1. The Minamiza theater in Kyoto City has displayed name boards of Kabuki actors ahead of their year-end shows, which include Onoe Kikugoro VIII and his son, Onoe Kikunosuke VI, who recently inherited their centuries-old stage names.

2. Workers put up 65 boards on the theater's front as part of an annual tradition on Wednesday. A ritual involving salt purification and prayers for show success was performed before the two actors appeared to their cheering fans.

3. The Kabuki shows will run from December 1st through 25th, with Onoe Kikugoro VIII promising to deliver a memorable performance for audiences across Japan. A fan in her 40s expressed excitement about attending these traditional end-of-year shows, which she believes mark the close of the year.