The Future of Kabuki: Hit Kabuki Film + Another Kabuki Theatre Closing Down!?

Sep 08 (Kabuki In-Depth) - Today we look at two very different major news for the future of kabuki.

The National Theatre in Tokyo presented a performance of Chūshingura, the classic tale of the forty-seven rōnin, weaving together music, poetry, and dramatic narration.

The staging featured repeated interludes of music alongside verses evoking snow, clouds, flowers, mountains, and forests. These images shifted between light seasonal beauty and heavier themes of fate, sin, and loyalty. The interplay of “good news” and “bad news” framed the story’s emotional contrasts.

Through this blend of traditional verse and theatrical delivery, the production highlighted the enduring appeal of Chūshingura, a work that has been central to Japanese performing arts for centuries.

Shinjiro Koizumi Mass Resignation Scandal in Kanagawa

A bombshell report has surfaced in Kanagawa Prefecture, the political base of Shinjiro Koizumi, where as many as 826 members of the Liberal Democratic Party aligned with the Takaichi faction were treated as having resigned from the party without their consent, according to an investigation by the weekly magazine Bunshun.

Osaka Suspends New Minpaku Registrations

Osaka City decided on September 30th to suspend new applications for so-called special zone minpaku, a category of private lodging that has seen a sharp rise in disputes with local residents.

North Safari Sapporo Closes After 20 Years Leaving 300 Animals in Limbo

North Safari Sapporo, a private zoo in the southern district of Sapporo, closed its doors on September 30th after 20 years of operation, leaving around 300 animals including lions and wolves without a confirmed relocation plan.

Severe Weather Expected Across Eastern and Northern Japan

Tokyo is expected to record a high of 22°C on October 1st, marking the first time in 112 days since June 11th that the temperature has fallen below 25°C, with rainfall cooling the air and bringing an end to the long stretch of summer-like days.

Photos of Asahara Adorn Aleph's Worship Centers

Photos of cult founder Shoko Asahara, whose real name was Chizuo Matsumoto and who was executed for his role in the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, are being displayed alongside childhood pictures of his son in facilities linked to Aleph, the successor group to Aum Shinrikyo, according to findings by the Public Security Intelligence Agency (PSIA).

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Entertainment NEWS

This Disturbing Japanese Horror Game is Too Explicit to Play

Imagine meeting a girl by accident; she tells you her name and seems to know you, but you can’t remember who she was. Soon after that, various disturbing deaths happen around you, and not only does it affect random people, it also targets the people you know. (Reddoliche2)

Dear Stranger First 10 Minutes Released

The number of theaters showing the film 'Dear Stranger' has increased from the initially planned 20 to 60 from September 26th, with the first 10 minutes of the main feature released to the general public.

Former Gravure Idol Yinling Revives M-Pose at 49

Yinling, once a symbol of the 2000s gravure boom, has returned to the spotlight with a new photoshoot at age 49, reviving her trademark "M-pose" and speaking candidly about both her motivations and bitter memories from her career.

Japan-Korea Celebrate 60 Years of Friendship

Japan and South Korea marked the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations with the opening of the annual Japan-Korea Exchange Festival in Tokyo over the weekend, drawing large crowds to enjoy food, cultural exhibits, and student exchanges.

Black Jack Exhibition Opens With Tezuka Manuscripts

An exhibition dedicated to Tezuka Osamu’s classic manga Black Jack will open on September 27th at the Abeno Harukas Art Museum in Osaka, with a preview event held for the press ahead of the launch.

Last Samurai Standing | Official Teaser

The curtain rises on an epic battle royale between brave warriors who lived through an uncertain era. (Netflix Japan)

Tokyo Game Show Opens Spotlight on Indie Games

The Tokyo Game Show, one of the world’s largest gaming exhibitions, opened on September 25th with indie games drawing particular attention as analysts predict the market could double in size over the next five years.

Ghibli Park Revamps Iconic Exhibition

Ghibli Park in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, which marked its third year since opening, will see its popular exhibition of film scenes undergo its first renewal.

< 2 3 4 5 >