The play "Hidakagawa Iriai Zakura" was originally written for the puppet theater (Bunraku) and staged for the first time in the 2nd lunar month of 1759 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza. It was quickly adapted for Kabuki a few months later and staged for the first time in the 11th lunar month of 1759 at the Takeda no Shibai, a hama shibai venue. It was staged for the first time in Edo in the 9th lunar month of 1770, at the Moritaza [casting].

"Hidakagawa Iriai Zakura" was revived in October 1988 at the National Theatre [more details].

The original drama was in five acts. The 1988 revival was in 3 acts.

Act I, scene 1: Arashiyama Sakura-gari
The Cherry-Viewing Party on Mount Arashi

Emperor Suzaku appears on Mt. Arashi near Kyôto, accompanied by Minamoto no Tsunemoto and Fujiwara no Tadabumi ^[2]. Suffering from illness, the emperor has come to the mountain to rest and enjoy the cherry blossoms. Prince Sakuragi, his younger brother, is notably absent. Tadabumi, secretly plotting to seize the throne, uses this opportunity to accuse Sakuragi of disrespect. He further claims that Sakuragi is spending time with Princess Odamaki and intends to marry her, overthrow his brother, and install her as empress once he becomes emperor himself.

Hata Jirô, a loyal retainer of Sakuragi, announces the arrival of the oshô Zuikô, chief priest of Dôjôji Temple in Kishû Province. At the same time, Araragi Kenmotsu Ujikuni, one of Tadabumi's retainers, introduces the sôzu Gôjaku, chief priest of the temple on Mt. Hiei.

Tsunemoto then reads an imperial proclamation ordering the installation of a new golden bell at Dôjôji Temple. During the dedication ceremony, prayers are to be offered for the emperor's recovery. Zuikô expresses his gratitude and withdraws. Tadabumi immediately ridicules him and presents the rival priest Gôjaku, who boasts that he can cure the emperor through prayers offered before the bell at Miidera Temple. Araragi and Hata Jirô engage in a heated dispute over the merits of the two priests, with Araragi accusing Hata Jirô and his allies of plotting against the emperor.

Gôjaku intervenes and offers to reveal which side serves good and which serves evil. Through his spiritual powers, he causes the cherry blossoms to fall despite the complete absence of wind. Tadabumi declares this a divine sign that Sakuragi seeks to usurp the throne. Hata Jirô counters that Gôjaku is conspiring with Tadabumi to slander Sakuragi. Before their argument can escalate, Shishigase Jûta, a supporter of Tadabumi, arrives and reports that Sakuragi's absence is due to a secret meeting with Princess Odamaki. Ignoring Hata Jirô's objections, Tadabumi insists this confirms Sakuragi's treasonous ambitions. Convinced by the accusations, the emperor orders Sakuragi's banishment from the capital, while Tadabumi quietly celebrates his success.

Act II, scene 1: Fukakusa Ôkamedani
At the Ôkame Valley in Fukakusa

The scene takes place in Fukakusa at the Ôkame Valley. Princess Odamaki blames herself for Sakuragi's banishment and follows him into exile with her koshimoto Yûshimo. Fearing she may never see him again, she voices her despair. Yûshimo reassures her and advises her to follow Tsunemoto's plan: they should first hide in Uji, outside Kyôto, and then travel to Kumano. There they can seek out the local official Manago-no-Shôji Kiyotsugu ^[1], and Odamaki will surely be reunited with Sakuragi. The two women depart as vendors from nearby teahouses emerge, cheerfully advertising their wares.

By chance, Princess Kiyo, the daughter of Kiyotsugu, arrives with two attendants. Visiting Kyôto for sightseeing, she jokingly complains that she feels like a country girl lost in the big city. At the same moment, Sakuragi appears, lamenting his exile from the capital. He is making his way toward Kumano. The instant Princess Kiyo sees him, she falls deeply and hopelessly in love.

Act II, scene 2: Ôshû Nishikigi-zuka
At the Nishikigi Burial Mound in Ôshû

While traveling north in Ôshû Province, Sakuragi stops near the Nishikigi Burial Mound at the home of Asaji, the former nurse of his retainer Tsunemoto. Asaji's daughter, Omutsu, longs for marriage and has already fallen in love with the handsome stranger, unaware of his true identity.

Takekuma Bannai, a local official, arrives searching for Sakuragi, whom he suspects is hiding there. Omutsu cleverly sends him away. Although Bannai realizes the stranger's true identity, Sakuragi continues to deny it when confronted. Isolated and lonely despite his betrothal to Princess Odamaki, Sakuragi grows closer to Omutsu, whose feelings for him are clearly returned.

Their meeting is interrupted when Tomobê, a villager in love with Omutsu, arrives. His wife Oetsu soon follows, and an argument breaks out. Asaji enters, determined to protect Sakuragi above all else. To everyone's surprise, she announces that Tomobê may marry Omutsu. While delighted, Tomobê worries about Oetsu, but Asaji assures him she will handle everything. Omutsu overhears the arrangement and initially rejects it, only agreeing after Asaji reveals that the scheme is essential to safeguarding Sakuragi.

Bannai soon returns with reinforcements to arrest Sakuragi. Tomobê drives them off, but Bannai comes back once more. Asaji fiercely defends her guest, mortally wounding Bannai, though she herself suffers grave injuries. Sakuragi escapes unharmed, but amid the confusion Tomobê cuts off his hair.

Tomobê then reveals his true identity as Azuma Tokunojô, a retainer loyal to Tsunemoto. His disguise, along with Oetsu's, has been part of an elaborate plan to stay close to Sakuragi and protect him. The cutting of Sakuragi's hair is also deliberate, allowing him to assume the identity of Anchin, a mountain priest making a pilgrimage to the shrines of Kumano.

