Hoshinoya Tokyo, a traditional ryokan in Otemachi, has announced the New Year’s Kabuki Plan, a two-day, one-night stay from January 5 until January 7, 2023. During the Edo Period, citizens enjoyed watching Kabuki plays during the New Year’s holidays, often sipping tea at connected teahouses. This event will invite visitors to experience what this was like, complete with traditional food and decorations.

Watching Kabuki was a chic way for those in Edo to ring in the new year. Theater teahouses were also a popular gathering place–along with arranging tickets, the teahouses offered plot notes, tea, sweets, boxed lunches, snacks, and other drinks.*

*Hiroshi Fujita, Yoshihide Tomizawa (2012) / The Updated Kabuki Dictionary, Kashiwa Shobo

Relax Before Enjoying Tea and a Play

Guests are invited to relax in the Ochanoma (Living Room) Lounge, decorated to look like a traditional teahouse with fans, ukiyo-e prints, and formal curtains. Hanabiramochi, or rice cakes with flower petals, will be served with green tea. These rice cakes are said to date back to the New Year’s tradition of eating hard foods like daikon and rice cakes in the hopes of prolonging one’s life. Characterized by its curious burdock root aroma, the cakes are sweetened with white miso bean paste. 

Enjoy a Post-Viewing Mont Blanc Shaped like Soba with Sweet Dessert Wine

At theater teahouses in the Edo period, sake, snacks, and desserts were served one after another. During this special event, a menu inspired by this practice and prepared by Hoshinoya Tokyo Executive Chef Noriyuki Hamada will be served! Soba noodles were often served after a play in the past. Inspired by this tradition, Mont Blanc made with chestnut paste and sponge cake will be served up to look like this popular dish. Paired with a dessert wine aged in oak barrels, the sweet will be served in a traditional lacquerware basket. In addition, the dish will be paired with Wasabi Pralines, Shichimi Meringue, and Ginger Pate de Fruits. 

Take a Rickshaw to the Kabuki-za Theater

Guests will be taken on an Edo-style tour on their way to the Kabuki-za Theater. Passing through the Nihonbashi area, the first stop will be the Fukutoku Shrine. It’s said that Hidetada Tokugawa paid a visit to and praised the shrine on New Year’s Day in 1614. The next shrine on the docket, Hodo Inari Jinja, was enshrined in Edo Castle during the Edo period to protect the heir to the Tokugawa family. It’s said that the shrine provides blessings for child rearing, matchmaking, and business prosperity. 

This tour will provide a more elegant way to explore Tokyo as guests enjoy exposition from their chauffeur. To make the rickshaw ride even more enjoyable, guests can rent kimonos for an extra charge.

Would you like to take a step back in time this New Year?

Shu Uemura Japan has announced that Kabuki actor Somegoro Ichikawa VIII will be the brand ambassador for its popular cleansing oil and other cosmetic items.

Shu Uemura products are all crafted in Japan and the brand exemplifies the Japanese spirit of perfection, care, and tradition. This advanced technology and cutting-edge design philosophy is a perfect match for Somegoro Ichikawa, who is incredibly passionate about Japanese artistry through his work in kabuki theater. This collaboration is bringing kabuki, a 400-year-old art form, to the mainstream, infusing it with modernity.

Comment from Somegoro Ichikawa

“I’m honored to have been chosen to serve as an ambassador for Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil, which I personally use on a regular basis. What can we do to pass on Kabuki and other Japanese traditions to future generations? I feel a strong connection between my own ideas and challenges and those of the Shu Uemura brand.” 

As part of this year’s Gifu, Land of Clear Waters Ji-Kabuki All-Star Performance 2020, Gifu Prefecture has posted a special commentary video over on the official YouTube channel of Gifu Seiryu Bunka Plaza which combines footage from two local kabuki plays held this year.

The local kabuki of Gifu

Japan is home to 200 jikabuki, or ‘local kabuki,’ preservation organisations, 30 of which can be found in Gifu Prefecture. Gifu is one of the most active regions for jikabuki in the whole of Japan. The prefecture also has 9 historical shibai-goyas, or playhouses, some of which are over 100 years old.

Gifu, Land of Clear Waters Ji-Kabuki All-Star Performance 2020

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx_NJKW7JOicMjhzfqBC1hQ 

Gifu Seiryu Bunka Plaza made the decision to postpone the 11 jikabuki performances that were scheduled to take place January to July 2020 this year. They are being rescheduled for 2021, so for now people can enjoy the content over on their official YouTube channel.

Minami-za, one of the most respected kabuki theatres in Japan, has announced a special exhibition in collaboration with the TV anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba which will run from November 6 to 23.

Minami-za is the oldest theatre in Japan and is registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. The Demon Slayer exhibition will feature displays, decorations, and a range of exclusive merchandise.

