Acclaimed Kabuki and Taiko Collaboration
Tamasaburo Bando x Kodo
“Yugen” New Year Performances
Coming to Osaka Shochikuza Theatre in January 2023!

We are excited to announce a special concert series: Osaka Shochikuza Theatre Centennial Event “Tamasaburo Bando x Kodo ‘Yugen’ New Year Performances.” It’s an encore season of the 2018 Kabuki production “Yugen,” which will be Kodo’s first collaboration with Tamasaburo Bando in five years.

Yugen features an array of classical Japanese images from plays by Noh founder Zeami, incorporating themes from iconic works such as “Hagoromo” (The Feather Robe), “Dojoji” (Dojo-ji Temple), and “Shakkyo” (The Stone Bridge). Step into a world of sublime dance by Tamasaburo Bando with enchanting taiko music by Kodo.

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Tamasaburo Bando and Kodo

Kodo and Kabuki actor Tamasaburo Bando first met in 2000. In 2003, Bando directed the ensemble in “Kodo One Earth Tour Special.” In 2006, Kodo collaborated with Bando on stage for the first time in “Amaterasu.” This collaboration between the most celebrated Kabuki onnagata (male actor specializing in female roles) of our time and a preeminent Japanese taiko ensemble created a huge sensation. In 2013, the legendary third season of Amaterasu welcomed sell-out audiences to all 67 performances in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Kyoto.

From 2012 through 2016, Bando served as Kodo’s artistic director. During this time, he set a wide range of challenges for Kodo. One was to use taiko to conjure the subtle yet profound world of Noh Theater with Bando himself on stage. In 2017, Yugen—meaning subtle grace—premiered at Tokyo’s Bunkamura Orchard Hall as a Bando x Kodo collaboration, touring to a further four theaters in Japan. In 2018, Bando transformed the work into a spectacular Kabuki dance production for a month-long season at Tokyo’s iconic Kabukiza Theatre. In 2023, Yugen will be reimagined for the centennial celebrations at Osaka Shochikuza Theatre.

Shochiku Kabuki

Featuring

Tamasaburo Bando, Kodo, Jusuke Hanayagi, Hanayagi-ryu Dancers, et al.

Kodo Cast:
Kenta Nakagome, Yuta Sumiyoshi, Ryoma Tsurumi, Issei Kohira, Masayasu Maeda, Kodai Yoshida, Seita Saegusa, Chie Yamawaki, Chihiro Watanabe, Shun Takuma, Sho Nakatani, Kazuma Tanigawa, Kazuma Hirosaki (Guest Performers: Masayuki Sakamoto, Tsuyoshi Maeda, Yosuke Kusa)
*Jan. 5 Update: The Kodo cast was partially changed today due to unforeseeable circumstances.
*Jan. 11 Update: The Kodo cast was partially changed today.

Tamasaburo Bando x Kodo “Yugen” New Year Performances

Jan 5 (Thu), 2023 - Jan 28 (Sat), 2023 Osaka Shochikuza Theatre, Osaka City

Dates:

Jan. 5 (Thu)–28 (Sat), 2023
※No performances on Jan. 12 (Thu) and Jan. 20 (Fri)

Start:

14:00

 

Ticket Prices:

First Class ¥18,000, Second Class ¥10,000, Third Class ¥6,000 (incl. tax)
*Advance tickets and doors sales are the same price.
*Door sales will only be available if a performance is not sold out prior.

Seating Details:

All seats reserved. Children ages 4 & over require their own ticket. Children ages 3 & under are free if they will sit on the lap of an accompanying adult (one child per adult only). Please purchase a ticket for any children 3 & under who require their own seat.

Ticket Availability:

Now on sale

 

Ticket Outlets:

Ticket Phone Shochiku Tel. 0570-000-489 or Tel. 06-6530-0333 (10:00–17:00)
*Tickets on the performance day are not available by phone. Please inquire in-person at the box office.

Shochiku English Ticket Information
https://www.kabukiweb.net/about/ticket/
*English assistance is available.

Ticket Pia [P Code: 515-452] https://w.pia.jp/t/shochikuza/
Lawson Ticket [L Code: 55868] l-tike.com/
e+ https://eplus.jp/shochikuza/ 

In-person sales available at Osaka Shochikuza Theatre, Minamiza Theatre,
Kabukiza Theatre, and Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre.
※Tickets will not be kept for box office sales and will be subject to availability.

Venue Address:

Dōtonbori 1-chōme 9-19, Chuo Ward, Osaka 〒542-0071

Venue Access:

Approx. 1-min. walk from Exit 15B of Namba Stn. on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, Yotsubashi Line, and Sennichi-mae Line.
https://www.shochiku.co.jp/play/theater/shochikuza/map/

Official Website:

https://www.kabuki-bito.jp/theaters/osaka/play/758

Inquiries:

Osaka Shochikuza Sales Dept. Tel. 06-6214-2211