SYNOPSIS:

Ch i j i m i y a Sh i n s u ke, p e d l a r , bumped a g a i n s t Akama

Genzaemon a t a f e s t i v a l of the Hachiman Sh r i n e , Fukagawa, Yedo,

so Akama p ic k e d a q u a r r e l w i th S h i ns u k e . Thereupon O-Mi y o ,

gei s h a - g i r l , who chanced t o be t h e r e , m e d i a t e d the q u a r r e l .

Al t h o u g h O-Mi y o had a l o v e r named Hozumi S h i n z a b u r o , Akama

made a d v an c es t o h e r and happened t o see a C h inese c h a r a c t e r

"S h in " t a t t o o e d upon her arm, so r e p r o a c h e d h e r f o r i t when

S h in s u k e c a l l e d h e r h i s s w e e t i e and man a ged t o p e rsu ad e Akama

of i t .

U n s o p h i s t i c a t e d a s Sh in su k e was, he a l s o f e l l i n love

w i th O -M iy o . T a k in g a d v a n ta g e o f S h in su k e ' s lo v e , t h e re fo re ,

O-Miy o asked S h i n s uke t o i n v e s t i g a t e th e m i s s i n g c e n s e r which

she n e ed ed f o r t h e s a k e of h e r l o v e r . A t t h e r e q u e s t of O-Mi y o ,

S h i n s u k e made a good round sum o f money, but O-Mi y o , who had

been s u s p e c t e d of h e r r e l a t i o n t o Sh in su k e by h e r l o v e r ,

t u r n e d down the money t o Sh i n s u k e out of m o r t i f i c a t i o n . As a

r e s u l t , S h in su k e l o s t h i s r e a so n and k i l l e d n o t o n ly O-Miy o

b u t a l s o s e v e r a l o t h e r s owing t o th e c u r s e d sword "Muramasa " .

Knowi n g a t l e n g t h t h a t O-Mi y o was h i s y o u n g e r s i s t e r from whom

he had p a r t e d s i n c e h i s c h i l d h o o d , Sh in s u k e was a r r e s t e d w i th

r e s i s t a n c e by the p o l i c e .

- 2 -

D r a m a t is P e r s o n a e

Echigo-no-Shinsuke, Pedler of Cotton crepe; Akama-

Genzaemon; Hozumi-Shinzaburo; Mirukui-no-Matsu; baggage-Man

Sakusuke; Yamakage-Heima; Rishichi, dealer, in Second-Hand

a r t ic le s ; Norikiri Choji, Boatman; Akama 's Followers, Kumazo,

T oramatsu, U sh isu k e , bu tah ach i ; K im pach i, F est iva l S pon so r ;

O -M iyo , G e ish a-G irl; O -T su ru , W ife of O aban aya ; S asaba-O -S u zu ;

Four Girls of Obanaya; Three Geisha-Girls; Three Young Men;

Two Boatmen.

- 3 -

ACT I

Scene of Oban ay a , Nakamachi

The s t age r e p r e s e n t s the s t o r e of Obanaya, Na kama c h i .

On th e f l a t s t a g e b o th Heima d r e s s e d a s a w a r r i o r and

R i s h i c h i d r e s s e d as a dea l e r in second-ha nd a r t i c l e s a r e about

t o s t a n d u p . On the d o u b le p l a t fo rm t h e r e a r e f o u r g i r l s .

With an o r c h e s t r a , t h e c u r t a i n r i s e s .

Heima: By t h e way, h a s n ’ t Akama Genzaemon come h e re y e t

to d a y ?

A: I ’m s u r e h e ’l l be h e r e t o d a y . A l though he h a s

a n ag re em e n t with you, he h a s n ’ t y e t come.

B : He ought t o be h e r e now.

Ri s h i c h i : He’ l l n e v e r f a i l to come h e r e t o d a y . I ’ ve a l s o

a b u s i n e s s engagement w i th him, th o u g h .

He t o l d me t o w a i t f o r him h e r e a t Obanaya.

Anyh o w , I ’ l l w a i t f o r him he r e t i l l he comes.

Heima : Hey, R i s h i c h i , wh a t do you wa n t w i t h Akama.

R i s h i c h i : We l l , I ’ l l t e l l you.

He e x p r e s s e d h i s w i s h t o d i s p o s e o f h i s sword

"Mu r a ma s a ” i f anybody would c a r e f o r i t and l e f t

the m a t t e r t o me. I know of some man who

wants to ge t i t and the a r t i c l e i s a g e n u in e one,

as w e l l , so have wanted t o t a k e upon m y s e l f the

t a s k and b r o u g h t the money f o r i t t o d a y .

