Characters
Kudosaemon Suketsune (Kudo)
Appointed head of the nation’s lords and chief controller of the hunt that will take place at the foot of Mt Fuji. Eighteen years before, he killed the father of the Soga brothers in a territorial battle. This would normally be a katakiyaku (villain role), but is traditionally performed by the head of the troupe and is thus a righteous character.
Soga Juro Sukenari
The older brother, also named Ichiman. It is a wagoto (gentleman) role, played with a genteel and reserved manner. Despite his youth, he is not intimidated in Kudo’s presence and bravely announces that they are the bereaved family of the murder victim.
Soga Goro Tokimune
The younger brother, also named Hako-o. His fiery temperament marks him as a typical aragoto (bombastic hero) role. In contrast to his older brother, he cannot hold his anger when he sees his father’s enemy and smashes the sake cup stand offered to them.
Kobayashi Asahina (in some productions, Asahisaburo)
A member of a powerful family in the Kanto region. He arranges for the Soga brothers to meet Kudo, but in principle is neutral, supporting neither side. He is muscular and large, yet plays a comical role with a unique line delivery.
Kobayashi Maizuru
Younger sister of Asahina. She appears in the encounter instead of Asahina in some productions. She is a typical female warrior role with a combination of unrivalled physical strength and femininity.
Oiso no Tora
Courtesan from Oiso pleasure quarters. She is in love with Juro and, together with Asahina and the courtesan Kewaizaka, encourages Kudo to meet the brothers. She is played by the top female-role specialist in the troupe.
Kewaizaka no Shosho
A courtesan in love with Goro. A letter that Goro takes out in his dance “Goro in the Rain” is a love letter to her. The role is played by a particularly popular female-role specialist. Another courtesan is also featured in some productions.
Omi Kotota Nariie
An adviser to Kudo. Plots to take over the household. In the ‘Soga Stone Steps” scene, he fights bitterly with the brothers when his plot is revealed. This is a katakiyaku (enemy) role.
Yawata Saburo Yukiuji
An adviser to Kudo. Loyal to Kudo, fights seriously with Omi in preceding scene. Basically a tachiyaku (male-specialist) role. Some productions feature another servant as well.
Kajiwara Heizo Kagetoki
One of the trusted lords of Shogun Yoritomo, the nation’s supreme leader. He appears in a similar costume to his son, so is commonly called Father Kajiwara. A typical ojigataki (middle-aged villain) role, appearing as the ringleader of the bad guys.
Kajiwara Heiji Kagetaka
Second son of Kagetoki, accompanies father to celebration. He is called Son Kajiwara. He is a hagataki (clever villain) role.
Onio Shinzaemon
Soga family servant. He has a brief appearance in the play, but in the preceding scene, he is depicted as suffering financially to assist his masters, the Soga brothers. He locates the treasured sword and sells his sister in order to buy it, demonstrating his loyalty to his masters. This is a typical jitsugoto (righteous character) role.
Kawazu Saburo Sukeyasu
Late father of Soga brothers, eldest son of leader of major clain in Izu. He won a sumo match with Matano Goro in a so-called Kawazugake move, which remains the name of a winning throw in sumo. This led to his assassination by Kudo’s underling.
Manko Gozen
Mother of Soga brothers. She does not appear in this scene. After Saburo’s death, she remarries with Soga Sukenobu at the urging of her late husband’s father.
