Tsuruya Nanboku IV's drama "Reigen Kameyama Hoko" was premiered in the 7th lunar month of 1822 at the Kawarasakiza [more details]. It included a Tokiwazu-based otsuma-hachirobêmono shosagoto entitled "Semi Shigure Urami no Samezaya". The opening day was the 25th day of the 7th lunar month of the 5th year of the Bunsei era, which was the 10th of September 1822 in the western calendar.

The original drama "Reigen Kameyama Hoko" was in 11 acts.

Prologue

The recent passing of Lord Nagoshi, the ruler of Hamamatsu Castle and the province Enshû, has resulted in a dispute over the succession between his two sons, Asajirô and Tokijirô. The elder, Asajirô, has the support of Ishii Unai, while the younger, Tokijirô, is backed by Fujita Mizuemon. After losing the dispute and being disinherited, Tokijirô is filled with resentment and plans to take matters into his own hands.

To gain control of the Nagoshi family and clan, Tokijirô orchestrates a plan to obtain the "U no Maki" scroll, a valuable possession that holds the secrets of the Shinkage School of Fencing. He orders Kusuke to deliver instructions to Fujita Mizuemon, directing him to kill Ishii Unai and secure the scroll. In return, Tokijirô promises to make Mizuemon his chief retainer and has formalized this agreement in a letter of intent.

Upon receiving the letter, Kusuke approaches Mizuemon and presents the contents of Tokijirô's plan. Mizuemon acts swiftly, engaging in a confrontation with Ishii Unai and ultimately obtaining the cormorant scroll. However, rather than keeping it himself, Mizuemon entrusts the scroll to his father, Fujita Bokuan, a doctor, for safekeeping. Kusuke departs with the scroll and Tokijirô's letter, while Mizuemon attempts to conceal evidence of Ishii's demise, only to be interrupted by Ishii's younger brother and a family retainer, who discover the body and a lacquer medicine case (inrô) left by Mizuemon.

Act I, scene 1

This act is set in Isawa in the province of Kôshû. The local community is buzzing with excitement after the announcement of an officially approved vendetta duel scheduled for the day. Kusuke arrives to deliver the cormorant scroll to Fujita Bokuan, the father of Mizuemon. He encounters Ryôzen, a family friend and priest at the Hôdaiin Temple, who is also in search of Bokuan. Kusuke shares with Ryôzen that Ishii Hyôsuke, with the support of his wife Shiraaya and her brother Miki Jûzaemon, has sought reparation against Mizuemon for the murder of Unai. The local judiciary has granted permission for a vendetta duel between Hyôsuke and Mizuemon, and the duel is set to occur on the same day. However, Kusuke reveals that the official overseeing the duel is colluding with the Fujita family and has received poison from Bokuan to administer to Hyôsuke. Ryôzen questions Kusuke's absence by Mizuemon's side and accuses him of desertion. To dispel Ryôzen's suspicions, Kusuke hands over the cormorant scroll to him, and Ryôzen decides to wait at his temple to deliver it to Mizuemon. When Ryôzen unrolls the scroll to verify its authenticity, a white snake emerges, confirming its genuineness. Both men realize that the snake is the messenger of the shrine's deity from which the scroll originates.

Act I, scene 2

Ishii Hyôsuke has accused Fujita Mizuemon of ambushing and killing Ishii Unai, as well as stealing the cormorant scroll. To support his claim, Sodesuke presents the inrô he found, which bears the Fujita family crest. Mizuemon predictably denies the accusations, and the two adversaries prepare to duel after drinking the customary cups of water. However, as prearranged, Kakezuka Kanbê, the overseeing official, has poisoned the water. Hyôsuke collapses, cursing, and urges Sodesuke to carry out the vendetta against Mizuemon with the assistance of Shiraaya and Gennojô, Hyôsuke's wife and adopted son. Mizuemon, filled with satisfaction, finishes off Hyôsuke.

Act II, scene 1

This scene is set at the Hôdaiin Temple in Okitsu in the province of Sunshû. Miki Jûzaemon, accompanied by Kakezuka Kanbê, arrives at the temple to deliver a message from Lord Takeda to the chief priest Ryôzen. Lord Takeda has expressed a keen interest in the spiritual abilities of a certain priest, Sôgen, who recently joined the temple, and wishes to enlist him into his service. However, Ryôzen, harboring suspicions, dismisses this proposal as he has already appointed Sôgen as his successor. During their conversation, Kanbê subtly inquires about Shiraaya, Jûzaemon's sister and Ishii Hyôsuke's widow, wondering if she has remarried. Jûzaemon refutes this and insists that Shiraaya is still serving at Hamamatsu Castle. Eager to avoid further questioning about his sister, Jûzaemon enters the temple.

