The history of Shochiku

1895〜
1925〜
1950〜
1975〜
2000〜

Business and management
Works

1895	Inaugural year Otani Takejiro becomes the shiuchi (entertainment promoter) of Shinkyōgoku Sakaiza Theatre in Kyoto
1902	An article on the work of Shirai Matsujiro and Otani Takejiro is published in the Osaka Asahi Shimbun newspaper as “The New Year of Matsu and Take,” taken from the brothers’ names; the brothers soon establish the Matsu Take Goshi Kaisha, a limited partnership company, later the Matsu Take Gomei Kaisha, a general partnership company (both matsu, “pine tree,” and take, “bamboo,” are considered good luck)
1906	The first production in earnest at the Nakaza Theatre in Osaka, then the rest of the five theatres on Dotonbori are brought under direct management, one by one Kyoto Minamiza Theatre is opened under direct management
1909	Bunrakuza Theatre is brought under direct management, taking over production of ningyo-jōruri (traditional puppet plays)
1910	Shintomiza Theatre is acquired; business is expanded to Tokyo
1911	Matsu Take Gomei Kaisha is renamed Matsu Take Gomei Sha
1913	First production by Shochiku at the Kabukiza Theatre Reconstruction of Kyoto Minamiza Theatre completed
1914	Kabukiza Theatre is brought under direct management, then theatres in Tokyo, one by one The second Kabukiza Theatre (during the Taisho period)
Established 1920	Shochiku Kinema Gomei Sha is established Kamata Studio is opened in Tokyo Shochiku Kinema Kenkyujo (Shochiku cinema laboratory) is established Foreign films are imported and screened at Shochiku theatres Kamata Studio (1925)
1921	Teikoku Katsudo Shashin Kaubushiki Kaisha is acquired by Shochiku Kinema Gomei Sha and renamed Shochiku Kinema Kabushiki Kaisha Shochiku Kinema Gomei Sha is then absorbed; head office is placed in Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo The second Kabukiza Theatre is destroyed by fire
1922	Shochiku Gakugekibu Seito Youseijo, a school for training in musical theatre, is established at a branch of Matsu Take Gomei Sha
1923	Osaka Shochikuza Theatre (Dotonbori Shochikuza Theatre) is opened; Shochiku Gakugekibu’s first performance of Aruru no onna (L’Arlésienne) Buildings are lost in the Great Kanto Earthquake: Kabukiza Theatre undergoing reconstruction, offices, and 22 directly-managed stage and movie theatres in the Tokyo-Yokohama area Filming begins at Shochiku Shimogamo Studio in Kyoto
1924	Shochiku Kinema Kabushiki Kaisha is listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Co., Ltd. and Osaka Stock Exchange Co., Ltd.

Established 1920	＜Motion picture＞ Shima no Onna (original Japanese title) is released: Shochiku Kinema’s inaugural picture Shima no Onna（1920）©️松竹
1921	＜Motion picture＞ Rojo no Reikon (Souls on the Road) is released: Shochiku Kinema Kenkyujo’s inaugural picture

