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 "Nidanme" act (2nd act) was performed with the actors Kataoka Nizaemon IV and Yamamoto Koheiji in the roles of Kakogawa Honzô and Momonoi Wakasanosuke.

The "Nidanme" act, the second act of "Kanadehon Chûshingura", is made up of 2 scenes commonly called "Rikiya Jôshi" (literally "the Emissary Rikiya") and "Matsukiri" (literally "the Cutting of the Pine Branch"). This act is most of the times omitted for a tôshi kyôgen production of this drama.

Previous scene: "Rikiya Jôshi"

Act II, Scene 2: Matsukiri
The Cutting of the Pine Branch

After both Rikiya and Konami take their leave, Wakasanosuke summons Honzô and asks to discuss something with him in private. Before speaking his mind, Wakasanosuke demands that Honzô swear to neither reveal his lord's intentions nor try to dissuade him from action. Honzô, after some reluctance, swears the oath. Wakasanosuke then proceeds to tell him of the insults he was subjected to and his resolve to exact revenge on Moronô the very next day. Though such an act would likely precipitate the end of his household as well as his own demise, Wakasanosuke considers Moronô's slaying to be a service to the nation. Honzô encourages his master's plan and urges him act decisively.

As soon as Wakasanosuke take his leave, Honzô calls for his horse and sets off for Moronô's mansion, ignoring the pleas of his wife and daughter to try to talk their lord out of his murderous plan.

Source: summary based on Donald Keene's translation "Chûshingura: The Treasury of Loyal Retainers"; Columbia University Press, New York; (C) 1971

Next scene: "Shinmotsu"

The actors Onoe Baikô and Kataoka Nizaemon VIII playing the roles of Momonoi Wakasanosuke and Kakogawa Honzô in the "Matsukiri" scene of second act of the drama "Kanadehon Chûshingura", which was staged in the 4th lunar month of 1860 at the Nakamuraza (print made by Utagawa Yoshitoshi)