Ômori Chisetsu's drama "Taruya Osen" was premiered in September 1931 at the Kabukiza [more details].

"Taruya Osen" is made up of 2 acts (2 scenes).

Act I, scene 1: Tenma Kôjiya Daidokoro
In the Kitchen of the Rice Mold Shop in Tenma

The kôjiya Chôzaemon's shop in Tenma thrives as preparations unfold for the memorial services commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founder's passing. The kitchen bustles with activity, readying for around fifty guests, including priests for the occasion.

At this moment, the sushiya Kushichi arrives with an array of sushi and begins plating them for serving. Osen, the charming wife of the taruya Isuke, steps into the kitchen to assist with arranging the delicacies. She notices Kushichi but initially chooses to ignore him. In the past, Kushichi harbored feelings for Osen, yet she rejected his advances in favor of Isuke. Though Kushichi is now married to someone else, he still holds resentment toward Osen and Isuke, making pointed remarks to try to embarrass her.

Isuke, who has been tidying up the garden, returns to the kitchen. The affection between him and Osen is clear, and their playful interactions spark light-hearted teasing from those around them. The only one who remains discontent is Kushichi, who watches with a scowl.

Chôzaemon, the shopkeeper, approaches and asks for assistance in bringing down a large cake dish from the storeroom. Osen immediately offers to help and heads off with him. Meanwhile, Kushichi implies that Osen's response is overly eager, suggesting that some prior agreement exists between Chôzaemon and her. He watches the pair leave with a hint of suspicion, and his comments prompt the others to share this newfound curiosity. Isuke interjects, defending Osen's character, but the seed of doubt has already been subtly sown by Kushichi's words.

When Chôzaemon and Osen return, there's a collective gasp as they see Osen's hair, once neatly arranged, now in disarray. Chôzaemon is profusely apologizing. It turns out that a box containing the dish has fallen on Osen's head, severing the cord that held her hair. Yet, with Kushichi's insinuations still echoing in the room, the gathered crowd struggles to accept that the incident is merely an innocent mishap.

Osaga, Chôzaemon's frantic wife, storms in and confronts Osen, accusing her of conspiring with Chôzaemon to engage in a secret romance in the storeroom. Her claims are unfounded, and Chôzaemon attempts to calm her down, but his efforts fall flat.

Isuke, sensing the inappropriateness of the situation, steps outside to apologize to Osaga for Osen's boldness. As the preparations for the party continue and the arrival of the priests is announced, everyone returns to their tasks, putting an end to the incident, at least for now.

Act II, scene 1: Tenma Taruya Isuke Sumika
At the Home of the Barrel-Maker Isuke in Tenma

That evening, Isuke and Osen return home in Tenma from the party, burdened with gifts of sake and treats. A heavy silence looms between them; Isuke wrestles with the doubt ignited by Kushichi's words, while Osen feels a pang of disappointment from the lack of sympathy and understanding she longed for from her husband.

Inside the house, Osen doesn't respond to Isuke. Instead, she pours herself a drink from the jug they brought home. Isuke, unable to contain his frustration, snatches the jug from her hands and confronts her, his suspicions about her connection with Chôzaemon spilling over. Osen, wounded by his accusations, expresses her heartache, revealing that she had hoped that even if the world turned against her, Isuke would be the one person to trust and support her.

They quarrel bitterly, and finally, in a burst of anger, Isuke storms out of the house to seek their marriage go-between and arrange a separation. At this unfortunate moment, with Osen left alone, Chôzaemon arrives to apologize for the incident and his wife's hysterical outburst.

However, Osen is not content with a mere apology. Still stung by Isuke's accusation, she decides to take revenge, determined to make his suspicion a reality by committing adultery with Chôzaemon. Chôzaemon, uneasy, tries to leave, but Osen refuses to let him go. In the struggle that follows, the lamp is knocked over, plunging them into darkness.

Soon, Isuke returns. A couple of neighbors, surprised to see him, mention that they had assumed he was home, having heard a man's voice from inside. Isuke rushes into the house just as Chôzaemon hurries to escape. He immediately gives chase. Left alone, Osen stabs herself. When Isuke returns home, he pulls Osen into his arms. She glares up at him, her voice bitter as she declares that, in both name and deed, she is now an adulteress.

This drama was premiered in Tôkyô but, as the story was set in Ôsaka, 2 Kamigata actors, Nakamura Fukusuke IV and Bandô Jusaburô III, played the roles of Osen and Isuke.

Bandô Jusaburô III (left) and Nakamura Fukusuke IV (right) playing the roles of the taruya Isuke and Isuke's nyôbô Osen in the drama "Taruya Osen", which was staged in September 1931 at the Kabukiza

Prints & Illustrations