Mimasuya Hyôgo's drama "Sankai Nagoya" was premiered in the 1st lunar month of 1697 at the Nakamuraza [more details]. It included, in the 1st scene of the 2nd act, the first bombastic "Shibaraku" scene in Kabuki history. It was revived in January 1984 at the National Theatre [more details].

The original 1697 drama was in 4 acts (9 scenes). The 1984 revival was in 4 acts (5 scenes).

Act I, scene 1: The Palace of Ashikaga Haruô

Since the retirement of the Ashikaga Shôgun Yoshimasa, his brother, Ôgimachi Dazainojô, has been serving as regent for Yoshimasa's son, Haruô. This year, however, Haruô is to succeed to the shogunate. Dazainojô and his retainers are gathered at the palace to celebrate the event. One of the retainers, Nikki Nyûdô ^[1], announces that he has brought a blind storyteller to entertain the new Shôgun. Instead of reciting a story, however, the storyteller foretells that within three years the palace will become a deserted ruin. When asked why, he declares that the well near the treasure house is the home of the dragon god and that anyone who approaches the well will fall under its evil influence. To prevent this, he adds, the well must be drained and the Great Wisdom Sutra recited. Dazainojô expresses his gratitude to the blind man for alerting them to this danger. All retire to the inner room.

Act I, scene 2: Outside the Treasure House

Haruô's retainers Nagoya Sanzaburô and Nagoya Mikinojô are on guard duty outside the treasure house. A messenger arrives, saying that Tsukiteru-hime ^[2], Haruô's sister, would like to meet Mikinojô. Tsukiteru-hime then appears and declares she will kill herself if Mikinojô will not marry her. They are interrupted, first by a diviner who comes to erect a sign near the treasure house, and then by Dazainojô's retainers Yamana Saemon and Nikki Nyûdô, who come to take over the guard. Tsukiteru-hime hides in the treasure house, but unfortunately Yamana locks the door. Sanzaburô and Mikinojô leave, but only so that they can think up some plan to get Tsukiteru-hime out of the treasure house. Sanzaburô pretends to be an intruder to draw Yamana and Nikki's attention, while Mikinojô puts a ladder up to the window of the treasure house in an attempt to rescue Tsukiteru-hime. He is caught by Yamana and Nikki, however, who accuse him of being a thief. Sanzaburô then appears and suggests they check the contents of the treasure house to see if anything has in fact been stolen. Yamana unlocks the door and Nikki prepares to enter, but he is stopped by Sanzaburô, who argues that, since the treasure house contains a number of sacred objects, there must be a purification ceremony before anyone can enter. He suggests they call the diviner to perform the ceremony. The diviner comes and during the purification Tsukiteru-hime is smuggled out of the treasure house behind a hanging screen. Nikki then inspects the treasure house and announces that the priceless sword called Kumoharai is missing. Firmly convinced now that Mikinojô is a thief, Nikki hurries off to report the matter.

Feeling responsible for putting Mikinojô in this predicament, Tsukiteru-hime attempts to commit suicide by throwing herself in the well, but she is stopped by Sanzaburô. They then notice a suspicious character running away. They catch him and make him talk. The man confesses that he was ordered by Nikki to drain the well and dig a tunnel to the treasure house and steal the sword. Whoever possesses the sword, he claims, will rule the land. The man adds that the blind storyteller who made the ominous prophecy was a fake acting on the orders of Dazainojô. With this news, Sanzaburô, Mikinojô, Yamana and Tsukiteru-hime leave for the palace, taking the man with them.

Act I, scene 3: The Palace

At the palace, Nikki is reporting the theft of the sword to Haruô and Dazainojô when he is confronted by Sanzaburô, Mikinojô and Yamana, who make the man they have brought along repeat his story. As punishment for his treachery, Nikki is stripped of his swords and exiled. Haruô also suspends Mikinojô from service for failing in his duty to guard the sword. Sanzaburô is suspended too, his crime said to be "forgetting the way of the bushi and going day and night to the licensed quarters". Upon Sanzaburô's plea, however, Mikinojô and Tsukiteru-hime are allowed to marry.

Act II, scene 1: Kitano Shrine

Fujigae, the wife of Haruô's retainer Fuwa Banzaemon, is making a New Year's visit to Kitano Shrine with her sister and several attendants. They notice a young woman who tosses a letter box into the shrine and then attempts to hang herself with the rope used for ringing the shrine bells. The ladies stop her in time. At this point the shrine priest, Umezu Kamon, appears and learning of the incident, questions the young woman. She tells them that her brother, a pharmacist, has sold poison to a certain man, and she is terrified of what might happen. The woman's brother arrives to question his sister about the fifty ryô he received from the man to whom he sold the poison (the money was in the box the sister threw into the shrine). When questioned by Kamon about the transaction, the brother produces a doll in the image of the man who purchased the poison. Fujigae is shocked to see it resembles her own husband, Fuwa Banzaemon. She declares she will go immediately to question him about this, but Kamon explains that Banzaemon is expected at the shrine today to attend Haruô, and they decide to wait until then.

