Events
ATAMIZA presents Bando Tamasaburo
Special Buyo Stage 2025
November 15 to 19
2025.11.15(Sat) - 2025.11.19(Wed)
Overview
The ATAMIZA is a project for promoting Atami City as a cultural hub, presenting traditional music and performing arts coupled with the refined staging environments, such as the Museum’s Noh Theater. The next program brings you a buyo dance show based on Kiyomoto school Sumidagawa, performed by Japan’s most prominent kabuki onnagata* actor, Bandō Tamasaburō.
This Noh-play-inspired dance repertoire follows a legendary tale of a woman traveling north in search of her estranged son, Umewakamaru. As she reaches the shore of the river Sumidagawa, she meets a ferry skipper, who tells her, unknowingly, the story of her son’s horrific death. As she visits the son’s grave, a mournful sorrow overwhelms her. The deep and eternal motherly love is a timeless subject which directly touches the audiences’ hearts. The Museum’s Noh Theater is an ideal staging environment for this heart-wrenching story, and the exquisite choreography is specially arranged for the venue.
Bandō Tamasaburō is a kabuki onnagata actor with the national recognition as the Living National Treasure, representing this traditional performing art. The counterpart, ferry skipper, is played by Hanayagi Jusuke, the fifth-generation master of the Hanayagi school of Japanese classical dance. A concurrent exhibition of Bandō Tamasaburō’s stage costumes showcases Japan’s craft art par excellence. Each ensemble has season-inspired beautiful designs, brought to life through seasoned artisans and kōgei craftspersons. The exhibition is a perfect enhancer of your visit to the museum and the buyo show.
(*onnagata: male actor specializing in performing female roles)
Dates
From Saturday, November 15 to Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Show time
14:00 (venue open at 13:20)
PROGRAM
- 1. Prelude
Bandō Tamasaburō greets the audience
- 2. Kiyomoto school Sumidagawa
Woman (Hanjo no mae): Bandō Tamasaburō
Ferry skipper: Hanayagi Jusuke
Jōruri (storytelling):
Kiyomoto Kiyomidayu
Kiyomoto Ichitayu
Kiyomoto NarumidayuShamisen (strings):
Kiyomoto Shizuzo
Kiyomoto YoshijuroUwajoshi (countermelody):
Kiyomoto Yoshiichiro
PERFORMERS
Born in Tokyo in 1950, he made his stage debut as Bandō Kinoji in 1957, appearing in the play Terakoya. Subsequently in 1964, he became the fifth Bandō Tamasaburō. He is also active in stage production, including his Tenshu Monogatari based on the namesake play by Izumi Kyōka. He made a successful international debut already in the early days of his career, including his performance of Heron at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, USA. He has collaborated with the world’s most celebrated artists, such as film director Andrzej Wajda, playwright Daniel Schmid, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In 2012, Bando was designated as a holder of important intangible cultural property—Japan’s Living National Treasure. In the following year, he received the Ordre des Arts et des Letters, Commandeur honor by the Government of France.
Born in Tokyo as Hanayagi Sōsuke, son of the fourth master of the school, he was introduced to the world of buyo dance at the age of two. Aged 4, he made his first stage performance at the National Bungaku Theater, featuring in several kabuki plays. In 2007, he was bestowed the emblematic stage name Yoshijiro. He then became the fifth Master Jusuke in 2016. He is proactive in introducing buyo to younger generations as well as foreign audiences, extending his activities to charity performances, international events, and staging/choreography.
TICKETS
16,000 yen (Membership concession at 14,000 yen)
TICKET SALES
◎ MOA Museum Members Exclusive: from Mon. August 18 (at 10:00 am)
◎ Other tickets: from Mon. August 25 (at 10:00 am)
Tickets are available online from the Museum’s official website.
Go to Official Online Ticket Shop: https://www.e-tix.jp/moaart/en/
Inquiries: The Noh Theater Dept., MOA Museum of Art
Tel +81 557 84 2500