Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Keisei Mibu Dainenbutsu" was premiered in the 1st lunar month of 1702 in Kyôto, produced by Kokon Shinzaemon [more details]. The opening day was the 28th day of the 1st lunar month of the 15th year of the Genroku, which was the 24th of February 1702 in the western calendar.

A follow-up was created and staged in the 7th lunar month of 1702 in the same theater. It was entitled "Mibu Aki no Nenbutsu" and produced by Kokon Shinzaemon [more details].

2 scenes of the first act of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's drama "Keisei Mibu Dainenbutsu", scene 2 & scene 3, were revived in June 1998 ^[1] by the Chikamatsuza on tour, from the 29th of August to the 26th of September 1998, with Nakamura Ganjirô III (Takatô Tamiya), Nakamura Senjaku III (Princess Katsu), Ichikawa Somegorô VII (Miyake Hikoroku), Kataoka Ainosuke (Kôri Shintarô), Arashi Tokusaburô VII (Kaguya Nuinojô), Arashi Kitsusaburô VI (Kaguya Ôkura), Nakamura Sennojô II (Princess Ruri) & Ichikawa Seiko I (Chiryôin).

"Keisei Mibu Dainenbutsu" was in 3 acts (7 scenes).

Act I, scene 1: At Princess Ruri's Residence

The brothers Hoshikawa Samon and Hoshikawa Umon, both pages in the house of Takatô, rulers of Bingo province, enter carrying a jizô statue and masks. Asked by the serving women at Princess Ruri's residence where they have been, the pages tell the story of the Mibu Temple jizô. In the fourteenth century, the ancestor of the house of Takatô, about to be defeated in battle, prepared to commit suicide in front of his favorite statue of jizô. The jizô, however, turned into a monk and rescued Takatô from his enemies, and Takatô's side went on to win the battle. Since then the statue has been a family treasure, without which no one can succeed to the head of the house. Unfortunately, the present heir to the position, Takatô Tamiya, has fallen in love with a prostitute of the Shimabara licensed quarter in Kyôto and his whereabouts is unknown. Before he died the elder Takatô, that is, Tamiya's father, had announced to the family that, should he reform his ways, Tamiya is to succeed to the title. He then locked the jizô away in the storehouse and gave the key to his daughter, Princess Ruri. Princess Ruri is aware of a plot by her stepsister, Chiryôin, and Chiryôin's brother, Kaguya Ôkura, to steal the jizô and take over the house. She has thus sent the brothers to Kyôto to have another jizô made, as well as a case, inside of which she plans to hide the real family heirloom. While there they also had masks made. This is because Princess Ruri plans to hold a Dainenbutsu service for her mother in the style of Mibu Temple, and to make it there also be a performance of Mibu Kyôgen.

Act I, scene 2: At a Residence of the House of Takatô

All is ready for the kyôgen performance, including the ceremonial ropes strung above the playing area. Princess Ruri arrives in a palanquin and has only to decide on the performers for the play to be presented, Oketori. One samurai who has seen the kyôgen at Mibu Temple volunteers and is assigned the role of the old man. The role of the woman is decided by drawing lots, and the part falls to the retainer Miyake Hikoroku, who much to his displeasure is made to put on a woman's kimono and wig. The play just begins when Chiryôin and Ôkura appear and stop the performance. Ôkura suggests that Princess Ruri display the jizô in the open so that all can benefit from it, but Princess Ruri refuses, reminding them of her father's words. They decide to interrupt the play and go inside for a drink. Before entering Ôkura notices Hikoroku (who has taken off his mask but is still dressed as a woman). Ôkura asks who he is and Hikoroku replies that he is Hikoroku's wife. Thereupon Ôkura tells him that Hikoroku is having an affair with Princess Ruri.

Hikoroku pretends to be jealous, and Ôkura asks him to participate in the plot to steal the jizô, kill Princess Ruri, and blame everything on Hikoroku. Hikoroku pretends to agree, but asks for time to await a good opportunity. Ôkura then goes into the house. After Princess Ruri has come out and Hikoroku revealed to her what he knows, the two make plans to flee that same night.

