"Onna Goroshi Abura no Jigoku" was premiered in July 1721 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza. It was not a hit and quickly went into oblivion. It was adapted to Kabuki for the very first time by Takeshiba Manji in October 1907 at the Misakiza, where it was staged by a troupe of female Kabuki. A new script was written by Watanabe Katei for the actor Jitsukawa Enjirô I. It was successfully staged in November 1909 in Ôsaka at the Asahiza [casting], in January 1910 in Kyôto at the Minamiza [casting] and in Tôkyô at the Shintomiza [casting].

"Onna Goroshi Abura no Jigoku" was originally divided into 3 acts (6 scenes). The current Kabuki version is made up of 3 acts (3 scenes):

Kawachiya Yohei is the prodigal son of an oil merchant. He loves to play and fight. His stepfather was formerly a clerk at the oil store, so he cannot be strict with the son of his former master. When Yohei tries to steal money by deceiving his parents and behaves violently toward his stepfather and sister, his mother exiles him. Stranded, Yohei goes to Okichi of Teshimaya, another oil merchant, to borrow money, but she turns him down. Yohei kills Okichi, takes her money and runs away.

Source: www.city.amagasaki.hyogo.jp

Illustration made by Uno Shin'ya