KABUKI KOOL Season 7

Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores the fantastic play, "The Dance of the Earth Spider," where one actor skillfully switches between 5 very different roles.

Chushingura is one of the most popular plays. It is based on a sensational historical incident when 47 masterless samurai avenged the death of their lord. Ainosuke explores it in a two-part series. Samurai lord Enya Hangan attacks the high official Ko no Moronao in the shogun's palace after being bullied.

The former retainers of Enya Hangan assemble in front of the gate of their enemy's mansion for the final attack to avenge their lord. In the seventh act, Yuranosuke should be planning a vendetta, but instead plays drunkenly nightly in Gion. Yuranosuke is actually playing to throw off spies, but as he reads a secret letter, he is seen from above by Okaru, a courtesan who is the wife of a former retainer, and from below by Kudayu, a former chief retainer of the clan now become a spy for the enemy. The ninth act shows another tragedy, a story like Romeo and Juliet as the marriage of Yuranosuke's son and the daughter of a senior samurai is caught in the complications of the vendetta. Finally the former retainers attack the mansion of Moronao, the man their lord tried to kill, but couldn't. When Moronao refuses to die honorably by suicide, Yuranosuke must kill him.

For the first time, the Soga brothers confront the man that had their father killed. Kawazu no Saburo , the father of the Soga brothers was the object of anger and jealousy, eventually getting him killed. Left without a father, the 2 Soga brothers grow up strong, hoping to avenge their father's death. Finally, the Soga brothers confront Kudo Suketsune, the man that had their father killed. Eventually, they kill Kudo at the foot of Mt. Fuji.

Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores the mythical and sacred Shishi lion. Discover the extraordinary variety of Shishi-mono dances in kabuki, and the famous mane-tossing movement. The father Shishi (R) and the child Shishi (L) tossing their manes in "Renjishi."

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.

A historic fight between sumo wrestlers and the Megumi firefighting gang is dramatized in this play, which ends in a free-for-all on stage. Kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke is our guide. The firemen on the left, headed by their leader Tatsugoro confront the sumo wrestlers on the right, headed by their leader, champion wrestler Yotsuguruma.

Scarface Yosaburo is one of the most famous plays of late Edo period kabuki. It's a romance between a young and beautiful couple, with shocking twists that showcases Edo style. A chance encounter between the son of a wealthy family and the beautiful mistress of a gang boss transforms their lives forever.

A family tragedy when in a civil war, 2 brothers, both brilliant strategists, fight on opposing sides. Moritsuna worries about his younger brother, culminating in having to identify his brother's head. The tense scene when Moritsuna must examine his brother's head.

As with live performance worldwide, COVID-19 has affected kabuki. Actors Kataoka Ainosuke and Nakamura Kazutaro talk about the difficulties and reveal some creative solutions. In the first performance after Kabukiza reopened, the fierce lions dance as if to drive away COVID-19.