Presented by The Japan Foundation
In association with the Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto

CINEMA KABUKI: In High Definition on the Big Screen ‒ Direct from Japan ‒ English subtitled. Kabuki Theatre filmed with high-resolution cameras for cinemas in High-Definition digital projection and six-channel sound. A handsome love couple at the pleasure quarters in Kuruwabunshō, the scandalous secret love and downfall of Princess Sakurahime , and a ferocious Shishi and a court maiden both conveyed by a single dancer in Lion Dance. https://tr.jpf.go.jp/cinema-kabuki-2025-toronto/
Advanced tickets on sale now.
Telephone: 416-599-2033 (TIFF Lightbox box office)
Tickets can also be purchased in-person at the TIFF Lightbox box office.
Admission Fee for each screening: $24.80 including Tax and handling charge.
All seats are assigned.
TIFF Lightbox, 350 King Street West, Toronto, Cinema 3 Piers Handling Cinema
Cinema Kabuki 2025 Toronto Time Table:
Sunday, February 23 at 1:00 p.m. Kuruwa Bunshō
Sunday, February 23 at 3:45 p.m. Princess Sakurahime Part I
Sunday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. Lion Dance, Kagamjishi

Kuruwa Bunshō, Yoshida-ya
Love Letters from the Pleasure Quarters
Sunday, February 23 at 1:00 p.m.
吉田屋『廓文章』 【くるわ ぶんしょう】
Premiered in 1793 as a puppet theatre play
Premiered as Kabuki in 1808
Recorded live at Kabuki-za Theatre, Tokyo, April 2009
97 minutes, includes an introductory 23-minute documentary, English subtitled
© 2020 Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8-chzGpNJY&t=2s
Izaemon and Yugiri are an idealized couple originating in CHIKAMATSU Monzaemon’s puppet play in 1712, from which a huge number of variations were created. Kuruwa Bunshō was one of these. A young, sophisticated, sensitive man going through hardship has been a tradition in traditional narratives since medieval times in Japan. This “abandoned-prince” tradition was mixed with an abundance of urban culture in the Edo period. The character of Izaemon is a typical urban consumer in the middle of Osaka, the economic capital. Although neither physically nor financially powerful, Izaemon is such a charmer and one of the most popular visitors to the pleasure quarter, being sensitive, childlike, funny, and handsome. Nizaemon, a Living National Treasure, realizes this character through his specialty, the Kamigata Kyoto/Osaka Kabuki acting style. To complete the beauty of Kabuki’s most beautiful couple, Tamasaburo, who has been the collaborator of Nizaemon for more than half a century, and another Living National Treasure of Japan, joins him as Yugiri, his gorgeous courtesan lover.

Princess Sakurahime Part I
Sunday, February 23 at 3:45 p.m.
桜姫東文章 【さくらひめ あずまぶんしょう】
Premiered in Bunka 14 (1817) at Kawarazaki-za Theatre, Edo, Tokyo
Written by TSURUYA Nanboku
Recorded live at Kabuki-za Theatre, Tokyo, 2021
124 minutes, English subtitled
© 2022 Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Sakurahime Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=381-GX_0GN8&t=2s
Sweet child and monk, esteemed princess and thief— two unusual couples whose fates are linked by karma. A high-ranking monk is convinced that Princess Sakura is the reincarnation of his dead male lover and falls madly for her. Sakura, however, is obsessed with finding the unknown villain who raped her and left her pregnant. Described by critics and historians describe as one of the most scandalous Kabuki plays ever written, this story of the secret love and downfall of Princess Sakurahime still has the power to shock contemporary audience. The playwright TSURUYA Nanboku was at the apex of the overripe culture of Edo in the Bunka-Bunsei period (1804-1830). Nanboku’s masterpiece has been brought to the live stage in the most ideal manner by Kabuki’s golden pair Nizaemon and Tamasaburo who started their collaboration in their twenties. This Cinema Kabuki presentation is a precious record of their reunion in their most successful repertoire first time in 36 years.

Lion Dance, Kagamijishi
Sunday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m.
春興鏡獅子【しゅんきょう かがみじし】
Premiered in 1893 at Kabuki-za Theatre, Tokyo
Written by FUKUCHI Ōchi
Recorded live at Kabuki-za Theatre, Tokyo, 2009
70 minutes, includes an introductory 10-minute documentary, English subtitled
© 2013 Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdPjLAYMbzI
For the late Kanzaburo XVIII (1955-2012) “Lion Dance” was the most precious gem of his family tradition. Danjuro XI, who created the piece, was the mentor of Knazaburo’s grandfather, Kikugoro XI. Four generations of the best Kabuki actors of their eras nurtured “Kagamijishi” and developed it into one of the best examples of the dance repertoire in Kabuki theatre. A single dancer conjures up a stunning contrast of two images: A young maiden in the Shogun’s castle is transformed by the spirit of the majestic Shishi, a mythical animal. The healthy, sophisticated eroticism of a young woman is conveyed by the dancer in the first part. Shi is noble, sensitive, yet coquetosh at times. But when the spirit of the ferocious Shishi takes over her body, the animal stamps the earth, and swings his mane in the air, celebrating the prosperity and glory of life.
Related Programming:

Kabuki Talk Series 2025
February 10, 15 & 19
Join us for a special three-part talk series in conjunction with Cinema Kabuki 2025 Toronto, where we will dive deep into different aspects of Kabuki Theatre. Whether you’re a long-time enthusiast or just curious to learn more, these sessions promise to offer fascinating insights.