The dance "Sendô" was staged for the first time in the 3rd lunar month of 1839 at the Kawarasakiza as part of a 4-dance program, which was entitled "Shiki no Nagame Maru-ni-I no Toshi" and which starred the actor Sawamura Tosshô I, supported by Ichikawa Ebizô V and Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII [more details]. This program was about the four seasons and "Sendô", which was originally entitled "Yûdachi no Choki", the chokibune under a sudden afternoon rain shower, was dedicated to the summer season. "Sendô" was also included within the 7-role hengemono "Shiki Utsushi Tosae no Futsutsuka", which was staged in the 11th lunar month of 1847 at the Ichimuraza and starred Ichikawa Kodanji IV [more details].

"Sendô" standard title is "Kaminari Sendô" (the boatman and the thunder). It may occasionally be entitled "Natsu Sendô" (the boatman in summer).

The dance is about a chokibune boatman. He has just put some passengers ashore on the bank of the Sumida River at Ryôgoku when he discovers that one of them has forgotten something within his chokibune. He is about to run after his passenger when all of a sudden the sky darkens and an afternoon shower (yûdachi) starts to pour down. It is followed by the rumbling of thunder. Then there falls from the sky the God of Thunder. This celestial creature is wearing a tiger-skin loincloth and is carrying a big drum. The boatman is not impressed and he blows smoke into the God's face. He also taunts him by saying that displaying him in a freak show would bring a lot of money. The God is not nearly so formidable as he looks, and the boatman's funny comments cause him to start crying. But when the boatman pours himself some sake and starts drinking, the God of Thunder snatches the cup and takes a quick drink himself. After a while the God of Thunder steals the boat and starts to sail away. When the boatman tries to run after the God, his way is barred by a lot of young men.

This summary would have not been possible without the help of Sekidobashi Sakura!

The actor Sawamura Tosshô I playing the role of the boatman in the "Yûdachi no Choki" section (the future "Kaminari Sendô") of the dance "Shiki no Nagame Maru-ni-I no Toshi", which was staged in the 3rd lunar month of 1839 at the Kawarasakiza (print made by Utagawa Kunisada I)