Lobby Exhibit

Fans will find a range of character boards displayed at the entrance lobby to Minami-za with the characters donning traditional kabuki attire.

Special Stage Photo Spots

Cut-outs of the main cast of characters will be displayed on stage. People will be able to stand up on stage and take photos with the characters in this unique collaboration with kabuki.

Signboard

An original signboard will be displayed at the entrance to Minami-za.

Free Bonus Items

All customers who visit the theatre will receive one of these 18 possible coasters for free.

Merchandise

Those who hold a ticket to the event will be able to purchase a selection of original merchandise at the theatre. The items will also be sold online at Shochiku Kabuki-ya Honpo.

Teabags (4 Flavours) | ¥800 (Tax Included)

Special teabags will also be sold at the Tokyo and Kobikicho Square branches of Shochiku Kabuki-ya Honpo as well as their online website between October 21 and 23.

Tickets to the event are available via Lawson in Japan.

©Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha・Aniplex・ufotable

Japanese kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo XI, the eleventh holder of the famous Ebizo name, is set to perform at Tomioka Silk Mill, one of Japan’s World Heritage Sites, and it will be streamed online.

Tomioka Silk Mill is the oldest modern silk reeling factory in Japan. Ichikawa Ebizo XI will perform two kabuki plays there: the long-celebrated Kotobuki Shiki Sanbaso and Ebizo’s famous piece Otokodate Hana no Yoshiwara.

This is a special one-night-only opportunity to see a legendary perform at such historical location.

From old shrines and temples to cuisine, Kyoto enjoys a rich arts and culture scene. The former capital is also famed for preserving Japan’s traditional stage drama known as Kabuki. Every year, Minamiza Theatre located on Shijō Street in Kyoto holds a grand Kabuki performance called THE FESTIVE KAOMISE PRODUCTION to commemorate its debut. This year, the performance will run from November 30 – December 26.

To celebrate, koe donuts kyoto will be selling collaboration doughnuts themed around the official Kabuki character “Kabuki Nyantaro” during the same period.

Kabuki Nyantaro’s adorable face decorates some of the doughnuts and can even be seen on the packaging too. This set is exclusive to koe donuts Kyoto.

Enjoy a traditional Kabuki performance with some delicious Kabuki Nyantaro doughnuts to complete your Kyoto experience.

©2017, 2019 SANRIO/SHOCHIKU APPROVAL NO. G603142  著作（株）サンリオ

Village Vanguard is well known for their collaborations with characters and their animal-themed designs. This time, they’ve made a Kabuki-themed soy sauce dish that you can order online.

Young, old, male or female, Japanese people love their traditional theatre shows called “Kabuki”. One fascinating feature of Kabuki is the impressive makeup of the actors and actresses called “Kumadori

They made animal-themed soy sauce dishes, then character-themed ones, and now finally, we’ve got Kabuki-themed ones! There are many different designs in this new series ー you can enjoy all their different expressions! This is bound to make your dinner table a thousand times more exciting!

There are a total of six designs. Please come and choose from this wonderful selection!

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu announced her Oto no Kuni Live Tour earlier this year which will take her to various locations across Japan in 2019 that are rich in Japanese history and tradition.

The tour is produced by Kyary herself and is supported by her latest album Japamyu which is also Japan-themed. The first place she revealed that she will perform at is Izumo-taisha Shrine in Shimane Prefecture on Saturday March 30.

Kyary has now drawn the curtain back on the next venue: Minami-za, the kabuki ‘holy ground.’ She will incorporate kabuki elements into her show.

Minami-za is one of the oldest kabuki theatres in Japan. It is located in Kyoto’s Shijō Kawaramachi area which is said to have been where kabuki originated. The theatre has continued to give host to a wide range of entertainment, including that which is not kabuki, for over 400 years. It was registered as a Japanese Tangible Cultural Property in 1996 and as an example of Kyoto Historical Architectural Design. The theatre re-opened last year after having undergone renovations to reinforce earthquake resistance. The outside of the building maintains the traditional look of the theatre but the interior has been completely renewed. Throughout the year, it promotes culture to the people of the world with its performances.

Kyary is receiving proper kabuki training and guidance. Shewill use a range of kabuki techniques in her dance and performance such as roppo, a type of stylised walk, and mie, a dramatic pose pulled by an actor who then freezes for a brief moment.

Don’t miss her first ever show to include kabuki!

Wagakki Band will provide the ending theme song for the upcoming kabuki play adaptation of manga series Naruto which will be performed in Tokyo at the Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre this August. It was announced back in April that the band would perform a song for the play, but new details have been revealed. The song is titled Hikari no Naka de (‘In the Light’).