That evening the lady-in-waiting Omiyo, a former mistress of Tamiya's, appears to carry out her own plan to steal the statue and turn it over to Tamiya. She jumps up on the ropes and makes her way to the storehouse, entering through the window. While she is inside the storehouse, Kôri Shintarô arrives and announces himself. The page Daikaku appears and asks who he is. Shintarô, a retainer of Princess Katsu, the woman to whom Tamiya is betrothed, reveals that Tamiya is at Katsu's residence and that he is ready to return home. He has also brought a letter for Chiryôin and Ôkura. Daikaku takes it to them. Omiyo then climbs out of the storehouse and onto the ropes. Shintarô, thinking it is a thief, raises the alarm but is soon quieted by Omiyo. Omiyo has heard Shintarô's conversation with Daikaku. She then reveals to Shintarô her own plan. They open the jizô case and discover it is empty. Thinking it must have dropped out, Shintarô volunteers to go back in to get it. Omiyo stands to the side to keep watch.

Just then Princess Ruri appears for her rendezvous with Hikoroku. She is discovered by Chiryôin and Ôkura, who ask what she is doing there. Princess Ruri replies that she wanted to enter the storehouse but the key has been stolen. Suspecting this is a lie, Chiryôin grabs the key from Princess Ruri's purse, opens the door, and pushes her in, ordering Ôkura to go in and kill her. Just as he is about to enter, however, Shintarô runs out and asks why they are planning to kill Princess Ruri. Chiryôin explains that the letter from Tamiya spoke of a plot by Princess Ruri and Hikoroku to murder Tamiya and contained instructions for them to be killed. The letter is shown to Shintarô. Princess Ruri also has a look and sees that it is not written in her brother's hand. Shintarô thus realizes that if the letter is a fake, the man claiming to be Tamiya must also be an imposter. He then accuses Chiryôin and Ôkura of a plot to kill Princess Ruri and Hikoroku and take over the house. Shintarô clashes with Ôkura's samurai. Since he is outnumbered, however, he escapes with Princess Ruri to the storehouse and locks the door. The samurai are about to break it open when Hikoroku comes running and throws the samurai to the ground. Shintarô and Princess Ruri come out of the storehouse. Daikaku appears with the jizô, telling Princess Ruri that it is safe. Meanwhile, Chiryôin, in a panic, runs into the storehouse. Ôkura jumps up onto the ropes and attempts to get into the storehouse as well. Hikoroku grabs his foot. Princess Ruri asks Hikoroku to spare the lives of Chiryôin and Ôkura, so Hikoroku contents himself with tormenting Ôkura by pulling his leg hairs and then binding him with the rope. He then locks Chiryôin in the storehouse. Hikoroku, Shintarô and Princess Ruri then leave for Katsu's residence.

Act I, scene 3: At the Residence of Princess Katsu

Entering to the tune of a popular song, Tamiya, drunk and disguised as a buyer of sake dregs, walks with tottering steps up to Katsu's residence, calling out for sake dregs. Shintarô's sister Himuro comes out. Tamiya, pretending his sake bucket is a tayû, enacts a keisei-buying scene. Katsu, who has been watching, declares that, although he is dressed in mean attire, she can tell by his words that the man is not of humble birth. She compares him favorably with the (false) Tamiya inside, whom she considers uncouth. She delivers her own monologue on the effects of sake and then asks Himuro to invite the buyer in. Thinking he is about to enter an ageya, Tamiya puts on the airs of a keisei buyer and enters. There follows a humorous conversation in which Tamiya claims he is from the province of "Ringo" (Bingo) and that he has bought a keisei named Nizô (jizô) . He also, however, unwittingly reveals to Katsu that he has pledged his love to the tayû Michishiba and that his name is Tamiya. Princess Ruri grows suspicious. She tells Tamiya to go home to his fiancée. Tamiya, however, claims that his men will come from his domain bringing money and he will buy out the keisei (Katsu). He then lies down to sleep off his drunkenness. Katsu declares that she prefers this Tamiya to the one inside. Indeed, she would like to sleep with him. The false Tamiya comes out and declares his faithfulness to Katsu, encouraging her to forget the sake dregs buyer. Katsu is suspicious of him and withdraws with her ladies-in-waiting.

The false Tamiya is left alone to ponder what is happening. Omiyo appears and in response to her greeting Himuro comes out. Omiyo says she has a message for Katsu, and Himuro goes to fetch her. The false Tamiya, claiming he is one of Katsu's guards, questions Omiyo and she reveals that she has come to give Katsu advance warning that Shintarô and Hikoroku will come tonight to kill the man impersonating Tamiya. The false Tamiya tries to prevent her from delivering the message and ends up strangling her and throwing her body down the well. A rumbling sound then erupts and he leaves in fright.

