2 shows in Nagoya (Misonoza), 4 in Tôkyô (Kabukiza, Asakusa Kôkaidô), 2 in Fukuoka (Hakataza), 2 in Kyôto (Minamiza), 1 in Toyooka (Eirakukan), 1 in Tachikawa (Tachikawa Stage Garden) and 2 tours (Kinshû Special Tour, Shôchiku Grand Kabuki)!

Onoe Kikugorô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Bandô Hikosaburô, Nakamura Tokizô & Nakamura Mantarô perform at the Misonoza !

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku, Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Manju, Nakamura Kaishun, Kataoka Takatarô, Onoe Shôroku, Onoe Ukon, Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Hayato, Ichikawa Danko & Nakamura Matagorô perform at the Kabukiza !

Ichikawa Danjûrô, Ichikawa Udanji, Kataoka Ichizô & Ichikawa Kudanji performs at the Hakataza & at the Minamiza!

Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke are on tour (Kinshû Special Tour)!

Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô and Bandô Hikosaburô perform at the Eirakukan!

Nakamura Kazutarô, Ichikawa Danko & Ichikawa Chûsha at the Tachikawa Stage Garden !

Onoe Kikugorô, Onoe Kikunosuke, Nakamura Jakuemon, Nakamura Kinnosuke, Bandô Hikosaburô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Mantarô, Kataoka Kamezô, Kamimura Kichiya, Ichimura Manjirô, Kawarasaki Gonjûrô, Nakamura Takanosuke, Sawamura Kiyoshirô, Kamimura Kichitarô, Nakamura Shinobu, Onoe Kikushirô, Onoe Kikuichirô

51st edition of the classic October kaomise programs in Nagoya! The previous edition was in ... October 2019! Onoe Kikugorô VIII and Onoe Kikunosuke VI celebrate their shûmei in Nagoya at the Misonoza.

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 Takanosuke), dancing lightly until his antics tangle his strings, creating problems for his puppeteer (Kamimura Kichitarô). Featuring also Kamimura Kichiya and Nakamura Kinnosuke as Senzai and Okina.

Kuzu-no-Ha: Abe no Yasuna, a court astrologer in disgrace, has married a beautiful woman named Kuzu-no-Ha, not knowing that she is actually a fox that has taken human form to repay his kindness in saving his life. The couple has a child and lives happily together until the real woman whose form the fox borrowed appears. Knowing that she can no longer stay, Kuzu-no-Ha writes a tearful farewell poem on the paper screen and returns to the wilderness. Starring Nakamura Tokizô as Kuzu-no-Ha and Nakamura Mantarô as Yasuna.

Ninin Dôjôji: a beautiful young woman dances under cherry blossoms at a dedication ceremony for a temple bell. She dances the many aspects of a woman in love, but is actually the spirit of a serpent, driven to destroy the bell out of jealousy. In addition to being the most famous of all Kabuki dances, "Musume Dôjôji" is considered to be the pinnacle of the art of the onnagata female role specialist. Onoe Kikugorô, whose beauty and artistic genius is renowned throughout the world, will give his definitive performance of this dance in a special double version together with his son Onoe Kikunosuke.

Hagoromo: the legend of the angel who came to earth to bathe and then had her heavenly feathered robe stolen by a fisherman is famous in all forms of Japanese theater. This month features an elegant dance version of the story with Nakamura Kinnosuke as the fisherman and Nakamura Jakuemon as the angel.

Kôjô: the close relationship between the actors and the audience is shown by these stage announcements, lavish ceremonies to commemorate various important events. In this case, all the stars of the cast assemble to celebrate the shûmei of Onoe Kikugorô VIII and Onoe Kikunosuke VI.

