Kabuki Kool

This time on Kabuki Kool, we leave the studio to explore the sets and stagecraft of kabuki plays. Discover two new animals, and explore their history and effects.

Explore the world of kabuki buyo, a form of dance that grew out of kabuki. It is a mixture of dance and acting where the performer tells a story as he dances.

Ichikawa Somegoro, brilliant young kabuki actor, guides us through the world of kabuki.

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.

Explore three kabuki plays that are based on noh and kyogen originals. Nakamura Kazutaro guides us through the originals to see how and why kabuki changed, or kept, certain dramatic elements.

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!

This time on Kabuki Kool, explore a historic masterpiece of kabuki theatre. Actor Nakamura Kazutaro explains the appeal of Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees.

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, we move away from the classics to look at two modern kabuki plays. Actor Nakamura Kazutaro explains the challenges of performing new works.

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

Explore the Japanese Romeo and Juliet, Imoseyama Onna Teikin. Actor Nakamura Kazutaro introduces scenes from this deeply tragic romance.

Kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke is in the studio with Nakamura Kazutaro and explores some of the male tachiyaku roles of kabuki, including tragic heroes and battle scenes.

Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores The Battles of Coxinga by Chikamatsu Monzaemon. It's an epic tale with a Sino-Japanese hero taking up arms in China for the family his father once served.

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.