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- Experience Nihon Buyo in the Heart of Kabukicho
- Meet the Members of Koshoku Ichidai Otoko
- Event Details: Dates, Venue & Tickets
- Meet the Performers After the Show: Instant Photo Session (Cheki)
- Official Merchandise & Books
- Join the Official Fan Club
- About Koshoku Ichidai Otoko: Hosts Exploring Japanese Culture
- What Is Kamigata-mai? A Classical Dance Tradition from Kansai
- About the Yamamura School and Yamamura Wakashizuki
- Media Coverage & Archive
- Discover Kabukicho Beyond the Performance
Experience Nihon Buyo in the Heart of Kabukicho
Hosts Dedicated to Traditional Japanese Dance
The Nihon Buyo (Japanese classical dance) group Koshoku Ichidai Otoko: The Life of an Amorous Man, formed by hosts from Smappa!Group, will present its third recital from June 23–28, 2026, at the Shinjuku Kabukicho Noh Theater.
Since beginning their training in June 2024 under Yamamura Wakashizuki, master of the Yamamura School of Kamigata-mai, the members have continued practicing every week before their work shifts. What began as an ambitious cultural experiment has grown into an ongoing performance project rooted in discipline, tradition, and curiosity.
The members bring very different personalities to the stage, but share a common goal: to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture through dance. This third recital marks another milestone in that journey.
Over six consecutive evenings, the performers will present the results of their daily training, appearing both individually and as an ensemble on Kabukicho’s historic Noh stage.
We invite you to step away from the pace of everyday life and spend an evening with Koshoku Ichidai Otoko.
Meet the Members of Koshoku Ichidai Otoko
Maki Tezuka (手塚マキ)
Narumi Osaki (大崎愛海)
Takeru (武尊)
Aki (亜樹)
Jotaro Kujo (空条承太郎)
Mitsuki (光希)
Uta (唄)
Teru (天尊)
Hiito (陽糸)
Ryuji (龍士)
Tiawan (てぃあわん)
*Performers are subject to change.
Event Details: Dates, Venue & Tickets
Dates & Performance Schedule
Dates
June 23 (Tue) – June 28 (Sun), 2026
Time
Doors Open: 18:30
Performance Begins: 19:00
Approx. 75 minutes. Running time may vary slightly.
Venue: Shinjuku Kabukicho Noh Theater
Shinjuku Kabukicho Noh Theater
Lions Plaza Shinjuku 2F
2-9-18 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access Information
・3-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station (Exit E1)
・8-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station (North Exit)
Admission & Reservations
Fee: ¥1,000
Reservations (please include your name and number of guests) and inquiries:
smappa.kabukichoconcierge@gmail.com
*Advance reservation recommended.
*Payment on the day (cash only).
*All seating is unreserved and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Meet the Performers After the Show: Instant Photo Session (Cheki)
After the performance, guests will have the opportunity to meet the cast of Koshoku Ichidai Otoko in person.
Take a commemorative instant photo (cheki) with your favorite performer, receive an autograph, and enjoy a brief interaction with the cast. You may also request an individual portrait of your favorite performer.
This is a unique opportunity to meet the performers and take home a memorable souvenir from your visit to Kabukicho.
Fee: ¥2,000
(Includes instant photo and autograph)
*Free for fan club members.
Official Merchandise & Books
Exclusive Koshoku Ichidai Otoko Merchandise
Official Koshoku Ichidai Otoko merchandise and related publications will be available at the venue.
Highlights include:
・Original Tenugui Towel — ¥1,000
・Uchiwa Fan — ¥1,500
・Pin Badge — ¥300
・Sticker — ¥500
Host Manyoshu: Poetry by Hosts
The group will also offer copies of Host Manyoshu (Host Anthology of Poetry), a poetry collection featuring works by hosts, including the original Smappa!Group edition.
Join the Official Fan Club
Fan Club Benefits
The official fan club offers exclusive behind-the-scenes content, rehearsal updates, member diaries, and special event benefits.
Member-exclusive benefits for Recital Vol. 3 include:
Standard Membership
・Complimentary cheki photo and autograph
・A handwritten thank-you message from Teru
Special Membership
・Complete merchandise set
・Complimentary cheki photo and autograph
・A handwritten thank-you message from Teru
・Backstage visit and celebratory toast on the final day
・Access to rehearsals and dress rehearsal viewing
About Koshoku Ichidai Otoko: Hosts Exploring Japanese Culture
Why Did Hosts Begin Studying Nihon Buyo?
Smappa!Group aims to transform Kabukicho from merely a place of fleeting entertainment into a site that generates and nurtures culture.
The project began when Smappa!Group chairman and founder of the group, Maki Tezuka, expressed his vision:
to create hosts who not only entertain, but also embody and share traditional arts, broadening their cultural sensibilities. This vision resonated with Yamamura Wakashizuki, master of the Yamamura school of Kamigata-mai, ultimately leading to the formation of the group.
The Story Behind the Name “Koshoku Ichidai Otoko”
The name is inspired by Ihara Saikaku’s 1682 novel “Koshoku Ichidai Otoko (The Life of an Amorous Man)”, a foundational work of ukiyo-zōshi literature. It recounts the life of Yonosuke, often regarded as one of the greatest playboys in Japanese literary history, comparable to Hikaru Genji. Drawing on “The Tale of Genji” and “The Tales of Ise”, the work blends refinement and vulgarity to portray the life of a devoted sensualist. In the spirit of Yonosuke himself, the group adopts this name with the aspiration of cultivating elegance and becoming true connoisseurs of culture.
What Is Kamigata-mai? A Classical Dance Tradition from Kansai
Jiuta-mai, Romantic Dances, and Humorous Works
The group trains in the Yamamura school of Kamigata-mai, a classical dance form that developed in the Kansai region.
Unlike more dynamic styles, Kamigata-mai is characterized by restrained movements designed for intimate indoor settings, with a strong emphasis on emotional expression.
Its repertoire includes “Jiuta-mai” (dances performed to traditional shamisen-accompanied “jiuta” music), “Hongyōmono” (noh-inspired works), “Tsuyamono” (romantic pieces), and “Kokkeimono” (humorous or character-driven works, often featuring animals).
About the Yamamura School and Yamamura Wakashizuki
One of the Oldest Schools of Kamigata-mai
The Yamamura school is one of the oldest schools of Kamigata-mai, founded in Osaka in 1806 by choreographer Yamamura Tomogoro.
Closely connected to theater traditions Noh and Ningyo-Joruri (puppet plays), the style has long been practiced not only in the entertainment districts but also among women of merchant families as part of cultural education. It is even referenced in Junichiro Tanizaki’s novel “The Makioka Sisters (細雪, Sasameyuki)”.
Comment from Yamamura Wakashizuki
“I am truly delighted that we can present Nihon Buyo in Kabukicho, a place that was once envisioned as a center for performing arts. The performers train diligently every day. Please come and see the results of their dedication.”
Media Coverage & Archive
Rehearsal Diaries and Previous Recitals
Practice sessions and past recitals
Media coverage:
Discover Kabukicho Beyond the Performance
Experience Tokyo Nightlife with English-speaking Guides
Kabukicho Concierge offers guided experiences of the area’s nightlife, including host club visits with English- and Chinese-speaking guides.
Beyond the performance, visitors can immerse themselves in Kabukicho’s unique culture and discover its local hotspots.