Bunraku

Bunraku Performance for Beginners: Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami (June 2024)

I went for Terakoya, but the beginner-friendly commentary stole the show. My first Bunraku Performance for Beginners at the National Bunraku Theatre, in its 40th anniversary year — a solo theatre diary.
2024.06.09
Bunraku
Others

Samurai Detective Onihei: Buying the Merch Without Watching the Film (May 2024)

A story about buying the merch without watching the film: two clear stickers, one to keep and one to use, plus tie-in Kataage Potato crisps I could not eat because Koshiro was on the packet. A mini record of Onihei quietly taking over my life.
2024.05.17
Others
Kabuki

Shikoku Konpira Grand Kabuki: Part 1 & Part 2 (April 2024)

My first time at the Kanamaru-za, Japan's oldest playhouse, for the 37th Shikoku Konpira Grand Kabuki. Laughs from Somegoro and Koshiro, Jakuemon's hand-powered flying scene right beside the hanamichi — and somehow I didn't eat a thing all day. A back-to-back solo day out.
2024.04.15
Kabuki
Kabuki

March Program at the Minamiza Theatre: Cherry Program (March 2024)

Roaring laughter at Ukon's pre-show talk, a breathless Onnagoroshi Abura no Jigoku, and a lottery card that made my day. A solo trip to the Minamiza's spring hanagata kabuki.
2024.03.21
Kabuki
Kabuki

Kaomise at Kyoto’s Minamiza Theatre: Evening Program (December 2023)

The Evening Show of the Minamiza kaomise celebrating Ichikawa Danjuro XIII's name succession: Nizaemon's sublime Yuranosuke, a Stage Announcement that nearly made me cry, and the whole audience shouting "Naritaya!" together.
2023.12.10
Kabuki
Kabuki

Kaomise at Kyoto’s Minamiza Theatre: Matinee (December 2023)

A solo matinee at the Minamiza in Kyoto during the December 2023 Kaomise: Somegoro as Yogoro, the stage debut of Shinnosuke VIII, and a curtain by Takashi Murakami.
2023.12.09
Kabuki