Nezumi Kozô: in this dramatic tale set in Edo period, several interwoven stories unfold around love, sacrifice, and justice. The young lovers Shinsuke (Nakamura Mantarô) and Omoto (Nakamura Shinobu) are tricked and driven to the brink of suicide after being framed for theft by the jealous samurai Hiraoka Gonnai (Onoe Kikuichirô). Meanwhile, another couple, Yonosuke (Nakamura Takanosuke) and Omitsu (Kamimura Kichitarô), struggle against the social divide separating them, while the legendary thief Nezumi Kozô (Onoe Kikugorô) moves in the shadows, stealing only from corrupt elites and helping those in desperate need. As fate draws them together, Nezumi Kozô gives his fortune to save others, all while concealing his true identity as a noble outlaw with a mysterious past — even from those closest to him. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Nezumi Kozô is the long-lost son of Yosobê (Kataoka Kamezô), a humble watchman, and the lover of Matsuyama (Nakamura Tokizô), a courtesan who once sacrificed everything for him. After a series of emotional reunions and tragic consequences, Nezumi Kozô turns himself in, confessing to his crimes to clear the names of the innocent. But when a corrupt official tries to humiliate him, Nezumi Kozô escapes in a final act of defiance. Though pursued, he is granted mercy by the just Hayase Yajûrô (Bandô Hikosaburô), who lets him disappear into the snowy night, leaving behind a legacy of both crime and compassion. Featuring also Onoe Kikunosuke in the role of the shijimi-uri Sankichi.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website, Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website or others sources

Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku, Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku, Living National Treasure Nakamura Tôzô, Nakamura Shikan, Nakamura Manju, Nakamura Kaishun, Kataoka Takatarô, Onoe Shôroku, Onoe Ukon, Bandô Minosuke, Nakamura Hayato, Ichikawa Danko, Nakamura Matagorô, Ichikawa Monnosuke, Bandô Kamezô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Juen, Nakamura Matsue, Nakamura Yonekichi, Bandô Shingo, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Nakamura Hashinosuke, Onoe Sakon, Ichikawa Seiko, Arashi Kitsusaburô, Ichimura Kitsutarô, Kataoka Matsunosuke, Nakamura Baika, Nakamura Kamenojô, Nakamura Tanetarô, Nakamura Hidenosuke, Nakamura Haruki, Nakamura Natsuki, Ichikawa Ukon, Morita Oto

The Autumn Brocade October Grand Kabuki at the Kabukiza, which features a full-length performance of one of the great classics of Kabuki, "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura" (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees). This is an epic story about the famous 12th century general Minamoto no Yoshitsune fleeing from the wrath of his brother Minamoto no Yoritomo, after the end of the war. Although Yoshitsune is the title character, the main characters of the play are actually Tomomori, Gonta and Tadanobu, the heroes of the different sections of the play. This month is also the omemie of Morita Oto, the son of Bandô Minosuke! There 2 different castings with 2 programs entitled A & B. Below, we've listed actors with a (Prog A/Prog B) format. If there is only one name, it means that the same actor performs the role in both programs.

Torii Mae: (In Front of the Fushimi Inari Shrine)
Yoshitsune (Bandô Minosuke/Nakamura Kashô) is forced to flee from the troops sent by his brother Yoritomo. The trip will be hard and he decides that he must leave behind his lover Shizuka Gozen (Ichikawa Emiya/Onoe Sakon), despite her passionate pleas to remain with him. As a reminder of himself, he presents her with a precious hand drum that he had received from the emperor. Yoshitsune's retainer Tadanobu (Ichikawa Danko/Onoe Ukon) rescues Shizuka from Yoritomo's troops and Yoshitsune decides to leave her in his care. Featuring also Nakamura Hashinosuke in the role of Musashibô Benkei.

Tokaiya/Daimotsu no Ura:
(Tokaiya Inn and Daimotsu Bay)
Yoshitsune (Nakamura Hayato/Nakamura Kashô) books passage on a boat to Kyûshû, but the captain is actually Taira no Tomomori (Bandô Minosuke), a general of the Heike clan that Yoshitsune helped to defeat. Tomomori was supposedly killed by Yoshitsune in the final battle of the war, but in this play, Tomomori is shown as surviving, living in disguise with the child emperor Antoku and his nursemaid (Kataoka Takatarô). Tomomori uses the opportunity to try to get his revenge on Yoshitsune but is defeated again. Finally Tomomori holds a giant anchor and plunges into the sea.

