Kabuki is a world-class theater with a history of over 400 years, but is also exciting entertainment. What is the secret of its enduring attraction? Haruka Christine, Nakamura Kazutaro, and Ichikawa Somegoro guide us through the world of kabuki.
Episodes Season Season 8 · 0/10 Season 7 · 0/10 Season 6 · 0/10 Season 5 · 0/10 Season 4 · 0/10 Season 3 · 0/10 Season 2 · 0/10 Season 1 · 0/10 0/10 watched · 2021
S08E01 Edo Food in Kabuki 2021-04-07 28m
Kabuki often depicts traditional Japanese dishes. Actor Kataoka Ainosuke introduces scenes with several examples, and teaches us about what foods were popular in the Edo period. In "Hokaibo," a disreputable begging priest takes time off from abducting a beautiful girl for a bowl of soba noodles from a roadside stall. more
S08E02 Two Kabuki Flowers of Evil: Kochiyama and Naozamurai 2021-05-05 28m
Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores the enduring appeal of 2 outlaws. Despite their crimes, they protect the weak and can be tender lovers. The villainous tea priest, Kochiyama (left) and Naojiro (right), ex-samurai and thief, but also a gallant lover, are our attractive villains. more
S08E03 Spring Blossoms and the Festival in Asakusa 2021-06-02 28m
Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores a kabuki dance in which 2 actors play a total of 8 different roles featuring Tokyo's famous Sanja Festival. The most famous part of the dance features the legendary fishermen who caught the Buddhist image in the temple at Asakusa in their net. more
S08E04 Devoted Love and Warring Clans 2021-06-30 28m
Unswerving Devotion: The Japanese Twenty-Four Examples of Filial Piety. Kataoka Ainosuke is our guide to a play featuring a kabuki princess in a story of warring clans and the magic of a sacred helmet. Princess Yaegaki holding the sacred helmet and surrounded by the magical foxes. With the help of the magic of the foxes, she goes to save her lover's life. more
S08E05 An Evil Villain vs. The Spirit of the Cherry 2021-09-01 28m
This time, a fantastic dance play "The Snowbound Barrier" from the 18th c. with an ambitious villain defeated by the spirit of the cherry tree in the form of a beautiful woman. more
S08E06 The Gallant Commoner: Banzui Chobei 2021-10-06 28m
This time we look at a 17th century historical figure who was the champion of the commoners against the abuses of the samurai. We look at Chobei as a gang boss and then a play that shows his tragic end. Mizuno, the leader of a samurai gang, traps Chobei into going defenseless into the bath so that he can kill him. more
S08E07 The Vendetta at Iga: Families Meet and Part 2021-11-03 28m
A chance meeting leads to tragic consequences as the divided loyalties of family and duty tear 3 people apart. Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores "Numazu." Jubei, a cloth merchant, learns that the porter Heisaku and his family are helping a vendetta that aims at killing his lord. Moreover, he finds out that Heisaku is his real father. Here, at the end of the play, Jubei helps the vendetta and can finally embrace the dying Heisaku as his father. more
S08E08 Demons in Kabuki 2022-01-05 28m
Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores the folklore and history behind Japanese Oni, or demons, and guides us through 3 spectacular kabuki dramas in which they play a central role. While viewing the autumn leaves, a court aristocrat encounters a demon and fights it with a powerful sword. more
S08E09 Sogo from Sakura: A Farmer Martyr 2022-02-02 28m
Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores the historic tale of Kiuchi Sogo, a village headman who sacrifices his life begging the shogun to save his fellow farmers from starvation. Even though he has been captured and will be executed, Sogo smiles with satisfaction because he knows that the shogun has heard his plea for mercy. more
S08E10 The Tale of Lord Okura: Dedicated to Genji's Revival 2022-03-01 28m
Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores a play where 2 people must hide their true characters and feelings to survive a turbulent historic era. In the final moments, Lord Okura appears in this spectacular costume to show that he is revealing his inner self. more 
