Kabuki

Explores shows selected based on modern themes and features Kabuki's creative staging and highlights.

Several old theater buildings around Japan give a feeling of what it was like to see kabuki in the Edo period. Experience these performances from up close.

Explore 400 years of kabuki history through plays of different eras. Actor Nakamura Kazutaro introduces famous writers from each period.

Choreographers create the movement and staging of a kabuki performance, contributing hugely to its appeal. Our guest, expert choreographer Fujima Kanjuro, talks about the intricacies of the job. Kanjuro's grandfather, the famous choreographer Fujima Kanso II created modern versions of classical dances that became standard. "Fuji Musume (The Wisteria Maiden)" shows the spirit of the wisteria blossoms as a young girl in love. The giant set makes the actor look like a small, delicate girl.

Kabuki is full of music played both on and off stage. Actor Kataoka Ainosuke and musician Kawase Roshu guide us through the beautiful complexities of sankyoku.

Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores the sometimes tragic and occasionally comical relationships between married couples in kabuki. Explore these dramatic tales of fidelity and romance.

Actor Kataoka Ainosuke reveals the wide variety of props used by tachiyaku, the male roles in kabuki. Explore the all-important katana sword, tobacco pipes, footwear and gold coins.

Explore the intricate tachimawari or fight scenes of kabuki plays. Actor Kazutaro Nakamura is joined by a tateshi or action choreographer.

Today's play features two sumo wrestlers as protagonists! Kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke talks about sumo in the Edo period and the story of "Futatsu Chocho Kuruwa Nikki."