Awakened by the rumbling, the real Tamiya comes out. He is now sober. He is about to leave when Katsu comes out. Convinced now that he is the real Tamiya, she reveals who she is. Tamiya is ashamed of the things he said while drunk, but Katsu forgives him and promises to help ransom Michishiba if he stays the night. Realizing what a fine woman she is, Tamiya agrees. They decide to lie down together, but Tamiya first wants to wash his dirty feet. He goes outside to the well and draws some water and pours it into a basin. He puts his foot in and is shocked to find the water boiling hot.

Hearing his scream, Katsu comes out. Omiyo's ghost then rises from the basin. Tamiya recognizes it as the ghost of Omiyo. Omiyo believes that Katsu has had her killed out of jealousy. To the tune of a song about the fickleness of men and the jealousy of women, Omiyo's ghost dances and torments Katsu and Tamiya. Just then the false Tamiya appears with a lance and is about to attack Katsu and Tamiya when the ghost blocks his way. Katsu and Tamiya take advantage of the opportunity to flee into the house.

The false Tamiya attacks Omiyo with his lance. She alludes him at first, but he grabs her and tries to lift her up, whereupon she does a handstand on his shoulders. He throws her to the ground and calls his samurai to kill her. But she has disappeared, leaving only her kimono behind.

Just then Ôkura arrives to say that Hikoroku and Shintarô are aware of there being a false Tamiya and are on their way to kill him. The imposter explains that Katsu and the real Tamiya are in the house and suggests they kill them first. Tamiya and Katsu come to the door. Tamiya says that he heard Ôkura mention the false Tamiya's name. He now knows it is Ôkura's brother, Kaguya Nuinojô, who had been disinherited and sent into exile in his youth because of his wickedness. Tamiya draws his sword and they clash, but he is clearly outnumbered, so he and Katsu go back inside. The villains rush in after them. Just then Shintarô and Hikoroku arrive and follow the villains into the house. On the doorstep Hikoroku is wounded on the forehead. Shintarô fights his way in and comes out with Tamiya and Katsu. He explains to Hikoroku that Ôkura and Nuinojô have fled over the garden wall. Hikoroku asks Shintarô to take Katsu and Tamiya away. He then stays behind to take care of the remaining samurai. Now that he knows Tamiya and Katsu are safe, he is able to concentrate on his fighting. Displaying his swordsmanship, he lops off several heads and scatters the rest of the samurai.

Act II, scene 1: On the Road to the Pleasure Quarter of Tomo

The merchants Onomichiya Shichizaemon and Hakataya Koshirô appear in palanquins, accompanied by Shichizaemon's assistant Sahei and Koshirô's servant Denroku. They meet the taiko mochi Kanshichi and the kamuro Koden. Kanshichi explains that he is accompanying Koden on a pilgrimage to Fukuyama, at the request of her tayû. Shichizaemon says that while in Arima, from which they are now returning, they met a rônin named Sôsuke (Hikoroku) and were traveling back with him. They decide to sit down on the bridge and talk while waiting for Sôsuke to catch up. Kanshichi explains that while Shichizaemon was away the keisei Michishiba's contract expired, but since she has debts in the licensed quarter amounting to ten kanme she will be forced to prolong her contract. The ageya-owner Yomohachi has been able to get her creditors to reduce the sum to four but since Michishiba does not have it, she has sent Koden to pray for the needed money. Shichizaemon agrees to pay the money, but says he needs a few days to get it together. Kanshichi informs him that the deadline is that very day. Koshirô then says he will lend Shichizaemon the money. They arrange for Sahei to go to Koshirô's shop and tell his people to bring the money, while Kanshichi goes to the quarter to arrange things. As for Koden, they decide that she should go with Sahei and wait at the nearby shrine, and when the servant brings the money he will take her with him. Shichizaemon and Koshirô stay to wait for Sôsuke (Hikoroku). Finally, Sôsuke's servant, the fool Chôbê, appears and says he has run ahead of his master. Shichizaemon decides to amuse himself by talking to Chôbê. There follows a humorous scene involving much joking and word play. After a while of this, Shichizaemon and Koshirô decide they can wait no longer and leave, giving Chôbê a long farewell message to relate to Sôsuke. Hikoroku (Sôsuke), who has been to the hot springs at Arima to recover from his wound, comes in a palanquin. There follows a bit more playful language between Chôbê and Hikoroku. It is revealed that Tamiya has asked Hikoroku to find four kanme, saying that he will have to kill himself if he does not get it. They decide to wait and rob someone on the road to the pleasure quarter. Along comes Hikoroku's wife, Omitsu, whom he has not seen in a long time. After they discuss Tamiya's need for money, she goes to where their daughter (whom they had put up for adoption) is in service to see if she can get the money. While she is away, Hikoroku and Chôbê hide under the bridge. Koshirô's assistant Sakubê comes with the money accompanied by Koden. She says that now that they are close to the licensed quarter she will go by herself. She asks for the money. Sakubê gives her some, but not all of it. They argue. Hikoroku comes out and grabs Sakubê and beats him, demanding that he give the money to the girl. Finally he takes the money himself. Chôbê informs him that she is a kamuro named Koden. Tamiya hesitates to give the money over to the kamuro, though, thinking of his master's dire straits. Finally, he declares he will keep it. Koden says he can if he wants; she will simply tell Shichizaemon and Koshirô that it was stolen. Fearing what will happen if Koden talks, Hikoroku kills her and hides the body under the bridge. Hikoroku's wife then arrives and informs that their daughter's adopted parents did not send her out to service but sold her to the licensed quarter as a kamuro. Hikoroku grows uneasy. He asks what name she used and is devastated to learn it is Koden. He shows them the body and they all weep over the dead girl. Finally, Hikoroku tells Chôbê to take his wife home and the money to Tamiya. He then picks up the dead girl and laments his cruel fate and the sadness of the world.