Naruto was first serialised in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999 and tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who trains in the art of ninjitsu, who must take out his enemies, and who ultimately aspires to be Hokage, the leader of the village. The series has brought in fans across the globe, with well over 220 million copies sold in over 40 countries outside Japan. Kabuki actors Bandou Minosuke and Hayato Nakamura will play the roles of Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha respectively.

Comment by Yuko Suzuhana (Wagakki Band Vocalist):

“Collaborating with kabuki theater is something I’ve really wanted to do so we are extremely honoured that they called out to us. They said that Wagakki Band’s sound was necessary for the play, so our mutual love was realised. We wrote this new song for the production as [they said] it was something only we can do. I believe it’s a very bright and piercing song compared to the recent Wagakki Band. The composition and lyrics were written by our guitarist Machiya. He’s a fan of Naruto, so much so that he’s watched it 3 times. The song is packed with words like ‘hope’ and ‘light’ which align with the story’s final arc which rang together really well in our heads with the music when we were writing it. We also tried some new songs, like having multiple choruses. There’s also less sounds in the ensemble than we’ve ever had to bring more of a balance. I hope people enjoy this unique fusion of kabuki and Wagakki Band which has never been seen before.”

We look forward to hearing what kind of song Wagakki Band has in store for the play.

The new musical using the motif of “Kabuki (Japanese traditional drama performed by male actors) named “KAWAII KABUKI ~HELLO KITTY Ichiza no Momotaro~” will be performed from at Meruhen Theater inside Puroland from the 10^th of March 2018 (Sat.)

A press conference was held on the 7^th of March (Wed.) and persons who are related to the play such as Kensuke Yokouchi who produced the script/rendition/lyrics of the play (he has been producing “Super Kabuki”) and Esaburo Ichikawa, a kabuki acting coach, participated in the press conference. Also, Sanrio’s characters including HELLO KITTY appeared on the stage.

It can be said that it is a new type of “spectacle entertainment show” using projection mapping and the motif of kabuki. The performance incorporates both the “kawaii” of Sanrio and the traditional “wa” culture of Japan.

 Let’s enjoy Sanrio’s new type of collaborative musical of Sanrio characters and kabuki!

Sanrio Puroland will perform a new musical “KAWAII KABUKI ～HELLO KITTY Ichiza no Momotaro～” using the element of “Kabuki (traditional drama performed by male actors)” from the 10^th of March 2018 (Sat.)

It is a first time that a musical using the element of kabuki will be performed at Puroland. You can enjoy a brand-new experience-based spectacle entertainment show combining the cuteness of Sanrio characters, traditional kabuki and projection mapping technology which will be used at the Meruhen Theatre.

Kensuke Yokouchi who has been directing “Super Kabuki” will write the script and do the staging of the show. Also, Shochiku, a leading company in the field of theater, will direct the show. The Sanrio characters, including KITTY, will receive training by Esaburo Ichikawa to perform this kabuki show. The scenes where the Sanrio characters wear kabuki uniforms, making gestures and tussling about are a “must-see.”

The story of the show uses the motif of the famous folktale in Japan “Momotaro.” Therefore, even viewers who are not familiar with kabuki can enjoy the show and understand the story. It is a show that both Puroland’s fans and kabuki fans can enjoy.

Also, Shido Nakamura will participate in the show as a voice actor and Minosuke Bando will appear on the screen during the show. Shido Nakamura will play the part of an important character in the story, one of the “Oni (demons)” and Minosuke Bando will appear on the screen with “Kabuki Nyantaro,” a new kabuki PR character to fight against the villains.

Digest movie

The story of the show promotes “the importance of understanding each other and living peacefully with your neighbors.” Moreover, many elements including the renditions of kabuki, high realistic video renditions and acrobatic dance performance are incorporated into the show.

Don’t miss this new musical of Puroland!

This course is an original program where beginners of kabuki can enjoy kabuki. The name of the course is “Kabuki Taro” where students can learn the movements of kabuki. They will offer this course under the concept of “teaching kabuki movements which resonate with one’s mind and body.”

Kabuki Taro is a course which will teach the movements of kabuki, not just the teaching the knowledge and methods of enjoying kabuki. Students can learn the movements and lines of kabuki by the lecturers. Kabuki Taro will offer “kabuki lessons” based on various themes and viewpoints.

The course which will be offered by “Kabuki Taro,” located in the center of “Nihonbashi” which is the center of Edo culture, is a suitable program for persons who want learn the movements and knowledge of kabuki from scratch.

Below are some comments by some students.

“I never thought I could experience kabuki.”

“It is interesting to learn about kabuki by learning the actual movements. The lessons makes me want to learn more about kabuki.”

“Reading the lines aloud is a good way to relieve stress.”

Let’s gain a deep understanding of kabuki at “Kabuki Taro.”