Ko-no-Mi/Kokingo Uchijini: (The Chestnut Tree and the Death of Kokingo)
Wakaba-no-Naishi (Nakamura Kaishun/Ichikawa Monnosuke), the wife of the Heike commander Koremori, travels with her young son and their retainer Kokingo (Bandô Shingo/Onoe Sakon), searching for her husband. While resting in a small mountain village, they are met by Gonta (Onoe Shôroku/Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon), a local bully who skillfully cons them out of their money. Later they are set upon by Genji forces, and in a spectacular fight scene, Kokingo sacrifices himself to save his mistress and her son.

Sushiya: (The Sushi Shop)
Gonta's father Yazaemon (Ichimura Kitsutarô/Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku) runs a sushi shop, but was formerly a retainer of Taira no Koremori. With his clan defeated, Koremori (Nakamura Manju) now lives with Yazaemon's family disguised as a humble apprentice. Innocently, Yazaemon's daughter, Osato (Onoe Sakon/Nakamura Yonekichi) is in love with him. But knowing of the bounty on Koremori's head, her brother Gonta kills him and turns his wife and child over to the Genji commander. Furious at his son, Yazaemon stabs him, but before his death, Gonta reveals that he only pretended to kill Koremori and sacrificed his own wife and son to save the real Koremori and his family.

Michiyuki Hatsune no Tabi: the 3rs program starts with a musical travel scene. Hearing that Yoshitsune has taken refuge in the mountains of Yoshino, Tadanobu (Ichikawa Danko/Onoe Ukon) and Shizuka (Bandô Shingo/Nakamura Yonekichi) go to try to meet him there. Although Tadanobu keeps disappearing, he always appears when Shizuka plays the precious drum that she received from Yoshitsune. In dance Tadanobu recounts episodes from the Genpei war, including the battle in which his brother died.

Kawatsura Hôgen Yakata: Yoshitsune (Living National Treasure Nakamura Baigyoku) has taken refuge in the mountains of Yoshino at the mansion of an old ally. Tadanobu (Ichikawa Danko/Onoe Ukon) arrives but has no recollection of Shizuka being placed under his care. Shizuka (Bandô Shingo/Nakamura Yonekichi) herself soon arrives with the other Tadanobu and after an investigation they discover that he is actually a fox (Ichikawa Danko/Onoe Ukon). In a touching story, the fox tells how he took on human form to be close to the hand drum which is made from the skins of his fox parents.

Source: Earphone Guide website

Ichikawa Danjûrô, Ichikawa Udanji, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Nakamura Toranosuke, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Ichikawa Shinjûrô, Ichikawa Masusaburô

A special program starring Ichikawa Danjûrô in Fukuoka at the Hakataza.

Mimasu Sendai Hagi: the Date Feud is an historical family squabble that took place in the Sendai domain during the Edo period. The play this month, "Mimasu Sendai Hagi", is based on that incident. It was newly written in 2021, adapted from the previous work by Ichikawa Danjûrô V in which he incorporated the world of Fuwa and Nagoya into the plot of "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" ('Precious Incense and the Bush-clover of Sendai'), which is the most famous Kabuki work based on the Date Feud. The regent Nikki Danjô plots to take over the Ashikaga clan, encouraging the lord Ashikaga Yorikane to indulge himself in pleasure and to get involved with the courtesan Takao. Nagoya Sanza, who hopes to maintain the Ashikaga clan despite being banished from it, is in love with Takao. He gets into a fight with Fuwa Banzaemon who also loves her but whose love is unrequited. The sumô wrestler Kinugawa Tanizô saves Yorikane who is about to be foully murdered by Danjô's trick. The shogunate orders Yorikane to retire as he leads a dissipated life, and Yorikane’s son Tsuruchiyo succeeds him as the lord. Tsuruchiyo’s wet-nurse Masaoka tries to protect him from any assassination plots at the risk of her own life. Seven of the main roles are performed by Ichikawa Danjûrô: Nikki Danjô, Fuwa Banzaemon, Ashikaga Yorikane, Kinugawa Tanizô, the wet-nurse Masaoka, Arajishi Otokonosuke & Hosokawa Katsumoto. Featuring also Ichikawa Udanji (Yashio, Itakura Uneme), Kataoka Ichizô (Sakae Gozen, Watanabe Gekizaemon), Ichikawa Kudanji (Watanabe Minbu, Ôe Onitsura), Nakamura Toranosuke (Nagoya Sanza) & Ôtani Hiromatsu (Takao, Okinoi, Sasano Saizô).

