It's a traditional performing art with a rich history.

It draws a million theater-goers per year...

It's kabuki!

Explore this art with popular kabuki actor, Kataoka Ainosuke on KABUKI KOOL!

Ainosuke recently headed a nationwide tour.

The performance featured famous scenes from "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura," one of kabuki's top three plays.

What kind of preparations did the company make before opening?

Let's open the curtain to find out!

Hi, I'm Sarah Àlainn.

As a singer and violinist, I know what it’s like to prepare for a show.

There’s so much that goes into preparation before the curtain rises.

Today we’ll be looking behind the scenes into the preparation that goes into a kabuki performance.

Our guide is Kabuki actor, Kataoka Ainosuke.

Hello.

Hello, I'm Kataoka Ainosuke, and I recently headed up a nationwide tour.

The company traveled around Japan, performing kabuki.

This is the route we took.

We kicked off with a show at Kawaguchi, Saitama on August 31,

and then went on to perform in 22 different cities.

22 cities! Just looking at the route makes my head spin!

We hold these tours to bring live kabuki to people who have few opportunities to see our usual performances.

I mean you're performing every day!

That's tough!

We performed two scenes from "Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees."

The "Michiyuki Hatsune no Tabi" dance.

And the "Kawatsura Hōgen Yakata" scene, also known as "Shinokiri."

The hero of these scenes is Sato Tadanobu, a retainer of the famous samurai Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

Tadanobu is escorting Yoshitsune's lover, Shizuka Gozen, on a long journey.

I see they're both holding drums!

I can tell you're a musician, Sarah! Well spotted!

As a matter of fact, the drums play a very important role in the play.

Let's take a look at the rehearsals for the tour, all the way up to our first performance.

We had three days for the whole cast to get together and rehearse.

What, just three?!

Yes.

The first day of rehearsals begins with a ceremony from the Edo period called "kao-yose."

First the names of the plays are read out.

Then, there is a "tejime."

Mm, very traditional Japanese style.

The rehearsal is run by the "kyogen sakusha," the kabuki stage manager.

There are the "narimono" and the Kiyomoto musical ensembles.

It's the first day of rehearsal, but we're all as serious as an actual performance.

I play the main role of Sato Tadanobu and Nakamura Kazutaro, who plays female roles, is Shizuka Gozen.

Oh, Kazutaro-san used to be the host on KABUKI KOOL!

That's right.

Tadanobu is guarding Shizuka Gozen as she travels.

The enemy Hayami no Tota tells Tadanobu to hand over Shizuka Gozen.

Tadanobu!...Oh, it’s Ainosuke!

Tota is played by Ichikawa Enya.

He works the names of the actors into this speech.

I broke up laughing because I'm hearing it for the first time.

Kabuki loves word plays like this.

These fighters are called "hana yoten" and this is a "tachi-mawari" fight scene.

Most of the classic plays are ones that have been done over and over,

so we learn the play on our own before rehearsals start.

So even on the first day of rehearsal, it's about 80% ready to go.

I see.

The second day of rehearsal, our last rehearsal in Tokyo.

Yesterday the "kyogen sakusha" clapped his hands instead of using the clappers,

but now he uses the real "ki" clappers.

This is a signal for the musicians to begin the ceremonial music, "shagiri."

Another kind of clapper called "tsuke" also comes into the rehearsals.

These clappers go with poses and movements and go exactly together with the acting.

But this Tadanobu is not human, he's actually a magical fox disguised as a samurai.

What?!! I didn't expect that!

So These movements show that he is a fox.

This my first time to play the fox Tadanobu.

- This was your first time?
- Yes.

I mean the movements were amazing.

I can't wait to see the play!

The rehearsals in this space are over and everyone does a "tejime."

When you said that you only had three days to rehearse with a full cast, I couldn't believe it.

But you all looked so incredibly focused.

And you said that there are a number of rituals involved as well.

I thought the final "tejime" clap was very intriguing.

Do you do that for every show?

Yes, for every production we do.

It's a way for the cast and the crew to all come together and focus our energies.

There's a similar, single clap that I learned to do when I came to Japan, especially after drinks.

What do you think of it?

It felt like it brought the group together.

Yes, it's energizing. It's like, "Let's do it!"

Mm, brings our spirits together.

I'm glad to hear it.

It's the day before we begin the tour in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture.

This theater is where we have the stage rehearsal on the third and last day of rehearsal.

And here's your dressing room.

Yes.

- You're putting on your make-up.
- That's right.

