Kawatake Shinshichi II's drama "Shiranui Monogatari" was premiered in the 2nd lunar month of 1853 at the Kawarasakiza [more details]. It was based on Ryûkatei Tanekazu's long novel of the same title ^[3]. The program ended with two dance-dramas, the Nagauta-based "Yanagi no Ito Hikuya Gohiiki" and the Tokiwazu-based "Kasumi no Iro Tsurete Hitomure".

In modern times, it was revived in March 1977 at the National Theatre [more details].

The original drama was in 8 acts. The 1977 revival was in 6 acts.

Act I

Suzushiro, the daughter of a farmer's widow in the Province of Yamashiro, embodies extraordinary beauty, a testament to her country roots. Her affectionate nature towards her mother further exemplifies her pure and kind-hearted character. However, her life takes a dark turn when her wicked aunt callously sells her into slavery.

During her harrowing journey over a mountain path, a sudden mass of black clouds descends and whisks her away to Mt. Nishigatake in the Province of Bungo. Atop the rugged mountain, she encounters an elderly woman who practices sorcery involving spiders. It is here that Suzushiro learns of her true identity as Princess Shiranui, the daughter of Ôtomo Sôrin, a Kyûshû lord. Through supernatural means, the old woman unveils the tragic fate of her father at the hands of Kikuchi Hideyuki, the ruler of a neighboring province. Filled with a burning desire for vengeance, Suzushiro vows to take on the Kikuchi Household, and the sorceress imparts the secrets of her witchcraft to aid her cause.

Act II

Disregarding his father's wishes, Kikuchi Sadayuki, the current daimyô, is engaging in excessive revelry day and night. He has even gone as far as to pursue Teruha, one of his ladies in waiting. Ôtomo Gyôbu Munetsura, a chief retainer (karô) of the Kikuchi Household rewarded for aiding in the downfall of his elder brother, Ôtomo Sôrin, is taking advantage of the lord's behavior to scheme the overthrow of Kikuchi Sadayuki.

An Imperial emissary, Ben-no-Naishi, arrives from Kyôto to reclaim a Kikuchi treasure, a mirror rumored to nullify spider witchcraft. The emissary is actually Princess Shiranui in disguise, determined to obtain the treasure. Gyôbu, discerning the deception, dispatches men to attack the envoy on her return journey. However, the sorceress unveils her true identity and repels the assault using a giant spider.

Act III

Toriyama Bungonosuke, a loyal retainer of the Kikuchi Household, finds himself in a precarious situation due to the threat posed by Ôtomo Gyôbu and his group of conspirators. The primary challenge he faces is being coerced into allowing his son, Inuchiyo, to participate in fencing matches planned to take place during Kikuchi Sadayuki's visit to the Itsukushima Shrine. This contest is part of a scheme by the conspirators with the objective of bringing about Bungonosuke's downfall through Inuchiyo's inevitable and humiliating defeat. Inuchiyo, who has been excessively indulged and pampered, is expected to perform poorly. Sensing the impending crisis, the uba Akishino, the woman who raised Inuchiyo, takes drastic action by fatally injuring herself during a Nô dance with him and compelling Inuchiyo to drink her blood in a desperate attempt to jolt him back to his senses and give him the strength to fight.

Act IV

During the shrine contest, Ôtomo Iwatarô, son of Ôtomo Gyôbu, showed unmatched skill until Inuchiyo arrived and defeated the haughty young man. Inuchiyo then revealed his new name, Akisaku. However, things took a downturn for Akisaku when he angered Kikuchi Sadayuki by asking him to end his debauchery in exchange for a reward for his swordsmanship. Disowned by his father and expelled from the House of Kikuchi, Akisaku left dejectedly. Little did anyone know, Kikuchi's apparent addiction to pleasure was actually a ploy to safeguard his house from Gyôbu and die-hard Ôtomo supporters, a revelation that the daimyô confided to Bungonosuke while watching Akisaku leave.

Act V

Teruha, who is engaged to Akisaku, seeks refuge at the home of the fisherman (ryôshi) Namiroku, once an employee of Toriyama, in order to evade Sadayuki's advances. Her presence stirs jealousy in Koiso, Namiroku's wife, while Hirekurô, Namiroku's father-in-law, plots with his henchman Samezô to hand her over to the pursuing Kikuchi men.

Namiroku's attempt to escape by sea with Teruha is thwarted by relentless pursuers, leading to a desperate struggle. In a last-ditch effort, the fisherman leaps from a towering rock into the sea, appealing to Heaven for the girl's safety. A miraculous event then unfolds: the sea's surface ignites, engulfing the pursuers in flames of unknown origin. Teruha manages to flee by boat and reunite with Akisaku safely.

Act VI

After his expulsion from the House of Kikuchi, Akisaku roams in search of Princess Shiranui while disguised as a woman of low birth. His quest leads him to a chance encounter with the sorceress, who is in the guise of a young samurai, by the bank of the Yabegawa River. While seeking shelter from the rain in a hermitage, they both make advances toward each other, only to eventually unveil their true identities.

In the ensuing confrontation, Princess Shiranui unleashes her spider witchcraft to torment Akisaku. Suddenly, the hermitage collapses with a deafening roar, revealing a giant spider atop the mound of debris, with the sorceress perched on its back. Kikuchi Sadayuki and his followers, who have hurried to the scene, are rendered powerless against the sorcery. However, in a decisive turn of events, when Akisaku brandishes the treasured mirror of Kikuchi, Princess Shiranui loses her supernatural power.

[1] Kawano Hanshichi or Kôno Hanshichi?

[2] Furuta Shinkô, Furuda Shinkô, Koda Shinkô, Kôda Shinkô or Kôta Shinkô?

[3] On the first 14 volumes of this long novel.

Illustration from the tsuji banzuke for the drama "Shiranui Monogatari", which was staged in the 2nd lunar month of 1853 at the Kawarasakiza

Prints & Illustrations