"SHIN SARAYASHIKI TSUKI NO AMAGASA" (The R e vis ed S t o r y o f the Broken Tea-Cup)
Wr i t t e n by KAWATAKE MOKUAMI
TO BE PRESENTED BY THE SEINEN-ZA TROUPE AT THE EMBUJO THEATER FROM AUG. 5TH TO
AUG. , ’ 48.
S H O C H I K U
F
ishmonger Sor teisr segnuo y'sroog O-Tsuta had gone in to service as a concubine in I sobe Kazuenosuke's mansion and won the lo r d 's fa v o r .
Iwagami Tenzo, a v illa in o u s r e ta in e r o f the house o f I sobe, made love to O- Tsuta to no end, so he s to le the treasured teacup o f the House which she had had in her keeping and
i t , but she did not give a l l her heart to him.
Having broken the tea-cup by m istake, Tenzo threw the e n tir e blame on O-Tsuta and, m oreover, charged her f a l s e ly that she had misconducted h e r s e lf w ith Urabe Monzaburo, a young w a r r io r .
Hot-tempered as the lord was, he got so angry w ith O-Tsuta that he stabbed her to death.
Bearing a flo o d o f grudges in th is world, O-Tsu ta 's s oul turned in her grave.
Sog oro became indignant at the lo r d ’ s outrageous ac t , drank much ric e -w in e d e sp e ra te ly, broke in to the mansion and
wreaked his wrath on w a rrio rs in general fo r th e ir haughtiness. However, he was so h e a v ily drunk th at he went to sleep un
con sciou sly. When he awoke, he found him self in the garden o f the mansion, so he shuddered at his own re c k le s s act and was res o lve d that he would be put to the sword by the lo r d .
Hearing o f O-Ts u ta 's v io le n t death, her e ld e r brother made advances to her on the plea o f her r e s p o n s ib ilit y f o r
2
I n the mean t ime, the lo rd came to h is senses com p letely. A ccord in gly, the r ig h ts and wrongs o f the case b e ing made c le a r , Sogoro was k ind ly received by the lo rd and the
v i l l a i ns were arrested r e s u ltin g in the peace and s e c u rity of the House.
( T r a v e llin g Troupe )
"SHINSARA YASHIKI TSUKINO AMA KUMO "
( The Story o f Otsuta )
W ritten by Kawatake Mokuami.
By
To be performed a t the Kan-ya and Danshiro Troupe:
Otsuta, s is t e r o f the fishmonger So g o ro , went to the house o f Isobe Shukeinosuke to serve as h is m istress and was loved by him very much. Iwagami Tenzo was a f a l s e
hearted re ta in e r to him and he lo v e r h er, t oo. S te a lin g the precious p la te s which Ot suta took charged o f , Tenzo urged her to obey h is w i l l , threatening her, but a l l in v a in . I t happened that he broke the p la te s and he la y i t to her charge. Moreover he claimed the fa ls e charge on her, that she had
committed adu ltery with a young samurai, Monzaburo. The hot tempered l o r d, S huke in o suke, being angry to hear i t , tortu red her to death. Hearing a l l about, the in c id e n t, her b ro th er, Sogoro drank a g re a t Deal o f wine, broke in to the mansion o f the lo rd to blame him and acted v io le n t ly th ere. But as he was quite drunken, he f e l l asleep soon a f t e r th a t. When he was awaken from a drunken fre n z y , he was in the yard where the lo r d appeared to a p o lo g iz e to him fo r what he had done to his s is t e r . Sogoro re c e iv e d kind treatm ent from him and the v illa in o u s re
ta in e rs were a rre s te d . The house o f Shukeinosuke was secured from the conspiracy o f those fa ls e -h e a rte d r e t a in e r s .
-(AT THE FISHMONGER'S AT SAMON, SHIBA)
C H A R A C T E R S :
Ohama: Housewife.
Omitsu: Housewife o f Kiku Tea-house
Tahei: Father o f Sogoro.
Sogoro: Fishmonger.
Sankich i: Young man.
Onagi: M aid-servant. Wine d ea ler. Sankichi: Ohama; San.: Omitsu: Ohama: San . : Omitsu: Ohama
How noisy the musical band i s ! They d on 't mind to disturb others.
Don't say so, as they w i l l hear. I t ' s we only that are in mourning, not they.
But they ought to reserve merry making because they know Otsuta has died.
I'm very sor r y th at an accident has happened to you.
The deceased owed g re a t much to you. But she d ied , being unable to repay your kindness. As she was only one s is t e r - in - la w , so p re tty and good-nature that I miss her very much.
How can I dream that our meeting fr o n t o f the shrine o f Shim-mei was the l a s t one!
Did you take her body at home?
No, I didn’ t , because the master would keep the matter s e c r e t, a fr a id o f i t being made
Omitsu: Ohama: Omits u: San.: Ohama: San.: Ohama: San.: Ohama:
pu blic the head fam ily and the p u b lic.
