Join us for a special three-part talk series presented in conjunction with Cinema Kabuki 2026 Toronto, where we explore various aspects of Kabuki theatre in depth. Whether you are a long-time enthusiast or simply curious to learn more, these sessions promise to offer engaging and fascinating insights.
Kabuki Talk I: An Introduction to Kabuki Theatre
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM (ET) (Doors Open at 2:00 PM)
In-Person Talk Event & Slide Presentation | Admission Free | RSVP Required
Presented in English by Toshi Aoyagi, Program Officer at The Japan Foundation, Toronto
As an art form, Kabuki theatre has a distinct origin and historical development. Understanding how Kabuki was created and evolved over time helps clarify its unique and original appeal. One notable question is why male actors perform female roles in Kabuki, which will be explained.
Kabuki Talk II: Two Kabuki Comedies, One Inspired by Kyōgen and Another by Rakugo
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (ET) (Doors Open at 5:30 PM)
In-Person Talk Event & Slide Presentation | Admission Free | RSVP Required
Presented in English by Toshi Aoyagi, Program Officer at the Japan Foundation, Toronto
This talk focuses on two Kabuki comedies inspired by different traditional performance genres: Kyōgen and Rakugo. Rakuda, Party with a Dead Man, rooted in Rakugo storytelling, unfolds as a darkly comic tale of greed and deception, transforming death into farce through outrageous schemes and copious sake. The Zen Substitute, inspired by Kyōgen, presents a domestic comedy of disguise and mistaken identity, in which a lord’s feigned religious retreat leads to escalating misunderstandings driven by desire and affection. Though distinct in origin and style, both works turn simple comic premises into exuberant theatrical experiences, elevated by the dynamic chemistry and virtuosic performances of Kanzaburo and Mitsugoro.
Kabuki Talk III: Nizaemon and Tamasaburo: Kabuki’s Golden Couple
Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (ET) (Doors Open at 5:30 PM)
In-Person Talk Event & Slide Presentation | Admission Free | RSVP Required
Presented in English by Toshi Aoyagi, Program Officer at the Japan Foundation, Toronto
One of the most magnificent theatrical phenomena in the post–World War II world is the golden partnership of Nizaemon and Tamasaburo in Japanese Kabuki theatre. Their onstage chemistry is extraordinary. When they appear together, their combined charm and magnetism multiply, resonating with each other and filling the theatrical space like waves, mist, or light. In this sense, the golden couple is aromatic, radiant, and sensual.
