The drama "Aoto Zôshi Hana no Nishikie" was premiered at the Ichimuraza in the 3rd lunar month of 1862 [casting]. Kawatake Mokuami revisited the classic thema of "Gonin Otoko", a group of five dandy-thieves. The playwright replaced the original Ôsaka thieves Karigane Bunshichi, An no Heibei, Gokuin Sen'emon, Kaminari Shôkurô and Hotei Ichiemon by 5 Kamakura thieves named Nippon Daemon (modelled on the real thief Nippon Saemon, who was caught in the 2nd lunar month of 1747 and executed in the 3rd lunar month), Benten Kozô Kikunosuke, Nangô Rikimaru, Tadanobu Rihei and Akaboshi Jûzaburô.

"Benten Musume Meo no Shiranami" is the title used for the staging of "Hamamatsuya" and "Inasegawa Seizoroi", the 3rd and 4th acts of "Aoto Zôshi Hana no Nishikie".

The Hamamatsuya Draper shop in Yuki-no-Shita ("Hamamatsuya")

Benten Kozô Kikunosuke, a handsome young man, was the son of a wealthy merchant but ran away at an early age to enjoy the wild life of an outlaw. Now, many years later, Benten and another gang member named Nangô Rikimaru, are plotting to extort money from the owner of Hamamatsuya cloth shop. Benten is disguised as a young lady of high rank, while Rikimaru pretends to be a retainer who is escorting her. The two are warmly received by the manager and servants of the shop. They are shown rolls of silk and brocade suitable for wedding clothes, but Benten pretends not to be satisfied with them.

While turning over a bundle of silks, he secretly slips a piece of material into the bundle. He then retrieves the planted piece of material and clumsily stuffs it into the front of his kimono. He is seen by one of the shop assistants and in the ensuing scuffle is wounded on the forehead by the manager. Rikimaru, as Benten's escort, mediates between them. Showing a receipt for it from another shop, he proves to the manager that the piece of material does not come from Hamamatsuya. First, Sônosuke, the son-in-law of the shop's owner arrives and hears the story. Then Kôbê, the owner, appears. Finally, a neighbor named Seji comes to mediate, but in vain. Rikimaru demands 100 ryô as compensation for the wound on the lady's brow. After some haggling Kôbê is forced to pay up.

The two rascals are about to leave with their booty when they are stopped by a samurai who happened to have been in the next room. Itto Tamashima is, in fact, an alias used by Nippon Daemon, the boss of Benten's group. He looks hard at the young lady and tells Kôbê that he is being taken for a fool. Having caught sight of a pattern of cherry blossoms tattooed on her arm convinces him the woman is really a man in disguise. Benten appears to be in a desperate situation. This is the great moment of the play. At last Benten reveals his identity. He announces his real name in the play's most famous speech. Rikimaru takes off his samurai dress, and Benten also removes his disguise.

Daemon, appearing to be outraged by this plot to cheat such an honest shopkeeper, offers to immediately cut off the crooks' heads. Kôbê is astonished at this offer. He feels, however, that it would not be good for the sake of his shop and thus decides to overlook the matter. He even gives Benten a little money to buy plaster for his bruise. Benten gathers his women's clothes, and leaves with Rikimaru. Outside the shop they stop to divide up the small amount of money. On the way home, they play a game: each agrees to take turns carrying the heavy bundle of disguises that they used for their hoax, changing whenever they meet a bald-headed man.

In front of the warehouse of the Hamamatsuya ("Kuramae")

This scene occurs after Benten and Rikimaru have left the cloth shop and Daemon, as a samurai, remains in the store. Thinking he is a brave and honest samurai, the store's owner feels very indebted to him. Kôbê lowers his guard and invites Daemon to a private inner room for a drink. After getting drunk, Daemon reveals in a vigorous speech who he really is. He draws his sword and demands all Kôbê's money. Sônosuke, however, throws himself between them, begging to die in his father's place. Daemon is deeply impressed by the young man's devotion. He says he has a missing son who would be about Sônosuke's age. In the ensuing conversation he realizes that Sônosuke is, in fact, his long-lost child. Kôbê, too, learns that Benten is his real son. The essential theme of the drama is to demonstrate the law of cause and effect which is an element of the concept of karma.

Gathering on the bank of River Inase ("Inasegawa Seizoroi")

The next scene takes place on the banks of Inase River with the police following close behind. The five members of the band of theives appear in turn: Benten, Tadanobu Rihei, Akaboshi Jûzaburô, Nangô Rikimaru, and their leader--Nippon Daemon. They decide to disperse for a while until things cool down. Too late; the police catch up to them. Each, in turn, announces his name and attributes. Then they overcome the police and scatter.

This summary has been written by Watanabe Hisao and edited by Jeff Blair [website]

The role of Benten Kozô Kikunosuke is closely associated to the Onoe Kikugorô line of actors. It was performed for the first time by Ichimura Uzaemon XIII (the future Onoe Kikugorô V). Then his son Onoe Kikugorô VI inherited the mantle and transmitted it to Onoe Baikô VII, who, in turn, has taught Onoe Kikugorô VII the role. The heir of the Onoe clan, Onoe Kikugorô VII's son Onoe Kikunosuke V played the role of Benten Kozô for the first time in May 1996 at the Kabukiza.

The actors Nakamura Shikan IV, Ichimura Uzaemon XIII and Ichikawa Danzô VI playing the roles of Nangô Rikimaru, Benten Kozô and Hamamatsuya Kôbê in the "Hamamatsuya" scene of the drama "Aoto Zôshi Hana no Nishikie", which was staged in the 3rd lunar month of 1862 at the Ichimuraza (print made by Utagawa Toyokuni III)