Celebrating the 400th anniversary of the birth of kabuki, this month the Kabukiza in Ginza offers "Yoshitsune Senbonzakura (Yoshitsune and 1,000 Cherry Trees)" in its entirety. Performed by an excellent cast, the program runs for eight hours.

A masterpiece of classical kabuki, adapted from the famous 1747 bunraku play by Takeda Izumo and his collaborators, "Senbonzakura" follows the adventures of the 12th-century hero Minamoto no Yoshitsune after his victory over the Taira forces at Dan-no-ura in 1185.

The drama is given heart by the moving stories of Tomomori and Koremori, prominent members of the Taira clan who actually perished at Yoshitsune's hand in 1185, but who live on in this dramatized history. Further embellishing "Senbonzakura" is the tale of Gonta, a one-time swindler who develops morally into a man capable of great sacrifice in his efforts to save Koremori and his family. The drama is so constructed that each act, with its own story and wonderful highlights, can be appreciated independently.