Japan’s traditional performing arts embody sophisticated techniques that have been refined over a long period of time.
The “MoN Kabuki Dance Performance” combines the pinnacle of contemporary artistry with video to serve as a foundation for passing this culture on to the next 100 years. By incorporating historical accounts of the art form, technical explanations, and innovative video direction, the production delivers a completely new Kabuki experience that brings the actors’ performances to life through the exceptional techniques passed down to the present day and cutting-edge visual direction.
The first installment features the grand onnagata dance piece “Kyō-kanoko Musume Dōjōji.”
The first production in this series will be the grand onnagata dance piece “Kyō-kanoko Musume Dōjōji.”
The lead role will be played by the 8th-generation Onoe Kikugorō, who assumed his stage name last year and has been attracting significant attention. The production will depict Hanako, a shirabyōshi who appears at the bell memorial service at Kishū Dōjō-ji, as she transforms from delicacy to allure and ultimately to madness through elaborate costume changes and a variety of dances; special video footage is also scheduled to be screened.
The lead actor, Onoue Kikugorō VIII (Otowaya), plays both male and female roles. He performs a wide range of characters, from dignified male roles to alluring female roles, successfully balancing the preservation of tradition with modern interpretations. Active on both stage and screen, he is a leading figure in the future of Kabuki.
