Actors & Lineage– category –

Ichikawa Somegorō and Onoe Tatsunosuke will make their overseas debuts in January 2027, performing three classical kabuki dances at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London — the first Shochiku UK production in 17 years.

Kabuki has been organized around hereditary acting houses for four centuries. Here's a guide to the major family lineages — Ichikawa, Onoe, Nakamura, Bandō — and what each is known for.

Kabuki names are inherited across generations through a formal succession ceremony called shūmei. Here's how the tradition works.

From a toddler's first steps on stage to decades of continuous refinement — here's what the actual training path looks like for a kabuki actor, and the rare path in for those without family ties.

A name carried by grandfather and father before him: the family tree, career, and 2026 name succession behind kabuki's newest Onoe Tatsunosuke.

A trio of promising young kabuki stars, reborn across three generations from Shōwa to Reiwa — what "Sannosuke" means and the actors who've carried it.

Why is Bandō Tamasaburō called the pinnacle of onnagata performance? A look at what makes his artistry singular, plus the signature roles to start with.

Three young kabuki stars once known as "Somedansa" step into a new era as "Somedantatsu" — their shared history, ambitions, and a name succession that changed everything.

Sukeroku's title and music change entirely depending on which kabuki acting family performs it. Here's why, and what each version sounds like.