Kabuki

Kabukiza Gallery (May 2026)

Still glowing from the matinee of the May Dangiku Kabuki Festival, I dropped by Kabukiza Gallery on a whim. An elevator mishap, a refreshing rooftop garden, and a model of the second-generation Kabukiza that stole my heart — a solo outing after the show.

2026.05.06

Kabuki

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

My very first front-row experience at the Dan-Kiku Festival: May Program at the Kabukiza Theatre evening program! The third-generation Tatsunosuke Onoe succession play "Kikubatake," Danjuro's Sukeroku, and Ukon's hilarious Tsujin Satoakatsuki - a truly special evening up close.

2026.05.05

Kabuki

Kabukichō Grand Kabuki: Hitori Tabi Gojūsantsugi (May 2026)

Kabuki in the heart of Kabukichō! A flying cat-monster in twelve-layered robes, Danko's thirteen-role quick-change, and a Koekabu jackpot with voice actor Hosoya Yoshimasa. A first visit to THEATER MILANO-Za, and a gamble that paid off.

2026.05.05

Kabuki

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

My day at the closing performance of April Program at the Kabukiza Theatre matinee at Kabukiza. Kikugoro's brilliant performance across three roles, tears at Masaoka's "yo de kashatta," and the breathtaking Nikki Danjo on the hanamichi viewed from my favorite hanagai dobu seki.

2026.04.27

Kabuki

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

Watching the closing-day Renjishi from right beside the hanamichi at April Program at the Kabukiza Theatre. Trying to soak in both Ukon Onoe and Mahoro Onoe at once, falling for Kikugoro Onoe's adorable Osuzu, and laughing so hard at Kankuro Nakamura I almost forgot I was at Kabukiza.

2026.04.27

Kabuki

Cinema Kabuki “Sonezaki Shinjū” Premiere Screening (March 2026)

After watching the Cherry Programgram at Minamiza, I hopped over to the Cinema Kabuki “Sonezaki Shinjū” premiere screening. A precious recording of Tojuro and Ganjiro, Ganjiro's words about his father's Ohatsu, and finally meeting "my" Ohatsu — a travelogue of my fourth Sonezaki Shinjū this month.

2026.03.23

Kabuki

March Program at the Minamiza Theatre: Sonezaki Shinjū Monogatari, Cherry Program (March 2026) – Third Visit

My 4th Sonezaki Shinjū of the month. After watching Cherry Program at Minamiza, I dashed off to a Cinema Kabuki screening with a stage greeting by Kazutaro. A self-declared "Sonezaki Shinjū double-header" — topped off with a surprise appearance by Shinobu Terajima. The most Sonezaki-saturated day of my life.

2026.03.23

Kabuki

Kankurō Nakamura and Shichinosuke Nakamura: Shungyō Kabuki Special Performance, Matinee (March 2026)

The Nakamura brothers' touring Shungyō Kabuki Special Performance 2026 (matinee): a heartwarming talk corner, Shichinosuke getting his face blackened in Suminuri Onna, and a small gap I felt inside a multipurpose hall. A solo theatergoing diary.

2026.03.13

Kabuki

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

A solo theatergoer's account of the March Grand Kabuki evening program (B-cast) at Kabukiza. The revolving stage scene where Somegoro and Sakon slowly disappear into darkness completely stole the show.

2026.03.13

Kabuki

March Program at the Minamiza Theatre: Sonezaki Shinjū Monogatari, Pine Program (March 2026) – Second Visit

My second visit to the Hanagata Kabuki Special at Minamiza - this time the Pine Program. Kazutaro's Tokubei was perfection from the moment he stepped on stage, and Ukon's Ohatsu turned out to be my favorite. A solo-going account of falling in love with cast-swap kabuki.

2026.03.08

Kabuki