Act II, scene 2: At The Yomohachi Ageya in Tomo

In the Tomo licensed quarter word is out that Michishiba is to be ransomed by Shichizaemon. The ageya-owner Yomohachi admonishes Michishiba for her behaviour. She had formerly been a keisei in Kyôto's Shimabara district, but after falling in love with Tamiya she refused to see other customers, so her ageya sold her to one in Tomo. Yomohachi expected her to be eventually bought out by Tamiya, and he has even reduced Michishiba's debts to make this possible. But now that he hears that Michishiba will allow herself to be bought out by Shichizaemon, he thinks she is unfaithful. Michishiba reveals, however, that she is faithful, that she will let Shichizaemon buy her out, but will not become his wife. She will claim she has just borrowed the money, and will go to court if necessary. "It's a keisei's deceit, but it's because I want to be with Tamiya." There is then a song (kouta) about the hardships suffered by women who have loved only to be treated coldly.

Just then Tamiya arrives wearing a single paper kimono and with a wicker hat down over his eyes. He sneaks into the house and puts on a kimono and hat he finds in order not to be recognized. He confides to Yomohachi that he has come to see Michishiba. Since Shichizaemon is in the same ageya (upstairs) a meeting would be risky, so they pretend that Tamiya has come to see Fujie (a slow-witted woman whom Tamiya has previously used as a front for seeing Michishiba). The keisei are shown in. Tamiya and Michishiba can only meet each other directly for a moment (while Fujie is cleaning a pipe), but the look in their eyes tells all.

Tamiya tells the story of his misfortunes to Michishiba indirectly through Fujie. He says he has come to meet his keisei (Fujie/Michishiba) one last time before he dies. Michishiba says that if he really loves her he should run away with her and, if they are pursued, a double suicide. Fujie, thinking Tamiya is really in love with her, is flattered to be so dear to him and agrees and gets ready to go. She comes back but decides to get a knife too, so that they can kill themselves if necessary. While she is away Tamiya and Michishiba decide to leave together, but Fujie comes back before they can get away. The two women fight over who is to go with him.

Just at that moment Hikoroku's servant Chôbê arrives with the money, which he claims Omitsu got from her daughter's adopted parents. He has also redeemed Tamiya's clothes and swords from the pawnshop. Tamiya is delighted and, after making himself look more like a samurai, asks Yomohachi to arrange for Michishiba's freedom. Fujie, believing it is herself that is to be ransomed, is overjoyed. She is led out by Yomohachi who says he will make things clear to her. Tamiya orders Chôbê to get a palanquin so they can leave right away. Yomohachi comes back and says that, since there is a money changer (Koshirô) present upstairs, they should have the money counted. While he is out, Koshirô's assistant Hanbê comes running and calls his master. He explains to him that he handed over the money to Sakubê but he has not returned. Then the procuress Tama runs in and says the kamuro Koden is also missing. Koshirô suspects something and goes to talk it over with Shichizaemon. They come back with their servants and surround Tamiya. Shichizaemon asks where Tamiya got the money. Tamiya says his retainer arranged it for him and therefore he does not know. Shichizaemon counters by saying Koshirô had also sent for the same amount and both the assistant and Koden have gone missing. He adds that the money Tamiya is using to ransom Michishiba is wrapped and sealed with the mark of Koshirô's shop, the Hakataya. Tamiya says he is not surprised, since his house does a lot of business with the Hakataya, but he says he will go home and check with his retainer. Shichizaemon refuses to let Tamiya go and suggests that the money has been stolen. Tamiya flies into a rage for being called a thief by a townsman. A fight erupts.