Business and management
Works

1925	The third Kabukiza Theatre is reconstructed and reopened
1926	Shochiku head office is moved to Shintomicho
1927	Otani Takejiro is bestowed the Ordre des Palmes académiques (Order of Academic Palms), bestowed to persons who have contributed to French education and culture, in the grade of Officier (Officer)
1928	Asakusa Shochikuza Theatre is reestablished as a movie theatre playing first runs of foreign films Tokyo Shochiku Gakugekibu is established Shochiku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha is established and absorbs Matsu Take Gomei Sha Tokyo Office
1929	Matsu Take Gomei Sha Osaka Office is dissolved; Shochiku Tochi Tatemono Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha is established Kyoto Minamiza Theatre is reconstructed and reopened Management of the Imperial Theatre is undertaken; all Kabuki actors come under Shochiku management
1930	Tokyo Gekijo Theatre is built and opened Tokyo Gekijo Theatre
1931	Shochiku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha is merged into Shochiku Tochi Tatemono Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha and renamed Shochiku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
1932	Tokyo Shochiku Gakugekibu is renamed Shochiku Shojo Kagekibu (SSK)
1933	Shochiku Shojo Kagekibu is dissolved; Shochiku Shojo Kagekidan (SSK) is established
1934	Osaka Shochiku Gakugekibu is renamed Osaka Shochiku Shojo Kagekidan (OSSK)
1936	Ofuna Studio is opened in Kanagawa; Kamata Studio is closed Ofuna Studio
1937	Shochiku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha and Shochiku Kinema Kabushiki Kaisha merge; Shochiku Co., Ltd. is established Asakusa Kokusai Theatre is opened; the first production is by Shochiku Shojo Kagekidan Asakusa Kokusai Theatre
1940	Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre is opened under direct management; the first promotion is with the Soganoya Goro Geki troupe Eion Kenkyujo Studio is acquired and renamed Shochiku Uzumasa Studio Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre
1941	Shochiku Uzumasa Studio is opened
1943	Shochiku Animation Section is renamed Shochiku Animation Laboratory Osaka Shochiku Shojo Kagekidan is renamed Osaka Shochiku Kagekidan (OSK)
1945	Kabukiza Theatre and Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre are destroyed by fire in air raids Shochiku Shojo Kagekidan is renamed Shochiku Kagekidan (SKD)
1948	Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre is reconstructed and reopened Shochiku Shinkigeki troupe is formed; the first performance is at the Nakaza Theatre in Osaka
1949	Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Osaka Securities Exchange, the Nagoya Stock Exchange, and the Fukuoka Stock Exchange Hasegawa Odogu Kabushiki Kaisha is established Kabuki-za Co., Ltd. is established

1928	＜Kabuki＞ The first overseas Kabuki performance (in the Soviet Union by Ichikawa Sadanji and Company) The first overseas Kabuki performance (The third person from the right in the front row is Ichikawa Sadanji II)
1930	＜Kabuki＞ The first production at the Tokyo Theatre
1931	＜Motion picture＞ Japan’s first full-fledged talkie Madamu to Nyobo (The Neighbor’s Wife and Mine, directed by Gosho Heinosuke) is released Madamu to Nyobo (The Neighbor’s Wife and Mine, 1931)©️松竹
1935	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō (succession announcement performance) of Onoe Shoroku II
1936	＜Kabuki＞ The first Dankiku Sai (festival) commemorating the installation of busts of Ichikawa Danjuro IX and Onoe Kikugoro V (Kabukiza Theatre)
1937	＜Theatre＞ Production commemorating 50 years since the inauguration of shinpa (new school) (Kabukiza Theatre)
1938	＜Motion picture＞ Aizen Katsura (Flower in Storm, directed by Nomura Hiromasa) is released and becomes a major hit Aizen Katsura (Flower in Storm, 1938)©️松竹
1940	＜Motion picture＞ Zangiku Monogatari (The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum, directed by Mizoguchi Kenji) receives the first award of the Minister of Education and Culture
1942	＜Motion picture＞ Fuku-chan Kishu (original Japanese title) is released: Shochiku Doga Kenkyujo’s first work
1943	＜Motion picture＞ Kumo to Churippu (The Spider and the Tulip) is released: Japan’s first full animation work using cels
1945	＜Motion picture＞ Soyokaze (original Japanese title, directed by Sasaki Yasushi) is released: the first planned work after World War II; the theme song “Ringo no uta” becomes a major hit
1947	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei Kabuki performance of Nakamura Ganjiro II
1948	＜Motion picture＞ Director Kinoshita Keisuke shoots Onna (Woman) entirely on location
1949	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Ichikawa Jukai III Shūmei-hirō of Matsumoto Koshiro VIII

