From January to March 2026, the OSK Nippon Opera Company's musical "Tsuyu Shogun Nobunaga" was performed in four locations: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Mie. Hearing that Kikunojo Onoe was in charge of the direction and choreography of this work, Premium Japan editor Nakajima was given special permission to observe the dress rehearsal of the Nagoya performance. Here is a report on the rehearsal process of Mr. Onoe and the OSK members.
Director Kikunojo Onoe and "Nobunaga, the Rainy Season General"
"Let's try again."
From the center of the audience, Kikunojo's voice echoes. On stage, the costumes and makeup are as if it were the real performance as they are rehearsing; it's the dress rehearsal in full swing. The musical "Tsuyu Shogun Nobunaga" is the first musical adaptation of Jiro Nitta's novel. The OSK stars, dressed in dignified samurai attire, are repeatedly checking their movements and the timing of their lines under Kikunojo's direction.
Starting in January 2026 at the Hakuhinkan Theatre in Tokyo, the show then moved to the Knowledge Theatre in Osaka, and finally to the Menicon Theatre Aoi here in Nagoya, where performances took place from February 21st to 23rd.
This time, the lead role of Oda Nobunaga will be played by OSK male role star Tsubaki Ryo. Kikunojo says, "She has strength and is suitable for Nobunaga. I thought she was an energetic actress. The role of Oda Nobunaga is not a role that just anyone can play." She is portraying a strong, beautiful, and captivating Nobunaga.
Kikunojo, who is in charge of both choreography and direction, apparently has a deep emotional attachment to this work.
"I've loved Jiro Nitta's novel 'Tsuyu Shogun Nobunaga' ever since I read it in junior high school, and I've always wanted to adapt it for the stage."
That idea was realized in 2010 as a dance piece in the Onoe school. In other words, it was a very important work for Kikunojo. He says he feels a special connection to being able to direct and choreograph it again as an OSK Japanese-style musical.
Kikunojo is seen instructing Kiryu Maya, a special member of the troupe, on proper movements. "In the 2017 production of 'Sakura Kagami ~Mugen Yoshitsune Tan~,' I had her play Benkei. Kiryu is the only male role star who can play Benkei. She is a one-of-a-kind star," he said, praising her highly. She is a star with an extraordinary presence just by appearing on stage.
Regarding Yu Ichiya, who plays the role of Hirate Sakyo-ryo, she said, "It's a role I played in a dance piece. I had her start with lessons on the kotsuzumi (small hand drum). I thought just the form would be enough, but I was surprised that she had good technique and could produce a solid sound." The sound of the drum resonating all the way to the audience was impressive.
Among the brave men of the Oda army, Rei Shirotsuki stands out as the exceptionally beautiful Nohime.
What is OSK like from Onoe Kikunojo's perspective? — It has a certain "sophistication" in its approach to performance.
It's already been about 10 years since Kikunojo-san became involved in the choreography and direction of OSK. He has been involved at a pace of roughly one production every two years. We asked Kikunojo-san about the appeal of OSK as seen through his eyes.
"I admire their attitude towards their craft. Even when they return to rehearsals after a long break, they've thoroughly absorbed everything I've taught them before. There's no disconnect. They're sincere in how they interact with the director and choreographer. Thanks to that, we're able to take things more seriously as well."
I managed to squeeze in a photo with Kikunojo-san during a break.
What was evident from watching the dress rehearsal was the sincere attitude of all the OSK stars. They received instructions from Kikunojo, and in the process, they fed back any questions or opinions that arose to Kikunojo, trying to process them and show a willingness to create the stage together. There were certainly many scenes where I could feel the charm of OSK, their attitude towards their art, and their spirit as Kikunojo spoke about it.
Kikunojo-san meticulously instructs them on every gesture and line of dialogue.
Kikunojo-san carefully explains everything from Tsubaki Ryo-san's movements to the meaning behind her lines.
The group dance, with its sharp movements and strong coordination, is also impressive. The power of these fighting men is palpable.
