SEPTEMBER 2026

2 shows in Tôkyô (Kabukiza), 1 in Kyôto (Minamiza), 1 in Fukuoka (Hakataza) & 1 in Ôsaka (National Bunraku Theatre)!

  • Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Manju, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Jakuemon, Kataoka Takatarô, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Matagorô, Nakamura Hayato, Bandô Kamezô & Ichikawa Komazô perform at the Kabukiza !
  • Kataoka Ainosuke, Bandô Yajûrô, Ichikawa Chûsha, Nakamura Yonekichi, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya & Ichikawa En'ya perform at the Minamiza!
  • Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô performs at the Hakataza!
  • Kabukiza (Tôkyô)
    Dates 2 ~ 26 September 2026
    Shûzan Matsuri Kugatsu Ôkabuki
    Shûzan's Festival September Grand Kabuki
    Matinée

    Haru no Shirabe Musume Nanakusa

    Sanja Matsuri

    Hirakana Seisuiki

  • Ôtsu Yadoya

  • Sasabiki

  • Sakaro

  • Evening

    Hinazuru Sanbasô

    Igagoe Dôchû Sugoroku (Numazu)

    Meisaku Hidari Kogatana (Kyô Ningyô)

    Kiichi Hôgen Sanryaku no Maki
    (Okuden)

    Casting

    Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon, Living National Treasure Nakamura Karoku, Matsumoto Kôshirô, Onoe Kikugorô, Nakamura Manju, Nakamura Kaishun, Nakamura Jakuemon, Kataoka Takatarô, Onoe Shôroku, Nakamura Matagorô, Nakamura Hayato, Bandô Kamezô, Ichikawa Komazô, Nakamura Tokizô, Nakamura Kashô, Nakamura Tanenosuke, Bandô Shingo, Ichikawa Danko, Ichikawa Somegorô, Matsumoto Kingo, Sawamura Sônosuke, Ôtani Hirotarô, Onoe Tatsunosuke, Ichikawa Otora, Nakamura Tanetarô, Nakamura Hidenosuke, Nakamura Kichinojô, Kataoka Matsunosuke

    Comments

    The 5th edition at the Kabukiza of the new "Shûzan Matsuri" (the festival of Shûzan), which is staged to commemorate late Nakamura Kichiemon II. Shûzan was the haimyô used by both Nakamura Kichiemon I and Nakamura Kichiemon II.

    Minamiza (Kyôto)
    Dates 2 ~ 26 September 2026
    Program

    Rupan Sansei (Hekisui no Reijô)
    Dainisen (2nd round)!

    Casting

    Kataoka Ainosuke, Bandô Yajûrô, Ichikawa Chûsha, Nakamura Yonekichi, Ichikawa Emisaburô, Ichikawa Emiya, Ichikawa En'ya

    Comments

    The newly-created Kabuki hero "Rupan Sansei", which was based on Monkey Punch's famous manga/anime "Lupin the Third", which was premiered in December 2023 at the Shinbashi Enbujô and which was staged in September 2025 at the Minamiza, is ready for new adventures in 2026. The first round was a huge success and the second round was premiered in March 2026 in Tôkyô at the Shinbashi Enbujô. Then, it was staged in April 2026 in Nagoya at the Misonoza. This month, it is staged in Kyôto at the Minamiza and in February 2027 it will be staged in Fukuoka at the Hakataza. It stars Kataoka Ainosuke (Lupin III & Ishikawa Goemon XIII), Ichikawa Chûsha (Inspector Zenigata Kôichi), Ichikawa Emiya (Mine Fujiko), Ichikawa Emisaburô (Jigen Daisuke) & Nakamura Yonekichi (Princess Seori).

  • Hekisui no Reijô: the story is set in the feudal era. Princess Seori (Nakamura Yonekichi), the daughter of the Lord of Suwa, head of the Harumiya family, was living a quiet life at the Hatsuse Temple in Kamakura. However, following her father’s death, she is forced to marry the Regent Takitsu Danjô Hisanaga (Bandô Yajûrô) to ensure her family's survival. Into this situation comes the master thief Lupin the Third (Kataoka Ainosuke), aiming to steal the vast fortune being hoarded at the temple, which leads to their fateful encounter. For this sheltered princess who dreamed of freedom, Lupin arrives like a sudden gust of wind. Together, they embark on an adventure in pursuit of a secret treasure hidden within a phantom ancient castle. Lupin and the Princess begin to develop an affection for each other, their hearts swaying as they have different destinies. Lupin, the Princess, Jigen Daisuke (Ichikawa Emisaburô), Ishikawa Goemon XIII (Kataoka Ainosuke in a second role), and Mine Fujiko (Ichikawa Emiya) clash with their formidable enemy, Danjô, over the treasure, whom Inspector Zenigata (Ichikawa Chûsha) follows in hot pursuit. The curtain now rises on this "Heroine’s Tale", weaving together the world of Kabuki and Lupin the Third.
  • Sources: Earphone Guide Website or Shôchiku Kabuki Official Website

    Hakataza (Fukuoka)
    Dates 4 ~ 14 September 2026
    Bandô Tamasaburô Tokubetsu Kôen
    Bandô Tamasaburô Special Performance
    Program

    Kôjô

    Sankyoku Ito no Shirabe

    Yume Jibojô
    A movie screening of a Shinpa drama which was premiered in February 1984 at the Shinbashi Enbujô

    Nagasaki Jûnikei

    Casting

    Living National Treasure Bandô Tamasaburô, Shindô Gaku

    Comments

    A special program starring the amazing Living National Treasure onnagata Bandô Tamasaburô in Fukuoka at the Hakataza. The guest in "Nagasaki Jûnikei" is the actor/singer Shindô Gaku. "Sankyoku Ito no Shirabe" is not a Kabuki number but a musical performance: Bandô Tamasaburô plays the koto, the shamisen and the kokyû as he used to play them when he performed the role of Akoya in the eponymous drama "Akoya".

    National Bunraku Theatre (Ôsaka)
    Dates 5 ~ 6 September 2026
    Ken no Kai
    Program

    Gei Ahô

    Sagi Musume

    Shunkyô Kagami Jishi

    Casting

    Onoe Ukon

    Comments

    10th edition of the Ken no Kai, a 2-day 4-performance gala in Ôsaka at the National Bunraku Theatre starring Onoe Kikugorô VI's great-grandson Onoe Ukon. Ken no Kai literally means 'Ken's Association' with Ken being the first ideogram in Onoe Ukon's real first name Kensuke. The Ken no Kai is also held the 2nd to the 3rd of October in Tôkyô at the Meijiza [more details].

     
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