Business and management
Works

1950	Listed on the Sapporo Securities Exchange Professional baseball team Shochiku Robins is established Spontaneous fire at Kyoto’s Shimogamo Studio Foreign films department reinstated after 23 years
1951	The fourth Kabukiza Theatre is reconstructed and reopened after war damage Kyoto Shimogamo Studio is reduced and the base is moved to Shochiku Uzumasa Studio The fourth Kabukiza Theatre
1952	Osaka Shochikuza Theatre is reestablished as a movie theatre playing first runs of foreign films
1955	Chairman Otani Takejiro is awarded an Order of Culture by Japan
1956	Shochiku Kaikan construction is completed (at 3-8-6 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) and the head office is moved Incorporated foundation Shochiku Otani Library is established Shochiku Kaikan
1957	Shochiku Costume Co., Ltd. is established Osaka Shochiku Kagekidan leaves Shochiku as an independent kabushiki kaisha (stock company)
1958	Incorporated foundation Shochiku Otani Library is opened Kabushiki Kaisha Shochiku Shin Engei is established Shinjuku Shochiku Kaikan (now the Shinjuku Piccadilly) is opened
1959	Television office (now Television Planning Office) is established at the head office to produce dramas for television broadcast Shochiku Jigyo Kabushiki Kaisha is established Foreign film department is combined with Select International Eiga Kaisha and Shochiku Select Kokusai Eiga Kabushiki Kaisha is established
1962	Full cooperation with Tokyu in promoting foreign films ST Chain, a motion picture promotion chain of Shochiku and Tokyu, is formed Kabushiki Kaisha Shochiku Shin Engei is renamed Shochiku Geino Co., Ltd. Shochiku Select Kokusai Eiga Kabushiki Kaisha is dissolved and Shochiku Eihai Kabushiki Kaisha (import and distribution of foreign films) is established
1963	Dotonbori Bunrakuza Theatre retreats from management of ningyo-jōruri (traditional puppet plays) Asakusa Shochikuza Theatre is closed Kabushiki Kaisha Osaka Shochiku Kagekidan is renamed Nihon Kagekidan (NKD) Bowling is opened on the 6th floor of Shochiku Kaikan
1965	Chairman Otani Takejiro and President Kido Shiro are awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) by France
1967	Chairman Otani Takejiro is awarded an Order of the Sacred Treasure, First Class, by Japan
1970	Nihon Kagekidan is renamed OSK Nihon Kagekidan Kabushiki Kaisha Chuo Ongaku Shuppan (later Shochiku Music Publishing Co., Ltd.) is established
1973	Shochiku Eihai Kabushiki Kaisha is dissolved and Fuji Eiga Kabushiki Kaisha (import and distribution of foreign films) is established

