kabuki

Ukon Onoe’s Self-Produced Performance: The 10th Ken no Kai FINAL, Matinee (October 2026)

The FINAL of Ukon Onoe's self-produced Ken no Kai at the Meijiza. Oritayū's voice had me spellbound, Sagi Musume ended with a surprise flight, the lion's mane-swinging was thrilling, and then I passed Oritayū in a suit!

2026.10.03

Kabuki

October Program at the Heisei Nakamuraza Theatre: Part 2 (October 2026)

The Heisei Nakamuraza is back in Asakusa after four years. Props lined up inside the theatre, the view from a bench seat on the shimote side, Kankurō's first Sukeroku, Shichinosuke's Agemaki, plus Ganjirō's dandy — I enjoyed the whole playhouse.

2026.10.02

Kabuki

October Program at the Heisei Nakamuraza Theatre: Part 1 (October 2026)

Part 1 of the Heisei Nakamuraza, back in Asakusa after four years, seen from a dobu seat by the hanamichi. Real Asakusa as the backdrop, Act 9 of Chūshingura, a first-ever father-and-sons Renjishi that moved me to tears, plus a theatre bentō.

2026.10.02

Kabuki

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

The Shuzansai Evening Show, seen from a hanamichi seat near the agemaku curtain. Nizaemon's Numazu brought tears, Tokizō's Kyo Ningyo brought laughs, and I found a new thing to watch for: the shosadai. Plus the saga of my dinner-less evening.

2026.09.22

Kabuki

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

I came for Danko, but Tatsunosuke’s female role stole my eyes again. Kikugoro’s Ofude in a scene unseen at the Kabukiza for 58 years, the "root of it all" in Sakaro, and an interval lunch crisis — all from my seat by the hanamichi.

2026.09.22

Kabuki

August Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Article Roundup (August 2026)

A reading guide to my August Program posts from the Kabukiza Theatre, from the flat-rate service visits to later return visits to Parts 1, 2, and 3.

2026.08.14

Kabuki

August Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Part 1 (August 2026, Third Visit) | Subscription Service 4

A detour to Togeki, then my third Kaidan Botan Doro of the month. Ukon's comic timing savoured through opera glasses, Midori Onoe's perfect ghost, and a tasty discovery at Hanakago. Another wonderful day out!

2026.08.14

Kabuki

August Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Part 3 (August 2026)

An empty auditorium all to myself before curtain, the adorable Matsumushi duo, Tamasaburō's jiuta-mai dances, a Tokyo Kitcho bento at intermission — and a downpour and Kabuki Nyantaro to finish. My night at Part 3 of the August Program.

2026.08.13

Kabuki

August Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Part 2 (August 2026)

An empty Kabukiza right after the doors opened, the ever-hilarious "Rakuda," and Shichinosuke's heartbreaking Omatsu. A Part 2 full of laughter and tears.

2026.08.13

Kabuki

August Program at the Kabukiza Theatre: Part 1 (August 2026)

A ghost story on Ghost Story Day — Kaidan Botan Dōrō at the Kabukiza. Koshiro's opening remarks had the whole house laughing, Tatsunosuke's ghost was almost too adorable, and the intermission meal at Tokyo Kitcho was a feast. My second visit to Part 1 this month.

2026.08.13

Kabuki