I think perhaps your fa th e r -in -la w must have grieved over her, because he loved her above a l l e ls e . Is he a l l r i ght?
When he heard the m atter, he wept b i t t e r l y saying, "My daughter, how unfortunate you a r e ! Would you lea ve me behind?" And he would not see anyone,
just s i t t in g alon e, lamenting in the back room. I t ’ s most natu ral. As your husband, Sogoro earns your l i v i n g , it' s no need o f worrying over the
economics, but she is your only s is te r - in - la w . How you w i l l miss h e r !
The members o f the musical band said that Otsuta was charged w ith meeting w ith a c e rta in samurai, Monzaburo in the darkness by the Bentendo Shr ine
and was k i l l e d by the master im mediately. Is i t true?
I d on 't know whether i t ' s true or n ot, as i t is the in cid en t transacted fa r in the mansion.
And did our master go there?
No, he didn’ t , but he went to the temple to inform the m atter, fo r when i t i s ordered to take away her dead body, we must inform the p r ie s t about
the matter sooner or la t e r . I would have gone with him.
Thank you. He went alone as i t i s unnecessary to g o with you, f o r i t ’ s not a pu blic inform ation. He’ l l come back soon.
-Omitsu: Ohama: Omitsu: Ohama: Omitsu: San.: Young man Sogoro: Y.Man: Sogoro: Y.Man: Sogoro: Y.Man: Sogoro: Y.Man: Sogoro: Sogoro: Ohama: S o .: Ohama: Sogoro: Om itsu:
Where is the temple?
I t 's near here. I t ' s at Teramachi in M ita. I f he comes back soon, I ' l l see him.
We c a n 't serve you tea as we are in confu sion. Never mind, Madam.
Sh all I serve tea? No, i t ' s unnecessary to serve tea to the madam o f the tea-house.
(Sogoro appears.)
H u llo ! A re n 't you the fishmonger? Are you K ichi-san?
You look very sad. Wh a t's the m atter w ith you? Some m isfortune has happened to us.
Yes, I heard that your daughter was k i l l e d . I'm very sorry fo r you.
I t ' s tru e.
Do n 't be so much depressed. Come and drink wine w ith us in the wine-shop.
Thank you, but I must not drink.
Oh, yes, I know you have promised to abstain fr o m wine. I ' l l go to your house la t e r .
Send my best words to them a l l . Ohama, I 'v e come back.
You've come back v e ry la t e .
The head p r ie s t asked me the cause o f the matter and I to ld him a l l about i t . I was very la t e .
The madam o f Kiku Tea-house has come to express her condolence to us.
You are very kind to come.
We were g r e a tly surprised to hear the m isfortune th is morning. I'm very sorry fo r you.
5 -Sogoro: Omitsu; So .: Omitsu: San.: Sogoro: Omitsu: Ohama; Omitsu: Sogoro: T a h ei: S o .: Tahei: S o .: Tahei:
I think as i f I could see her j ust in fr o n t o f me. She v is it e d us the day before yesterday on her way from worshipping the Shim-mei Shrine.
Bid me do something fo r you.
I ’ l l ask you as we need your help in any way. Do so.
Master, i f you want to inform i t to somebody, I m yself w i l l go.
You need not go, fo r those in the mansion want to keep the matter s e c re t.
I ’ l l lea ve you, as I could see Sogoro. I won' t d etain you*.
Good-bye.
She is very kind fo r us as i f she were our r e l a t i v e . (The old man, Tahei, appears.)
I know the madam of Kiku Tea-house has come to express her condolence to us. But I f e l t as i f my heart would break when I heard her kind words. So I didn’ t come out to g r e e t her.
Otsuta was quite d iffe r e n t from me. She was v e ry tender to you. So you are so s orry. But l e t ’ s submit to our fa t e and don't g rie v e over i t so much. Be c a re fu l not to f a l l i l l out o f grievance.
Yes, as you say, i t ' s our fa t e . But I c a n 't r e s ig n m yself to i t .
I t ’ s true indeed, but reco ver your s p i r i t . Otsuta w i l l be sorry to know you are weeping.
But she was k i l l e d , not died of i lln e s s . I can’ t r e s ig n . I t ' s indeed natural that you lament over her. Though there are many daughters-in-law fo r you, Otsuta i s the Ohama:
Sa n .: Tah ei: San.: Sogoro: San.: Tahei: Ohama: San: So.:
only r e a l daugh ter that you have loved and depended on. You can*t help weeping .
Otsuta is not such a woman to commit ad u ltery.
I t ’ s law less to k i l l such an honest woman as Otsuta. How can we be obedient to such a f o o l is h a c tio n !
I wish you w i l l s e t t le the matter by n e g o tia tin g with them. I f they w on't li s t e n to you, put them to shame by intru ding in to the house.
Oh, as you say, I might break upon them w ith my
fe llo w s i f I were twenty years younger. To my great sorrow, I'm so o ld that I ’ m h e lp le s s , though my
s p i r i t i s u n yield in g. I r e g r e t i t very much. Now my boss! go to the mansion in stead o f the gran d fa th er. L e t 's gather the young fe llo w s and break into the mansion.
