Kabuki Actor Nakamura Takanosuke Looking Forward to Seeing Audiences’ Reactions in Europe in His First Overseas Performances

By Nobuo Ishizaki / Japan News Staff Writer

16:10 JST, April 5, 2026

Ahead of a kabuki tour of Europe scheduled for this month, actor Nakamura Takanosuke spoke with The Japan News, expressing his enthusiasm for his first overseas performances. “I’m looking forward to seeing the audience’s reactions,” he said.

The upcoming shows mark Shochiku Co.’s first kabuki tour of Europe since traveling to Paris in 2018, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, performances will be held in three cities: Paris, Rome and Cologne, Germany.

Titled “Meet Kabuki — The Art of ‘Onnagata’, Europe Tour 2026,” this tour focuses on onnagata — the portrayal of female roles by male actors in a style unique to kabuki. The production features “Fuji Musume” (“The Wisteria Maiden”), which was also depicted in blockbuster film “Kokuho,” and it is designed to showcase Takanosuke’s process of creating the onnagata role.

With “Kokuho” garnering widespread attention and being nominated in the makeup and hairstyling category at the 98th Academy Awards, interest in onnagata is growing worldwide. This will mark the first time Takanosuke shows to an audience how he applies his makeup on stage. “Applying my own makeup is part of the process of becoming the character,” he said. “Becoming a character in front of the dressing table is, in a sense, a unique situation. For an actor, it’s like a sanctuary, and I want the audience to feel that atmosphere as well.”

Takanosuke said he first performed “Fuji Musume” when he was in his teens. “This piece is packed with the fundamentals of buyo (Japanese dance), and the silhouette is beautiful. It’s the perfect piece to showcase the beauty of the onnagata role,” said Takanosuke.

For the actor, performing overseas has been a major goal. His late father, Nakamura Tomijuro V, went on kabuki tours in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and the former Soviet Union. “My father told me many stories about his experiences abroad.”

Regarding this European tour, he said: “I think my father would have been delighted to hear about it. He might even have said he wanted to come along.”

Although he has traveled abroad to places such as Hawaii and Australia, this will be his first visit to Europe. He has never gone before, even on a personal trip. “The cityscapes, churches and theater architecture I’ve seen in photos and videos are magnificent. It’s been a place I’ve long admired,” Takanosuke said. “I would be delighted if I could eventually perform at the Palais Garnier in Paris.”

Recently, in line with the increase in visitors to Japan, foreign audiences have become more noticeable at domestic performances as well. “When I observe the reactions of international audiences, I can see their deep interest in culture; even if they don’t understand the language, they feel the music and the stage setting,” he said.

“They offer a different perspective than Japanese audiences. I’m also looking forward to seeing what kind of reactions we’ll get from this overseas tour,” Takanosuke said.

The European tour performances will take place on April 9 and 10 in Paris; April 16 and 17 in Rome; and April 22 and 23 in Cologne.