1950	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō (succession announcement performance) of Nakamura Kanzaburo XVII
1951	＜Kabuki＞ Shinshun Hatsukaijo Okabuki (Okabuki as the first theatre opening of the new year) at the Kabukiza Theatre by Nakamura Kichiemon I and Company Shūmei-hirō of Kataoka Nizaemon XIII Shūmei-hirō of Nakamura Utaemon VI Shūmei-hirō of Nakamura Utaemon VI ＜Motion picture＞ Karumen Kokyo ni Kaeru (Carmen Comes Home, directed by Kinoshita Keisuke) is released: Japan’s first color work Karumen Kokyo ni Kaeru (Carmen Comes Home, 1951)©️松竹
1952	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Ichikawa Sadanji III
1953	＜Motion picture＞ Kimi no Na wa (Always in My Heart, directed by Oba Hideo) is released and becomes a major hit Kimi no Na wa (Always in My Heart, 1953)©️松竹 Tokyo Monogatari (Tokyo Story, directed by Ozu Yasujiro) is released Tokyo Monogatari (Tokyo Story, 1953)©️松竹＜Kabuki＞ Kabuki attended by the emperor: the first at the Kabukiza Theatre
1954	＜Motion picture＞ Nijushi no Hitomi (Twenty-Four Eyes, directed by Kinoshita Keisuke) is released and becomes a major hit Nijushi no Hitomi (Twenty-Four Eyes, 1954)©️松竹
1955	＜Motion picture＞ Nijushi no Hitomi is awarded Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language at the Golden Globes (USA) ＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Ichimura Uzaemon XVII
1956	＜Motion picture＞ Kodomo no Me (Eyes of Children, directed by Kawazu Yoshiro) is awarded Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language at the Golden Globes (USA) ＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Kataoka Hidetaro II
1957	＜Motion picture＞ Taiyo to Bara (Rose on His Arm, directed by Kinoshita Keisuke) is awarded Best Foreign Film – Foreign Language at the Golden Globes (USA)
1958	＜Motion picture＞ Tokyo Monogatari (Tokyo Story) is awarded the first Sutherland Trophy at the London Film Festival held by the British Film Institute (BFI)
1959	＜Motion picture＞ Ningen no Joken (Human Condition, directed by Kobayashi Masaki) is released (a total of 6 sections are released in 3 parts from 1959 to 1961) Ningen no Joken (Human Condition, 1959)©️松竹
1960	＜Kabuki＞ First Kabuki performance in the USA as a part of celebration of the Centennial of the signing of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Friendship and Amity First Kabuki performance in the USA ＜Motion picture＞ Ningen no Joken is awarded the San Giorgio Prize at the Venice International Film Festival Seishun Zankoku Monogatari (Cruel Story of Youth, directed by Oshima Nagisa) is released and Shochiku nouvelle vague (Shochiku New Wave) gains attention
1962	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Ichikawa Danjuro XI Shūmei-hirō of Bando Mitsugoro VIII, Bando Minosuke VII, and Bando Yasosuke V Shūmei-hirō of Ichikawa Danjuro XI
1963	＜Motion picture＞ Koto (Twin Sisters of Kyoto, directed by Nakamura Noboru) is awarded a Golden Harvest Award (Best Film) at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival Seppuku (Harakiri, directed by Kobayashi Masaki) is awarded the Prix spécial du Jury (Special Jury Prize) at the Cannes Film Festival Seppuku (Harakiri, 1962)©️松竹
1964	＜Motion picture＞ Koge (The Scent of Incense, directed by Kinoshita Keisuke) is released as a single-feature film ＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Sawamura Tanosuke VI Shūmei-hirō of Bando Tamasaburo V Shūmei-hirō of Nakamura Jakuemon IV
1965	＜Kabuki＞ First performances in Europe (West Berlin, Paris, and Lisbon)
1966	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Nakamura Kichiemon II
1967	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Nakamura Shikan VII and Nakamura Tozo VI
1969	＜Motion picture＞ The first in the Otoko wa Tsurai yo (Tora-san) series (directed by Yamada Yoji) is released (a total of 50 have been released in the series as of 2019) Otoko wa Tsurai yo (Tora-san, 1969)©️松竹
1971	＜Theatre＞ Shochiku Shinkigeki performs by audience request for the first time Shochiku Shinkigeki
1972	＜Television drama＞ The first of the Hissatsu drama series by the television department airs ＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Nakamura Tomijuro V
1973	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Onoe Kikugoro VII Shūmei-hirō of Onoe Kikugoro VII
1974	＜Motion picture＞ Suna no Utsuwa (The Castle of Sand, directed by Nomura Yoshitaro) is released and becomes a major hit Suna no Utsuwa (The Castle of Sand, 1974)©️松竹・橋本プロ

