The Kabukiza Theater in Tokyo is presenting a special program this month in memory of Kanzaburo Nakamura XVII, who died 12 years ago, at the age of 78. The afternoon program features the well-known jidaimono (historical play) "Shunkan" and Mokuami Kawatake's sewamono masterpiece, "Shinza the Hairdresser," separated by a set of dances titled "Cherry Blossoms," "Crickets" and "A Snowman," created in 1964 as personal showpieces for Kanzaburo.
The program for the evening comprises "The Story of Lord Okura" as a jidaimono and "The Sardine Vendor" as a modern sewamono; it finishes with the ever-popular dance "Kagamijishi." Kanzaburo's talented son Kankuro, 44, presides over the memorial event, leading the next generation, his own sons Kantaro, 18, and Shichinosuke, 16.
Other noted actors on the program are Shikan Nakamura, Kichiemon Nakamura, Nizaemon Kataoka and Tamasaburo Bando, all of whom are related to the late Kanzaburo in various ways. In the evening program, between "Lord Okura" and "The Sardine Vendor," these actors line up on the stage and make brief speeches in honor of the occasion.