The play "Kanadehon Chûshingura" was originally written for the puppet theater (Bunraku) and staged for the first time in the 8th lunar month of 1748 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza. It was adapted for Kabuki the same year and staged for the first time in the 12th lunar month of 1748 in Ôsaka at the Kado no Shibai [casting]. The "Hachidanme" act (8th act) was performed with the actors Tomizawa Kiyosaki and Yamashita Rokusaburô in the roles of Tonase and Konami.

The "Hachidanme" act, the 8th act of "Kanadehon Chûshingura", is the original michiyuki of this drama. It is rarely performed for a tôshi kyôgen production of "Kanadehon Chûshingura" but it quite often staged independently of the others acts or coupled with "Yamashina Kankyo". The title of this michiyuki is "Michiyuki Tabiji no Yomeiri" (literally "the Bridal Journey").

Previous act: "Gion Ichiriki Jaya"

Act VIII: Michiyuki Tabiji no Yomeiri
The Bridal Journey

Konami, the beautiful daughter of Kakogawa Honzô, the chief retainer of the daimyô Momonoi Wakasanosuke, and Ôboshi Rikiya, the son of Ôboshi Yuranosuke, the chief retainer of the daimyô En'ya Hangan, have been betrothed. Their wedding has unfortunately can't take place because of the fall of Lord En'ya's household due to En'ya Hangan's attack on Kô no Moronô in the Shôgun's palace. The Ôboshi father and son are now rônin. Seeing Konami who is deeply restless and moody because of her burning love for Rikiya, Tonase has decided to go to Yamashina in Kyôto, where Yuranosuke and his son Rikiya live in seclusion. She will do her best to help Konami's wish to be realized. It is quite a challenge as all of En'ya Hangan's retainers hold a grudge against Kakogawa Honzô. She was the one who held back Lord En'ya, in order to prevent him from killing the evil Moronô. As a consequence, it is doubtful that Yuranosuke and his family will warmly welcome them. Moreover, even if the marriage were to take place, Konami and Rikiya union would be doomed to be a very short one, if the rumor of a vendetta against Moronô is true.

This bridal journey on the Tôkaidô road, which should be a joyful one, is full of sadness as both mother and daughter are heavy-hearted, unsure of the future. As they are having a break by the roadside, they meet a brilliant wedding procession passing by. It is the bridal procession of the daughter of an important daimyô. Tonase and Konami watch it with a lot of admiration and a touch of envy. Tonase sadly thinks that, in different circumstances, Konami might have traveled to her wedding in such a procession. Presently they continue on their way, each place through which they pass makes Konami think of her lover.

Next act: "Yamashina Kankyo"

Bandô Tamasaburô II and Onoe Kikugorô IV playing the roles of Konami and her mother Tonase in the "Michiyuki Tabiji no Yomeiri" michiyuki of the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which was staged in the 4th lunar month of 1860 at the Nakamuraza (print made by Utagawa Yoshitoshi)