The comical play "Iwashi Uri Koi no Hikiami" was written by Mishima Yukio and premiered in November 1954 at the Kabukiza [casting].

In this delightful play, Saru Genji, a humble sardine seller falls head over heels with the courtesan Hotarubi he passes one day on the street at Kyôto's Gojô Bridge. With his father Ebina Naamidabutsu's help he disguises himself as a samurai in order to meet the courtesan, who herself is the princess of Tankaku castle in disguise. She had fallen in love with the sound of a passing sardine-seller's voice and run away from her castle to try and find him. Over the course of several comic scenes the besotted couple find each other and true love.

Courtesy of Jean Wilson (2005)

This play was staged several times during the Shôwa era, with the stars Nakamura Kanzaburô XVII and Nakamura Utaemon VI in the roles of Saru Genji and the Princess. During the Heisei era, the leading roles were successfully taken over by Nakamura Kankurô V (Kanzaburô XVIII) and Bandô Tamasaburô V.

Iwashi Uri Koi no Hikiami