It was a night of spectacular Japanese theatrical scenes -- with actors in elaborate make-up, costumes with brilliant colors, and sakura as the stage background -- and it was not in Japan.

Two Japanese kabuki classics were presented for Beijing audience on Tuesday, thanks to the visiting Chikamatsu-za troupe, led by the 76-year-old kabuki master Sakata Tojuro.

The actor, known for playing different roles in one drama, vividly demonstrated the 400-year-old Japanese art form, changing between portraits of an elegant woman and a powerful lion in "Hanabusa Shujaku Jishi (Princess Lion Dance)," and a virtuous wife in "Keisei Hangon Ko (Matahei the Stutterer)," a 1708 kabuki classic.

His age-beguiling performances won great wows from Beijing audience.

The troupe is set to play another night on Wednesday at Beijing's Poly Theater, before moving to Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

Japanese kabuki actor Sakata Tojuro performs on stage at Beijing's Poly Theater on Tuesday, September 4, 2007.

(CRI.cn September 6, 2007)