Ninin Fuji Musume: the spirit of wisteria blossoms dances of love in the form of a beautiful young maiden. The scene is set in Ôtsu City near the Lake Biwa. This dance is one of Kabuki's most famous and colorful dances in a special double version with two maidens, performed by Nakamura Toranosuke & Ôtani Hiromatsu.

Goaisatsu: a speech on stage made by Ichikawa Danjûrô.

Kurumabiki: this short scene shows the three brothers that dominate the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", each with a distinctive personality. Sakuramaru (Ôtani Hiromatsu) and Umeômaru (Nakamura Toranosuke) have been rendered masterless by Kan Shôjô's exile. The third brother Matsuômaru (Ichikawa Kudanji) serves the villain Shihei (Kataoka Ichizô), who is responsible for the downfall of Kan Shôjô. Sakuramaru and Umeômaru try to destroy Shihei's carriage but are stopped by Matsuômaru and the magical glare of Shihei. Finally the brothers agree to suspend their disputes until they all meet at their father's seventieth birthday party.

Hana no Esugata Kewai Kagami: Ichikawa Danjûrô demonstrates on stage how he makes up and dresses himself for the role of the hero of "Shibaraku". This is one of the most famous works of Kabuki which was also performed at the opening ceremony of the Tôkyô Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021. Ichikawa Danjûrô makes up in the presence of the audience and shows how he puts on the wig and costume, which amount to 60kg, to act as Kamakura Gongorô Kagemasa.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Ichikawa Danjûrô, Ichikawa Udanji, Kataoka Ichizô, Ichikawa Kudanji, Nakamura Toranosuke, Ôtani Hiromatsu, Ichikawa Shinjûrô, Ichikawa Masusaburô

A special program starring Ichikawa Danjûrô in Kyôto at the Minamiza.

Mimasu Sendai Hagi: the Date Feud is an historical family squabble that took place in the Sendai domain during the Edo period. The play this month, "Mimasu Sendai Hagi", is based on that incident. It was newly written in 2021, adapted from the previous work by Ichikawa Danjûrô V in which he incorporated the world of Fuwa and Nagoya into the plot of "Meiboku Sendai Hagi" ('Precious Incense and the Bush-clover of Sendai'), which is the most famous Kabuki work based on the Date Feud. The regent Nikki Danjô plots to take over the Ashikaga clan, encouraging the lord Ashikaga Yorikane to indulge himself in pleasure and to get involved with the courtesan Takao. Nagoya Sanza, who hopes to maintain the Ashikaga clan despite being banished from it, is in love with Takao. He gets into a fight with Fuwa Banzaemon who also loves her but whose love is unrequited. The sumô wrestler Kinugawa Tanizô saves Yorikane who is about to be foully murdered by Danjô's trick. The shogunate orders Yorikane to retire as he leads a dissipated life, and Yorikane’s son Tsuruchiyo succeeds him as the lord. Tsuruchiyo’s wet-nurse Masaoka tries to protect him from any assassination plots at the risk of her own life. Seven of the main roles are performed by Ichikawa Danjûrô: Nikki Danjô, Fuwa Banzaemon, Ashikaga Yorikane, Kinugawa Tanizô, the wet-nurse Masaoka, Arajishi Otokonosuke & Hosokawa Katsumoto. Featuring also Ichikawa Udanji (Yashio, Itakura Uneme), Kataoka Ichizô (Sakae Gozen, Watanabe Gekizaemon), Ichikawa Kudanji (Watanabe Minbu, Ôe Onitsura), Nakamura Toranosuke (Nagoya Sanza) & Ôtani Hiromatsu (Takao, Okinoi, Sasano Saizô).

