The Kabukiza theater in Ginza is offering its summer program in three parts this month, starring Kankuro Nakamura and his brothers-in-law Fukusuke and Hashinosuke. Participating also in this program are Yasosuke Bando, Kasho Nakamura and Somegoro Ichikawa.
Part I of the program, starting at 11 a.m., comprises a two-hour play "The Diary of Asagao" and dance numbers "Yasuma," performed by Hashinosuke to Kiyomoto accompaniment, and "Yakko (Servants)," danced by Yasosuke and Kasho to nagauta accompaniment. Part II, 2:45-5:20 p.m., consists of a 40-minute comedy, "The Blind Masseur and the Burglar," the final act from the classical "Yoshitsune Senbonzakura" and a seasonal dance number, "Sanja Matsuri," performed by Kankuro's teenage sons Kantaro and Shichinosuke.
Part III, from 6 p.m., begins with "Kanjincho," the most popular kabuki number ever since it was created by Danjuro Ichikawa VII in 1840, and "The Revolving Lantern" in two acts.