Cho-Kabuki Mikata

Nakamura Choshihiro and Sawamura Kuniya explain the promises of Kabuki and how to enjoy "Cho-Kabuki" in a fun talk. A video will show how to use the "penlight with Omukou," which was introduced last year. The audience seemed to enjoy the ingenious ways of changing the color of the penlight and sounding the Omukou, even though they could not speak. The "Shido Twin," a digital Shido created by NTT's latest technology "Another Me ®️," appeared on stage and called out to the audience with gestures, hand gestures, and voice sounds as if the Shido himself were actually there.

Bandai Haru Kabuki Odori(The everlasting Harukabuki odori)

After "Cho-Kabuki Mikata" was over, the asagi curtain was lowered and Izumo no Okuni, played by Hatsune Miku, appeared and performed a glamorous dance amidst a cherry blossom snowstorm. Then Hideyasu Mashiba (played by Shido Nakamura), Kuniya Sawamura (Kuniya Sawamura), Butterfly (Chomurasaki Nakamura), and other members of the women's kabuki troupe performed one gorgeous dance after another, and when they finished dancing amidst shining confetti, they were met with thunderous applause.

"Eternal Flower Honor Gong"(Isaac) Isaac Togawa, the great river in the Honeysuckle Valley

In his opening remarks, Nakamura Shido said, "In 2019, the theater production of 'Cho-Kabuki' has begun at the Minamiza. When I stand on the stage of Minami-za, I want to say, "I'm home! I want to say, "I'm back! This year, the show will tour four locations across Japan for a total of 70 performances. I would like to thank all of you for your support! We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the infection control measures, but I hope you will enjoy waving your penlights and blowing away your daily worries with this "Cho-Kabuki" performance.

Hatsune Miku also said, "I am thrilled to be able to see you all at theaters around Japan this year. I will do my best, as will Shido-san, so please give me your applause and penlights.

After the opening speech, a video inviting the audience to the stage is shown, followed by the opening of the curtain. Ima no Kuni (Nakamura Shido) rides into the inner court with Ramie (Hatsune Miku) and Sadataka (Nakamura Chomurasaki) to defeat Soga Iruka (Sawamura Kuniya), who is trying to take the throne of the emperor for himself. Before the fight with Iruka, Yōkuni, played by Shidō's eldest son, Ogawa Yōki, appears to assist him in his first appearance at the Minamiza. While performing Cho-Kabuki, Yōkuni said enthusiastically, "Tachimawari is so much fun! He demonstrated the art of altering himself using NTT's super-realistic communication technology "Kirari! (Yoki Ogawa will appear only from September 8 to 11.)

At the end of "Eien Hana Eikou", the audience was excited as the penlights lit up the entire hall with the words, "Give me a green-colored light! the lights of penlights spread throughout the venue.
You'll be delighted to see classical kabuki, virtual singers, and the latest technology, each with their own wonderful charms and penlights to share in the excitement together! Hurry to the Minamiza, as it runs through September 25!