Shin Usuyuki Monogatari (新うすゆき物語) (kabuki )

Links

Biography:

This "was originally a 3-part drama. The current version is now made up of 4 acts (divided into 7 scenes). "Hanami", the "Cherry Blossom Viewing", is the nickname of the first act (made up of only 1 scene). It was originally the last scene of the first part..."

"It is a glorious spring day in Kyōto. Princess Usuyuki and her ladies come to the Kiyomizu Temple to view the blossoming cherry trees that are now at their height. Her chief serving lady is called Magaki. On a poetry slip, Usuyuki composes a poem referring to the flowers and this is attached to a branch of a cherry tree before she and her party continues onto the upper terrace in front of the temple.

Soon, a handsome young samurai by the name of Sonobe Saemon also arrives here. He is on an official mission to dedicate a precious sword to the temple on behalf of the shogun. He is accompanied by Tsumahei, his yakko footman, and a famous swordsmith named Rai Kuniyuki who made the sword. Once the ceremony is over, Saemon sees the poem written by Usuyuki and, greatly admiring it, cuts off the branch to which it is attached. This is seen by Usuyuki from the distance and Magaki approaches the men to ask for the poem’s return. Usuyuki then begins another poem but declares that she cannot finish it, at which Magaki takes the poem to Tsumahei for him to pass on to his master. The men are to complete the verse. At first, Tsumahei himself attempts to do this but fails miserably, in a comic scene. At last, it reaches Saemon who successfully completes the poem. When this is returned to Usuyuki, her serving lady suggests that she thank Saemon, but Usuyuki is too overcome with embarrassment for she has fallen in love with him. Eventually, Magaki goes back to Saemon to inform him that Usuyuki wants to become his wife. In fact, Saemon also loves Usuyuki, but he makes a show of protesting that she is too far above him in station for such a union to be considered. Magaki must call upon Tsumahei to help out, and both are anxious for the match to take place. Magaki and Tsumahei are also in love with each other. At last, Magaki persuades Usuyuki that she must force Saemon to accede by saying she will kill herself if he does not. The ploy works, and Saemon consents to marry her. Saemon is summoned to the temple. Again, at Magaki’s instigation, Usuyuki writes a letter to Saemon inviting him to visit her secretly and this is attached to another branch. When Saemon sees it, he promises to obey.

Usuyuki withdraws into the temple to pray, and Magaki is left alone. Just then, Shibakawa Tōma, a retainer of the arch villain Akizuki Daizen appears, and tries to make love to Magaki. Declaring that she loves only Tsumahei, she beats Tōma off and escapes. Tōma guesses that if that is the case, then Magaki’s mistress Usuyuki is most probably in love with Saemon, and so getting rid of Saemon would be a good idea since it would leave Tsumahei without employment and therefore unable to form an attachment with Magaki. He decides to await an opportunity to kill Saemon soon."

Source and quotes from Kabuki21.

Loading...