The play "Shinjû Ten no Amijima" was originally written for the puppet theater (Bunraku) and staged for the first time in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza in December 1720. It was based on a real event that happened in Ôsaka the 14th October 1720: the double suicide in Amijima in the precinct of the Daichôji Temple of Kamiya Jihei (a paper merchant from the Temma district) and the courtesan Kinokuniya Koharu (from the Kita-Shinchi pleasure quarter). "Shinjû Ten no Amijima" was adapted to Kabuki the following year and staged for the first time in Summer 1721 in Edo at the Moritaza. The roles of Kamiya Jihei and Koharu were played by Ichikawa Ebizô II and Sodesaki Miwano I.

"Shinjû Ten no Amijima" is made up of three acts.

Act I: The Kawashô Teahouse (Kawashô)

Koharu is worried for her lover Jihei, who has a wife, Osan, and two small children. She receives a letter from Osan urging her to break with Jihei. Another courtesan encourages Koharu to cheer herself by finding another lover, the wealthy Tahei. Koharu’s denigration of Tahei is overheard by the would-be lover, who threatens Koharu and insults the absent Jihei. Tahei also abuses Koharu’s customer, Magoemon, who is Jihei’s brother in disguise. Magoemon expels Tahei and then tries to discover whether Koharu is contemplating a love suicide. Jihei, jealous that Koharu has another customer, listens outside and is shocked to hear Koharu renounce the idea. Jihei slashes at her through the window and, in comic-pathetic fashion, has his hand bound to the window by Magoemon who departs with Koharu. A short time later, Magoemon rescues Jihei from a thrashing by Tahei. Magoemon warns Jihei to break off the love affair and Jihei pretends to do so by returning all of Koharu’s letters. However, an exchange of looks by the lovers reveals their resolution to die.

Act II: The House of Kamiya Jihei (Shigure no Kotatsu)

Osan plays with her children while Jihei feigns sleep by the brazier. Magoemon arrives and informs Osan of a rumor that Jihei will ransom Koharu. Jihei denies the rumor and Magoemon leaves. Jihei sobs underneath his blanket and lies again to Osan. Osan is not fooled, confesses her letter to Koharu, and tells Jihei that she has scraped together one hundred and fifty gold coins, by selling her best kimono and the children’s winter clothes, to ransom Koharu. Gozaemon, Osan’s father, arrives and thwarts the ransom. He takes Osan and the money with him, leaving the two children to Jihei. Osan’s suffering is the climax of the play.

Act III: the michiyuki

Koharu and Jihei evade Magoemon and set out on their michiyuki to Amijima. The lovers make a symbolic descent into hell, and ascend to death at daybreak. Thus, paradise is represented as a new dawn. Koharu’s final action is an expression of sorrow for the hardship that she has caused Osan. Jihei stabs Koharu and hangs himself with her sash.

Paul Kennelly (original )

"Shinjû Ten no Amijima"