●Shibaraku (Just a moment): One of eighteen kabuki plays in the repertoire of the Ichikawa troupe. It is famous as being representative of the aragoto (rough style) that is a hallmark of the Ichikawa school. It used to be said that, during the New Year period, if Danjuro, playing the ruffian hero, stared at you, your illnesses and other misfortunes would be exorcized. ●Gedatsu (Redemption): A kabuki play in the series known as Juhachiban (eighteen), it had not been put on for a long time, but in 1929 it was revived by Sadanji Ichikawa (the second), More recently, in 1992, Danjuro (the twelfth) performed in it at the National Theater. ●Sukeroku: One of a series of eighteen kabuki plays that were a specialty of Danjuro Ichikawa, the founder of the Ichikawa school of kabuki. It was the pinnacle of the sophisticated Edo culture embodied in the concept of "iki (elegance, refinement...)," which exerted a decisive influence on Japanese culture for generations to come. ●Ya no ne (Arrowhead): This is an auspicious play with a colorful New Year's stage setting. A protective bow and arrow amulet is brought out and there is a lively exorcism of evil.