"Daini no Shisha", the 2nd play of Mayama Seika's cycle "Genroku Chûshingura", was premiered in January 1935 at the Tôkyô Gekijô [casting].

"Daini no Shisha" is made up of 1 act (1 scene).

Act I, scene 1: Banshû Akô-jônai Ôhiroma
At the Audience Room of the Akô Castle in Banshû

The devastating news of the calamity reached the lord's residence at Akô Castle in Banshû the previous night, delivered by the loyal retainers Hayamizu and Sugano. In response, all castle officials were urgently summoned for a conference under the guidance of the karô Ôishi Kuranosuke. They immediately set to work rectifying financial records and other matters, preparing for the worst.

Ôishi Kuranosuke, with unwavering determination, vows not to let the people of the fief suffer financially due to the disaster. He strictly orders that no outsiders be informed to prevent speculation and chaos. The gates are locked, to be opened only for the next messengers bringing news from Edo about the outcome.

However, some self-seeking retainers, like the elder retainers Ôno Kurobê and Okuno Shôgen, disagree with Ôishi's policy. Their interests are solely focused on salvaging whatever money they can for themselves, disregarding the plight of the people of Akô.

Amidst the prevailing tension, Kuranosuke hears the distant shouts heralding the arrival of two hurrying messengers by palanquin. As he prepares to meet them, his 14-year-old son, Matsunojô ^[1], steps forward and earnestly requests to be made a regular retainer despite his youth. Kuranosuke gently declines, reassuring his son Matsunojô that the Asano House has enough retainers and doesn't need to rely on someone so young. Matsunojô, who has secretly followed his father to the castle, expresses concern about his father's gentle nature, fearing it might falter in the face of disaster. However, Kuranosuke asserts his resolve to make measured decisions without yielding to rash actions.

Soon after, the messengers Hara Sôemon and Ôishi Sezaemon rush into the room. Elderly Hara, usually composed, appears almost crazed due to the weight of the tragic news he bears, yet relieved to have finally arrived at Akô.

Kuranosuke maintains his composure and listens to the heart-wrenching report. His fears are confirmed - Lord Asano has been sentenced to death through seppuku, and the fief has been confiscated. Details of the lord's death and the situation of the widow, who has become a nun, are revealed. Additionally, the messengers bring an enigmatic unfinished message from Asano, hinting at a hidden meaning and a desire for revenge.

The heavy burden of grief weighs upon Kuranosuke and his comrades once all the details of the calamity become clear. However, amidst their sorrow, another visitor arrives - Onodera Jûnai ^[2] from the Kyôto court, who has rushed by boat from Kyôto upon hearing the news. He brings sympathetic messages from influential court members and even the emperor himself. Kuranosuke is deeply touched by the concern expressed by the Kyôto court regarding the shogunate authorities' handling of the matter. The emperor's show of sympathy bolsters his secret determination to pursue revenge against Kira Yoshihisa, regardless of the Shogunate's position on the issue.

[1] Later known as Ôishi Chikara.

[2] Onodera Jûnai is the Second Messenger of the title of this drama. Actually the third if we consider that Hara Sôemon and Ôishi Sezaemon were the 1st and 2nd messengers.

The actors Ichikawa Ennosuke II and Ichikawa Sadanji II playing the roles of Onodera Jûnai and Ôishi Kuranosuke in the drama "Daini no Shisha", which was staged in January 1939 at the Tôkyô Gekijô