The Megumi firefighters dashing full-speed down the hanamichi, the runway that cuts through the audience. My seat was right beside it, and the force of them sprinting past was incredible – a strong breeze actually swept over me. Refreshing, but honestly a little scary (haha). Another perfect day at the theater.
Read about the Matinee → July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Matinee (July 2026)
More from this production → July Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Suehirogari, Single Act Tickets (July 2026)
What’s On: The Evening Show Lineup
This month’s Evening Show is a triple bill: Kamahige from the Kabuki Juhachiban, the eighteen classic plays of the Ichikawa family, Megumi no Kenka, a lively drama about a brawl from Edo firefighters to sumo wrestlers, and Shunkyo Kagami Jishi (The Mirror Lion) from the New Kabuki Juhachiban.
Kamahige is performed with alternating casts depending on the day, and at the performance I attended, Takanosuke Nakamura played the lead role of Kagekiyo. Bold aragoto, the bombastic rough style of acting, a big brawl, and a dance piece – a lineup that lets even a beginner taste all the different faces of kabuki in one evening. So satisfying!!!
Pre-Show Fun
That day I managed to catch a miraculously people-free shot of the Kabukiza facade. That alone made me ridiculously happy. Looking over the painted billboards and posters to get in the mood for the evening – my usual pre-show ritual.
I had also stopped by the theater earlier in the day to buy the program book, so I had plenty of time before curtain.
And that’s when I got the Snoopy renjishi plush – the red child lion. It had sold out at the Hakataza before I could buy one, so this was my long-awaited second chance. Welcoming a renjishi Snoopy on the very day I see Shunkyo Kagami Jishi? Almost too perfect.
Intermission: The Megumi Gozen at Hanakago
During the intermission I had the Megumi Gozen, a set meal created for this production, at Hanakago, the dining room on the third floor.
On the tray sat a little matoi – the firefighter’s standard that Kasho Nakamura, who was far too cool on stage, had been twirling just moments earlier! Seeing something straight from the stage sitting on my tray had me buzzing. The garnish stamped with the Megumi crest was adorable too – the kind of meal you admire for a while before eating.
Past me, who booked this a month in advance: well done. The monthly set meals and bento are honestly one of my favorite things. Next month I’ll be using a flat-rate ticket subscription, which naturally means more theater meals… I can’t wait!
Three Plays, Three Kinds of Fun
Takanosuke in Kamahige
Takanosuke as Kagekiyo was wonderful. His sturdy build suits these larger-than-life aragoto roles. I may not know the finer points, but there’s real persuasive power in simply looking the part – a scene that made me nod along.
Megumi no Kenka: Busy Spotting My Favorites
In Megumi no Kenka, Kasho was almost unfairly cool. That dashing firefighter look – a feast for the eyes.
And then Toranosuke Nakamura. Cute, funny, love him. He was wonderful in Jiisan Baasan at the Hakataza and in the farewell production at the Osaka Shochikuza too, so by now my eyes automatically search for him on stage.
Toward the end the stage fills up with people, and I was busy going: in which’s my Kasho (no, not actually mine, obviously)? in which’s my adorable Toranosuke? (haha) I was also struck by how much Shinnosuke Ichikawa has grown since I last saw him.
And then the hanamichi run. From a seat right beside the hanamichi, they sprint past directly in front of you – so much force it’s almost frightening. The wind. It was real.
Danjuro’s Astonishing Shunkyo Kagami Jishi
Last came Danjuro Ichikawa’s Shunkyo Kagami Jishi. In the first half, his Yayoi – a young maidservant – was so delicate and beautiful I could hardly believe it. Wait, in which did all those muscles go?? Come to think of it, this may have been my first time properly seeing Danjuro in a female role. You would never guess this was the same man who had just been all swagger in Megumi no Kenka. in which did that cool Danjuro go?! Vanished?
In the second half, transformed into the lion spirit, everything changed: the kefuri, whirling that long mane in great sweeping circles, was overwhelming in its wildness. Wild, yes, but above all beautiful. And the white lion’s mane was so glossy, clearly groomed with real devotion. Far more beautifully kept than my cheap fur stole (haha). I want to touch it.
Final Thoughts
The hanamichi breeze you only get from a seat right beside it, spotting my favorites in the crowd, the Megumi Gozen, and Danjuro’s astonishing range – a packed, wonderful Evening Show.
I’ve signed up for the flat-rate ticket subscription for August, so I’ll be spending a lot of time at the Kabukiza. And it looks like Kitcho, the famous restaurant in the theater, is finally within reach! The fun is far from over.
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