As Kanbê and Ryôzen continue their discussion, it is revealed that Sôgen is actually Mizuemon, who has altered his appearance using one of his father's potions. Furthermore, it has been rumored that Mizuemon is deceased and buried in the temple's graveyard. His alleged death stemmed from the psychological anguish of being falsely accused of Ishii Unai's murder.

Act II, scene 2

As Miki Jûzaemon's brother is well aware, his sister Shiraaya is not in Hamamatsu, but has arrived at the temple using the alias Fujikawa. Accompanied by the young warrior Nakano Tôbê, Shiraaya enters the graveyard where her husband's and Fujita Mizuemon's graves lie side by side. After locating the graves, she instructs Tôbê to find Sôgen and inform him that a pilgrim seeks an audience with him.

Alone, Shiraaya dramatically mourns at Mizuemon's grave, claiming that as a maid at Hamamatsu castle, she had secretly loved him. She blames Ishii Hyôsuke for Mizuemon's death and her thwarted ambition to marry him. She vows to wed him in the next life and prepares to take her own life, cutting off a lock of her hair.

Sôgen, intrigued by Shiraaya's beauty and display of emotion, interrupts her suicide attempt. During their conversation, he reveals that Mizuemon is still alive and provides the official vendetta document that Mizuemon received after the duel with Hyôsuke as proof. Shiraaya, seeking this document and the cormorant scroll, becomes suspicious of Sôgen. She confesses her true identity as Fujikawa and her enduring love for the "late" Mizuemon. Sôgen, captivated by her, suggests further discussion in his chamber.

As Tôbê returns, confused by the situation, he witnesses a white snake coiling around Mizuemon's grave marker and realizes that the cormorant scroll must be nearby.

Act II, scene 3

In a private moment with Shiraaya, Sôgen agrees to take her under his wing as his disciple. The two share sake and grow closer, and Sôgen entrusts her with the official vendetta document. Sôgen also consumes a potion that restores his original appearance. Their intimacy is interrupted by Tôbê, who is shocked by the situation, drawing the attention of Ryôzen and Kanbê. Ryôzen expels Sôgen from the temple due to his improper conduct but provides him with an umbrella containing a concealed sword. Sôgen also requests to take a small portable shrine with him.

Alone with the small portable shrine, Sôgen retrieves the cormorant scroll, summoning a white snake. Shiraaya and Tôbê enter, fully convinced that Sôgen is the notorious Fujita Mizuemon, and confront him as the murderer of Shiraaya's husband. A fierce confrontation ensues, resulting in mortal wounds for both Shiraaya and Tôbê at the hands of Sôgen, who flees upon hearing approaching footsteps. Jûzaemon returns and, presenting the official vendetta document authorizing the Ishii family to seek retribution against the Fujitas, urges her brother to uphold the vendetta against Mizuemon.

Act II, scene 4

Sôgen makes a daring escape from the temple through the drain. As the medicine he ingested takes effect, his original appearance is gradually restored. Ishii Gennojô, the adopted son of Ishii Hyôsuke, and his wife Omatsu suddenly appear on the scene. Unaware of his opponent's true identity, Gennojô engages in a fierce battle with Sôgen, who eventually manages to slip away. However, a crucial document, Tokijirô's written promise to Mizuemon, falls into Gennojô's hands, adding an unexpected twist to the unfolding drama.

Act III, scene 1

This act is set near Hakone in the province of Sôshû. After Fujita Mizuemon was captured and taken prisoner, there was a period of time before he was to be transported to Kamakura for interrogation. However, heavy rains caused a delay in their journey, forcing the guards to take shelter in a small hut on Mt. Hakone for several nights. To pass the time, the guards gladly accepted food and drink brought by the wife of a local official.

Concerns arose about the flooded roads and how they would manage to cross the mountains with their prisoner. The woman informed them of a ropeway across the mountain at Futagogoe before leaving, leaving the guards in a relaxed state, having drunk themselves to sleep.

Meanwhile, Gennojô, upon hearing of Mizuemon's arrest, set out in search of him. Despite Mizuemon's urging to abandon the vendetta, Gennojô remained resolute in seeking personal satisfaction for the plot against the Nagoshi clan and the murder of his father. He presented a letter of intent acquired at the temple, challenging Mizuemon to a fight at Futagogoe.