Be c a re fu l of your words, Sankichi. I t ' s fo o lis h to in c it e Father with your ca re le s s wo rds.
But i t ’ s too cru el to k i l l Otsuta, though I don’ t know what she has done.
I t ' s not I that o ffe r e d her to be a secret m istress in the mansion. The o f f i cer from the mansion came and asked us to make her a s e c re t m istress saying that he would take such measures as he thought best fo r her fu tu re. I f she ought t o k i l l e d , why d id n 't he inform us about the matter? I ' l l not l e t the
thing pass, fo r they are too unreasonable.
As Father i s so angry with them th at you should go and blame them without h e s ita tio n .
Good! L e t ' s go togeth er.
San.: Sogoro: Tahei: Sogoro: T ah ei: Sogoro: Tahei: Sogoro:
Then I won’ t go.
Don't speak useless th in gs, Ohama. I , f o r one, c a n 't go to blame Mr. Isobe.
Why?
You are too ex c ite d because o f your daughter's un- natural death. But think of the matter calm ly. He is not a man to speak a wrong th in g , although h e 's excit e d . Why c a n 't you g o ?
Because we were g re a tly under o b lig a tio n to him.
What!
Last September on the f e s t i v a l , we made Otsuta go to help Kiku Tea-house. T h a t's because we were badly o f f , fo r the stormy weather went on so lo n g . For tu n ately my s is t e r a ttra c te d the a tte n tio n o f Mr. Isob e, our b en efa ctor. He d esired ea rn e s tly to make her h is m istress. Thinking that i t mighy ra th er be fortu n a te fo r her, we t r ie d to make her convinced and go. As he gave us t wo packets o f g old fo r her
p rep a ra tion , we made her dresses w ith some o f the money, and with the r e s t , we paid a l l our debt, Wit h the
monthly allowances he has g i v e n us h e r e a fte r, we made our l i v elih o od . We could l i v e at ease on
account o f my s is t e r . We ought t o be very g r a t e fu l to him. But my s is t e r was k i l l e d by him suddenly! I think i t ' s because my s is t e r might have broken the ru le s and committed adu ltery near the Bentendo. How could he k i l l her without any reason! Even i f we should go to him, we must r e t i r e without a word i f he should say that i t ' s the ru le o f samurai
to k i l l those who commi t t e d a d u ltery. Such a mis 7 mis
-Tahe i : Ohama: San.: Sogoro: San.: Tahei: Ohama: T ah ei: Servant: San. :
fortune would not happen i f we sent her anywhere e ls e as a m aid-servant. I t ' s our mistake to have sent her to serve as a mist r e s s , because we were blinded by money. Therefore I suppressed my anger.
I t ' s true indeed that we c a n 't blame him when we
think o f h is kindness to us. But sh e's my on ly daughter How can I g iv e her up!
Drin k wine a l i t t l e in such a time and d iv e r t your s e l f .
As she says, wine is the best th in g. S h all I go to buy it ?
Don't be too f o r ward.
I have fo r g o tte n that you abstained from wine.
My son, Sogoro i s a very reasonable man. He is not l i k e an ordinary fishm onger. B ut once he drinks, he becomes another man, saying unreasonable things and quite fo r g e t t in g to be g r a t e fu l to the oth ers. He sometimes committed rude actions to them. As he
trouble so o fte n the pu blic because o f h is drunken fren zy that he o ffe r e d a framed w r itin g to the Kompira Shrine as a symbol o f h is vow and promised abstain ing from wine.
I t may be tru e, but drink a l i t t l e and d iv e r t your s e l f .
Thank you, but I c a n 't.
Good morning. This is a present from our customer. (He puts the tub of w in e.)
She w i l l come here soon.
I t ' s a timel y p resen t, though I d on 't know
Ohama: Who i s the woman who has sent it ? Servant: San.: Ohama: Onagi : San.: Onagi: Ohama: Sogoro: Onag i: San.: Onagi: San.: Sogoro: Ohama: Tahei: Onagi: Tahei: Sogoro:
She is a b e a u tifu l lad y. How sweet the odour i s !
I can’ t think o f such a lady. (Onagi appears.)
Oh, how they w i l l lament i f I inform them about her death. Excuse me.
She has come! Where did you come from? I came from the Isobe in A ta gosh ita .
Oh, you are Onagi! Come in , p le a s e, without any h e s ita tio n .
Oh, Onagi! I'm anxious to see you. I'm gla d to see you.
I wished to come here yesterd a y, but I could not as we had a grea t tro u b le.
Is th is present o f wine from you?
Yes, I thought o f g iv in g you o i l or in c e n s e -s tic k s , but I have brought wine to make you d iv e r t from sorrow. I knew Sogoro lik e d i t .
But he doesn' t drink.
Don't speak a u seless thing.
Thank you. I wish to g iv e i t to fa th e r ra th er than to my husband.
