| GONICHI NO IWAFUJI |
| Play title | Kagamiyama Gonichi no Iwafuji  |
| Authors | Kawatake Shinshichi II |
| History |
"Kagamiyama Gonichi no Iwafuji" was premiered in the 3rd lunar month of 1860 at the Ichimuraza [casting]. This play was a spectacular sequel to the famous play "Kagamiyama Kokyô no Nishikie". |
| Structure |
The current full length version of "Kagamiyama Gonichi no Iwafuji" is made up of 5 acts, divided into 9 scenes. |
| Key words |
Adauchi Ennosuke Jûhachiban Ennosuke Shijûhassen Fukkatsu Tôshi Kyôgen Jûhachiban Jidaimono Kagamiyamamono Kaidanmono Kakikae Kyôgen Sôdô |
| Summary |
"Gonichi no Iwafuji" centers on the revenge of the ghost of Iwafuji, which holds a grudge against Lord Tairyô and against Ohatsu, who killed her five years before. The play begins with Lord Tairyô viewing cherry blossoms at a temple with his favorite mistress Oryû, while ignoring his wife, Lady Ume. Little does he guess that Oryû is scheming with her husband Danjô to destroy Lord Tairyô and usurp his domain. Tairyô's loyal young retainer Hanabusa Motome admonishes Tairyô about his scandalous behavior, but is banished for his impertinence by his incensed master. Motome's servant Matasuke then goes to Tairyô's residence, hoping to see the chief retainer Hasebe Tatewaki to plead for his hapless master. Matasuke is persuaded by Kanie Ikkaku, one of the plotters, that he should kill Oryû, but Matasuke is tricked: The person he stabs to death actually turns out to be Lady Ume. In the meantime, Ohatsu, who has now become Onoe II, encounters Iwafuji's ghost on her way back from her visit to the tomb of her deceased mistress. In a fantastical effect, Iwafuji materializes out of the fluorescent bones scattered over a desolate bank, and declares her intention to destroy Taga Tairyô. The act closes with the ghost of Iwafuji, in a white kimono, floating in midair across the stage and over the hanamichi. In Act II we find Torii Matasuke nursing Motome, who has fallen ill at his home, assisted by his pretty young sister Otsuyu who is in love with Motome. When Matasuke learns from Hasebe Tatewaki that he has killed Lord Tairyô's wife instead of Oryû, he commits seppuku to atone for his mistake. Then, in Act III, the ferocious-looking ghost of Iwafuji re-emerges at the house of Taga Tairyô and strikes Ohatsu fiercely with a slipper, re-enacting what she had done to Ohatsu's mistress Onoe five years ago. The play ends as Danjô, possessed by the spirit of Iwafuji and plotting against his lord, hears about Oryû's suicide and kills himself as well. After making her final assault on Ohatsu, Iwafuji's ghost disintegrates, overpowered by a tiny image of Amitabha Buddha held by Lord Tairyô to fend her off. Source: Sasaguchi Rei |
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The actors Ichikawa Kodanji IV, Iwai Kumesaburô III and Seki Sanjûrô III playing the roles of the ghost of Iwafuji, Onoe II and Mochizuki Danjô in the drama "Kagamiyama Gonichi no Iwafuji", which was staged in the 3rd lunar month of 1860 (print made by Utagawa Toyokuni III) |
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