KABUKI KOOL

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.

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.

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."

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.

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

"Osome's Seven Roles" is a tour de force where seven parts, male and female, young and old are played by a single onnagata actor. Our guest Nakamura Kazutaro will tell us all about it.

Pattern, color, design, and tradition all play a role in creating kabuki characters. Expert Takahiro Ebisawa joins actor Kataoka Ainosuke to explore the fascinating world of costuming.

Ishikawa Goemon is a legendary thief from the late 16th century who appears in several kabuki plays. Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores what makes this figure so popular.

Eirakukan is a historic theater in Hyogo Prefecture. Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explains how traditional seating and a small capacity create an extraordinary and intimate atmosphere.

Discover the many complex connections between kabuki and the historic capital of Kyoto. Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores the newly restored Minami-za theater and plays set in Kyoto.

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 two acts from this gidayu kyogen play. It's a fantastical, dramatic, and deeply moving piece of theater.

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

Explore the different types of romantic hero who appear in kabuki. From sweet, comic charmers to brooding bad boys, actor Kataoka Ainosuke explains these heroic archetypes.

This time Kataoka Ainosuke takes his first turn as our host. Ainosuke is a renowned kabuki actor. He'll be our guide to the attractions of kabuki looking at some of the roles he's played.

What's the link between ukiyo-e art and kabuki? Many famous prints are of kabuki actors and were sold to fans. They're key documentation of staging and costumes. Explore this fascinating relationship.

Kabuki actor Nakamura Kazutaro explores the unique nature of kabuki stage sets, stage machinery, how these items are made, and the work done by stagehands during performances.

The strong, manly aragoto style of kabuki acting and plays is our focus this week. Join kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke and our guide Nakamura Kazutaro as they examine its history and try out some aragoto moves in the studio!

Explore some of the props used by onnagata, kabuki actors who play female roles. A props expert joins actor Nakamura Kazutaro to explain how these items are made and how they're used in performance.

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

This time on KABUKI KOOL, explore the intricate tachimawari or fight scenes, of kabuki plays. Actor Nakamura Kazutaro is joined by a tateshi, or action choreographer.

This time on KABUKI KOOL, discover the role of narimono, the kabuki flute and percussion ensemble. Background music, sound effects, and atmospheric tension, actor Nakamura Kazutaro explains the many sounds of kabuki.

This time on KABUKI KOOL, explore the intricate beauty of onnagata dancing with acclaimed actor Nakamura Kazutaro.

This time on "KABUKI KOOL" actor Nakamura Kazutaro guides us through two stories that hinge on a woman's seduction of the hero. Join us in an exploration of their very different motives!

Explore the dazzling world of kabuki costumes! An expert joins the studio to explain the intricate details of some of kabuki's most famous clothes. Join us for the first in a new season of KABUKI KOOL.

This time on KABUKI KOOL, we leave the studio to explore the animals and transport systems used in kabuki plays. Discover how these amazing props and their sound effects add to the atmosphere on stage.

We discover the stories of this traditional performing art which are all about women in love. Doomed romances, love triangles, and death stalk the stage.

Many kabuki plays star beautiful courtesans – this time we feature the women of the pleasure quarters. Discover the glamorous allure which entangles both men and women.

The magnificent costumes of kabuki's female roles add flair to the stage. And their colors and designs can even represent the character's social status or her inner feelings.

Meet Nakamura Kazutaro -- our new host and the rising star of kabuki. Born into a famous kabuki family, watch how he became a kabuki actor himself, along with some beautiful performances.

The heroes of wagoto style of kabuki aren't very strong or dependable. They are soft and romantic, and can also be comical at times. See Ichikawa Somegoro's delightful performance as a ladies' man.

Explore the world of Chikamatsu Monzaemon, one of Japan's greatest playwrights. His vivid depictions of raw human drama are still hugely popular today. He is nicknamed the "Japanese Shakespeare."

Kabuki's leading male roles. There are so many different types, and even villains take the lead! But all of them are irresistibly attractive. Learn about their lives and tragic fates.

This time we're looking at the unique stage devices used in kabuki performance -- amazing, ground-breaking mechanisms that have been used for over 250 years.

In the first program, we will watch entertaining short clips from great classics of kabuki as an easy key to enjoying the dazzling variety of kabuki. Also, Somegoro will explain why and how he became a kabuki actor and what it means to become part of a long acting tradition.