Murakami Genzô's drama "Yoshiwara Gitsune" was premiered in January 1961 at the Kabukiza [more details].

"Yoshiwara Gitsune" is made up of 2 acts (3 scenes).

Act I, scene 1: at the Second Floor of the Nakamanjiya in Yoshiwara

Izumiya Okichi, a geisha in Yoshiwara, is a kind-hearted but scatterbrained woman whose habit of jumping to conclusions repeatedly lands her in awkward situations. Her eccentric behaviour has earned her the nickname "Yoshiwara Fox," suggesting that she is possessed by a fox spirit. Despite her peculiarities, she is charming and deeply compassionate, unable to ignore anyone in distress and always ready to lend a helping hand. At the Nakamanjiya ageya in Sumi-chô in the heart of Yoshiwara, after a quarrel involving the jealous merchant Echigoya Magonosuke subsides, a group of geisha begin chatting about Okichi and her relationship with the hatamoto Kaizuka Uneme. Overhearing part of the conversation, Okichi immediately assumes they are speaking ill of her and becomes upset. In her confusion, she even directs her anger at the geisha Komatsuya Oen, who has not taken part in the gossip. Once she learns that no one has actually been criticizing her, Okichi laughs off the misunderstanding. Oen, however, remains furious and storms out. Unbothered by this, Okichi soon overhears another geisha, Tagasode, mention that she plans to visit Sangorô, Okichi's father, out of gratitude for the support he gave her when she first became a geisha. Instantly leaping to conclusions about the nature of their relationship, Okichi breaks into a dance, leaving everyone around her astonished by her behaviour.

Act II, scene 1: at Sangorô's and Okichi's House

One month later, Sangorô sits in Okichi's house by a brazier, pouring tea. Though not yet fifty, he dresses fashionably and has an easygoing, pleasant nature. Once the owner of a thriving haberdashery, he now lives on the income earned by his daughter as a geisha. While he claims he squandered his fortune through a life of excess, the truth is that his business collapses after he guarantees debts for relatives. Following the death of her mother, Okichi chooses to become a geisha because she cannot bear to leave her father alone.

Osugi, a former geisha from Fukagawa, now works as a maid at the Izumiya. She and Sangorô were once romantically involved, but more than ten years have passed since their separation. By coincidence, she enters Izumiya's service six months earlier, and since then the two have rekindled their relationship in secret, keeping it hidden from Okichi.

Okichi returns home in high spirits and announces that she has found the ideal wife for her father. However, father and daughter are thinking of entirely different women: Okichi has Tagasode in mind, while Sangorô is quietly considering Osugi.

The hatamoto Kaizuka Uneme then slips into the house in secret. His embezzlement of public funds has been uncovered, and he is now a fugitive. He begs for shelter until his relatives can resolve the situation. Moved by his plight, the warm-hearted Okichi immediately agrees to hide him, while Sangorô grows uneasy. His concern is not only that Uneme may soon be arrested, but that Okichi's compassionate nature may lead her to fall in love with him, as though she is once again under the spell of the "fox."

Tagasode arrives to pay her respects. Convinced that she has come to marry Sangorô, Okichi eagerly misreads the situation, when in fact Tagasode is simply expressing her gratitude. Seeing an opportunity, Sangorô decides to reveal his relationship with Osugi. True to form, Okichi leaps to yet another conclusion and is delighted at the thought that Osugi must therefore be her half-sister.

Act II, scene 2: at Sangorô's and Okichi's House

Ten days later, Osugi asks Sangorô for leave so that she can travel to Kôfû and care for her nephew. Having come to terms with the fact that their relationship is making no progress, she has resolved to step away. Realizing how determined she is, Sangorô reluctantly agrees.

Okichi returns from Matsubaya. Her feelings for Kaizuka Uneme have completely cooled, and although he has been in hiding, he suddenly reappears at the house. Now desperately pursued by the authorities, Uneme declares that he intends to kill Okichi before his inevitable arrest. Sangorô offers his own life in place of his daughter's, only for Osugi to step forward and ask to die instead. It is at this moment that Okichi discovers the true nature of their relationship and is stunned. Forced to listen as the two recount their love affair from twenty years earlier, Uneme becomes struck by the absurdity of the situation and ultimately leaves without carrying out his threat.

With the crisis resolved, Okichi and Sangorô decide to visit the public bath. Just as they are about to depart, Magonosuke, once a loyal client of Okichi and the young master of the now-bankrupt Echigoya store, passes by looking exhausted and defeated. Instantly overcome with sympathy, Okichi calls out to him and invites him to wait at her house, promising to listen to any troubles he wishes to discuss. It seems that the "fox" has once again taken hold of her, but she laughs and remarks, "I had enough foxes with Kaizuka-san!" before hurrying off to the bath with Sangorô.

Komatsuya Oen (left) and Izumiya Okichi (right)