As a general rule, the stage rehearsal is supposed to be just like the opening day performance:

make-up, costumes and everything.

- You told us how kabuki actors do their own make-up.
- That's right.

But what's that smoke?

I burn incense when I'm in my dressing room.

It helps me to concentrate.

- Is it relaxing?
- Yes.

Oh, what does the red under your nose mean?

Ah, Sarah, you noticed something important.

This shows that Tadanobu is a fox.

Ah, so that's it!

For a mere vassal that's a very spectacular costume!

The wig goes on and it's done.

We got a chance for a message from Kazutaro-san.

Hello again, KABUKI KOOL viewers! This is Nakamura Kazutaro.

I was on this program for three years.

Thank you for watching and I hope that someday you can come to Japan and see us live.

Thank you Kazutaro-san!

Now, this is a multi-purpose hall, so there's no "hanamichi" going straight through the audience and the "suppon" lift in it.

But the "suppon" is important in the dance scene "Michiyuki Hatsune no Tabi."

So in theaters without it, we have to double-check exactly how we will do without it.

The stage rehearsal has started.

How colorful! The cherry trees are all in full bloom.

On tour, every theater is a different shape and size,

so making a set that looks perfect every time is a test for the stage set people.

They get plans of all the theaters several months in advance and refer to them to prepare the sets.

I see.

Here, I'm working out the timing with the Takemoto musicians.

We need to be perfectly together to get this moment just right.

The curtain closes...but it opens again immediately to double-check some things;

this time all the fast-changes and stage devices for the magical fox.

With the stage crew and my assistants, we make absolutely sure we understand the stage devices.

One mistake and the effect might be ruined and it can also be really dangerous.

It's not every day you get to see behind the scenes.

Everyone is absolutely focused; bearing in mind there could be an accident.

And you mentioned that the theater doesn't have a "hanamichi" runway or the "suppon."

How did you make do?

Well, you'll see how we handled the "hanamichi" later on, but we had to go without the stage trap.

This shows the entrance of the fox spirit during a performance in Kyoto.

You can see the "hanamichi" path contains the "suppon" lift.

Any character that appears from the "suppon" isn't human, right?

Yes - this is a fox spirit pretending to be Tadanobu, so he enters this way.

But then, how did you manage without it?

Well, let's watch the first performance.

Finally, it's opening day of the tour.

The theater holds 2,000 and it is full of people from nearby places.

This is Mt. Yoshino in spring.

Shizuka Gozen is the lover of the general Yoshitsune and has followed him to these mountains.

Sarah, on tour, often we use the apron stage in place of the "hanamichi" runway.

I see!

Tadanobu was supposed to protect Shizuka Gozen, but he seems to have disappeared.

Shizuka Gozen plays the precious Hatsune drum she got from Yoshitsune.

When she plays it...

...there is a blackout...

...and in the darkness, Tadanobu takes his place on stage.

When there isn't a "suppon" lift, this is what we do.

This also makes it a very mysterious entrance.

Tadanobu, where have you been?

Forgive me, my lady.

Shizuka Gozen is lonely and longs for Yoshitsune and Tadanobu tries to comfort her.

Here, they briefly pose as the prince and princess dolls for Girls' Day.

When Tadanobu sees the Hatsune drum, he reveals his fox nature.

But Shizuka Gozen hasn't realized his true identity yet.

Now, men come to capture them.

If you think you can win, just try!

The movements of this fight scene are emphasized by the "tsuke" clappers.

With the graceful movements of kabuki dance,

this grim fight is transformed into a delightful spectacle.

Tadanobu scatters all the fighters attacking him.

That fight scene went off perfectly!

Thank you.

Actually, on my a recent concert tour, I was supposed to appear from the balcony,

but one of the venues didn't have one.

At first I was in shock, but in the end I did something quite similar.

I appeared from the darkness in the upstairs seats.

But, I didn't expect to see a similar trick used in kabuki!

There is a trick where we snap the lights off, then back on as a character appears.

So, we do something quite similar.

The staging is surprisingly flexible.

That's right.

Now, let's find out how the fake Tadanobu is exposed,

and also watch Ainosuke-san's first ever performance of the "Shinokiri" scene!

Yoshitsune is being protected in the mansion of Kawatsura Hogen...

Sato Tadanobu comes to see Yoshitsune.

This is the real Sato Tadanobu.

- You also play the real Tadanobu?
- Yes.

One actor plays the real Tadanobu and the fox Tadanobu.

What happens when the real Tadanobu appears?

