Kabuki

July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Matinee (July 2026)

My second-ever front row at the Kabukiza — once again at the far end. Watching the umbrella trick in 'Suehirogari' for the second time, and marveling at Matsuya's switch from villain to lord.

2026.07.07

Kabuki

July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Suehirogari, Single Act Tickets (July 2026)

A last-minute change of plans led me to the Single Act seats at the Kabukiza. A quick viewing of Suehirogari with Somegoro and Hayato: high, a little scary, and very satisfying.

2026.07.06

Kabuki

Super Kabuki “Princess Mononoke”: Matinee (July 2026)

Super Kabuki "Princess Mononoke" at the Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre. Faithful to the film, with every one of Ashitaka's iconic moments - and Tokizo Nakamura's Lady Eboshi stole my heart. Leaf confetti drifted down to my seat, too.

2026.07.05

Kabuki

July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Evening Show (July 2026)

The Evening Show of the July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre from a seat right beside the hanamichi: Kamahige, Megumi no Kenka, Shunkyo Kagami Jishi, plus the Megumi Gozen and Snoopy renjishi plushes.

2026.07.05

Kabuki

Hakataza Grand Kabuki: Matinee (June 2026)

A solo trip to Fukuoka for a father-and-son name succession at the Hakataza. Banners along the Kawabata arcade, the celebratory curtain seen from straight below, 12-year-old Kikunosuke's Umeomaru, and Kikugoro's Ibaraki Doji - a matinee on closing day.

2026.06.24

Kabuki

Hakataza Grand Kabuki: Evening Show (June 2026)

My first visit to the Hakataza, for the naming-ceremony Evening Show of Kikugoro Onoe VIII and Kikunosuke Onoe VI. Wild over Hirohiko Araki's stage curtain, gasps from the house at Danjuro's otokodate, tears at the father-and-son Renjishi - a solo night full of serendipity.

2026.06.23

Kabuki

June Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Matinee (June 2026)

The matinee of June Program at the Kabukiza Theatre, seen from a dobu seat by the hanamichi. Yukihime’s cherry-blossom snowstorm reached my hands, the new kabuki Lone Wolf and Cub was full of beauties, plus Hayato’s masking tape, a Kabukiza-only tenmusu bento and a long-awaited taiyaki.

2026.06.08

Kabuki

June Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Evening Show (June 2026)

Shichinosuke's Koman — beautiful even as a severed head — and Matsuya's chillingly emotionless Gengobei. A solo evening at the Kabukiza, enjoyed from the famous dobu seats along the hanamichi.

2026.06.07

Kabuki

May Program at the Osaka Shochikuza Theatre: Evening Show (May 2026)

A solo evening at Osaka Shochikuza's farewell performance, just before the historic theater closes at the end of the month. A stellar lineup featuring Nizaemon, Shichinosuke, and Ganjiro delivered both belly laughs and a quiet ache of goodbye.

2026.05.23

Kabuki

Dan-Kiku Festival: May Program at the Kabukiza Theatre, Matinee (May 2026)

A front-row seat right beside the hanamichi (runway), with kabuki star Shoroku Onoe close enough to touch! With Tatsunosuke III's name-taking ceremony adding extra celebration, this matinee at Kabukiza was unforgettable.

2026.05.06

Kabuki