The kabuki year has kicked off with three striking programs at the Kokaido (Public Hall) in Asakusa, the Kabukiza in Ginza and the Tokyo National Theater in Hanzomon.
For a taster, first try the Kokaido, situated in an interesting traditional downtown area. The practice of staging a New Year's kabuki program in Asakusa was begun by the Shochiku Company 20 years ago. The purpose was to give young actors the opportunity to tackle important roles in preparation for future Kabukiza performances. This year, five up-and-coming actors take to the stage: Nakamura Kantaro, 21, and his 19-year-old brother Shichinosuke; Ichikawa Kamejiro, 27; Ichikawa Otora, 35; and Nakamura Shido, 30.
The program comprises "Kurumabiki (Wrecking an Ox-carriage)," adapted from the 1746 bunraku play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami (Sugawara Certifies a Disowned Disciple to Perpetuate His Line of Calligraphy)"; a variation of the famous dance "Musume Dojoji," in which the performer (Shichinosuke or Kamejiro) appears as a kyogen actor; and the final act of "Yoshitsune Senbonzakura (Yoshitsune and One Thousand Cherry Trees)."