Taking place in Paris, Rome, and Cologne in April 2026!!

Shochiku Co., Ltd. announces the upcoming European tour, “MEET KABUKI – The Art of ‘Onnagata’ Europe Tour 2026,” scheduled for April 2026. The tour will feature the talented young kabuki actor Nakamura Takanosuke and focus on the artistry of the onnagata (male actors who specialize in female roles).

This marks the first Shochiku-organized kabuki event in Europe since the company participated in Japonisme 2018 in Paris.

About the Performance
Kabuki is a traditional Japanese performing art with a history spanning over 400 years. Onnagata—male actors who specialize in female roles—are a distinctive kabuki tradition developed over centuries, with makeup, costumes, and movement refined into a highly stylized art.

This special event, highlighting the artistry of the onnagata, will take place at Japanese cultural  institutions in three major cities: Paris, Rome, and Cologne.

Nakamura Takanosuke, a rising star of the younger generation, will perform a live demonstration of the makeup and costuming process—usually done backstage—in front of the audience. Following this, he will perform the major onnagata dance piece, “Fuji Musume” (The Wisteria Maiden).

For the opening performances in Paris, the program will also include “Shakkyō” (The Stone Bridge), where the performer transforms from an onnagata into a lion spirit, featuring a dynamic finale where the heroic lion spirit swings around its great mane of hair. Takanosuke will vividly convey kabuki’s rich, multifaceted appeal to audiences across Europe.

Comment from Nakamura Takanosuke

“Performing in Europe has always been a dream of mine. My father (Nakamura Tomijūrō V) toured extensively with ‘Azuma Kabuki,’ visiting over 40 cities across more than a dozen countries in Europe and the USA. Now, as global attention turns toward kabuki, I hope to allow audiences to experience its charm up close. I also look forward to gaining new insights through this tour to bring back home.”

We invite you to experience the captivating beauty of kabuki and the Onnagata in Europe.

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Tour Overview: “The Making of an Onnagata” Europe Tour 2026

Performer: Nakamura Takanosuke
*Ticket sales and reservation details to be announced.

■ Paris: Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris
Dates: Thursday, April 9 & Friday, April 10, 2026
Website: https://www.mcjp.fr/ja

■ Rome: Istituto Giapponese di Cultura (The Japan Foundation, Rome)
(Commemorating the 160th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy)

Dates: Thursday, April 16 & Friday, April 17, 2026
Website: https://www.facebook.com/istitutogiapponesedicultura

■ Cologne: Japanisches Kulturinstitut (The Japan Foundation, Cologne)
Dates: Wednesday, April 22 & Thursday, April 23, 2026
Website: https://co.jpf.go.jp/jp/

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Performer Profile

Nakamura Takanosuke
The eldest son of Living National Treasure Nakamura Tomijūrō V. He has garnered significant attention as a leader of the younger generation of Kabuki actors, captivating audiences with his great physical ability and sincere dedication to the classics.

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Organized and Produced by: Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Co-organizer: Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris, Istituto Giapponese di Cultura, Japanisches Kulturinstitut
Support: Japan Creator Support Fund