I want to ask you about my daughter at once. Is i t tru e that she had a s e cre t meeting w ith a c e rta in Monzaburo in the Benten Shrine?
No, i t ' s not tru e . She was doubted by her master u n fo rtu n a tely .
Not tru e!
Tel l us the reason. 9
-Ona g i: I'm v ery sorry to t e l l about i t . Otsu ta 's fa v o u r ite cat ran away never to retu rn . So she looked a ft e r her here and th ere, t i l l she caught her cryin g in the Benten Shrine. One o f the o f f i c e r s , Mr. Iwagami had a son, Tenzo. The l a t t e r loved her ten d erly and when she went to the Benten to look a f t e r her c a t, he drew near her and fo rc ed her to obey h is w i l l . When
she t r ie d to run away from him, her obi band was loosened and he, catching her by the o b i, t r ie d to do v io le n c e to her. When she c rie d fo r
h elp , Monzaburo, young brother o f the c h ie f r e t a in e r , happened to pass by and went to help her. But she would run away hidin g her fa ce, when she was struck at her heart and swooned. Soon she awakened by the tendance o f Monzaburo. She detained him from going as she t r ie d to t e l l him an important matter concern in g the house, when, u n fortu n a tely the f i r e was
put out and the place was in the dark. Suddenly Tenzo c a lle d them from behind, "A d u lt e r e r s !" She was charged w ith ad u ltery as her obi being shown
as the testimony. That n ig h t, in order to in v e s t i gate the m atter, the quick-tempered master put her a t the cursed old w e ll and put her to the to rtu re , in c ite d by the words o f e v i l Tenzo, who, unable to g r a t ify his wrong d e s ir e , would revenge h im self upon her. I could not bear to see her. She was quite unable even to breathe, cut here and th ere. At la s t the master, ta k in g her by her h a ir, cut
her down in to the deep w e ll. I ’ m very sorry f o r her. Then was she k i l l e d without any o ffen ce?
11 -Ohama: Onagi: Tahe i : Ohama: Sogoro: Tahe i : Sogoro: Ohama: Sogoro: Tahei: Ohama: Onagi: Sogoro: Ohama: Sogoro: San.: Sogoro: Onagi: Sogoro:
We thought the master to be v e ry kind and tender. But he k i l l e d her without any o ffe n c e !
I think th a t’ s because she lis te n e d s e c r e tly to the secret meeting o f the e v i l group in the mansion. They were a fra id l e s t she should r e v e a l the secret
and shandering her to the master, t r ie d to make him k i l l her in the garden.
He i s very cru el to k i l l her without making sure whether she committed a d u ltery or n o t. I f I were young, I should go to him.
Oh, I wish I were a man to blame h im.
Now, Ohama, f i l l th is cup with wine. Pour that wine which Onagi has given us.
Then you would break temperance.
Excuse me. I can’ t help drinking when I hear such a s to ry . Oh, what n ice wine!
Don’ t drink too much.
Giv e me the bowl. This cup is too sm all.
I t ’ s b e t t e r to stop now. You may drink much but that you promised God to abstain you ought no t to drink more. I thought i t ’ s good fo r him to drink a cup or two in
such a time.
I ’ m anxious about him as he drank so much. Pour once more, Ohama.
I t ’ s enou gh.
I f you won’ t , pour, Sankich i. May I , madam?
I t ’ s u seless to ask her perm ission. Hand me the tub. Don’ t drink any more as she stops.
Is i t wrong to drink your present? You brought i t here to make me drink.
Onagi: Sogoro: Ohama: Tahei: Sogoro: Ohama; Sogoro: Ohama: Sogoro: Ohama: Sogoro: San.: Sogoro: Onagi: Sogoro: Ohama: San.: Tahei: Sogoro: Ta h e i: Sogoro: Tahei: Sogoro: Ohama: Onagi: San.:
I t ' s not wrong, but ----—
Then be s ile n t , Miss. Now, Sankichi, why don’ t you pour i t ? Be quick!
S it down, as I ' l l pour i t .
Are you going to act v io le n t ly ? I made you abstain from wine on account o f your drunken fre n z y .
Be s ile n t , old coon. You urged me to drink y o u r s e lf. Now I f e e l drunken. Oh, I must go.
Where are you going?
I t ' s my fr e e w i l l where I go.
As you are drunk, t e l l me where you are going.
I'm going to Mr. Isobe and blame him fo r h is cru elty to my s is t e r .
I ' m holding you back as I'm a fr a id o f your v io le n c e . You need not hold me back.
I t ' s b e tte r to go a fte r you become sober. I t ' s none of your business!
Please postpone your v i s i t , s ir . How could I?
Don' t g o , I pray you.
Are you going to do v io le n c e , reg a rd les s o f th e ir plea?
I w i l l , even though they pray me. I t ' s your bad h a bit.
Did you fin d i t out now? W ill you stand against me? I d on 't mind a fa th e r.