The dress rehearsal will run from the afternoon through the evening. Even during these long hours of rehearsal, Tsubaki Ryo, who plays Nobunaga, Shirotsuki Rei, who plays Nohime, Ichiya Yu, who plays Hirate Sakyonosuke, and Kiryu Maya, who plays Akechi Mitsuhide, continue to practice their respective scenes.
Finally, we gathered everyone on stage, including the lead actress Ryo Tsubaki, and asked them about Kikunojo.
"The first time I worked with Sensei was when I was only in my second year with the company. Even back then, Sensei's instruction was both delicate and energetic. For example, whether it was a love scene or a battle scene, precise movements were required. She's the kind of person who always encourages us to take on new challenges," says Ryo Tsubaki.
Riku Kyoga smiled and replied, "I don't know how well I can meet the teacher's demands, but I feel like I can do it. It's worth taking on the challenge."
OSK's performances are packed from spring to summer. Kikunojo talks about OSK's spirited and spectacular revues. Next, I'm going to see "Spring Dance" in April!
A photo of Kikunojo-san with the cast during a break in the dress rehearsal.
◆OSK Nippon Opera Company "Review: Spring Dance"
[Part 1] From William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"
"Tamaki Haru: Drops of Life" Written and directed by Sawako Kitabayashi
[Part 2] “Silenphony” Written and directed by Satoshi Hirasawa
▽Kyoto performance
[Dates] Friday, April 10, 2026 (Opening Day) - Sunday, April 19, 2026 (Final Performance)
Morning session: Starts at 11:00 AM / Afternoon session: Starts at 15:30 PM
*The afternoon session on the 12th (Sunday) is reserved exclusively for eplus.
*No performance on Tuesday, the 14th.
[Theater] Minamiza (East end of Shijo Ohashi Bridge, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City)
[Ticket Prices] 1st Class: 11,000 yen / 2nd Class: 5,500 yen
▽Tokyo performance
[Dates] April 30, 2026 (Thu) - May 5, 2026 (Tue/Holiday)
Daytime show: Starts at 11:30 AM / Evening show: Starts at 16:00 PM
*The evening session on the 3rd (Sunday) is reserved exclusively for eplus customers.
*Only the matinee performance will be held on Tuesday, the 5th, which is the final day of the run.
[Theater] Shinbashi Enbujo (6-18-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
[Ticket Prices] S Seats (1st & 2nd Floor): 11,000 yen / A Seats (3rd Floor): 6,000 yen
◆OSK Nippon Opera Company "Review Summer Dance"
Part 1: "Tamaki Haru: Drops of Life" from William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" Written and directed by Sawako Kitabayashi
・Part 2/“Silenphony” Written and directed by Satoshi Hirasawa
[Date and time] July 18, 2026 (Sat) 11:00/15:30, July 19, 2026 (Sun) 11:00
[Theater] Hakataza (2-1 Shimokawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City)
[Ticket Prices] A Seats: 11,000 yen, B Seats: 8,500 yen, C Seats: 5,500 yen *Children under school age are not permitted.
[General ticket sales begin] Saturday, May 23rd at 10:00 AM
Photography by Natsuko Okada (Studio Mug)
Kikunojo Onoe
■ Onoe Kikunojo III, fourth-generation head of the Onoe school
Born in 1976, he studied under his father from the age of two and made his debut on stage at the age of five. In 2, he succeeded the fourth head of the Onoe school and took the stage name Onoe Kikunojō III. He hosts his own recital, "Onoue Kikunojō no Kai," and "Itsusei-kai" with Kyogen performer Shigeyama Ippei. He also devotes himself to creating new works and has presented a wide range of pieces. He has directed and choreographed in a variety of genres, including new kabuki, Hanamachi dance, the Takarazuka Revue, OSK Nippon Revue, and ice skating shows "Hyouen" and "Luxe." He is a part-time lecturer at Kyoto University of Arts and a director of the Japan Dance Association.
For inquiries to “Kikunojo FAN CLUB”, please contact:Onoue official website .
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