As she lies dying, Asaji explains to Omutsu that she has always intended for her to marry Tokunojô, since Sakuragi's noble rank makes such a union impossible. Grateful for her sacrifice and loyalty, Sakuragi bids her farewell before continuing his journey with the others to the residence of Kiyotsugu.

Act III, scene 1: Kishû Manago-no-Shôji Yashiki
At the Mansion of Manago-no-Shôji in Kishû

The household maids chatter busily as travelers depart the mansion. Grateful guests praise the hospitality they have received, while the maids eagerly provide the address to future pilgrims. They marvel at Kiyotsugu's unusual passion for offering free food and lodging to those traveling to Kumano Shrines.

Princess Odamaki arrives and confides to Princess Kiyo that she is searching for her betrothed. Princess Kiyo admits that she too is searching for a man she recently fell in love with during her visit to Kyôto.

Shishigase Jûta and Gôjaku then arrive, ask for Kiyotsugu, and proceed inside. Soon afterward, Sakuragi appears disguised as the mountain priest Anchin and requests lodging for the night. Princess Kiyo immediately recognizes him and is nearly overcome with joy. Anchin denies ever meeting her in Kyôto.

Shishigase soon emerges. When Anchin attempts to leave, Shishigase recognizes him and calls him back. Kiyotsugu enters and, despite Shishigase's objections, insists that the young priest is truly Anchin. Claiming to have known him since childhood, Kiyotsugu further declares that Anchin is Princess Kiyo's betrothed. Overjoyed, Princess Kiyo believes her dreams have come true. Kiyotsugu is then called away.

Thrilled to be alone with Anchin, Princess Kiyo eagerly approaches him, only for Princess Odamaki to arrive and recognize her own fiancé. Chaos erupts. Both women demand the truth, but Anchin explains only that enemies are pursuing him and that he must leave immediately. Princess Kiyo begs to accompany him, and he agrees. When she leaves to retrieve her father's sword, Anchin escapes with Princess Odamaki. Returning to find them gone, Princess Kiyo is devastated. Gôjaku informs her that Sakuragi and Princess Odamaki are heading toward the Hidaka River and are likely enjoying one another's company. Feeling betrayed by everyone around her, including her father, Princess Kiyo rushes after them, now calling Anchin her husband.

Act III, scene 2: Michiyuki Omoi no Fubuki
The Travel Dance through the Snowstorm of Love

In a sequence performed as a dance, Anchin (Sakuragi) and Princess Odamaki travel toward Dôjôji Temple, hoping to find refuge from their pursuers, foremost among them Princess Kiyo.

Princess Kiyo follows but finds herself unable to cross the Hidaka River. She calls upon the sendô Chiheiji, who is in fact Gôjaku in disguise, to ferry her across. He warns her that the dedication of a new bell is taking place at Dôjôji and that women are forbidden to enter. Consumed by jealousy and determination, Princess Kiyo refuses to be stopped. She transforms into a serpent and swims across the river herself.

Act III, scene 3: Dôjôji
At the Dôjôji Temple

Omutsu and Yûshimo arrive at Dôjôji Temple while searching for Sakuragi and Princess Kiyo. Suspicious of one another, they exchange questions about their identities. Hearing an approaching search party, they quickly hide. Shishigase enters with Zuikô. Shishigase wishes to bring in his men, but Zuikô insists that armed followers would defile the sacred grounds, especially while the temple remains closed to women. Their ally Agura Denbê goes to scout the area, while Chiheiji arrives to warn them that the serpent-woman is approaching. Denbê soon returns with news that Sakuragi and Princess Odamaki are inside the temple.

After the party departs, Omutsu and Yûshimo emerge and resolve to protect the fugitives. To buy them time, Omutsu disguises herself as Sakuragi and Yûshimo as Princess Odamaki before entering the temple.

Princess Kiyo then appears in human form. She politely asks permission to worship at the dedication ceremony but is refused entry. Undeterred, she finds her way inside and begins searching for Anchin, whom she believes has betrayed her.

Omutsu and Yûshimo reappear in disguise, pursued by Princess Kiyo. Believing them to be Sakuragi and Princess Odamaki, she kills them, only to discover that she has been deceived. At that moment, Kiyotsugu enters and, assuming the bodies are those of Sakuragi and Princess Odamaki, wounds Princess Kiyo in grief and anger. Driven beyond reason, she erupts in fury. Gôjaku prays before the newly dedicated bell, causing it to rise and reveal Tadabumi concealed beneath it. Tadabumi openly admits that he has manipulated events, hoping Princess Kiyo's jealousy would drive her to murder Sakuragi and Princess Odamaki, thereby advancing his own ambition to seize the throne. Upon hearing this confession, Princess Kiyo vanishes, and a giant serpent appears, coils around the bell, and melts it.

Certain that victory is within reach, Tadabumi declares that only the imperial sword remains necessary for him to become emperor. Gôjaku produces the sacred weapon, but instead of surrendering it, uses its miraculous power to restore Omutsu and Yûshimo to life. He then reveals his true loyalty to Sakuragi and Tsunemoto and refuses to aid Tadabumi. Hata Jirô arrives with news that Sakuragi and Princess Odamaki are safe. A fierce battle erupts as Tadabumi's forces surround the temple. Yet Tadabumi has overlooked one crucial force: the vengeful spirit of Princess Kiyo.

[1] The shôji of the village of Manago.

[2] Sometimes also called Tadabun instead of Tadabumi.

A picture from the ezukushi banzuke for the staging in the 2nd lunar month of 1759 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza of the puppet play "Hidakagawa Iriai Zakura"

Prints & Illustrations