Dazainojô arrives at the shrine with his retainers. As an offering he has brought a picture of the famous sword "Thunder, "but finds that Haruô's offering, a calligraphy which reads "Daifukuchô" ('Ledger of Great Good Fortune') is already on display. He is about to tear it down when a voice calls out "Shibaraku" ('Just a moment'). Haruô's retainer Fuwa Banzaemon enters. Dazainojô demands to know why Banzaemon is trying to stop him from replacing the offering. Banzaemon explains the significance of the characters Dai, Fuku and Chô, and insists that it is a much better offering than Dazainojô's. He also points out that Haruô is now Dazainojô's superior, and thus Dazainojô has no business removing the offering. Following this, Banzaemon pretends to perform the Nô play "Kumasaka", in the middle of which he attempts to slay Dazainojô, but he is stopped by the others.

Haruô and Kamon arrive and Banzaemon prepares to offer his master a drink of sake. Kamon stops him, declaring the sake is poison. At this point Banzaemon's wife runs up and tries to stab her husband. Banzaemon is shocked and demands to know why she wants to kill him. Fujigae replies that Banzaemon intends to poison his master and produces the doll as proof that he has purchased poison. Banzaemon points out that although the doll is wearing his crest its hair style is different from his own. Dazainojô demands that Banzaemon drink the sake to prove his innocence. Banzaemon does and promptly dies. Dazainojô then reveals that the whole thing was his plot and asks Kamon to come over to his side. Kamon instead uses a magical incantation to revive Banzaemon. Banzaemon and Haruô's men drive away Dazainojô and his retainers and then they all leave for the palace.

Act II, scene 2: Kamon's Residence

Kamon receives a visit from his young homosexual partner, Sakuramaru. Kamon explains that he is busy writing a new version of the famous essay "Tsurezuregusa", this one devoted to the topic of sex (kôshoku). The two are then interrupted by the prostitute Katsuragi. She complains that her lover, Nagoya Sanzaburô, has stopped coming to see her, and she has come to ask for Kamon's help. Kamon promises to bring Nagoya to see her soon. Just then Nikki Nyûdô and Akamatsu Nyûdô ^[3], the fake storyteller, rush in pursued by Yamana. Yamana captures them and recovers the stolen sword, Kumoharai. He then locks the two villains in a chest and heads for the palace.

Act III, scene 1: The Shimabara Licensed Quarter, Kyôto

Banzaemon's younger brother, Bansaku, enters the licensed quarter. Nagoya Sanzaburô, now reduced to selling geta (wooden clogs) is also in the quarter, hoping to meet Katsuragi. When the strap of Katsuragi's geta breaks, Sanzaburô rushes to assist her, and thus the lovers are able to meet. Bansaku recognizes Sanzaburô, however, and tells him that he has been sent by his brother to bring him to Banzaemon's residence. They leave.

Act III, scene 2: The same Licensed Quarter

Later Banzaemon comes to the licensed quarter accompanied by his attendants and his wife, who is dressed in the guise of a young man. At the same time Sanzaburô, who cannot forget Katsuragi, also comes to the quarter. He is accompanied by Mikinojô, whom he tries to convince to play the role of his servant. Sanzaburô accidentally bumps into Banzaemon, who is about to draw his sword when Kamon, who is also visiting the quarter, intervenes. All recognize each other. Banzaemon reprimands both Kamon and Sanzaburô for visiting such an evil place. They ask about Banzaemon's own reason for coming, and he presents his wife (still in the guise of young man) as proof that he has not come for any other reason than to bring back Sanzaburô. Sanzaburô says that he would like to forget about Katsuragi but he cannot. Banzaemon thus suggests he buy out her contract and marry her. First, however, he (Banzaemon) would like to test her heart. He tells the others to wait and goes into the brothel.

Fujigae is waiting in another part of the brothel when Katsuragi enters, complaining about the boorish behaviour of the man she is entertaining (Banzaemon) . Offended by this insult to her husband, Fujigae strikes back with a critical remark about keisei. The two women are exchanging insults when Banzaemon enters and tries to persuade Katsuragi to be more accommodating. She reveals that she cannot, since she has a lover. Banzaemon replies that he knows about her relationship with Sanzaburô and asks why she continues to accept other men as her customers. "It's my duty," Katsuragi replies. She begins to undo and comb Banzaemon's hair. Banzaemon reveals who he is and says that he has come to test her heart. Now that she has proven herself faithful, he would like to adopt her as his daughter. Katsuragi is overjoyed. Banzaemon then sends his wife to bring in Sanzaburô and the others.

While they are waiting Katsuragi begins to do up Banzaemon's hair. Watching her in the mirror, Banzaemon is struck by Katsuragi's beauty. To cover up his feelings he pretends he is suddenly inflicted with a pain. Katsuragi begins to rub his back, but Banzaemon declares the pain is in his stomach. She puts her hand in his kimono to rub his stomach but Banzaemon grabs it. He gives vent to his feelings and begs Katsuragi not to go with Sanzaburô to his residence. Katsuragi suspects that he is testing her again, but Banzaemon declares he is speaking the truth and cuts off a finger as a sign of sincerity. Katsuragi tries to run away, but Banzaemon catches her and extinguishes the light. Again she tries to flee, but Banzaemon grabs hold of her sash and it comes undone. As she is searching for her sash Banzaemon catches her again and, holding his sword to her breast, demands that she satisfy his passion. Finally Katsuragi agrees to do so but just once. Banzaemon, however, declares that once is not enough. Meanwhile Katsuragi manages to get hold of Banzaemon's sword, and now she threatens him and it is his turn to run.

