5 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, National Theatre, Shinbashi Enbujô), 1 in Toyooka (Eirakukan), 2 in Ôsaka (Heisei Nakamuraza), 1 in Yamaga (Yachiyoza) and 1 tour (Shôchiku Grand Kabuki Tour)!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Ichikawa Ebizô, Kataoka Takatarô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Ichikawa Sadanji, Onoe Shôroku, Ichikawa Somegorô and Kataoka Hidetarô perform at the Kabukiza !

Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô and Nakamura Tôzô perform at the National Theatre!

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku and Bandô Yajûrô perform at the Heisei Nakamuraza!

Nakamura Ganjirô and Kataoka Ainosuke perform at the Eirakukan!

Onoe Kikunosuke, Ichikawa Danzô, Bandô Kamesaburô, Nakamura Baishi and Onoe Matsuya are on tour (Shôchiku Grand Kabuki Tour)!

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô performs at the Yachiyoza!

Ichikawa Ennosuke and the Omodakaya guild perform at the Shinbashi Enbujô!

Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô, Living National Treasure Sakata Tôjûrô, Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Ichikawa Ebizô, Kataoka Takatarô, Nakamura Baigyoku, Nakamura Kaishun, Ichikawa Sadanji, Onoe Shôroku, Ichikawa Somegorô, Kataoka Hidetarô, Kataoka Ichizô, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Ichikawa Unosuke, Ichimura Kakitsu, Bandô Shûchô, Nakamura Kikaku, Nakamura Matsue, Ichikawa Kudanji, Bandô Kametoshi, Sawamura Sônosuke, Kataoka Matsunosuke, Ichimura Kitsutarô, Kataoka Sennosuke, Nakamura Kotarô, Ôtani Hirotarô, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Nakamura Umemaru

Ichikawa Ebizô's son Horikoshi Kangen makes his first stage appearance (omemie). This kaomise commemorates the 50th anniversary of the passing away of Kangen's great-grandfather Ichikawa Danjûrô XI, who passed away the 10th of September 1965. Unfortunately this can't be a Naritaya 3-generation event as Kangen's grandfather Ichikawa Danjûrô XII passed away the 3rd of February 2013. It was the same for both Ichikawa Danjûrô XII and Ichikawa Ebizô, who made their omemie after the passing-away of their grandfather.

Sanemori Monogatari: a play about the early days of the rivalry between the Genji and Heike warrior clans. The warrior Saitô Bettô Sanemori (Ichikawa Somegorô) has been charged by the leaders of the dominant Heike clan with finding Aoi Gozen, the pregnant wife of the leader of the enemy Genji clan. He is to kill her child if it is a son who can succeed to head of the clan, but old loyalties to the Genji lead him to protect the boy. Sanemori tells the story of how Koman, the daughter of the old couple who is protecting Aoi Gozen, bravely fought to protect the sacred standard of the Genji from the Heike. Koman mysteriously comes back to life when her severed arm is rejoined to it. Featuring also Kataoka Hidetarô and Nakamura Kikaku as Koman and Senoo Jûrô.

Wakaki Hi no Nobunaga:
(The Young Nobunaga)
This classic of post-war Kabuki drama was written especially for Ichikawa Danjûrô XI by the popular novelist Osaragi Jirô. The play shows Oda Nobunaga (Ichikawa Ebizô) as a youth, before becoming the callous, hardened warrior that conquered Japan. Pressures from within and without force Nobunaga to act aloof of political affairs. His true intentions are hidden from even his closest friends, but his deception leads to the death of his advisor, Hirate (Ichikawa Sadanji). Featuring also Onoe Shôroku and Kataoka Takatarô.

Gosho no Gorozô: a portrait of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters at the height of its splendor. Rival gangs dressed in the height of fashion exchange stately speeches before fighting in the elaborate poetic cadences of Kawatake Mokuami, the last great playwright of Kabuki. Gorozô is the handsome leader of a gang, but his lover, the top courtesan Satsuki pretends to reject him to save his life. Tragedy strikes when Gorozô is driven to revenge. Starring Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugorô as Gorozô, Ichikawa Sadanji as his rival in love, Nakamura Kaishun as Gorozô's lover, the courtesan Satsuki and Kataoka Takatarô as Ôshû, a courtesan who is tragically killed. Starring also Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon in the cameo role of Kabutoya Yogorô!

