Season 8
10 episodes · Apr 7, 2021
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- S8E1
Edo Food in Kabuki
Apr 7, 202128mKabuki often depicts traditional Japanese dishes. Actor Kataoka Ainosuke introduces scenes with several examples, and teaches us about what foods were popular in the Edo period. In "Hokaibo," a disreputable begging priest takes time off from abducting a beautiful girl for a bowl of soba noodles from a roadside stall.
- S8E2
Two Kabuki Flowers of Evil: Kochiyama and Naozamurai
May 5, 202128mActor Kataoka Ainosuke explores the enduring appeal of 2 outlaws. Despite their crimes, they protect the weak and can be tender lovers. The villainous tea priest, Kochiyama (left) and Naojiro (right), ex-samurai and thief, but also a gallant lover, are our attractive villains.
- S8E3
Spring Blossoms and the Festival in Asakusa
Jun 2, 202128mActor Kataoka Ainosuke explores a kabuki dance in which 2 actors play a total of 8 different roles featuring Tokyo's famous Sanja Festival. The most famous part of the dance features the legendary fishermen who caught the Buddhist image in the temple at Asakusa in their net.
- S8E4
Devoted Love and Warring Clans
Jun 30, 202128mUnswerving Devotion: The Japanese Twenty-Four Examples of Filial Piety. Kataoka Ainosuke is our guide to a play featuring a kabuki princess in a story of warring clans and the magic of a sacred helmet. Princess Yaegaki holding the sacred helmet and surrounded by the magical foxes. With the help of the magic of the foxes, she goes to save her lover's life.
- S8E5
An Evil Villain vs. The Spirit of the Cherry
Sep 1, 202128mThis time, a fantastic dance play "The Snowbound Barrier" from the 18th c. with an ambitious villain defeated by the spirit of the cherry tree in the form of a beautiful woman.
- S8E6
The Gallant Commoner: Banzui Chobei
Oct 6, 202128mThis time we look at a 17th century historical figure who was the champion of the commoners against the abuses of the samurai. We look at Chobei as a gang boss and then a play that shows his tragic end. Mizuno, the leader of a samurai gang, traps Chobei into going defenseless into the bath so that he can kill him.
- S8E7
The Vendetta at Iga: Families Meet and Part
Nov 3, 202128mA chance meeting leads to tragic consequences as the divided loyalties of family and duty tear 3 people apart. Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores "Numazu." Jubei, a cloth merchant, learns that the porter Heisaku and his family are helping a vendetta that aims at killing his lord. Moreover, he finds out that Heisaku is his real father. Here, at the end of the play, Jubei helps the vendetta and can finally embrace the dying Heisaku as his father.
- S8E8
Demons in Kabuki
Jan 5, 202228mActor Kataoka Ainosuke explores the folklore and history behind Japanese Oni, or demons, and guides us through 3 spectacular kabuki dramas in which they play a central role. While viewing the autumn leaves, a court aristocrat encounters a demon and fights it with a powerful sword.
- S8E9
Sogo from Sakura: A Farmer Martyr
Feb 2, 202228mActor Kataoka Ainosuke explores the historic tale of Kiuchi Sogo, a village headman who sacrifices his life begging the shogun to save his fellow farmers from starvation. Even though he has been captured and will be executed, Sogo smiles with satisfaction because he knows that the shogun has heard his plea for mercy.
- S8E10
The Tale of Lord Okura: Dedicated to Genji's Revival
Mar 1, 202228mActor Kataoka Ainosuke explores a play where 2 people must hide their true characters and feelings to survive a turbulent historic era. In the final moments, Lord Okura appears in this spectacular costume to show that he is revealing his inner self.