Be c a re fu l not to be hu rt, Father. Come here, s ir .
13 -Sogoro: San. : Ohama: Tahe i : Ohama: Onagi: Ohama: Tahei: San.: Tahei: Onagi: San.: ) Tahei: Onagi: San.: Tahei: Onagi: ) San.: Tahei:
I ' l l ki l l you i f you detain me. Now I'm going. I f he should go to the mansion r ig h t away, ---He won't come back even i f you detained him.
Run a ft e r him, Ohama, as you know about the mansion. Yes, Do n 't he anxious, as I w i l l arrange the m atter. Then run a f t e r him as soon as p o s s ib le .
Take care o f Father, Sankichi. (She runs a ft e r him.)
How about your wound?
Mine is only a scratch. I t d oesn 't hurt.
The reason why you got hurt by him is because the master k i l l e d Otsu ta.
As he resented i t .
Though he i s a reasonable man. A fte r he drank,
He went to have a qu arrel w ith them. Wine i s a madman's w ater, they say. I hope nothing w i l l happen.
CHARACTERS:
Ohama: w ife o f Sohgoroh Iwagami Tenzoh
Ichisu ke : his comrade
Zinzo: " Sampen: " Gohachi: " Sohgoro h : f i shmonger Aranami Banzoh Seta Dempei
Rokuzo: low -c la s s p riva te Uragami Juhzaemon
Comrade No.1: As the master went to the c a s tle e a r ly in the morning, I d id n 't sweep the entrance a ft e r that Comrade No. 2: There are l o t s of ch ild ren in the tenement-
houses, so the porch is always d ir t y .
Comrade No .3 : L e t 's sweep at once and go to take a bath. Comrade No .4 : And on the way home, sh a ll I tr e a t you to wine
in Yamaya?
No, 1: There they may ask us about the in cid en t o f the w e ll. No. 2: The o f f i c i a l ordered us not to speak o f i t to the
o th ers.
No. 3: Peopl e know a l l about i t , though I d o n 't know who to ld i t .
N o . 2 : I s i t t r u e t h a t the ghost wi l l a ppe a r i n the even in g? No. 1: They c a l l i t " The haunted ma n si o n in Banchoh".
N0.2: I t m a y a p p e a r , e s p e c i a l l y on t h e r a i n y e v e n i n g . N o . 3 : I t m a y a p p e a r , e s p e c i a l l y o n t h e r a i n y e v e n i n g . No. 3: I w o u l d never keep n i g h t - w a t c h H o r r i b l e !
No. 3: T h e m a k e n o i s e s in tue po rch . R o k u z o h : S o m e o n e h a s b r o k e n i n t o t h e h o u s e . S h i c h i b e i : H e ' s S o h g o r o h , f i s h m o n g e r S o h g o r o h : I ' v e c o m e t o s a y s o m e t h i n g t o t h e m a s t e r . f o r h i s c r u e l a c t i o n . D o n ' t h o l d m e b a c k . Rokuzoh )
S h i c h i b e i ) We won’ t f o r g i v e you i f you w i l l do v i o l e n c e i n s p i t e o f our ad v i c e . Soh: I do n ’ t mind. Comrade No. 1 : P o r t e r s ! Rokuzoh} S h i c h i b e i ) Catch t h e r i o t e r ! F ou r: A l l r i g h t !
Tenz o h : W h a t a n o i e s ; wh a t ' s the matter?
Rokuzo : T h e b r o t h e r o f O t s u t a h a s c o m e h e r e , q u i t e d r u n k e n . S h i c h i b e i : A s h e d o e s v i o l e n c e , w e a r e g o i n g t o c a t c h h i m .
T e n z o h : I t ' s u n p a r d o n a b l e f o r him to do v i o l e n c e to us Banz oh: Catch h i m at on c e.
Denzoh: And bind h i m No . l : He ’ s so s t r o n g Tenz o : Then I ’ l l bin d h im .
S oh goroh : Why di d you a r r e s t me?
Tenz o : We bound you, beca u s e y o u d o v i o l e n c e i n t h e house o f the ma s t e r , who i s your b e n e f a c t o r . Ban z o h : He i s l i k e l y t o be q u i t e drunken.
Tenzo : Bind h i m, l e s t he should mov e . (Ohama comes here running)
-Ohama: Fo rg ive him, fo r the doesn't know what h e ’ s doing as he 's drunken.
Tenzoh: Are you h is w ife?
Banzoh: Don’ t detain us.
Denz oh: But stay behind.
Ohama: So long as I cane h ere, he s h a ll never do v io le n c e . Please fo r g iv e him.
Sohgoroh: You’ ve cone to the wrong p lace. You ought not to come .
Ohama: I couldn’ t help i t .
Sohgoroh: Are you prepared f o r my vengeance? (He t r ie s to kick Tenzoh.)
Tenzoh: What a rude rasca l he i s to kick a samurai lik e me! (He is going to cut him, when Ohama holds him back)
Ohama: I t ’ s natural you get angry. But fo r g iv e him as h e 's drunken. I f he were k i l l e d by you-now, h is fa th e r would lament over him to death. Have Mercy upon the old man and f o r g i v e my husband.