Edo no Hana Narita no Omokage:
(Flowers of Edo and the Image of Naritaya)
The shows of this month are for the 50th anniversary of the Ichikawa Danjûrô XI's death. Living National Treasures and other top rate actors appear on stage to celebrate the first appearance on stage of Horikoshi Kangen, the son of Ichikawa Ebizô and the great-grandson of Ichikawa Danjûrô XI. The Narita on the title refers to the yago acting house name Naritaya of Ichikawa Danjûrô's family line to which Ichikawa Ebizô and Kangen belong. Ichikawa Danjûrô is the representative name of Naritaya and the actor who names himself Danjûrô is expected to be a representative actor of Edo kabuki.

Sengoku Yashiki: there are few plays more popular in Kabuki than "Chûshingura" or the Treasury of the Forty-Seven Loyal Retainers. In the modern period, from 1934 to 1941 even as Japan was at war, Mayama Seika (1878~1948) painstakingly reworked this play into "Genroku Chûshingura", a vast cycle of plays in ten parts focusing on different incidents and different characters in this revenge classic adding historical details reflecting the Genroku period. The particular section to be presented shows the retainers after they have succeeded in avenging their lord's death and go to await their judgment. Lord Sengoku (Nakamura Baigyoku) is an official of the shogunate, but is anxious to discuss the philosophy and justification for the attack with its leader, Kuranosuke (Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon) as they wait for the retainers to go to the various lords to be kept in custody until the shogunate decides how they will be punished.

Kanjinchô: probably the most popular Kabuki play today, it includes dance, comedy and the heart-warming pathos of a band of heroes during their last days. Disguised as a band of traveling priests the fugitive general Yoshitsune and his small band of retainers are stopped at a road barrier. They escape only through the quick thinking of the head retainer, a warrior priest named Musashibô Benkei, who improvises the text of an elaborate imperial decree. Having escaped danger Benkei and the others describe their days of glory and hardships on the road to escape in a moving dance. This program stars Matsumoto Kôshirô in the role of Benkei, with Onoe Shôroku and Ichikawa Somegorô as Yoshitsune and the barrier keeper Togashi.

Kôchiyama: the tea priest Kôchiyama (Ichikawa Ebizô) is a skilled thief and extortionist, but cannot turn down a request to help those in need. He disguises himself as a high-ranking priest to try to gain the freedom of a girl held by a powerful samurai lord (Nakamura Baigyoku) because she will not become his mistress. Using the famous poetic cadences of the late 19th century playwright Mokuami, Kôchiyama not only succeeds in his mission to rescue the girl, but he manages to extort a fair amount for himself. Featuring also Nakamura Baigyoku, Kataoka Ichizô and Ichikawa Kudanji.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô, Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Arashi Kitsusaburô, Ôtani Keizô

Tôshi kyôgen production at the National Theatre of "Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi" in 4 acts (4 scenes). The zagashira is Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon. The classic "Tonbê Sumika" act (also called "Yaguchi no Watashi"), which is still in the Kabuki repertoire, is staged at the end of this program, along with 3 long-forgotten acts! The second act, "Yura Hyôgonosuke Shin Yashiki", was staged for the last time in July 1915, more than 100 years ago, in Tôkyô at the Kabukiza with Nakamura Kichiemon I in the leading role. The two others revived acts are "Yakimochi-zaka" as the opening act and "Dônen Anjitsu" as the third act.

Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi: this work is mainly themed on the war chronicle "Taiheiki", dealing with a civil war in the Period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties. It is a gidayû kyôgen work of five acts, dramatizing the incidents such as the violent death of Nitta Yoshisada’s son Yoshioki at Yaguchi no Watashi in Musashi-no-Kuni (Musashi Province). Writer’s name Fukuuchi Kigai is a pseudonym of Hiraga Gennai (1728~1779), who played an important role in various fields such as science and art. Colorful drama unfolds with surprising developments. In recent years, the fourth act "Tonbê Sumika" has been performed independently, featuring the brutality of Yaguchi no Watashimori (ferryman at Yaguchi) Tonbê (Nakamura Karoku), who is a conspirator of the murder case of Yoshioki and also intends to kill Yoshioki’s brother Yoshimine, as well as the courageousness of Tonbê's daughter Ofune (Nakamura Shibajaku). Until the Meiji Period, however, the scenes centering on Yura Hyôgonosuke (Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon), chief retainer of Nitta family, had enjoyed popularity. In the climactic third act "Yura Hyôgonosuke Yakata", Hyôgonosuke, who surrendered to Ashikaga Takauji, takes the utmost pains unknown to others in order to maintain the Nitta family, enduring sacrifice and suffering. The scene has revived as "Yura Hyôgonosuke Shin-yashiki" for the first time in 100 years since 1915. By adding "Yakimochizaka" and "Dônen Anjitsu", which also haven’t been performed more than a century, we will present the work as a tôshi kyôgen (full-length play) of four acts including "Tonbê Sumika". After the fall of the Nitta family, Yoshioki’s wife Tsukuba Gozen (Nakamura Shibajaku), Hyôgonosuke wife Minato (Nakamura Tôzô), Yoshioki’s son Nitta Tokujumaru, and his guardian and chief retainer Minase no Rokurô (Nakamura Matagorô) finally reach Hyôgonosuke’s residence, surviving dangers at Tôkaidô Yakimochizaka. However, Hyôgonosuke kills Rokurô and then decapitates Tokujumaru, offering his head to the Ashikaga side. While Tsukuba Gozen and Minato become frantic, Hyôgonosuke makes the two meet someone -a shocking secret scheme comes out. Meanwhile, Yoshimine (Nakamura Kashô), along with his lover Utena (Nakamura Yonekichi), was provided refuge by Dônen (Arashi Kitsusaburô), Namamugi-mura temple keeper and Yoshioki’s hatamochi (flag bearer), and was given a flag that Yoshioki left when he died. Later, in the face of investigation, the two visit Tonbê’s house, asking for a boat. However, the blazon of the flag happens to reveal Yoshimine’s identity: a defeated Nitta warrior. Tonbê’s daughter Ofune lets Yoshimine go, ended up getting killed by Tonbê in place of him. Tonbê further chases Yoshimine by boat. At the time he comes close to the center of the river where he killed Yoshioki before a terrible incident happens. Today after 100 years since its presentation by Nakamura Kichiemon I, the present Kichiemon will play the role of Yura Hyôgonosuke, breathing life into "Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi". Please expect the excellent stage of gidayû kyôgen which adds color to autumn where the foliage is as beautiful as brocade.

Source: National Theatre

Nakamura Yonekichi, Nakamura Kichinosuke, Nakamura Chôichirô, Nakamura Chôzaburô, Nakamura Chônosuke, Nakamura Kichibê, Nakamura Kichijirô, Nakamura Kichisuke, Nakamura Kyôyuki, Nakamura Kyôsumi

17th Training Recital at the National Theatre produced by the Organization for the Preservation of Kabuki. "Zadankai" (literally "Roundtable Discussion") is a stage speech delivered by Nakamura Kichiemon, Nakamura Shibajaku, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Nakamura Karoku, Nakamura Matagorô and Nakamura Tôzô.

Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi: this play was written by Hiraga Gennai, an Edo inventor, explorer and writer of comic fiction. Young Ofune is the obedient daughter of her evil father Tonbê, the keeper of a river crossing. She meets and falls in love with a young fugitive. Unfortunately, her father wants to capture the fugitive for a reward and Ofune can only save his life by sacrificing her own. Starring Nakamura Yonekichi and Nakamura Kichinosuke in the roles of Ofune and Tonbê.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Yajûrô, Kataoka Kamezô, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Nakamura Toranosuke, Nakamura Kunio