At this point Hikoroku arrives and sees the two men whom he had met at Arima. Since he is a samurai, they ask him to deal with the criminal. When Hikoroku sees it is Tamiya, however, he becomes enraged himself at the treatment his master has received. Tamiya asks where he got the money. Hikoroku does not answer and instead says that Tamiya should go home and he, Hikoroku, will look after things. Tamiya answers that after having been ignominiously treated by townsmen leaving is out of the question. He interrogates Hikoroku who finally admits that he stole the money and killed the girl, but he did it in order to repay his debt of gratitude to Tamiya for sheltering him when he was in trouble years before. Tamiya beats him with the back of his sword but then breaks down and cries. Hikoroku goes on to explain that he did it because Tamiya had said he would kill himself if he could not ransom Michishiba. He also reveals that it was his own daughter that he killed. Hearing this, Michishiba grabs Shichizaemon's sword and tries to kill herself, saying she cannot live when Tamiya has been so· disgraced and Koden killed all on her account. She is stopped, and Hikoroku begs her not to kill herself, since then his actions, as terrible as they were, will have come to nothing. Having learned of the circumstances, Shichizaemon is moved and says he will let Tamiya have the money so that he can buyout Michishiba. Hikoroku objects, saying it is an insult to suggest Tamiya take money from a common townsman. Yomohachi then intercedes and asks Shichizaemon to give him the money. Thus, the money goes directly from Shichizaemon to Yomohachi without passing through Tamiya's hands. All are pleased with the outcome and Shichizaemon orders drinking and entertainment.

Act III, scene 1: At the Ferry Landing

A ferryman, Tokuemon, takes a young woman pilgrim (Omitsu) in his boat. Asked by Tokuemon, she explains that she is making a pilgrimage to pray for her dead daughter's life in the next world. She sees a crowd saying prayers (nenbutsu) on the shore and asks about them. Tokuemon replies that a thief brought his dead child there ten days ago and buried her on the bank. Omitsu asks to know more about it and discovers the thief was Hikoroku and the child Koden. Just then, the villains Nuinojô and Ôkura appear with a samurai and demand to be taken in the boat. At the same moment, a man dressed in a straw raincoat and appearing to be a peasant approaches and challenges Ôkura with his sword. It is Shintarô. They cross swords. The samurai tries to catch the ferryman and Shintarô lops off his hands. Tokuemon picks up the hands, puts them in his kimono and sticking them out through the sleeves, pretends to pray to Ôkura for mercy. Ôkura takes off Tokuemon's sash and ties the fake hands with it. He then is about to strike Omitsu when Tokuemon slips out of his kimono, knocks down Ôkura, and slays him. He tries the same trick with Nuinojô, but the latter catches on. Shintarô, however, comes running back and slays Nuinojô from behind. The villains are now dead, and Shintarô and Omitsu, having heard that Tamiya and Hikoroku have gone to the Mibu kaichô, decide to go there as well.

Act III, scene 2: At the Mibu Temple

Crowds have come to the Mibu Temple kaichô. There Tamiya, Hikoroku, Omitsu and Shintarô meet. Suddenly Koden comes running out of the sanctuary. Everyone is amazed. Koden explains that she remembers being killed but says a priest gave her the case she is carrying and brought her to the temple. They open the case and discover inside the family jizô, bleeding from its breast. They realize the jizô has taken Koden's place as the murder victim. They all kneel down and worship the jizô. Meanwhile, the colorful kaichô festivities seem to represent a veritable heaven on earth.

Summary originally written by William James Lee in Genroku Kabuki : Cultural Production and Ideology in Early Modern Japan and slightly edited by Shôriya Aragorô

[1] The tour started the 31st of May and ended the 27th of June 1998. The Chikamatsuza performed in 17 cities. They were at the Nakaza from the 4th to the 7th of June 1998 and at the National Theatre from the 25th to the 27th of June 1998.

The actors Kaneko Kichizaemon (1st from left), Ichimura Tamagashiwa I (2nd from left), Sakata Tôjûrô I (2nd from right) and Kirinami Senju I (1st from right) playing the roles of the ahô Chôbê, the keisei Fujie, Takatô Tamiya and the keisei Michishiba in the ni-no-kawari drama "Keisei Mibu Dainenbutsu", which was staged in the 1st lunar month of 1702 in Kyôto at Miyako Mandayû's theater

Prints & Illustrations