This drama, which is commonly called "Unagidani" or "Otsuma Hachirobei", is based on a real incident, which occured in Ôsaka in July 1702 in the district of Unagidani. It was almost immediately adapted to Kabuki and staged in Ôsaka three major theaters. The thema was revived in July 1731 with the drama "Fumizuki Urami no Kiriko", which was produced by Iwai Hanshirô III at the Naka no Shibai. Another event, the murder of a courtesan named Wakano in Ôsaka in 1764, led to a new production using the same title "Fumizuki Urami no Kiriko", which was staged in August 1764 at the Naka no Shibai, starring Nakamura Kumetarô I, Mimasu Daigorô I and Arashi Shichigorô II in the roles of Otsuma, Hachirobei and Yahei. The puppet theater got its own version, written by Yatami Heishichi, which was titled "Tsuma Gasane Naniwa no Hachimonji" and staged for the first time in February 1769 at the Takemotoza. Another version of the story of Otsuma and Hachirobei for the puppets, titled "Sakuratsuba Urami no Samezaya", was staged in November 1774 at the Toyotakeza. The most popular scene of this drama, commonly called "Unagidani", was later on adapted to Kabuki. It was successfully revived by Kataoka Gatô III in May 1894 at the Minamiza. The star decided to add it to his collection of favourite roles (kataoka jûnishû).

A used goods dealer named Hachirobei desperately needs money to help his lord's daughter. He also has to find his master's sacred heirloom, a sword, which was entrusted to him but was stolen. Finally his wife Otsuma raises the money (50 ryô) by giving in to the seductions of a wealthy man named Yahei. In order to do this, she pretends to have lost her love for Hachirobei. Unfortunately, he thinks that he has been betrayed by his wife and in a rage, kills Otsuma and her mother. Just at this point, his daughter comes with Otsuma's dying message. Knowing that her husband is illiterate, the only way that she could get her message across is by teaching it to their child Ohan. Finally, through the child's message, Hachirobei learns Otsuma's true feelings. He finds the money and a letter, which gives him the proof that the sword has been stolen by Yahei.

The actors Onoe Kikujirô II and Nakamura Utaemon IV playing the roles of Otsuma and Hachirobei in the drama "Adanaen Ukina no Koiguchi", which was staged in May 1848 at the Nakamuraza (print made by Utagawa Kuniyoshi)