Tenzoh: No, I w on 't, as he in su lted me. Ohama: Do you in s is t on your way?
Tenzoh: I'm not a samurai i f I d o n 't.
Soh: K i l l me! Do cut me! you c a n 't cut me with such a rusty sword. Cut me i f you can!
Ohama: Shut your mouth
Tenzoh: Now, l e t ' s try the sharpness o f ny sword. ( Juzaemon appears)
Juhzaemon: Wa i t fo r a minute, Tenzoh.
Tenzoh: Why do you detain me, who is going to k i l l the rude man?
4
-Juhzaemon: I detained you fo r the sake o f you. Tenjoh: Wh a t ! For the sake o f me?
Juz aemon: Were you ordered by the master to k i l l him?
Ten: No, I was not.
Juh: Then, are you going to k i l l him according to your own w ill?
Ten: Yes, indeed. As he insu lted me, he s h a ll die Banzoh )
Benzoh) I t ’ s the ru le o f samurai to k i l l a rude man. Ten: Why d i d you detain me?
Juh : I don’ t mind that you k i l l the rude man.
But where is th is? This is the porch from where the master goes up to the c a s tle and where we g re e t the guests. I t ’ s not the place to be used
pr iv a t e ly by the fo llo w e r s . You ought not to stain i t with blood on account o f the pr iv a t e matter.
Ten: I d id n ’ t think o f i t .
Juh: That’ s why I detained you.
Ten: Thank you fo r your ad vice, s i r .
Banzoh: Then l e t ’ s drag him o f f to the yard Denzoh: And i t ’ s b e tte r to cut him.
Ten: I ’ l l do so
Juh: Stop k i l l i n g him, s i r .
Ten: Again you detain me?
Ju: This man seems to be drunken. Though he
in su lted you, he didn’ t know what he was doing. I t ’ s b e tte r to blame him or cut him a ft e r he becomes sober. I f you k i l l him now, people w i l l think you to be a cru el man. Not only you but the master w i l l be spoken o f as bad. Wait t i l l be becomes sober.
Ten: I ' l l accept your advice I ’ l l leave h is l i f e in to your charge.
Ju: Thank you. I ’ ll, look to the ma t t e r . Ten: Then I ’ l l execute him l a t e r .
Zu: Then you may dispose h i m as you please Banz oh )
Denz oh ) I f Mr . Urato d id n ’ t come, he might d ie . Ten: He’ s a lu c ky fe llo w .
(They are going away.)
So : This i s another man (lo o k in g at Juzaemon) (H olding back her husband)
Ohama; I t ' s f or the sake o f th is o f f i c i a l that you were saved. Say, "Thank you" to him.
So: How can I express ray g ra titu d e when my s is t e r was k ille d ?
Ju: Now undo the rope.
Ohama: Then he w i l l again do v io le n c e .
Juh: Do untie him,
So : Why did you undo my rope?
Ju: I ordered i t , thinking you are not fr e e in motion So : Are you the c h ie f re ta in e r? Thank you, s ir ,
Ohama: Beg pardon fo r your offen ce and l e t ’ s go home. So : No, I can’ t go home. L is ten to me whether I'm
saying a unreasonable thing or n o t. My younger s is t e r a ttra c te d the a tten tio n o f the master and how we
f e l t gra titu d e when he gave us two p arcels o f gold fo r my s i s t e r 's preparation. At that time we
were badly o f f , g iv in g in pawn a l l t h at we had. We paid our debit and bought the equipments and u te n s ils fo r beginning the trade o f fishmonger w ith
some of the money. Our trade went on su cc es s fu lly
Ohama: Soh:
Juh:
6
-and we were happy again. But a l l o f a sudden, a misfortune has f a l l e n upon us. Hearing master tortured my s i s t e r to death without any reason, I was very angry with him. So I broke my rule and drinking a great deal o f wine, I ’ ve cone to revenge on him f o r hi s cruelty. Please l e t me see him.
Make i t b r i e f .
As h e 's a reasonable man, I ’ ve t o l d him my in t en ti on .
Now, Sohgoroh, I t ’ s natural f o r you to blame him, f o r your only s i s t e r was k i l l ed, But judge
the matter c l e a r l y . I t ' s we samurai’ s rule to k i l l those who commit ad ul tery. There are many reasons f or the execution, which I can’ t t e l l you now. When you are not drunken, I ' l l t e l l you u n t i l you can understand the ma t t e r quite w e l l . She said your fa th er was very old. He may be h elp le ss
as h i s only daughter passed away. But I shall arrange the matter f or your sake Just l i e down here and take a nap.
Are you going to sleep?
I ’ m drunken. How r efr e sh in g I am!
Don't sleep here as i t i s the parch o f the man sion.
You need not wake him up But i t ' s the porch, s i r Then take him to the yard.
