The play "Kuruwa Bunshô" was staged for the first time in the 10th lunar month of 1808 in Edo at the Nakamuraza; the roles of Fujiya Izaemon and Ôgiya Yûgiri were played by Bandô Hikosaburô III and Segawa Senjo [casting].

Izaemon yearns to rendezvous with his favorite courtesan, Yûgiri, of the Yoshidaya Teahouse. Presently, he is disinherited from his family because of his love for Yûgiri, the most celebrated woman of the gay quarters in Ôsaka. He wanders aimlessly around the streets, thinking about Yûgiri. When he learns by chance that she is ill from wanting to meet with him, he becomes determined to see her. Later, Izaemon is irritated by a rumor that Yûgiri has recovered from her illness and been visited by a rich client.

Izaemon goes to Yoshidaya Teahouse where Yûgiri is working. Through Kizaemon's good offices, Izaemon--who was once a rich, young patron of the house--gets a chance to meet Yûgiri. While he is waiting for Yûgiri, he cannot tolerate the idea that she has a new patron and he imagines that they are on good terms with each other in the next room. A sound is heard that makes him dive under the quilt, and he pretends to be asleep as Yûgiri enters. She greets him with fondness and treats him well, but he cannot accept her affections meekly. He is cold and angry while Yûgiri patiently lets his jealousy work itself out so that they are reconciled. At that moment, Izaemon receives the good news that his mother has relented, and he is no longer disinherited. Messengers bring money and other offerings sent by Izaemon¹s mother so that he can redeem Yûgiri. The maids of the teahouse make Yûgiri hasten into wedding clothes and they prepare a wedding feast. Izaemon has been restored to his former respectable position.

This summary has been written by Watanabe Hisao and edited by Jeff Blair [website]

The actors Iwai Hanshirô VIII and Kataoka Gadô II playing the roles of Yûgiri and Fujiya Izaemon in the drama "Kuruwa Bunshô" (print made by Toyohara Kunichika in 1876)