Osaka Shochikuza TheatreOsaka Shochikuza Theatre
May Program at the Osaka Shochikuza Theatre
Daily: May 02 (Sat) - May 26 (Tue), 2026
Matinee:11:00 AM
Evening Show: 4:30 PM
*No performances on the 11th (Mon) and19th (Tue).
*Reserved seats for the Evening Show are sold out on the 3rd (Sun) and 22nd (Fri).
Time Schedule
On sale: from Feb 22 (Sun), 2026 10:00 AM(JST)
First Class: 26,000 / Second Class: 13,000 / Third Class: 7,000
*Children over the age of 4 must purchase tickets to enter.
Unit: Japanese Yen (tax included)
Osaka Shochikuza Theatre (at OSAKA) Theatre Information
- *No English supporting guide available.
- 【🔗How to buy tickets】Shochiku Multilingual Online Ticket serves as a ticket agency, meaning you can only purchase tickets allocated to it. This service becomes unavailable two days before the performance date, at which point a "Sold Out" message will appear. However, tickets may still be available from the promoter, Shochiku Co., Ltd. for dates that are shown as "sold out". To check availability and other preferred seating areas, please call +81(0)3 6745-0888 or visit the box office.
*Free English commentary booklet available.
In May 2026, the Osaka Shochikuza Theatre will draw its curtain for the final time, bringing over a century of history to a close. This performance commemorates the grand finale of this historic venue. The Matinee program opens with a vibrant and auspicious celebratory dance praying for a rich harvest. It is followed by a period drama that is a masterpiece depicting the tragic and heroic end of a legendary warrior. The session concludes with a popular, lighthearted play written by the world-renowned novelist Mishima Yukio, humorously portraying the romance between a humble sardine seller and a beautiful courtesan. The Evening Show begins with a period play portraying the bond between two brothers who fight on opposite sides and the honorable spirit of the samurai. This is followed by a witty comedy based on a Rakugo story. The grand finale features a performance supervised by the legendary actor, Kataoka Nizaemon, featuring a full cast of leading actors.
KOTOBUKI SHIKI SANBASŌ
['Festive Sanbasō Dance']
CAST :
- Sanbasō
- Nakamura Kashō
- Sanbasō
- Nakamura Toranosuke
- Senzai
- Nakamura Yonekichi
- Okina
- Nakamura Matagorō
STORY :
'Sanbasō' is an important celebratory dance, a ritual featuring the old man Okina (actually a divine character) and a pair of vigorous Sanbasō characters. The old man is a symbol of abundant harvests, eternal youth and a peaceful reign. As the Sanbasō stamps and shakes his bells on stage, he prays for agricultural fertility and prosperity for all.
Genpei Nunobiki no Taki
YOSHIKATA SAIGO
['The Death of Yoshikata']
CAST :
- Kiso Yoshikata
- Kataoka Ainosuke
- Orihei, Yoshikata’s footman, actually the Genji warrior Tada no Kurando
Nakamura Hayato- Princess Matsuyoi
- Nakamura Kazutarō
- Shinno Jirō
- Nakamura Toranosuke
- Kurosuke
- Kataoka Matsunosuke
- Lady Aoi, Yoshikata’s wife
- Kamimura Kichiya
- Yabase no Heinai
- Nakamura Kikaku
- Koman, Kurosuke’s daughter
- Kataoka Takatarō
STORY :
The warrior Kiso Yoshikata aims to revive the Genji clan, and it is to him that the farmer Kurosuke takes his daughter Koman and his grandson Tarokichi. However, Yoshikata's ambition is found out by the rival Heike clan. As his mansion is surrounded by enemy Heike troops, he entrusts the pregnant Lady Aoi and the white banner of the Genji clan to Kurosuke and others, and dies a heroic death.
