"Rakan" was a scene in Katsu Hyôzô I's natsu kyôgen "Iroeiri Otogi Zôshi", which was premiered in the 6th lunar month of 1808 at the Ichimuraza [casting]. It mixed three sekai as it was a tenjiku-tokubemono (the tales of Tenjiku Tokubê), a kohata-koheijimono (the ghost story of the travelling actor Kohata Koheiji) and an otsuma-hachirobêmono (the sad story of the murder of Otsuma by her husband Hachirobê).

"Rakan" was added in 1902 by Onoe Kikugorô V in the Shinko Engeki Jûsshu collection of signature works associated with the Otowaya guild. "Rakan" is the most lesser-known and rarely-performed entry in the collection. No record of any production since its premiere in 1808. High potential for a revival in the future to come? ^[4]

[1] Another possible reading for the title was "Eiri Otogi Zôshi".

[2] The title "A Colorful Tale to Pass the Night" comes from "Revenge Drama in European Renaissance and Japanese Theatre: From Hamlet to Madame Butterfly".

[3] The title "A Colorful Companion Tale" comes from "Something Wicked from Japan: Ghosts, Demons & Yôkai in Ukiyo-e Masterpieces".

[4] Onoe Kikugorô VIII, who took this prestigious name in 2025, has expressed in interviews his desire to decipher the materials for the lost plays from the Shinko Engeki Jûsshu collection, to revive and recreate them.

Illustration for the "Rakan" scene with Onoe Matsusuke I (left) and Onoe Eizaburô I (right) from a tsuji banzuke for the staging of the drama "Iroeiri Otogi Zôshi" in the 6th lunar month of 1808 at the Ichimuraza