A l l r i g h t , si r .
( Sohgoroh begins to sing, quite drunken. ) Comrade: Ohama: So: Ohama: Ju: Shichibej: Ju:
Ju:
Shi c h i: So:
Ju:
Take care o f him.
L et's d ra g h im o f f to the yard . Make me l i e as I can’ t walk at al l .
Sohgoroh is angry very much, fo r he has come to
blame the master fo r his cruelty to h is si s te r , quite drunken. Tenzo may outwit me and inform the master about the matter favou rably fo r h im s e lf. I f I save the l i f e o f Sohgoroh, the resentment of the dead may be a lle v ia t e d . He’ s a good-natured man, I ’ l l advise him la t e r .
IN THE GARDEN OF THE IS OBE Ohama: Rokuzo: Sh ich i b e i : Ohama: So: Ohama: S o: Ohama: Ohama: Rokuzo: Shich i : Ohama: CHARACTERS: Ohama
Rokuzo: low -cla ss r e t a in e r Shich ib e i: " Samurai ( two) Urato Juzaemon Sogoro Isobe Shukeinosuke Urato Monzaburo Iwagami Jenzo Sankichi
I'm sorry we have caused you great tro u b le. Never mind. I m yself know that a drunken man d oesn 't know one from another.
Don’ t be too anxious as there are many cases lik e t h is . Thank you. Now, my husband, wake up, p lea se.
Make me sleep as i t ' s not yet dawn.
I'm shocked at you. I t ' s alread y the even ing.
Is i t a lrea d y the evening? Nonsense! Are we in bed? Oh, on the mat! A l l r ig h t . I want to drink a cup o f w ater on the mat.
You ask too much.
I know how re fre s h in g i t is to drink a f t e r one wakes from d rin k in g.
Le t him drink a s he wishes .
So : Ohama: So : Ohama: So: Ohama: S o: Ohama: Juzaemon: Ohama: So : Ohama: So : I thank you.
Do wake up. Have you come round? Where on earth is this?
I t ’ s no oth er place than the garden o f the mansion. Why d id I come here?
Don’ t you know? You have broken the promise o f temperance and having drunk a g re a t deal o f wine, you ran to
t h is mansion in order to blame the master f o r h is cruelty to your s is t e r . You were going to be cut at
the spot because o f your in s u lt, when the c h ie f re ta in e r saved your l i f e . You have s le p t since la s t even in g. But I ’ m a fr a id you w i l l be punished fo r your o ffen ce a f t e r you wake up.
Then was I to be punished f o r my violen ce?
I f i t had not be fo r the c h ie f r e ta in e r , you must have been k i l l e d . Oh, dangerous!
Now, Sogoro. Did you wake up?
Yes, he has come to senses at la s t , s i r . He r e g r e ts what he has done. Now, my husband, why are you s i l e n t when he is asking you qu estions.
How can I speak to him?
T h a t's why I answered him instead o f you. Why did you break the promise o f temperance?
I c a n 't e xp la in , I'm s o r r y , I o ffe r e d the framed w r itin g to the Kompira Shrine as the symbol of my vow.
But my s is t e r was k i l l e d ! I f e l t as i f my heart were breakin g. So I broke the promise. Since I acted v io le n t ly in the house o f our b en efactor,
3
Ju: You are good to think in such a way. But as your l i f e is in my charge, no punishment w i l l be put upon you. Be a t ease.
S o
: Then w i l l you fo r g iv e the man who acted v io le n t ly out o f a drunken frenzy?
J u : I t ’ s on account o f your dead s is t e r that you were saved. Some calumniators to ld the master t a le s about your s is t e r and she was k ille d without mercy. I f th is in cid en t
is made p u b lic, i t ’ s not good repu tation fo r the m aster. You have come here to blame him f o r h is actio n . The reason why I saved you is that I thought your s i s t e r 's f e e lin g
o f resentment w i l l be a lle v ia t e d . I f you are saved, she w i l l be glad under the ground. So I fo r g iv e your th is time Be c a re fu l h e r e a fte r not to lo se your senses be cause
o f wine and l i v e both o f you happily to g e th er. So : I know your in ten tion quite w e ll, s i r . indeed,
you are a good ch i e f . I ’ m so rry f o r what I ' v e done. Ohama: Both o f us w i l l never have a grudge against the master
because o f her death. I f she were a liv e how she would
F ollow er:
be glad to hear i t .
Our master, i s coming here.
So : Is he coming? Then I may be punished fo r my o ffe n c e .
Zu : I have arranged the m atter. So d o n 't be anxious about i t .
So: Yes.
Zu: ( To Shukeinosuke) Thank you very much fo r your g e nerous excuse f o r th is man's o ffe n c e .
Shukeinosuke: I was touched w ith your kindness to him by taking r e s p o n s ib ilit y f o r h is l i f e . So I accepted your r e qu est. You are worthy o f your p o s itio n . Zu: Much o b liged to you, my lo r d .
Shukeinosuke: Then where is the man? Ju : He 's over th ere.
