Cuts to the ANU School of Culture, History and Language will spell the end of senior Japanese lecturer Shun Ikeda's 33-year career at the institution.
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But before the director of the ANU Za Kabuki Club, known to his students as Ikeda-sensei, is farewelled he will lead a Kabuki performance tour to Japan from September 5-17.
Mr Ikeda and 22 students will perform a Yukio Mishima play at a university and city hall venues in three cities in the eastern Tōhoku region: Akita, Kesennuma and Ishinomaki.
The club has been reading and learning the script since March and this term have begun staging the drama.
The group's anticipation for the trip is growing but for Ikeda, the first Japanese national to complete an undergraduate degree at the ANU, the tour is bittersweet.
"We took a trip in 1999 with students to Narra and Kobe so this is the second time I have been able to take students with me to Japan," he said.
"This trip there is one of mixed feelings. It is the culmination of my career but also a sad departure leaving this tradition."
Outside Japan ANU is the only higher-education facility to teach and perform Kabuki and Mr Ikeda said despite the students' enthusiasm there were no able or willing hands to take over the club.
"If this club disappears it will be a shame, a loss to the university and to Japanese studies in Australia in general," he said.
The 67-year-old had hoped to keep teaching advanced and beginner's Japanese language courses along with culture and history subjects until he turned 70.
"It is not my will to retire," he said. "With this recent turmoil there were 15 academics forced to retire. I didn't expect this. Sixty seven is well past the retirement age so I shouldn't complain but I thought I am still healthy and would be able to serve another couple of years."
Mr Ikeda said the Za Kabuki club brought undergraduate, postgraduate and exchange students together to create something together.
"Apart from performing this traditional art the club is very successful, it's a place where many students get together towards one goal," he said. "Yes, I direct Kabuki but the creation is done by the students and I am impressed and so proud of that."
Before their Japanese tour students of the ANU Za Kabuki club will perform in Canberra on September 2and 3.
