Kabuki

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

A revival of Sonezaki Shinjū Monogatari after 73 years, performed by the Cherry Program cast at Minamiza in Kyoto. Kazutaro's Ohatsu, Ukon's Tokubei, the quiet lingering of the final scene, a warm post-show talk, and even a themed bento—a day packed with delights, solo-style.

2026.03.05

Kabuki

March Program at the Minamiza Theatre: Pre-Curtain Notes (March 2026)

Minamiza's "Hanagata Kabuki Special Performance" features a role-swapping production. I cheerfully bought tickets to both the Matsu and Sakura casts — only to find myself nervous about Kazutaro in a male role… A pre-show notebook of the jitters before opening day.

2026.03.01

Kabuki

Single Act Tickets: February Program at the Kabukiza Theatre, Matinee (February 2026)

After a movie at Meguro Cinema, with time to spare before my flight, I slipped into the single-act gallery at the Kabukiza for a quick 18 minutes of the festive Iyasakae Shibai no Nigiwai. A little record of going solo, light on its feet.

2026.02.11

Kabuki

Saruwaka Festival: February Program at the Kabukiza Theatre, Matinee (February 2026)

A train mishap left me five minutes late, but a staff member's kindness got me in after all. Ganjiro and Shikan's Oedo Miyage turned out to be an Edo-era tale of oshikatsu. A solo kabuki day that taught me the quiet power of a hanayoko seat.

2026.02.10

Kabuki

Saruwaka Festival: February Program at the Kabukiza Theatre, Evening Show (February 2026)

I'd come for Tsurumatsu Nakamura's rain-praying fox dance-but it was Kankuro and Shichinosuke who took the stage instead, and oh, what a treat. A solo night at the Saruwaka Festival's evening program, savored from a dobu seat, with a celebratory medetai-yaki at the interval.

2026.02.10

Kabuki

After Senshuraku, Before Shonichi: A Dark Day at the Kabukiza (Jan-Feb 2026)

A business trip to Tokyo, a quick stop at the Kabukiza - and a dark day, so no play after all. Instead, a one-person photo session in front of an empty theater, soaking up the quiet getting-ready scenery during the short gap after one run ended and before the next began.

2026.01.29

Kabuki

Tamasaburo Bando New Year Special: An Afternoon of Talk and Cinema Kabuki (January 2026)

A New Year special at the Minamiza, with Tamasaburo Bando and Nizaemon Kataoka simply talking, up on stage. Their ease with each other and their warmth were almost too much. A record of a solo afternoon in the box seats -- a little gift of a moment.

2026.01.17

Kabuki

New Year Asakusa Kabuki: Part 1 (January 2026)

Part 1 of the New Year kabuki at Asakusa Public Hall. Hunting down actor handprints and tapestries, hearing the stage cues in Aioi-jishi from a front seat, a Maisen pocket sandwich, and a hotel three minutes away—a solo day out, traveling light.

2026.01.06

Kabuki

New Year Asakusa Kabuki: Part 2 (January 2026)

With time to spare before the afternoon show, I wandered around Asakusa, had the Danjuro statue all to myself for a photo spree, and caught the Otoshidama greeting — given, once again, by Sakon Onoe, who once again talked about Somegoro. A solo travelogue of New Year Asakusa Kabuki, Part 2.

2026.01.05

Kabuki

Ichikawa Danko’s Shinsho Shunjukai, 2nd Edition (November 2025)

The second edition of Shinsho Shunjukai, Ichikawa Danko's training-stage series. From Kyoto's Shunjuza: Fujimusume's charm, Ryusei's aerial flight, and the festive venue.

2025.11.03

Kabuki