Shu: Come here, man.
Ju: Come here as our lord ordered to do so.
So : Yes, s i r .
Shu: Draw n earer.
So: Yes, s i r .
Shu: Don’ t be a f r aid o f me. I m yself must a p o lo g iz e to fo r what I have done.
you
S o
: What!
Shu: I was so hot tempered and im patient that I k ille d her. Perhaps you may resent i t . But There are many reasons f o r i t . And a l l came out o f my misunderstanding.
I r e g r e t I t very much. You have come here to blame me fo r my a c tio n . We are going not only to have a grand mass fo r her sou l, but to take good care o f you a l l .
So don’ t have a grudge against me. As you see, I beg you pardon in th is way.
So : Hold up your hands my lo r d . I t ' s more than we deserve. Don’ t bow so low to such mean persons lik e us. We s h a ll be punished by Heaven.
Shu: Both o f you are honest, sincere p e o p le . T he more you are s in c e re , the more I r e g r e t what I ' ve done.
S o: Ohama : So: Ohama: S o : Ohama: So: Ju : So: Zu : So: Ju: S o:
Sometime ago we were g r e a tly touched w ith the kind words o f the c h ie f r e t a in e r . B ut now you ap ologize us.
I t ’ s too much f o r us.
The dead may be g r a t e fu l f o r you in the graveyard. (Monlogue)
My s i s t e r ! L isten to me c a r e fu lly though I d on 't know whether you are in Heaven or in H e ll. The reason
why you were k ille d in because you were found w ith Monzaburo alone in the Darkness in the sh rin e. The charge that you committed ad u ltery is f a l s e , but you were found alone w ith him. Th e re 's no help f or i t . On the other hand,
the ch ie f re ta in e r and the lord h im self ap ologized to us f o r your death. Never think i l l o f them. Do you hear? When I heard you were k i l l e d , I wept p it y in g you, but now I'm choked w ith tea rs o f jo y , touched w ith the kind words o f our lo rd .
His words w i l l be b e tte r than hundreds and thousands o f Buddhist scrip tu res f o r h er. Re jo ic e in Paradise,
Otsuta ! But how I wish you were a l i v e ! I re g re t very much f o r your death.
You are repin ing too much. The lo r d ’ s words are s u ffic ie n t f o r us. Don’ t d e s ire too much.
But I ’ m glad the more i f she were a l i v e . Do stop com plaining.
Both o f you are in fro n t o f the lo r d . Be moderate. Excuse me, s i r .
This i s the money to make a mass f o r the dead. Re c e iv e i t w ith g r a titu d e .
No, I won’ t r e c e iv e th is , because my l i f e was sav ed. Don’ t h e s it a t e . Re c e iv e t h is .
Then you g iv e i t to us to have a mass fo r the dead? 5
-Ohama: I t ' s more than we d eserve. Much o b lig e d to you.
Shu: The fa th e r o f Ot suta s h a ll r e ce iv e the allowances o f two persons so long as he l i v e s .
Ju: Much o b lig e d to you, my lo r d .
So: )
) Thank you, my lord.
Ohama: )
F ollow er: (To Shukeinosuke )
We have in v e s tig a te fa th e r and Son o f Iwagami.
Shu: And how about Jenz o?
F ollow er: He has run away.
Shu: He claimed that Otsuda committed a d u lte ry . Being a fr a id that h is fa ls e charge w i l l be re v e a le d , he must
have run away,.
So: I s he J e n z o who charged my s is t e r fa ls e ly ? I must run a f t e r him and revenge m yself on him.
Ohama: Don’ t ac t v io le n t ly again by d rin k in g w ine.
So: D on't be anxious about me. I vow you t o t a l ab stin en ce . Zu: I ’ m gla d o f i t . Now retu rn home a t once .
So: Yes, we ar e g o in g .
Zu: Send them o f f to the g a te .
So: )
)Then, good-by, my lo r d .
Ohama )
Shu: Be healthy and happy.
Both: Thank you, my lo r d , (They exi t . ) Shu: Re t i r e a l l o f you a l i t t l e w h ile . Attendants: A l l r ig h t , my lo r d .
Ju: We ask you to keep y o u r s e lf in s t r i c t d is c ip lin e and d e liv e r the house from the p lo t o f culumn ia to r s , Do you fo r g iv e my brother Mo n za b u ro ? Much o b lig e d to you. Do you in s is t so much on showing your innocence?
Shu: I 'm going to t e s t i f y that I'm innoce n t. B ring i t here, attendant!
Attendant: A l l r ig h t, s i r .
( The attendant brin g s a sm all tub in which is the head o f a culumn ia t o r )
7
-Shu : Look a t t h is .
Ju: Oh! Then w i l l you take up my recommendation?
Shu : The b e l l o f hones t re ta in e r s are r in g in g . I ' l l leave my house t o my son.
Ju: Oh, every th in g i s s e t t le d . How happy we are! Shu: A l l i s r ig h t w ith us.
