The play "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki" (five acts) was originally written for the puppet theater and staged for the first time in Ôsaka at the Toyotakeza in the 12th lunar month of 1751. It was adapted for Kabuki the following year and staged for the first time in Edo at the Moritaza in the 4th lunar month of 1752 [casting]. It was also performed for the first time in Ôsaka in the 11th lunar month of 1752 at the Naka no Shibai as a kaomise drama [casting].

"Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki" is made up of five acts. "Suma no Ura" is the 2nd scene of the 2nd act.

Suma no Ura
The Suma Beach

Hirayama flees to the beach at Suma and hides among the rocks. Tamaori, who is seeking her husband, Atsumori, enters carrying a sword. Hirayama, who considers himself to be a suitor of Tamaori's, comes out of his hiding place and seizes the opportunity of this chance meeting to pretend that Tamaori must now go with him for her parents have agreed that they shall be married. Tamaori, however, declares that she is so deeply in love with Atsumori that she is ready to die with him if need be. Hirayama says that her devotion is useless, for he has killed Atsumori in battle. Tamaori draws her sword to revenge herself upon the lying Hirayama but is disarmed by him. Even under the threat of death she refuses to submit, so Hirayama in a rage mortally wounds her. The sounds of fighting are coming nearer and Hirayama hides the dying Tamaori among the rocks and runs away.

Source: Hironaga Shûzaburô

The actors Ichikawa Sumizô V (bottom/left) and Ichikawa Enjo (top/right) playing the roles of Hirayama no Mushadokoro and Tamaori in the "Suma no Ura" scene of the drama "Ichi-no-Tani Futaba Gunki", which was staged in October 1895 at the Meijiza (print made by Utagawa Kunimasa V)

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