Agreeing to the challenge, Mizuemon managed to escape from captivity using a conveniently left dirk by Gennojô. Then, Kusuke arrived with a message from Kanbê, prompting Mizuemon to devise a plan to intercept Gennojô and catch him unawares by taking a different route.

Act III, scene 2

Ishii Gennojô is led by Sodesuke as Kusuke catches up with them to deliver a message about meeting an unknown warrior, Mizuemon. Mizuemon had requested Kusuke to inform Gennojô to be at Futagogoe without fail and to lead him there if necessary. Gennojô, unaware of the trap, accepts the invitation. The crossing (fugo watashi) is by ropeway and with only two baskets available, Gennojô proceeds with Kusuke. Meanwhile, Sodesuke is left behind, struggling to persuade uncooperative guides to take him across without paying an exorbitant fare.

As Gennojô reaches the other side, Mizuemon, who had been lying in wait, surprises and kills him, taking Tokijirô's letter of intent. Kusuke also faces an unpleasant surprise, while Sodesuke's hopes are dashed.

Act IV, scene 1

This act is set near Hakone in the province of Sôshû. Sodesuke, now living in a small hut and reduced to beggary, encounters Fujita Bokuan, the father of Mizuemon, as he searches for a specific clay for an anti-snake preparation. Intrigued by Bokuan's unusual mention of a snake, Sodesuke inquires further. Bokuan reveals that a snake always appears when he unveils a scroll in his possession. He also shares his name and the inn where he is staying before leaving.

Shortly after, a pilgrim enters and reveals that he will be passing through Sodesuke's hometown. Seizing the opportunity, Sodesuke requests the pilgrim to deliver a letter for him. However, the pilgrim deceives Sodesuke by delivering the letter to Bokuan, which exposes Sodesuke's true identity. Bokuan, upon learning the information from the letter, returns and confronts Sodesuke, leading to a fight. In a surprising turn of events, Bokuan deliberately stabs himself with Sodesuke's own sword in a ritual suicide. Before his demise, Bokuan confesses to killing Ishii Unai and stealing the cormorant scroll, asserting that his death should satisfy the Ishii family and absolve Mizuemon from any grudge. Bokuan bequeaths the scroll to Sodesuke, who later examines it skeptically.

In an attempt to deceive Mizuemon, Sodesuke writes a letter in blood and attaches it to Bokuan's lantern, hoping to trap him. However, the pilgrim returns, steals the scroll, and flees, pursued by Sodesuke, who manages to retrieve it. Mizuemon arrives, notices the lantern, and reads the letter falsely accusing Sodesuke of killing an old man and stealing the cormorant scroll. Confused, Mizuemon realizes he possesses the authentic scroll and discovers his father's body, understanding the old man's sacrifice. Vowing to avenge his father's death, Mizuemon produces the genuine cormorant scroll, watched by Sodesuke.

Epilogue

The festival of the Soga Hachiman Shrine in Kameyama in Seishû is in full swing. Tokijirô is warmly welcomed by his retainers and is presented with the cormorant scroll. Mizuemon, meanwhile, receives the coveted position he had been hoping for. Joy fills the air as everyone celebrates until Sodesuke arrives, claiming to possess the real cormorant scroll. As both scrolls are closely examined, Mizuemon realizes that Sodesuke's scroll is the one he received from Bokuan. Accusations fly as Mizuemon confronts Sodesuke about his father's death, producing the original letter of intent as evidence, which is then presented to Tokijirô in the palanquin.

Unexpectedly, Omatsu, Sodesuke's sister and the widow of Ishii Gennojô, emerges from the palanquin. It is revealed that the lord of Kameyama and his retainers were aware of the conspiracy between Mizuemon and Tokijirô and assisted Omatsu in setting this trap. Tokijirô's grand plan has crumbled, and he has been banished from Kameyama. Mizuemon finds himself surrounded by foes. In an intense struggle for the honor of the Ishii family, Sodesuke challenges Mizuemon, and they engage in a duel to settle the score.

The actors Onoe Kikugorô III and Matsumoto Kôshirô V playing the roles of the yakko Sodesuke and Sôgen (in reality Fujita Mizuemon) in the drama "Reigen Kameyama Hoko", which was staged in the 7th lunar month of 1822 at the Kawarasakiza (print made by Utagawa Kunisada I)

Prints & Illustrations