The Heisei Nakamuraza is in Ôsaka for the third time. This time, it is a 33-day project, with two different programs. The temporary koshibai look-alike theater is built in the precincts of the Ôsaka Castle, in the heart of the Nishi no Maru Park. These performances celebrate the 400th anniversary of the beginning of the Siege of Ôsaka, which started in Fall/Winter 2014 (the "Winter Siege" (Fuyu no Jin in Japanese) from November 1614 to January 1615) and ended in Summer 2015 (the summer siege (Natsu no Jin in Japanese) in May and June 1615). The output of this bloody war was the complete destruction of both the Ôsaka Castle and the line of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Onna Shibaraku: more ceremony than play, "Shibaraku" is one of the oldest pieces in Kabuki. Just as an evil villain is about to execute a group of loyal retainers, a voice calls out for him to wait and a hero appears to save the day. This version is a parody, though, as the hero is played by an onnagata female role specialist, who mixes the super-human strength of an aragoto hero with the soft gentleness of a Kabuki heroine. Featuring Nakamura Shichinosuke as the heroine and Nakamura Hashinosuke as the larger-than-life villain, with Nakamura Kankurô as a friendly stage attendant who makes sure that everything goes right. Featuring also Nakamura Senjaku, Bandô Yajûrô and Kataoka Kamezô.

Saru no Kusemai: Toyotomi Heikichi (Nakamura Kankurô) demonstrates his fighting skills in front of his master Oda Harunaga. This dance is a beautiful tachimawari with Toyotomi Heikichi gracefully fighting against yakko. "Saru no Kusemai" means literally the old dance of the monkey. Toyotomi Heikichi was said in his teens to look like a monkey.

Korikori Banashi:
(Bewitching Foxes and Badgers)
In Japan, foxes and tanuki badgers are said to have the power to take the shape of humans, and in that form, they play mischievously, sometimes causing great harm. In this play by the contemporary playwrite Hôjô Hideji (1902~1996), foxes and badgers do not appear, but the scheming of human beings is no less crafty than that of those magical creatures. The play features Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke and Kataoka Kamezô.

Shunkan: the priest Shunkan (Nakamura Hashinosuke) has been exiled to Devil's Island for plotting against the dictator Kiyomori. A pardon is given to his fellow conspirators, but Shunkan is only saved by an additional pardon given by Kiyomori's compassionate son. Even so, he gives up his place on the boat to freedom so his companion's new wife can accompany her husband back to the capital. The boat leaves and Shunkan is left watching is disappear in the distance, knowing he will be left on the island forever. Featuring Kataoka Kamezô as the evil emissary Senoo and Nakamura Senjaku as the merciful envoy Tanzaemon. With Shingo/Nakamura Tsurumatsu as the island girl Chidori (Bandô Shingo from October to the 10th of November; Nakamura Tsurumatsu from the 11th to the 20th of November) and Nakamura Kunio as Naritsune, Shunkan's fellow exile who has fallen in love with her.

Mômoku Monogatari: this modern play by Uno Nobuo based on a story by Tanizaki Jun'ichirô shows some of the most famous figures in Japanese history through the unique perspective of the experiences of a blind masseur. Oichi, said to be the most beautiful woman of the day, constantly finds herself becoming a pawn to the ambitions and desires of the powerful men that surround her, including the man that eventually becomes the great Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Starring Nakamura Kankurô as both the blind Yaichi and Hideyoshi, and Nakamura Senjaku as Oichi. Featuring also Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Bandô Yajûrô and Kataoka Kamezô.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Ganjirô, Kamimura Kichiya, Nakamura Kazutarô

This is the 8th Kabuki program at the Eirakukan, a renovated traditional theater built in the city of Toyooka (prefecture of Hyôgo).

Seiun no Za: a newly-created Kabuki drama which is set in Izushi in the province of Tajima at the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The hero of this drama is Katsura Kogorô (Kataoka Ainosuke), one of the Three Outstanding Heroes of the Meiji Restoration. This new meiji-ishinmono also stars Nakamura Ganjirô, Kamimura Kichiya and Nakamura Kazutarô.

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 Eirakukan, it is a stage speech delivered by the main actors.

Kumo no Ito: one of the oldest dances related to the legend of a giant ground spider that attacked the medieval warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu. Yorimitsu is visited by the spider with magical powers disguised first as a koshô, second as a taiko mochi, third as a zatô and finally as a keisei. After revealing its true nature, the spider spins trying to trap the warrior in its web. Kataoka Ainosuke plays the five roles of this hengemono. Featuring Nakamura Kazutarô as Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Onoe Kikunosuke, Ichikawa Danzô, Bandô Kamesaburô, Nakamura Baishi, Onoe Matsuya, Onoe Ukon, Nakamura Mantarô

A special Autumn tour sponsored by the Shôchiku!

