KONJAKU KABUKI ZŌSHI

['Kabuki from the past and present']

CAST :

Kabuki Odori

Kōjō

Ichikawa Seiko

Wakashu Kabuki
Sanbasō
Okuni Kabuki
Tekomai

Dancers of Nihon-buyō

Kamigata Kabuki

Fujiya Izaemon

Nakamura Senjaku

A jester

Nakamura Toranosuke

Yūgiri of the Ōgiya, a courtesan

Nakamura Kazutarō

Edo Kabuki

Komakichi, chief of a firefighting troop

Nakamura Ganjirō

Terukichi, chief of a firefighting troop

Ichikawa Chūsha

Matsukichi, chief of a firefighting troop

Kataoka Ainosuke

STORY :

A dynamic new dance performance showcasing the essence of Japan's traditional performing art, kabuki. From the "Kabuki Odori" initiated by Izumo no Okuni and encompassing its evolution, the performance is structured around Japanese classical dancers. It also carries forward the vibrant charm of "Edo Kabuki" and "Kamigata Kabuki", celebrating the grand occasion of the Expo with splendour.

MUSŌ SAIYŪKI

['Journey to the West']

CAST :

Son Gokū (Sun Wukong)

Nakamura Hashinosuke

Cho Hakkai (Zhu Bajie)

Nakamura Fukunosuke

Sagojyō (Sha Wujing)

Nakamura Utanosuke

Ō-tengu

Ichikawa Emisaburō

Princess Chacha

Ichikawa Emiya

Myakumyakumaru

Nakamura Kikaku

Sanzo Houshi (Sanzang Fashi)

Kataoka Ainosuke

STORY :

This new kabuki production reimagines the well-known "Journey to the West", setting it in Kyoto and Osaka during the Momoyama period. Against the backdrop of Kyoto, Osaka, and the Expo venue in Yumeshima, Son Gokū (Sun Wukong), Cho Hakkai (Zhu Bajie), and Sagojyō (Sha Wujing) engage in fierce battles with various kabuki villains and mythical creatures. What is the plan devised by Gokū, who seeks to unite, not through worldly means, but through the bonds between people...?

SEN'YA ICHIYA MONOGATARI

['The Thousand and One Nights']

CAST :

Aladdin

Nakamura Toranosuke

Princess Marika

Nakamura Kazutarō

Akuribu

Nakamura Fukunosuke

Futema

Nakamura Utanosuke

The Sultan

Ichikawa Seiko

Teahouse proprietor

Nakamura Jūjirō

Sprit of the ring

Ichikawa Emisaburō

Queen Shahr

Ichikawa Emiya

Genie of the magic lamp

Ichikawa En'ya

Makuribu

Ichikawa Chūsha

Mother of Aladdin

Nakamura Senjaku

King Shahryar

Nakamura Ganjirō

STORY :

"The book of the Thousand and One Nights" is a collection of tales compiled by the wives of Persian kings during the Sasanian Persian period, which flourished from the third to the fifth century. It takes the form of folk tales told nightly by the Persian king's wife to the king. This new Kabuki performance is based on the original story of the particularly popular 'Aladdin and the Magic Lamp' from that collection. Enjoy the world of Kabuki's version of the Arabian Nights.

KOI TSUKAMI

['Fight with a Carp']

CAST :

Takimado Shiganosuke
Takimado Shiganosuke, in reality, the Spirit of a Carp
Tawara no Tōta Hidesato
Giant Centipede of Mt. Mikami
Kinri, the Prince of the Carp King
Funagorō
Setahei, footman
Tachibana no Hirotsugu, chief advisor to the Emperor and medium-ranked councillor in the Department of the State
Shinoda Kiyoharu
Sazanami, widow of the late lord of the Tsuri family
Yogo Saemon

Kataoka Ainosuke

Princess Kozakura

Nakamura Kazutarō

Carp King

Ichikawa En'ya

Kuretake, wife of Shinomura

Kamimura Kichiya

Shinomura Jirō Kimimitsu

Ichikawa Chūsha

STORY :

"Wakinoboru Mizu ni Koi Taki", commonly known as "Koi Tsukami", was first performed at the Hongōza theatre in Tokyo in 1914. The main character fights against a carp spirit that reveals its true nature in a series of kaleidoscopic highlights, such as a powerful 'tachimawari' (fight scene), a 'chūnori' (flight through the air) and a 'tobi roppō' (a movement technique in which the actor hops forcefully from one leg to the other). Expect an exhilarating and spectacular performance perfect for early summer.