The drama "Keisei Sanbon Karakasa" was premiered in the 7th lunar month of 1794 ^[2] at the Miyakoza [casting]. The main elements of the plot of the ichibanme ^[3] of this fuwa-nagoyamono drama were quite classic:

The killing of Nagoya Sanzaemon by Fuwa Banzaemon and the stealing by the killer of a precious sword belonging to the Nagoya clan.

Sanzaemon's son Nagoya Sanza trying to identify the murderer of his father.

The competition in the licensed quarter (Yoshiwara) between Nagoya Sanza and Fuwa Banzaemon for the keisei Katsuragi.

Katsuragi choosing Nagoya Sanza instead of Fuwa Banzaemon as lover and a classic kamisuki scene.

The confrontation between the two enemies in the heart of the licensed quarter (the classic sayaate scene in Nakanochô) and the recognition of the stolen sword.

The revenge of Nagoya Sanza and payback time for the murderer Fuwa Banzaemon.

This drama, which has never been revived since its premiere, became famous because of a series of 16 yakushae made by Tôshûsai Sharaku [more details].

[1] "The Courtesan and the Three-Umbella Blazon", not "The Courtesan and the Three Umbellas" because sanbon karakasa, which literally means the three umbrellas, is in fact the mon of Nagoya Sanza (sanbon karakasa).

[2] The opening day was the 25th day of the 7th lunar month of the 6th year of the Kansei era, which was the 20th of August 1794 in the western calendar.

[3] The ichibanme, the jidaimono, centered aroung Nagoya Sanza, Katsuragi and Fuwa Banzaemon. The nibanme, the sewamono, was staged in the 8th lunar month of 1794 in the same theater.

The actors Ichikawa Yaozô III (left), Segawa Kikunojô III (center) and Sawamura Sôjûrô III (right) playing the roles of Fuwa Banzaemon, the keisei Katsuragi and Nagoya Sanza in a tsuji banzuke for the staging of the drama "Keisei Sanbon Karakasa" in the 7th lunar month of 1794 at the Miyakoza

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