Yoshiwara Suzume: in this dance, a husband and wife come to the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters to sell caged sparrows for a ceremony to gain Buddhist merit by releasing living things. Caged sparrows were also images for the courtesans of the pleasure quarters, and the two dance a romantic meeting between a courtesan and her lover, showing the lively and erotic atmosphere of the pleasure quarters. Starring Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Baishi and Bandô Kamesaburô.

Sakanaya Sôgorô: Sôgorô (Onoe Kikunosuke), a fish seller, has taken a vow to not drink, but when he learns about his sister's unjust murder at the hands of a daimyô lord, a death that they were told was execution for her wrongdoing, he starts to drink again. Drunk, he storms into the lord's mansion to seek an apology. This play by Meiji playwright Kawatake Mokuami is known for its realistic portrayal of members of the common class during the Edo period and highlights their fierce pride and frustration at the privileges of the dominant samurai class. Featuring also Ichikawa Danzô, Bandô Kamesaburô, Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Mantarô and Onoe Ukon.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô

A special Buyô program starring the amazing Living National Treasure onnagata Bandô Tamasaburô in Yamaga at the Yachiyoza, a traditional wooden-built theater. The first item in the program is a kôjô.

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 Yachiyoza, it is a stage speech delivered by Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô.

Keisei: a beautiful top-rank courtesan (keisei) with her attendants makes parade along the Nakanochô Boulevard of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarter in Edo. She enters a room in the brothel and expresses her pure love for her lover in a graceful manner, though complaining that he does not come how long she waits for him. Then she expresses in dance the scenic beauty in each season and the elegant atmosphere in the pleasure quarters, and her love for him grows stronger. A scene from a seven-transformation hengemono "Nijirigaki Nanatsu Iroha", this is an old-fashioned, tasteful dance. Enjoy the cultured elegance of the top-rank courtesan in the pleasure quarters acted by Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô with his new direction in the performance at Nissay Theatre in October 2011.

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.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Ichikawa Ennosuke, Ichikawa Danshirô, Ichikawa Ukon, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Ichikawa Omezô, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa Shun'en, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Juen, Ichikawa Kôtarô, Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Hayato

A hot topic in Fall 2015: Oda Eiichirô's internationally popular manga "ONE PIECE" gets his first Kabuki adaptation by Ichikawa Ennosuke. Technically and artistically speaking, it is not Kabuki but Sûpâ Kabuki Sekando (the second generation of Sûpâ Kabuki), a genre created by Ichikawa Ennosuke III and continued by his nephew Ichikawa Ennosuke IV. Most of the actors are Kabuki actors, with 3 non-Kabuki guest actors : Fukushi Seiji, Kashima Noritoshi and Asano Kazuyuki.

ONE PIECE: "ONE PIECE", a big hit comic of Japan, and Super Kabuki II by Ichikawa Ennosuke IV make a miraculous collaboration! The largest-scale project ever begins! "ONE PIECE" has started since the July 1997 issue of Weekly Shônen Jump. As a book, the first volume was published in December 1997 and gained a national reputation soon. The series reach 77 volumes and the number of copies printed of the series is more than the world record 320,000,000, so it was awarded Guinness World Record as the most printed comic series by a writer in June 2015. Ichikawa Ennosuke IV is one of star Kabuki actors who will bear the next generation. He challenges aggressively to classic kabuki and new kabuki with rich expression and unique personality. He succeeded to the spirit of Super Kabuki which had been originated by his uncle Ichikawa Ennosuke III (Ichikawa En’ô II) and performed "Sora o Kizamu Mono" [A Man who sculptures the Sky] as the first play of Super Kabuki II in March and April 2014, which resulted in a great success. It is a marine adventure roman by the hero Luffy (Ichikawa Ennosuke) who explores the ocean with his diverse crew of pirates, named the Straw Hat Pirates, in search of the world ultimate treasure known as ONE PIECE in order to become the next Pirate King. The Straw Hat Pirates broke up in the battle against the navy at Sabaody Islands, the entrance to the new world, the next step to the big navigation in search of the world ultimate treasure. Luffy became alone, hears of his brother Ace’s execution and hurries to rescue him. Luffy is able to break through the navy’s barricade, but Ace has already been transferred to the navy head quarter. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates fight Summit Battle against the navy at its head quarter!

Sources: Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website