The ni-no-kawari drama "Keisei Hotoke no Hara" was premiered in the 1st lunar month of 1699 in Kyôto at Miyako Mandayû's theater. It was produced by Sakata Tôjûrô I [casting]. The opening day was the 24th day of the 1st lunar month of the 12th year of the Genroku era, which was the 23rd of February 1699 in the western calendar, and this production was a huge success.

In modern times, after WWII, it was revived only once by the Chikamatsuza on tour, from the 29th of August to the 26th of September 1987, with Nakamura Senjaku II (Umenaga Bunzô), Nakamura Tomotarô (Bunzô's servant Mitsugorô, the Umenaga karô Mochizuki Hachirôzaemon), Nakamura Hirotarô (Princess Take), Nakamura Matsue V (the keisei Imagawa), Sawamura Tanosuke VI (the keisei Ôshû), Kataoka Gatô V (the rônin Inui Sukedayû) and Onoe Shôkaku II (Umenaga Tatewaki).

"Keisei Hotoke no Hara" was in 3 acts (6 scenes).

Act I, scene 1: on the North Road

The rônin Inui Sukedayû informs his men that he has now been engaged by Umenaga Tatewaki, and if they can come up with a plan to do away with Tatewaki's older brother, Umenaga Bunzô, there will be stipends for all. Just then Tamaya Shinbê, son of a Mikuni brothel owner, and the keisei Imagawa come by on their way to Mikuni.

Imagawa recognizes Sukedayû as her father. Shinbê explains that Imagawa had been sent to Fushimi because she had a lover and refused to meet other customers. The same thing happened in Fushimi, however, so Shinbê has come to return her to her brothel in Mikuni. Sukedayû tells her that, since he has been taken into service, he will soon be able to buy her out. Imagawa then mentions that she has promised herself to a man and has had a child by him. Sukedayû says he will adopt them as his heirs.

Act I, scene 2: in Front of the Umenaga Residence

Princess Take, daughter of Tachibana Kazue and betrothed of Umenaga Bunzô, comes secretly to the Umenaga mansion with her retainer Fujiwaki Ikkaku. They attack the Umenaga karô Mochizuki Hachirôzaemon. Hachirôzaemon easily disarms them and makes them talk. They explain that they have received a letter from Bunzô breaking his engagement with Princess Take. They also explain that they believe the child now in the care of Hachirôzaemon is that of Bunzô and Hachirôzaemon's sister, and that Hachirôzaemon intends to take over the house. Hachirôzaemon denies the charges, stating that the child is Bunzô and Imagawa's. Inspecting the letter, he sees that it was not written by Bunzô. Suspecting some sort of plot, Hachirôzaemon accompanies Princess Take and Ikkaku home.

Meanwhile Bunzô returns to the family residence to find the Tachibana retainer Fujiwaki Genba (really Sukedayû) outside his gate. The false Genba explains that he lent Bunzô's brother 2000 koku of rice three years ago but that it has not been paid back. He has now come to collect. They send for Tatewaki. Tatewaki appears embarrassed. Finally he says he did borrow the rice, but that he did it to raise cash to pay back Bunzô's debts. Bunzô says he remembers borrowing money from his brother but that he was not aware it came from Genba. He asks Genba to wait until the peasants have paid their yearly rent. Genba says, however, that he must have it today or he will not be able to face his lord and will have to commit suicide (seppuku). Before doing so he wants to speak to the brothers' father. The father is apparently upset. Tatewaki goes in and a short time later comes out and says his father has issued a statement, which he reads, saying that Bunzô is to be stripped of his swords and driven into exile. Since Hachirôzaemon is suspected as well, he too is to be barred from the house. As Bunzô is driven away by the samurai, Tatewaki commends Sukedayû on his scheme. Now all they have to do is get rid of Hachirôzaemon. Tatewaki then goes inside. At this point Hachirôzaemon returns and finds he is locked out. When the gate is opened for Sukedayû, the two struggle to get in. While this is going on Princess Take and Ikkaku (the real Genba's son) arrive and expose Sukedayû as an imposter. Fighting erupts. Hachirôzaemon drives the villains' samurai back and then flees with Princess Take and Ikkaku to Princess Take's residence.

Act I, scene 3: the Villa of a Lord

Bunzô dressed in paper kimono (kamiko) and under a hat is on his way to the Gessô Temple. It is dark. Passing a daimyô's mansion he is drawn by the singing and shamisen music. A serving lady brings out mochi on a little stand as an offering to the garden and then returns inside. Bunzô takes the but the mochi but the woman returns with sake before he can leave, so he hides. The woman finds the stand and, thinking to place it on the water barrel, puts it on Bunzô's head. He reaches up and drinks the sake. The woman then returns to get water. She takes off the stand and, thinking Bunzô's head is the barrel, finds no water. Others call out that it must be frozen and tell her to get a harmer to break the ice. At this point Bunzô runs away but he leaves the bundle he was carrying behind. The women find it and show it to the keisei Ôshû, who is in the house. She takes a look at the letters in the man's bundle and then asks the women to talk to him and let her see his face. She then goes into the house. The women call Bunzô back to get his bundle. They discover that the love letters are from a keisei and ask him about his love-life. In a long monologue he tells them about his love for Ôshû, who was eventually bought out by a rich man; and then his love for Imagawa. Ôshû then reveals herself and the former lovers rejoice to see each other. Just then Princess Take arrives and sees Bunzô. She tries to take him away, but Bunzô pushes her out and locks the door. The former lovers then share a cup of sake.

