Through the month of September, the Kabukiza Theater in Ginza is offering an excellent selection of historical and realistic plays and a dance number for the afternoon and evening, starring Uzaemon Ichimura, Kichiemon Nakamura, Tomijuro Nakamura and Baigyoku Nakamura. Participating also in the current programs are prominent onnagata actors such as Jakuemon Nakamura, Shikan Nakamura and Sojuro Sawamura.
The afternoon program begins with a superb example of a period costume spectacular (jidaimono), lavishly adapted for the kabuki stage in 1762 from part of the 1737 bunraku play "Goshozakura Horikawa Youchi" by Bunkodo and Miyoshi Shoraku. It centers on the brilliant military hero Minamoto no Yoshitsune, who destroyed the Heike clan in 1185, only to be accused of treachery, condemned and hounded to death by his envious elder brother Yoritomo, the first shogun.
Generally referred to as "Benkei as Shogun Yoritomo's Messenger," the play focuses on Yoshitsune's loyal follower Benkei, who has received an order from Yoritomo for the death of Yoshitsune's pregnant young wife, Lady Kyo. Benkei goes to the house of Jiju Taro, where she is being held.