Business and management
Works

1975	Shochiku Shimogamo Studio is closed Togeki (movie theatre) is renovated and reopened Earphone-Guide is adopted at the Kabukiza Theatre
1976	Chairman Kido Shiro is awarded an Order of the Sacred Treasure, First Class, by Japan
1979	Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre is closed
1980	Umeda Shochiku Kaikan is opened (with 4 theatre screens)
1981	Shochiku Shopping Center is opened (on the grounds of Ofuna Studio) The first drive-in theatre is opened in Funabashi, Chiba
1982	Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre is remodeled and reopened Asakusa Kokusai Theatre is closed
1983	Fuji Eiga Kabushiki Kaisha is renamed Shochiku-Fuji Co., Ltd. and handles production and distribution of domestic films in addition to import and distribution of foreign films Hasegawa Odogu Kabushiki Kaisha is renamed Kabukiza Butai Co., Ltd.
1984	Yurakucho Center Building (Mullion) Phase 1 building is completed, including Marunouchi Piccadilly theatres 1 and 2
1985	Kabushiki Kaisha Shochiku Performance is established Sunshine Theatre Co., Ltd. is opened Three show times a day at the Kabukiza Theatre, a first for a large theatre
1986	Kadoza Building (Dotonbori, Osaka) is built
1987	100 years of shinpa (new school) Shochiku Shinkigeki marks 20 years and 4 months of continuous performances Yurakucho Center Building (Mullion) Phase 2 building is completed, including Marunouchi Shochiku (now Dolby Cinema)
1988	Kabukiza Theatre celebrates 100 years Kabukiza Theatre celebrates 100 years Shochiku Home Video (SHV) is established
1990	Ticket Phone Shochiku is established
1991	Shinsei Shochiku Shinkigeki holds its inaugural performance at the Nakaza Theatre in Osaka Kamakura Cable Television (KCTV) is established Kyoto Minamiza Theatre is remodeled and reopened
1992	Shinsei SKD is established Hakata ST Building (Hakata Excel Hotel Tokyu) is built Eisei Eiga Engeki Hoso Co., Ltd. is established and Eisei Gekijo starts broadcasting
1994	Osaka Shochikuza Theatre is closed as a movie theatre playing first runs of foreign films
1995 Shochiku celebrates 100 years	Kamakura Cinema World is opened (on the grounds of Ofuna Studio) Events and productions commemorating 100 years of Shochiku
1996	Shochiku Multiplex Theatres, Ltd. (SMT) is established Shochiku Kagekidan (SKD) is dissolved Hakataza Theatre Co., Ltd. is established Dento Bunka Hoso Co., Ltd. is established
1997	Osaka Shochikuza Theatre is newly built and opened Movix Rokko is opened: the first cinema complex of Shochiku Multiplex Theatres, Ltd. (SMT) First ticket reservation by phone for the Kabukiza Theatre
1998	Kamakura Cinema World is closed Head office is moved to Togeki Building in Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (current location)
1999	Chairman Nagayama Takeomi is bestowed the Légion d’honneur (Legion of Honour) of the class Chevalier (Knight) by France Stores in the restaurant business are started Shochiku-Fuji Co., Ltd. is dissolved Nakaza Theatre in Osaka is closed All cooperating theatres in the nationwide Shochiku movie theatre network had been required by Shochiku to show only Shochiku-distributed domestic films at all times; this requirement is abolished in favor of open booking The restaurant business (tsukiji kitchen)

