the National Theatre. A newly-created drama, which was written by the veteran movie director Yamada Yôji and is entitled "Ura Nagaya Sôdôki", will be staged. It will mix two famous rakugo stories, "Rakuda" and "Ido no Chawan" [more details].

Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke will perform in April 2017 at the Akasaka Act Theater for the 5th edition of the Akasaka Grand Kabuki. They will perform in a newly-created drama made by the playwhright and script writer Hôrai Yûta, the writer of the famous anime "Piano no Mori", which will be entitled "Yume Maboroshi-ka Koi Zôshi" [more details].

Kataoka Ainosuke will lead of troupe of young actors at the Meijiza in May 2017 [more details].

Nakamura Ganjirô and Kataoka Takatarô took part in a parade in Ôsaka the 10th of January 2017, which was part of the Tôka Ebisu Festival at the Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, which is located in the Naniwa Ward of Ôsaka and is commonly (and affectiously) called Ebessan by the people of Ôsaka. The Tôka Ebisu Festival was held from the 9th to the 11th of January 2017. Tôka meaning the 10th day in Japanese, this festival is usually held around the 10th of January and it is extremely popular in Ôsaka. During this festival sacred bamboo branches are sold to business people. The branches, known as fukusasa, are decorated with lucky symbols. The two actors were paraded through shopping and entertainment districts on special palanquins called hoe kago, surrounded by people singing a simple catchy folk song [more details in Japanese and pictures].

Members of the Edo Firefighting Memorial Association performed kiyari ritual dances within the Kabukiza the 5th of January 2017 [more details in Japanese].

The world of Kabuki and the world of Otaku will collide for the second time in Kabuki history at the end of April 2017! Chôkabuki (literally Ultra-Kabuki) will be back! Nakamura Shidô will once again share the stage with the virtual 3D creature Hatsune Miku. They will perform together in a Chôkabuki dance-drama which will be entitled "Kuruwa Kotoba Awase Kagami". It will staged at the Makuhari Messe the 29th and the 30th of April 2017, as part of the Niconico Chôkaigi 2017 event, an important yearly event for the Otaku tribes [more details].

The seven young actors, who will perform in February 2017 at the Shôchikuza, went to the Hôzenji Temple in the heart of the famous Hôzenji Yokochô Lane in Ôsaka the 30th of January 2017 to pray for the success of their performances [pictures and more details in Japanese].

What about some fancy Kabuki coloring? A book has just been published full of 76 illustrations, drawn in the style of the Edo period by the manga artist Suzuki Junko under the guidance of Ichikawa Somegorô. You can test your coloring skills on all of them and compete with others coloring artists over the Internet. There will be a contest and the best colored drawing will be selected by Ichikawa Somegorô [more details].

Pikotarô is one of the nicknames of comedian Kosaka Kazuhito used to portray a funny fictional singer/songwriter who fathered the Internet hit song "PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)", which went viral in 2016 in Japan. Onoe Kikugorô wanted to make a reference to Pikotarô's song in his January performance in January 2017 at the National Theatre. There was Kataoka Kamezô perfectly disguised as Pikotarô on stage in the first scene of the fourth act of "Shiranui Monogatari". For this occasion, the Kabuki program was promoted on youtube with a Edo-flavored parody of the song. Kurogo-chan, the official mascot of the National Theatre, did the dancing part while a Nagauta ensemble played a traditional version of the song. Apple, pineapple and pen were replaced by old style pen, nurisanpô (a lacquered stand used in shrines) and a sanpô (a wooden stand used in shrines). The 23rd of January, there was a big surprise as the audience got not one but two Pikotarô, Kataoka Kamezô and the real Pikotarô!

Pictures and more details in Japanese

Kurogo-chan and the Nagauta musicians performing the song

One new poster celebrating the coming hatsubutai of Nakamura Kantarô III and Nakamura Chôzaburô II in February 2017 at the Kabukiza has been printed out and will be sold in the theater:

Poster for "Kadonde Futari Momotarô"

Pictures for the opening days at the Shinbashi Enbujô and the National Theatre in January 2017:

Shinbashi Enbujô, 3rd of January 2017

National Theatre, 3rd of January 2017

Konpy-kun, the mascot symbolizing the Konpira Kabuki, which is produced every April at the Kanamaruza, was spotted advertising for the coming April performances the 25th and the 26th of January in Tôkyô in Asakusa [pictures and more details in Japanese].

The Heisei Nakamuraza will be for the second time in Nagoya in June 2017. The temporary koshibai look-alike theater will be built in the precincts of the Nagoya Castle, same location as for the first time in September 2009.

The next release (27th) in the Shinema Kabuki ("Cinema Kabuki") series will be "Tôkaidôchû Hizakurige, which was shot live in high definition in August 2016 at the Kabukiza with Ichikawa Somegorô as Yaji and Ichikawa Ennosuke as Kita. It will be released all over Japan from the 3rd of June 2017.