First great love suicide drama

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曽根崎心中

Sonezaki Shinju

First great love suicide drama

A love affair between a courtesan and soy sauce merchant leads to tragedy. Based on true events in Osaka only weeks earlier, this masterpiece by Chikamatsu Monzaemon debuted to huge success as a puppet play and was immediately adapted to Kabuki. It was reconceived in the 20th century with a more modern portrayal of the female lead, winning it newfound popularity.

Synopsis

by Suzuki Tami

Garden of Ikutama Shrine

“If we are no longer able to meet, were our promises only good for this world? No one can stop us or themselves from crossing the river to the other side.”
The courtesan Ohatsu and the clerk Tokubei are deeply in love. But Tokubei tells her that his uncle has arranged a marriage and that his stepmother accepted the dowry on his behalf and returned to their village. When Tokubei rejected the arrangement, his uncle angrily threatened to disown him. He finally managed to retrieve the money from the stepmother and went immediately to return it, but ran into his friend Kuheiji, who convinced Tokubei to lend him the cash briefly.
At this point, Kuheiji enters. He professes to know nothing of the loan. When Tokubei pulls out the contract, Kuheiji claims that the seal was forged and accuses Tokubei of being a swindler. Tokubei is beaten by the merchant and his cronies in front of a large crowd. Humiliated, he resolves to commit suicide.

【Left】［from left］Ohatsu（Sakata Tojuro）、Tokubei（Nakamura Kanjaku）　April 2014　Kabukiza Theatre
【Center】Aburaya Kuheiji（Nakamura Hashinosuke）　January 2006　Kabukiza Theatre
【Right】Tokubei（Nakamura Kanjaku）　April 2014　Kabukiza Theatre

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At the Tenmaya pleasure house

“Tokubei, you have vowed to die, but are you ready?”
Tokubei, badly wounded, arrives at Tenmaya. Ohatsu quickly hides him under the floorboards. Kuheiji turns up drunk and bad mouths Tokubei, telling Ohatsu of the incident. Tokubei is shaken with anger, but Ohatsu holds him back with her foot. She tells Kuheiji that in that case Tokubei must die. At the same time, she waves her foot at Tokubei sitting under the floor, signaling whether he is ready to die. Tokubei moves her foot across his throat like a knife to show his willingness.
Deep in the night, the couple sneak out of Tenmaya. A messenger arrives from Kuheiji’s shop and reveals that Kuheiji tricked Tokubei with the seal, making Tokubei’s innocence clear. But it was too late.

【Left】［from left］Tokubei（Nakamura Kanjaku）、Ohatsu（Sakata Tojuro）　April 2014　Kabukiza Theatre
【Center】［from left］Ohatsu（Sakata Tojuro）、Tokubei（Nakamura Kanjaku）　April 2014　Kabukiza Theatre
【Right】Hiranoya Kyuemon（Kataoka Gato）　April 2009　Kabukiza Theatre

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Woods of Sonezaki

“Goodbye to the world, goodbye to the night. …”
After leaving the town, the couple escape to the Sonezaki woods. As they walk through the darkness, many thoughts come to mind, but when they hear the bell signaling the dawn, they decide to make their move. Ohatsu holds her hands in prayer and closes her eyes, while Tokubei presses a dagger to her chest…

【Left】［from left］Ohatsu（Sakata Tojuro）、Tokubei（Nakamura Kanjaku）　April 2014　Kabukiza Theatre
【Right】［from left］Ohatsu（Sakata Tojuro）、Tokubei（Nakamura Kanjaku）　April 2014　Kabukiza Theatre

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