IWASHIURI KOI NO HIKIAMI
['The Sardine Seller and the Net of Love']
CAST :
- Sarugenji, a sardine seller
- Nakamura Kankurō
- Hotarubi, a courtesan, in reality, the princess of Tankaku Castle
- Nakamura Shichinosuke
- Rokurōzaemon, a horse dealer
- Nakamura Kashō
- Usugumo, a courtesan
- Nakamura Kazutarō
- Harusame, a courtesan
- Nakamura Yonekichi
- Nishikigi, a courtesan
- Nakamura Toranosuke
- A proprietor of the pleasure quarters
- Nakamura Senjaku
- Ebina Naamidabutsu
- Nakamura Ganjirō
STORY :
This is a modern comic play by novelist Mishima Yukio which recreates the leisurely atmosphere of early 18th century kabuki. A sardine seller famous for his vigorous sales' calls falls in love with a beautiful courtesan. In fact, she is a princess who ran away from her family after falling in love with the calls of a sardine seller. Not knowing her true identity, the sardine seller disguises himself as a wealthy patron in order to be with her. What will happen when they discover their mutual love for each other?
ŌMI GENJI SENJIN YAKATA
Moritsuna Jin'ya
['Moritsuna's Battle Camp' from 'The Genji Vanguard in Ōmi Province']
CAST :
- Sasaki Moritsuna
- Kataoka Nizaemon
- Kagaribi, Takatsuna’s wife
- Kataoka Takatarō
- Wada Byōe Hidemori
- Kataoka Ainosuke
- Hayase, Moritsuna’s wife
- Nakamura Kazutarō
- Takenoshita no Magohachi
- Nakamura Hayato
- Koshirō, Takatsuna’s son
- Nakamura Tanetarō
- Kosaburō, Moritsuna’s son
- Nakamura Hidenosuke
- Furugōri Shinzaemon
- Arashi Kitsusaburō
- Ibuki no Tōda
- Nakamura Kashō
- Shigaraki Tarō
- Nakamura Kankurō
- Hōjō Tokimasa
- Nakamura Karoku
- Mimyō, Moritsuna’s mother
- Nakamura Kaishun
STORY :
This is a 'jidaimono' history play set in the Kamakura Period (1185-1333). War has broken out between Minamoto no Yoriie in Kyoto and Hōjō Tokimasa in Kamakura. The Sasaki brothers Moritsuna and Takatsuna fight on opposite sides. Takatsuna's son Koshirō is captured and held prisoner by Moritsuna. When a general from Takatsuna's side comes to ask for the boy's return, Moritsuna worries that his brother's love for his son will cause him shame. Soon, the news of Takatsuna's death is reported and Tokimasa arrives with Takatsuna's head. Moritsuna is ordered to verify that the head is really that of his brother. Before Moritsuna has completely lifted the lid of the head box, Koshirō runs out and commits ritual suicide, saying he will follow his father to the grave. However, looking at the head, Moritsuna sees that it is not Takatsuna. This is all a ruse to fool the enemy. Impressed by Koshirō's brave sacrifice, Moritsuna declares falsely in Tokimasa's presence that the head is indeed that of Takatsuna.
SHINJŪ TSUKIYO NO HOSHINOYA
['The Love Suicides of Hoshinoya']
CAST :
- Otaka
- Nakamura Shichinosuke
- Hoshinoya Teruzō
- Nakamura Senjaku
- Izumiya Tōsuke
- Nakamura Toranosuke
- Okuma, Otaka’s mother
- Nakamura Ganjirō
STORY :
This is a brand new kabuki production adapted from a Rakugo story in 2018. Teruzō has lost his money in a speculative venture. He and his concubine Otaka promise to commit 'shinjū', 'lovers' double suicide', but when the time comes he alone jumps into the river and she returns home as her mother had recommended. Later, Tōsuke tells her that Teruzō's ghost appeared, warning that he will haunt her. Terrified, she takes the tonsure and becomes a nun, after which Teruzō himself reappears. The double suicide was Teruzō's test of her sincerity.
TSUNAGU WAZAOGI NISHI NO SUGATAE
['A Portrait of Kamigata Artistry Handed Down Through the Ages']
CAST :
-
Top-ranking actors will all appear.
STORY :
Since its grand opening in May 1923, the Osaka Shochikuza has been affectionately known as the "Arc de Triomphe of Dotonbori." Following its reopening as a premier theater in March 1997, it has continued to host a vibrant array of productions, with kabuki at its heart. As a refreshing early summer breeze sweeps through the historic Dotonbori theater district, we gather to celebrate the enduring prosperity of kabuki. This particular performance marks a spectacular highlight in the final chapter of the Osaka Shochikuza’s "Farewell" series. We invite you to immerse yourself in the vibrant and festive atmosphere of this extraordinary act.