But then Princess Take's jealous spirit erupts in flames and is carried to Ôshû's cup. Ôshû becomes possessed and spews out Princess Take's jealous rage. At this point Tatewaki and his men arrive and rush the house. Ôshû, herself again, helps Bunzô to the roof. She then kills one of the samurai and throws his body in the well. When Tatewaki asks about Bunzô, she tells him he is in the well. Bunzô's father, Umenaga Gyôbu, is brought in and killed by Sukedayû, who makes it as if Gyôbu had committed suicide. They then call Hachirôzaemon who, seeing his dead lord and hearing that Bunzô has also been killed, is about to give up. Ôshû, however, tells him that Bunzô has escaped unharmed, and Hachirôzaemon then drives off the villains.

Act II, scene 1: at the Kashiwaya Brothel in Mikuni

The male entertainer (taiko mochi) Sashichi comes to the Kashiwaya with a rich but unsophisticated man from the country (actually Bunzô's servant Mitsugorô in disguise). The proprietor, Kashiwaya Sakuemon, greets them and then leads them upstairs, where the uncouth ways of the countryman cause the others to laugh. Just then Imagawa arrives and says to Sakuemon, who has come down to greet her, that she is expecting a customer. A man with a wicker hat over his eyes enters and attempts to go upstairs. Imagawa says it is her customer, but Sakuemon, sensing something odd, removes the man's hat and discovers it is Tamaya Shinbê. Sakuemon says that such behavior is a breach of the trade's customs. Shinbê replies that he is aware of that but that he is burning with love for Imagawa. Imagawa has thus suggested that, if she can be freed from her contract, she will consent to be his lover. He has therefore stolen her contract from his parents. Sakuemon is moved by the story and allows him to go up. Sakuemon then follows him upstairs. Imagawa too is about to go up when Mitsugorô stops her. He informs her of the fact that Bunzô has been humiliated and disinherited and is now wandering around destitute. He also tells her that Bunzô wants her to look after their son, Fujimatsu, since he (Bunzô) must now seek revenge against his enemies. He adds that if Imagawa refuses, he will have no choice but to kill the child. Finally, he tells her that Bunzô will come and she can answer directly to him.

Bunzô then shows up disguised as a mendicant flute-playing priest (komusô) accompanied by a real such priest. Imagawa sees them and brings out some rice for them. Before they have a chance to speak, however, she is called back inside. Bunzô then thanks the priest and sneaks into the brothel to await his chance to see Imagawa. He slips under a futon and pretends to be a kotatsu (futon-covered foot warmer). He is discovered by the keisei Wakamurasaki, however, so he pretends to be her secret lover. After promising to meet, she leaves. Another keisei Kozatsuma, then comes and he tells a similar story to her. They are discovered by Imagawa, however, who, thinking Bunzô has a fickle heart, becomes jealous. Bunzô explains and Imagawa forgives him, but when Bunzô hears that Imagawa is entertaining Shinbê he becomes jealous. Finally, Imagawa reveals that her affair with Shinbê is just a stratagem to get herself freed her contract so that she can be with Bunzô. The lovers make up. But when Bunzô sees the contract Imagawa has obtained from Shinbê, he realizes that she is the daughter of his enemy, Sukedayû, and declares he cannot marry her. Thinking that Bunzô has his heart set on Ôshû (who is present also), Imagawa takes his sword and cuts off her finger as a sign of her fidelity to him. The commotion causes Shinbê, Sakuemon, and Sashichi to come. Urged to explain, Bunzô tells them that Imagawa's father is his enemy. Imagawa says that she still loves him, but Bunzô believes that since he now must kill her father, she will not be able to forgive him. He then turns their son (who Mitsugorô has brought) over to her.

Act II, scene 2: the Residence of Sukedayû

Tatewaki arrives and says he has heard that someone has posted a threat on Sukedayû's gate. Sukedayû says that it is so but that he does not wish to discuss it that night. Tatewaki leaves. Imagawa then arrives with the child, Fujimatsu. She sets the child down and goes to the gate. Fearing he is being attacked, Sukedayû comes out swinging his sword in the dark and accidently wounds Fujimatsu. Bunzô and Hachirôzaemon arrive secretly. They fight with Sukedayû, but Imagawa comes running up and stops them, explaining what has happened. Sukedayû laments his evil deeds. Tatewaki returns but Sukedayû knocks him down and kills him. He then asks Bunzô to kill him. Bunzô makes as if to avenge his father's death, but only strikes Sukedayû with the back of his sword, saying "thus I have slain my enemy." Ôshû arrives with Princess Take and Ikkaku. All, including Sukedayû, declare life-long fidelity to the restored house of Umenaga.

Act III, scene 1: the Site of the Gessôji Kaichô

The head priest of the Gessô Temple has come to Kyôto to exhibit the statue of Amida Buddha at Higashiyama. Here Princess Take, Ôshû and Imagawa hold a Buddhist memorial service, themselves taking an active part in the singing and dancing. All of Kyôto comes to see the festivities, a sign of prosperous times.

Summary originally written by William James Lee in Genroku Kabuki : Cultural Production and Ideology in Early Modern Japan and slightly edited by Shôriya Aragorô

Kirinami Senju I (left) Sakata Tôjûrô I (center) and Sodeshima Genji (right) playing the roles of the keisei Imagawa, Umenaga Bunzô and the keisei Kozatsuma in the 1st scene of the 2nd act of the drama "Keisei Hotoke no Hara", which was staged in the 1st lunar month of 1699 in Kyôto at Miyako Mandayû's theater