1977	＜Motion picture＞ Yatsuhaka-mura (Village of Eight Gravestones, directed by Nomura Yoshitaro) is released and becomes a major hit along with Yokomizo Seishi, the author of the novel it was adapted from Yatsuhaka-mura (Village of Eight Gravestones, 1977)©️松竹
1978	＜Motion picture＞ The Japan Academy Film Prize is established, and Shiawase no Kiiroi Hankachi (The Yellow Handkerchief) is awarded the first Best Film and other awards Shiawase no Kiiroi Hankachi (The Yellow Handkerchief, 1977)©️松竹
1980	＜Kabuki＞ Asakusa Kabuki is revived after 22 years
1981	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō (succession announcement performance) of Matsumoto Hakuo I, Matsumoto Koshiro IX, and Ichikawa Somegoro VII Ichikawa Somegoro VII, Matsumoto Koshiro IX, and Matsumoto Hakuo I
1982	＜Motion picture＞ E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, a film distributed by UIP, is released in December in Shochiku and Tokyu theatres and becomes an unprecedented hit with a distribution revenue of 9.6 billion yen within Japan
1983	＜Motion picture＞ The Tora-san series is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running movie series starring a single actor as of its 30th Otoko wa Tsurai yo: Hana mo Arashi mo Torajiro (Tora-san, the Expert)
1985	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Ichikawa Danjuro XII The first Shikoku Konpira Kabuki Oshibai is held at the Kyu Konpira Oshibai grand theatre (Kanamaruza) in Kagawa Shūmei-hirō of Ichikawa Danjuro XII ＜Motion picture＞ Amadeus, a film distributed by Shochiku Fuji, is awarded the Oscar in 8 categories at the Academy Awards (USA)
1986	＜Kabuki＞ Yamato Takeru, the first Super Kabuki, is performed for a long run of 2 months Yamato Takeru, the first Super Kabuki ＜Motion picture＞ Yari no Gonza (Gonza, the Spearman, directed by Shinoda Masahiro) is awarded a Silberner Bär (Silver Bear) at the Berlin International Film Festival
1987	＜Theatre＞ Special program commemorating 100 years of shinpa Special program commemorating 100 years of shinpa ＜Motion picture＞ Shinran: Shiroi Michi (Shinran: Path to Purity, directed by Mikuni Rentaro) is awarded the Prix du Jury (Jury Prize) at the Cannes Film Festival
1988	＜Kabuki＞ Production commemorating 100 years of the Kabukiza Theatre ＜Motion picture＞ The Last Emperor, a film distributed by Shochiku Fuji, is awarded the first Oscar for Original Score for a Japanese person and in 9 other categories at the Academy Awards (USA) The first in the Tsuribaka Nisshi (Free and Easy) series is released (a total of 22 have been released in the series as of 2009) Tsuribaka Nisshi (Free and Easy, 1988)©️松竹
1989	＜Television drama＞ The first of the Onihei hankacho series by the television department airs
1990	＜Motion picture＞ Shi no Toge (The Sting of Death, directed by Oguri Kohei) is awarded the Grand Prix du Jury (Grand Prize of the Jury) at the Cannes Film Festival
1992	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Nakamura Baigyoku IV and Nakamura Fukusuke IX
1993	＜Motion picture＞ The first in the Gakko (A Class to Remember) series (directed by Yamada Yoji) is released (a total of 4 have been released in the series as of 2000)
1994	＜Kabuki＞ Tokaido yotsuya kaidan (Yotsuya Ghost Story), the first Shibuya Cocoon Kabuki at the Theatre Cocoon
1997	＜Motion picture＞ Unagi (The Eel, directed by Imamura Shohei) is awarded the Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) at the Cannes Film Festival
1998	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Kataoka Nizaemon XV

Business and management
Works

2000	Ofuna Studio is closed and Kabushiki Kaisha Ofuna Studio is dissolved
2001	Movix Kyoto is opened
2002	Shochiku Jigyo Kabushiki Kaisha is renamed Shochiku Service Network Co., Ltd. Ginza Shochiku Square is built
2003	OSK Nihon Kagekidan is dissolved
2004	Revived as New OSK Nihon Kagekidan Show Biz Studio Co., Ltd. joins the Shochiku Group Ticket Web Shochiku is established
2005	Asahi Kaisetsu Jigyo Co., Ltd. renamed Earphone Guide Co., Ltd. Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre is remodeled and reopened Kabuki is registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO Shochiku is awarded the Berlinale Kamera (Berlinale Camera) at the 55th Berlin International Film Festival: the first for a company or organization
2006	Shinjuku Piccadilly is closed for reconstruction Chairman Nagayama Takeomi is posthumously bestowed a Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun Shochiku Entertainment Co., Ltd. is established
2007	Nagoya Midland Square Cinema (a joint venture) is opened Namba Parks Cinema (a joint venture) is opened
2008	Kabukiza Theatre celebrates 120 years 120 years of shinpa (new school) Shinjuku Piccadilly is opened Shinjuku Piccadilly Shochiku Kyoto Studio Co., Ltd. is established Kabuki Channel Co., Ltd. is established
2009	OSK Nippon Revue Company is established Shinsei Shochiku Shinkigeki is renamed Shochiku Shinkigeki Kabushiki Kaisha Dento Bunka Hoso is dissolved, and Kabuki Channel Co., Ltd. takes over management
2010	The fourth Kabukiza Theatre is closed for reconstruction
2011	Osaka Station City Cinema (a joint venture) is opened Kabuki Channel Co., Ltd. is dissolved Shochiku Kabuki-ya Honpo is opened: a store dedicated to Kabuki goods Kabushiki Kaisha Shochiku Kyoto Studio is renamed Shochiku Studio Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Studio is established Shochiku Digital Center Inc. is renamed Shochiku MediaWorX Inc.
2013	The fifth Kabukiza Theatre is reopened The fifth Kabukiza Theatre Kabukiza Gallery is opened Kabukiza Gallery GINZA KABUKIZA is built Eisei Gekijo Co., Ltd. is renamed Shochiku Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
2014	Shochiku MediaWorX consolidates the post production base in Daiba
2015	SHOCHIKU NAVI Inc. is established Kabushiki Kaisha Show Biz Studio is renamed Shochiku Show Biz Studio Co., Ltd.
2016	Minamiza Theatre closes for seismic retrofit
2018	Miecle Inc. is established Grand reopening of Minamiza Theatre
2019	The Tora-san series 50th anniversary

