The play "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari" was originally written for the puppet theater (Bunraku) and staged for the first time in the 5th lunar month of 1741 in Ôsaka at the Takemotoza. It was adapted for Kabuki a few months later and staged for the first time in the 8th lunar month of 1741 in Kyôto at Hayagumo Chôdayû's theater, produced by Sakakiyama Jûtarô I [casting].

"Shin Usuyuki Monogatari" was originally a 3-part drama. The current version is now made up of 4 acts (divided into 7 scenes). Act I, Act II, Act III and Act IV are commonky called "Hanami" (Cherry Blossom Viewing), "Sengi" (Inquiry), "Sannin Warai" (Three Laughs) and "Kajiya" (The Forge). A standard tôshi kyôgen production of "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari" is made up of "Hanami", "Sengi" and "Sannin Warai". A full-length production includes "Kajiya" but it is quite a rare event as the 4 latest full-length staging occurred in May 1948 (Tôkyô Gekijô), January 1957 (Shinbashi Enbujô), September 1967 (Kabukiza) and November 2002 (Kabukiza).

Hanami
Cherry Blossom Viewing

Saemon, the eldest son of the Sonobe family and Princesss Usuyuki, the daughter of the Saizaki family, fall in love after glimpsing one another under the cherry blossoms of Kiyomizu temple and are brought together by their servants. The villain Daizen places a curse on a sword presented to the temple by Saemon. By framing the couple, he hopes to bring destroy their families so they cannot hinder his effort to take over the country. Saemon's servant Tsumahei almost defeats this plan and is attacked by Daizen's henchmen in a spectacular fight scene with water buckets.

Sengi
The Inquiry

Saemon and Princess Usuyuki are charged with treason. Minbu comes to investigate the two, and although they maintain their innocence, Daizen is able to turn the evidence against them. The compassionate Minbu gives them a temporary reprieve, but still, must place them under house arrest, each at the house of the other's family, with Saemon at the Saizaki residence and Princess Usuyuki at the Sonobe residence.

Sannin Warai
The Three Laughs

Unable to prove the innocence of the young couple, their fathers are charged with cutting off their heads. Sonobe Hyôe and his wife Ume-no-Kata allow Princess Usuyuki to escape. Saizaki appears with a head box which he says contains the head of Saemon and demands that Sonobe cut off Princess Usuyuki's head. Sonobe returns, having secretly stabbed himself to atone for letting Princess Usuyuki escape. Saizaki reveals that, in fact, he has done the same and the two, seemingly stern and villainous men reveal that they have sacrificed themselves for love of their children.

Kajiya
The Forge

Dankurô, the villainous son of the swordsmith Masamune longs to master the secrets of sword-making, but his father refuses to teach anything, nor will he teach anything to his apprentice Kunitoshi, the son of Kuniyuki. But with many plot twists, this epic play comes to a conclusion in a melding together of young love, the transmission of ancient secrets of sword-making and finally, an old sword-maker finding an opportunity to return a debt to his teacher, the man that taught him everything he knows.

Source: Earphone Guide website

The actors Nakamura Noshio II (middle/left), Yoshizawa Iroha I (bottom/left) and Asao Tamejûrô I (top/right) playing the roles of Princess Usuyuki, Sonobe Saemon and the evil Dankurô in the drama "Shin Usuyuki Monotagari", which was staged in the 11th lunar month of 1790 at the Kado no Shibai

The cover of the illustrated playbill of "Shin Usuyuki Monogatari" for the 11th lunar month of 1830 production at the Chikugo no Shibai