Ninin Fuji Musume: the spirit of wisteria blossoms dances of love in the form of a beautiful young maiden. The scene is set in Ôtsu City near the Lake Biwa. This dance is one of Kabuki's most famous and colorful dances in a special double version with two maidens, performed by Nakamura Toranosuke & Ôtani Hiromatsu.

Goaisatsu: a speech on stage made by Ichikawa Danjûrô.

Kurumabiki: this short scene shows the three brothers that dominate the drama "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami", each with a distinctive personality. Sakuramaru (Ôtani Hiromatsu) and Umeômaru (Nakamura Toranosuke) have been rendered masterless by Kan Shôjô's exile. The third brother Matsuômaru (Ichikawa Kudanji) serves the villain Shihei (Kataoka Ichizô), who is responsible for the downfall of Kan Shôjô. Sakuramaru and Umeômaru try to destroy Shihei's carriage but are stopped by Matsuômaru and the magical glare of Shihei. Finally the brothers agree to suspend their disputes until they all meet at their father's seventieth birthday party.

Hana no Esugata Kewai Kagami: Ichikawa Danjûrô demonstrates on stage how he makes up and dresses himself for the role of the hero of "Shibaraku". This is one of the most famous works of Kabuki which was also performed at the opening ceremony of the Tôkyô Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021. Ichikawa Danjûrô makes up in the presence of the audience and shows how he puts on the wig and costume, which amount to 60kg, to act as Kamakura Gongorô Kagemasa.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Nakamura Kankurô, Nakamura Shichinosuke, Nakamura Tsurumatsu, Nakamura Ichô, Sawamura Kunihisa, Nakamura Nakasuke, Nakamura Nakashirô, Nakamura Nakaya

The word kinshû means "Autumn Brocade". This Autumn tour in 5 cities stars Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Shichinosuke.

Nakamura Matagorô, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Nakamura Tanetarô, Nakamura Hidenosuke

The Shôchiku Grand Kabuki Fall Tour in 18 cities.

Dorobô to Wakatono:
(The Thief and the Samurai Lord)
This is a new play that is a dramatization of a story by popular historical novelist Yamamoto Shûgorô which depicts the heartwarming bond between an ill-fated young lord and a good-natured thief. Matsudaira Narinobu (Nakamura Tanenosuke), the second son of lord Matsudaira Ôinokami, is confined in a dilapidated house due to a conspiracy hatched by the evil chief retainer. The thief Denkurô (Nakamura Kashô) breaks into the house but finds nothing to steal. Feeling pity for Narinobu who has not enough to eat, he takes care of him. After that, the extraordinary coexistence of Denkurô and Narinobu begins... This is a heart-warming piece depicting the bond between the charming and sympathetic thief, and the pessimistic and ill-fated young lord. Featuring also Nakamura Matagorô.

Omatsuri: Nakamura Matagorô as a gallant fireman boss at a festival telling a rueful tale of failure in love and showing the vigorous work songs of firefighters.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

Kataoka Ainosuke, Nakamura Kazutarô, Bandô Hikosaburô, Nakamura Fukunosuke, Nakamura Utanosuke

15th Kabuki program at the Eirakukan, a renovated traditional theater built in the city of Toyooka (prefecture of Hyôgo).