Just at this moment Fujigae returns with Sanzaburô and Kamon. They see Katsuragi wielding the sword and chasing Banzaemon, and believe they are witnessing the result of Banzaemon's "testing" of Katsuragi's heart. Katsuragi, however, explains what has really happened. Sanzaburô asks Banzaemon to show his hands so that he can see if he has really cut off his finger. Seeing that it is true, he becomes disgusted with Banzaemon and beats him with a zôri. Fujigae is outraged by this insult to her husband and blames Katsuragi for the whole turn of events. Declaring that because of this disgrace her husband can no longer call himself a samurai, she takes his sword and uses it to commit seppuku. Mourning his wife's death, Banzaemon asks why Sanzaburô did not kill him instead of striking him with the zôri. Then, at least, he could have preserved his honour before his wife. He goes on to say that he could easily attack and kill Sanzaburô now, but that Sanzaburô does not deserve it. Instead, he proclaims, he will kill himself as an apology to his wife and plant a curse upon Sanzaburô and his descendants for seven generations to come. He then commits seppuku and dies. Just then Bansaku comes rushing in and, declaring Sanzaburô to be his brother's enemy, attempts to attack him. He is stopped by Kamon, who explains that the whole thing was Banzaemon's mistake. All then leave for Kamon's residence to discuss the unhappy turn of events.

Act IV, scene 1: Near Kitano Shrine

Dazainojô, who is now in exile, is wandering near Kitano Shrine with three followers. They stop for the night and the followers prepare a meal for their master. As they are about to bed down in the grass, Sanzaburô and Katsuragi enter. It is revealed that they have resolved to die together. Seeing Dazainojô and mistaking him for an itinerant priest, Sanzaburô asks him to hold a Buddhist service for their souls after their death. Just as they are about to kill themselves, however, Kamon and Mikinojô come running up to announce that Haruô has given the order for Sanzaburô to return to service. They are about to leave when Dazainojô reveals his identity and challenges them. Kamon, Mikinojô, and Sanzaburô easily defeat Dazainojô and his men and then hurry off to the palace.

Act IV, scene 2: The Residence of Nagoya Sanzaburô

Sanzaburô and Katsuragi, who are afflicted with Banzaemon's curse, are confined to bed. Haruô and Yamana visit them to cheer them up. Sanzaburô and Katsuragi call for their medicine, which is brought in by the ghost of Banzaemon, who proceeds to torment Katsuragi. Sanzaburô attempts to drive off the ghost with his sword, but then the ghost of Fujigae appears and attacks him. Kamon intervenes and by means of an incantation finally succeeds in driving off the ghosts. Calm has just been restored when suddenly the clouds open and the spirits of Dazainojô, Nikki and Akamatsu appear riding a seven-headed ox. Dazainojô announces that he is in truth the spirit of Kusunoki Masashige, the fourteenth-century warrior who fought against the Ashikaga, and that his reincarnation as Dazainojô was for the purpose of stealing the sword Kumoharai and thus avenging himself against the Ashikaga. He adds that Sanzaburô is in reality the spirit of Ômori Hikoshichi, the Ashikaga warrior who killed him. At this point the northern sky opens and Banzaemon appears. He in turn announces that he is not really Banzaemon but Shôki Daijin, the protector of the Buddha's law. He had come to live among mortals, he adds, "to preserve the peace and security of the land." He then reveals his true form. Immediately he is attacked by the villains and their seven-headed ox, but they are no match for the powerful Shôki, who drives them off with his sword. The play ends with the comment that the Buddhist law is now unclouded and peace restored to the land.

Summary originally written by William James Lee in Genroku Kabuki : Cultural Production and Ideology in Early Modern Japan and slightly edited by Shôriya Aragorô

[1] The nyûdô Nikki.

[2] Princess Tsukiteru.

[3] The nyûdô Akamatsu.

Ichikawa Danjûrô I (left image/left), Nakamura Denkurô I (left image/right), Murayama Shirôji (right image/left) and Ichikawa Dannojô I (right image/right) playing the roles of Fuwa Banzaemon, Umezu Kamon, Nagoya Sanzaburô and Nagoya Mikinojô, which was staged in the 1st lunar month of 1697 at the Nakamuraza

Prints & Illustrations

Sodeoka Masanosuke II, Ichikawa Danjûrô I and Yamanaka Heikurô I playing the roles of Banzaemon's wife Fujigae, Fuwa Banzaemon and Ôgimachi Dazainojô in the drama "Sankai Nagoya", which was staged in the 1st lunar month of 1697 at the Nakamuraza (made by Torii Kiyonobu I)
Museo Nacional del Prado (all rights reserved)