The Kabukiza Theater in Ginza concludes the year in style, with outstanding performances by the versatile Ichikawa Ennosuke, 63, and members of his troupe.

The afternoon program begins with "Chobei from Ogurusu," a one-act satire written in 1920 by Okamoto Kido for Ennosuke's grandfather En'o, who acted the title role. The eponymous Chobei is a vicious thug nicknamed "Viper" who achieved instant notoriety by stabbing daimyo Akechi Mitsuhide, himself the assassin of the renowned warlord Oda Nobunaga. The current staging showcases the skills of Ennosuke's prize disciple, Ichikawa Ukon, here playing Chobei for the first time.

In the following offering, "Maple-viewing," onnagata Bando Tamasaburo delights his fans as a mountain-dwelling ogress who is disguised as a princess. Created in 1887 by Ichikawa Danjuro IX using a script by Kawatake Mokuami, this one-hour dance-drama is presented on a stage that dazzles with autumnal maples. Tamasaburo is marvelous as the ogress who attempts to attack the elegant Heian general, Taira no Koremochi (played by Ennosuke), as he lies asleep under the influence of sake.