Soga no Taimen: this is one of the oldest and most classical of all Kabuki plays. In the Edo period, every January, plays appeared about the vendetta carried out by the Soga brothers Jûrô and Gorô after eighteen years of hardship. In "Soga no Taimen" the brothers confront Kudô Suketsune, the man responsible for their father's death. More ceremony than play, it features each of the important Kabuki character types, including the bombastic aragoto style of Gorô and the soft wagoto style of Jûrô. This month features a cast headed by Kataoka Ainosuke as Kudô and some of the most popular young stars in Kabuki with Nakamura Fukunosuke as Gorô and Nakamura Utanosuke as Jûrô. Featuring Bandô Hikosaburô and Nakamura Kazutarô as Oniô Shinzaemon (Jûrô's retainer) and Maizuru.

Kôjô: the close relationship between the actors and the audience is shown by these stage announcements, lavish ceremonies to commemorate various important events.

Kô no Tori: this is a new dance drama first performed at the Eirakukan in 2014, which portrays the stork, the divine bird of Tajima Province. It was revived at the Eirakukan again in 2018 and at the Kabukiza in 2021. This month, it is staged at the Eirakukan for the 3rd time. It is set in the Muromachi period. Akamatsu Mitsusuke (Bandô Hikosaburô), the military governor turned daimyô who is based in Harima Province, has become more and more powerful. So much so that, at a single nod from him, the Shôgun Ashikaga Yoshinori was assassinated. A banquet is about to be held in front of the Izushi Shrine and prayers that Mitsusuke will control the world take place. A stork, which is believed to be a messenger of the gods, is held in a big bird cage. Mitsusuke's retainers have dedicated it to him because legend says that eating its meat will bring longevity. As they surround the bird cage to kill and cook it, it becomes pitch-dark and two kyôgenshi appear (Kataoka Ainosuke and Nakamura Kazutarô). They perform a dance in Mitsusuke's presence, but when they approach the bird cage...

Sources: Earphone Guide Website, Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website or others sources

Nakamura Kazutarô, Ichikawa Danko, Ichikawa Chûsha, Onoe Ukon, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa En'ya, Ichikawa Seiko, Fujima Michinori

A special Kabuki program staged in Tachikawa at the Tachikawa Stage Garden to celebrate the coming 100th anniversary of the creation of the Tachihi Group. Fujima Michinori III is the son of the dance master Fujima Kanjûrô VIII.

Nakamura Takanosuke, Nakamura Kankurô

10th edition of the Shô no Kai, a gala program which stars Nakamura Tomijûrô V's son Nakamura Takanosuke. The guest star is Nakamura Kankurô.

Yakko Dôjôji: "Musume Dôjôji" is based on a legend about a woman transformed into a serpent out of jealousy and who destroys a temple bell keeping her from the object of her love. The original dance shows the spirit of the woman who appears at Dôjôji temple as a dancer who wants to celebrate the dedication of a new bell and does a series of dances showing the many faces of femininity. In this version the dancer is revealed to be a man in disguise and, in the highlight of the dance, transforms the romantic highpoint of the original piece into a comic scene by using masks. Starring Nakamura Takanosuke in a dance important to his family tradition.

Asakusa Matsuri: in the Edo period, there were virtuoso sets of dances with one actor changing from character to character with a series of spectacular quick changes (hengemono). This is a set of four dances, all featuring Nakamura Kankurô and Nakamura Takanosuke in a series of roles. It begins in the ancient past with Empress Jingô and her aged minister Takeuchi Sukune. It is said that the empress delayed the birth of her child, the emperor, so that she could conduct an attack on the Asian continent. Then the scene changes to the exuberant Sanja festival and shows two fishermen who discover a sacred statue in a river. Suddenly, the fishermen are possessed by the spirits of Good and Evil and dance vigorously. The scene switches to the pleasure quarters with two patrons, a sophisticated urban playboy and a clumsy unfashionable man. Finally it ends on a fantastic note with the two dancers as lion spirits.

Sources: Earphone Guide Website, Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website or others sources