Hello everyone! This is Tsubouchi from GP.
Let me ask you something—have you ever actually been to see Kabuki in person? Many of you probably haven’t. Recently, I went to see “National Treasure,” a three-hour feature film that beautifully portrays the world of Kabuki.

It’s become such a hot topic lately that it feels like half of my friends have already seen it!
Today, I’d like to share my impressions of “National Treasure”—and also introduce some ideas from GP on how Kabuki’s artistry could be incorporated into event design.

What Is Kabuki?

Kabuki is one of Japan’s traditional performing arts, boasting a history of about 400 years. It’s characterized by its lavish costumes, distinctive makeup, graceful yet powerful movements, and dramatic dialogue—all of which transport you to another world the moment you watch it.

Originally a form of popular entertainment for common people, it has since become one of Japan’s most iconic cultural expressions. One of its unique features is the onnagata, male actors who perform female roles—showcasing a fascinating world that feels both ancient and refreshingly new at the same time.

Synopsis of “National Treasure”

The story follows Kikuo, a boy taken in by a prestigious Kabuki family. Blessed with natural beauty and talent, he grows into a celebrated onnagata actor, refining his craft alongside his close friend and rival, Shunsuke.

Throughout his journey, Kikuo grapples with conflicts surrounding tradition, lineage, and love, dedicating his entire life to the art of Kabuki as he strives to become a Living National Treasure.
But everything begins to change when he reunites with a woman from his past…
When the curtain finally falls on his lifelong goal—the performance of “The Heron Maiden”—what Kikuo witnesses on stage is the culmination of a life devoted entirely to art.

Impressions After Watching

(Contains mild spoilers)

Although it was a three-hour film, the time passed in an instant. The story, the visuals—everything was so breathtaking that it truly lived up to the title National Treasure.
Even though I had never seen Kabuki live before and knew almost nothing about it, I was so captivated that I found myself looking up Kabuki tickets right after the movie ended.

What I took away most deeply from the film is this: you can’t have everything you want.
In the end, Kikuo achieves his dream of becoming a Living National Treasure, but he sacrifices everything—people and passions alike—for his art.
Meanwhile, his rival Shunsuke chooses family and happiness, having once stepped away from Kabuki entirely.
The film beautifully illustrates the truth that to gain something, one must inevitably give something up.

Incorporating Kabuki into Events

Now, wouldn’t it be amazing to bring the elegance and emotion of Kabuki into events?
Watching this film reminded me of the importance of respecting tradition, while also inspiring me to imagine how we might blend that respect with modern entertainment to create powerful business events.

At GP, we’re working toward our mission of becoming “the team that creates the best Japan-themed events in Tokyo.”
As part of this, we’ve been developing inbound event experiences under the brand “DRAGON EVENTS.”
If you’re considering hosting an event that embodies Japanese culture—please leave it to GP! We’ll deliver an unforgettable, uniquely Japanese experience for your guests.

If you haven’t yet seen “National Treasure,” I highly recommend it.
Immerse yourself in the world of Kabuki—and if it inspires you to incorporate it into your next event, we’d love to hear from you!