Yoshitsune says that he asked Tadanobu to protect Shizuka Gozen,

but Tadanobu doesn't know anything about it.

My lord, you never asked me to take care of Shizuka Gozen.

Shizuka Gozen arrives and for the first time,

she notices that there is something different between this Tadanobu and the one that accompanied her.

Which Tadanobu is the imposter?

Tadanobu is led into the back to be interrogated.

Now, Ainosuke has to change quickly into the fox Tadanobu.

This time, KABUKI KOOL got a special peek backstage.

So, you redo your make-up right behind the set!

That's right.

There's only 7 minutes until my next entrance, so every second counts.

That's why I change very closeby.

Now, I change into the fox Tadanobu.

I'm putting the red under my nose.

- The symbol of a fox!
- Yes, that's right!

Aren't you worried you won't make it in time? How nerve wracking!

Of course it's nerve wracking, but you have to be calm to get it done.

So, I feel all kinds of emotions doing this.

You're crawling under the set?!!

Yes.

You'll see why in a moment.

To investigate Tadanobu, Shizuka Gozen plays the Hatsune drum,

because he always appeared when she did that.

Sarah, watch closely!

- Tadanobu is going to appear.
- OK...

Wow! That happened in an instant!

How ingenious!

So, that's why you were crawling under the floor.

Yes. This is a stage trick that was developed in the 19th century and has been used ever since.

This trick was invented over a hundred years ago? Cool!

Say who you really are, or I’ll make you talk with this.

Well! Well! Well!

Tadanobu acts strangely, but will not explain.

Shizuka Gozen attacks Tadanobu with a sword.

Finally, Tadanobu admits his true identity.

A pair of foxes were hunted down and their skins made into that drum.

This Tadanobu is actually the son of the two foxes whose skins were made into the Hatsune drum.

That means you’re actually....a fox!

The child fox has come, longing for his parents who have been made into this drum.

So, that's why he's so attached to the drum.

He disappeared and then instantly appeared as a fox.

That's right.

Now, he's walking on that thin railing!

That must be tricky!

It's tough to keep your balance.

The fox Tadanobu expresses his torment that he has to part from his parents.

Father, mother, I will obey you and leave.

But how I regret parting from you!

His parents scold him and tell him to leave immediately.

This is where the fox's sadness at being separated from his parents really shows.

"♪In grief, the fox Genkuro writhes in agony, shedding bitter tears."

Because his movements are like a cute little fox, that makes it all the more sad!

Yes. His entire body shows his feelings.

Yoshitsune is moved by Tadanobu's devotion to his parents and gives him the precious Hatsune drum.

I am filled with such joy and gratitude!

The fox shows his happiness that he can always be with his parents with his entire body.

So, you have to play the role of both human and fox.

What's the most important thing to focus on to differentiate the two?

Well, they're totally different, a fox and a human, and the fox is still young.

I have to make sure that he comes across as childish,

while still making sure I put across all the right emotions.

That's tough!

One easy cue to remember is the shape of the hands.

A human's hands look like this.

But the fox spirit...

I hold them like this, so it looks like an animal paw.

- Yes, like that!
- Uh huh...

Then, scratch your nose like this.

Oh, you did that at rehearsals!

When the performance ends, it is after 8 PM.

Packing up starts immediately.

The set is made in parts, so it can be disassembled quickly.

Wow! No time to waste!

Things are packed up in order and loaded onto the trucks.

In just an hour after beginning disassembling,

the entire set is loaded onto the truck and ready to go to the next venue.

It only takes an hour to pack up everything.

Wow...it's no wonder you're able to perform in a different city the next day.

That's right.

So today, we saw the preparations of a kabuki tour.

How was it?

It was fascinating to see the cast in rehearsals.

You don't often get the chance to see those behind the scenes.

And since many people don't get to see kabuki -

because they either live too far away or they aren't able to travel.

It was really moving to see the whole crew working hard to bring kabuki to a wider audience.

From the moment of our "tejime" clap at the rehearsal,

we're all part of a team, and work towards the same goal.

The tour covers a lot of ground and we barely get a day off for a whole month.

We often have to travel and perform on the same day.

I'm very pleased we closed the tour with no accidents or injuries to anyone!

It was a very rewarding experience.

Don’t forget to visit our website.

You can find lots of information kabuki and now, you can also view video digests of our program.

Please send us your comments and questions.

Now, are you ready for our usual ending?

Let's do it!

Sure!

Hear ye!

That's all for today!