FUKUOKA - Today, we take a look at the kabuki performance at the Hakata-za theatre in Fukuoka, which conclude the shūmei ceremony of the actor Onoe Kikugorō VIII and his son, Onoe Kikunosuke VI.
The June Grand Kabuki performances at Hakataza Theatre in Fukuoka are bringing to a close one of the most significant hereditary successions in the kabuki world in recent decades, as Onoe Kikugorō VIII and his son Onoe Kikunosuke VI complete a nationwide series of shūmei performances celebrating the inheritance of two of the art form's most prestigious stage names.
The father-and-son succession formally began in 2025, when Kazuyasu Terajima inherited the historic Kikugorō name and became the eighth actor to bear the title Onoe Kikugorō, while his eldest son simultaneously assumed the name Onoe Kikunosuke VI. The dual succession is considered highly unusual in kabuki and has attracted attention throughout Japan as a symbolic passing of tradition from one generation to the next.
In kabuki, a shūmei is far more than a simple name change. Prestigious stage names are passed down through generations and represent both artistic achievement and the continuation of a family lineage. The name Kikugorō is regarded as one of the most influential and respected names in kabuki history, carrying centuries of tradition and cultural significance.
The Hakataza performances serve as the final major stop in a year-long succession tour that has traveled through Japan's leading kabuki theaters. Ahead of the June performances, Fukuoka hosted the traditional "funa-norikomi" river procession, in which actors ceremonially arrived by boat and greeted local fans along the waterways of Hakata, a custom that has long marked the beginning of the city's kabuki season. Kikugorō VIII and Kikunosuke VI were among the central attractions of this year's procession.
The June Grand Kabuki season runs from June 2nd through June 22nd at Hakataza Theatre, featuring performances connected to the succession celebrations. Adding a contemporary touch to the historic occasion, a special ceremonial curtain designed by manga artist Hirohiko Araki, creator of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," was unveiled for the Fukuoka performances.
Kikugorō VIII has built a reputation as one of kabuki's most versatile performers, excelling in both traditional and modern productions. Alongside classical roles, he has helped bring new audiences to kabuki through ambitious adaptations of works such as Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," the Indian epic "Mahabharata," Hayao Miyazaki's "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind," and even "Final Fantasy X."
Speaking earlier this year about the future of the art form, Kikugorō VIII and Kikunosuke VI emphasized the importance of preserving kabuki's traditions while making the centuries-old theatrical form accessible to younger generations and international audiences.
As the curtain falls on the Hakataza performances, the conclusion of the shūmei tour marks not only the end of a major ceremonial event but also the beginning of a new chapter for one of kabuki's most distinguished acting families, with father and son now carrying forward names that have shaped Japanese theater for generations.
Source: Kabuki In-Depth