2000	＜Kabuki＞ First production at the Heisei Nakamuraza Theatre
2001	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō (succession announcement performance) of Bando Mitsugoro X ＜Motion picture＞ Dancer in the Dark, a film distributed by Shochiku, is awarded the Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) at the Cannes Film Festival Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, a film distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, is released in Shochiku and Tokyu theatres and becomes an unprecedented hit with a box-office revenue of 20.3 billion yen within Japan
2002	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Nakamura Kaishun II Shūmei-hirō of Onoe Shoroku IV ＜Motion picture＞ The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is released (a record of 27,290 million yen in box-office revenue for the trilogy including The Two Towers of 2003 and The Return of the King of 2004)
2003	＜Kabuki＞ Production commemorating 400 years of Kabuki ＜Motion picture＞ The Project Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Yasujiro Ozu
2005	＜Other＞ Nodaban Nezumikozo is released: the first Cinema Kabuki ＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Nakamura Kanzaburo XVIII Shūmei-hirō of Sakata Tojuro IV
2006	＜Kabuki＞ The first Shuzan Sai (festival) commemorating 120 years since the birth of Nakamura Kichiemon I (Kabukiza Theatre) ＜Other＞ The Magic Flute is screened: the first MET Live Viewing
2008	＜Motion picture＞ Okuribito (Departures, directed by Takita Yojiro) is awarded the Grand prix des Amériques (Grand Prize of the Americas) at the Montreal World Film Festival and becomes a major hit after release
2009	＜Kabuki＞ ‘Good-bye Kabukiza Theatre’ program ＜Motion picture＞ Okuribito is awarded Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards (USA)
2012	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Ichikawa En’o II, Ichikawa Ennosuke IV, and Ichikawa Chusha IX ＜Motion picture＞ Project commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Keisuke Kinoshita Tokyo Monogatari (Tokyo Story) is voted into first place by film directors as the Greatest Film of All Time announced by Sight & Sound, a magazine published by the British Film Institute (BFI)
2013	＜Motion picture＞ Project commemorating the 110th anniversary of the birth of Yasujiro Ozu
2014	＜Motion picture＞ Kuroki Haru is awarded the Silberne Bär für die beste Darstellerin (Silver Bear for Best Actress) at the Berlin International Film Festival for Chiisai ouchi (The Little House, directed by Yamada Yoji)
2015	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Nakamura Ganjiro IV
2016	＜Motion picture＞ Project commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Masaki Kobayashi ＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Nakamura Jakuemon V Shūmei-hirō of Nakamura Shikan VIII
2018	＜Kabuki＞ Shūmei-hirō of Matsumoto Hakuo II, Matsumoto Koshiro X, and Ichikawa Somegoro VIII Minamiza Theatre celebrates 400 years: Minamiza Theatre grand reopening production

COMPANY