OKUNIWA


Play title	Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees
Authors	Takeda Izumo II Miyoshi Shôraku Namiki Senryû I
History	The play "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura" was originally written for the puppet theater (Bunraku) and staged for the first time in the 11th lunar month of 1747 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza. It was adapted for Kabuki the following year and staged for the first time in the 1st lunar month of 1748 in Ise with Kataoka Nizaemon IV (Tokaiya Ginpei, Yokawa no Zenji Kakuhan) and Yamamoto Koheiji (Tadanobu). It was performed for the first time in a city licensed theater in the 5th lunar month of 1748, in Edo at the Nakamuraza [casting].
Structure	The "Okuniwa" scene is the third and last scene of the 4th act of "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura". It is often staged as the ending scene of a tôshi kyôgen production of "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura".
Key words	Genpei Kassen Genpei-kassenmono Genji Gidayû Kyôgen Giri/Ninjô Heike Jidaimono Kitsunebi Minamoto Yoritomo Minamoto Yoshitsune Noto-no-Kami Noritsune Taira Noritsune
Summary	Previous scene: "Kawatsura Hôgen Yakata" Kawatsura Hôgen Yakata Okuniwa In the Inner garden of Kawatsura Hôgen's Palace The landscape is lit by strange fox-fires. Four priests who have been bewitched by the fox's magic appear and perform a comic dance. The ringleader of the wicked priests, Yokawa no Kakuhan, is lying in trance. He awakes and, realizing he has been bewitched by the fox, swears vengeance. Yoshitsune's voice is heard shouting; "What, Noritsune!". Kakuhan goes towards the hanamichi, but is stopped by Tadanobu who rushes upon the scene. Yoshitsune and his retainers enter calling for Noritsune and shouting their names and titles, as before a battle. Kakuhan pretends he does not understand, but, when challenged again, flings off his disguise and proclaims himself Taira no Noritsune. Yoshitsune refuses to take advantage of his enemy and they swear to meet again and engage in mortal combat. Aubrey and Giovanna Halford in "The Kabuki Handbook" Next scene: "Zaôdô"

The actors Onoe Raisuke (top/left), Bandô Mitsugorô II (top/center), Segawa Yûjirô II (top/right), Onoe Matsusuke I (bottom/left - the warrior with the halberd) and Segawa Kikunojô III (bottom/right - the warrior with one knee on the ground) playing the roles of Kawatsura Hôgen, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Kawatsura Hôgen's wife Asuka, the warrior-priest Yokawa no Zenji Kakuhan (in reality Taira no Noritsune) and Satô Tadanobu in the "Okuniwa" scene of the drama "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura", which was staged in the 9th lunar month of 1799 at the Ichimuraza