- 4 -

Heim a: Then , you ’ ve a l o t of money to d a y , I gue s s .

You' d b e t t e r make m erry a b i t .

R i s h i c h i : Wel l , I ’m s o r r y t o say I ' 11 have t o hand th e money

to him soon a f t e r j u s t g l a n c i n g a t i t .

Ha, h a , h a ------ - - .

Heima: Both Akama and I came up h e re t o Yedo and we f r e q u e n t e d

the r e d - l i g h t d i s t r i c t a t Tatsumi.

Although he wa s enamored o f t h a t new g e i s h a - g i r l

O-Miyo who i s s a i d t o re s e m b le t h e d e c e a se d O-Tomi

and v i s i t e d t h e r e f r e q u e n t l y , he made f r u i t l e s s

e f f o r t s , I s h o u ld s a y .

She p le d g e d h e r e t e r n a l lo v e w i t h a guy named

Hozumi - S h i n z a b u ro i n t h e same c la n a s mine, so

I t r i e d t o d i s s u a d e him from making u s e l e s s

e f f o r t s , b u t he w o u ld n ’ t l i s t e n t o me.

Anyway, he s t i l l t h i n k s d e a r l y of he r and

must have d e te r m in e d t o d i spose of h i s

p r e c i o u s sword "Muramas a , " so I u n d e r s t a n d he

h as a mind t o win O-Miy o ’ s h e a r t a t any c o s t .

R i s h i c h i H a , h a ! T h e n , you ' r e a b i t j e a l o u s o f him a bou t the

g i r l , a r e n ’ t you?

Heima: D o n ' t t a l k n o n s e n s e!

As f o r me, I ' m in a p o s i t i o n t o be e n t i c e d by a

woman. H a ,ha , ha — ---- -

_ p, _

-5-(j u s t t h e n , a t t h e d ro p c u r t a i n of t h e s t a g e p a ssag e

a number of p e o p l e ’ s t h u n d e r i n g v o i c e s a r e h e a r d ,

"Go a h e a d , go a h ead " In l e s s t h an no t ime

Akama Genzaemon w e a r in g a sword comes o u t .

F o l lo w in g , h im, M i r u k u i - n o - Matsu comes out

d r a g g i n g S h i n s u k e d r e s s e d a s a vendor of c o t t o n

c r e p e , f o l l o w e d by Akama's f o l l o w e r s , Kuma z o ,

Toramat s u , Ushi s u k e a nd B u ta h a c h i d ra g g in g t he

baggage-man Sakusuke w i th a baggage of c o t t o n - c r e p e

on h i s b a c k . Ch o j i d r e s s e d a s a boatman

comes o u t . )

M i r u ; Hey, you f a r m e r , why d i d you t h r e a d your

way t h r o u g h t h e crowd w i th s u c h a t h i n g on your

b ack and bump a g a i n s t our boss?

S h i n s u k e : My a t t e n d a n t i s q u i t e a stranger h e r e , so he

made such a b l u n d e r .

P l e a s e f o r g i v e u s , p l e a s e f o r g i v e us .

( A p o l o g i z e s t o Genzaemon r e p e a t e d l y .

Genzaemon th o u g h tf u l l y s a y s . )

Genza: Hey, hey , he y , don’ t do such a t h i n g on t he s t r e e t

f o r d e c e n c y ’ s s a k e .

D rag them over t h e r e .

F o l l o w e r s ; Now, now, go ah e a d , go a h e a d .

( A11 o f them come i n t o t he main s t a g e ,

The g i r l s a l l l o o k a t t hem.)

- 6 -

A: Akama-san and M ir u k u i a r e a l so among t h em.

All : Welcome, Gentlem en !

Heima: A h , M r . A k a m a , I ' ve been w a i t i n g f o r you f o r some

t i m e .

Ri s h i c h i : H e l l o , Genzae mon- sam a!

I t ha s t a k e n you t o o much t im e , I 'm a f r a i d .

I ' v e long been w a i t i n g f o r you.

Genshi c h i : I was coming h e re t o g e t h e r w i th my f o l l o w e r s so a s t o

see t o d a y ’ s f e s t i v a l .

On our way h e r e , how e v e r , t he v e n d o r of c o t t o n

c r e p e rub b ed a g a i n s t me w i th t he t i p of t h e po l e ,

b u t he d i d n ' t a p o l o g i z e t o me p r o p e r l y ,

so q u i c k - t e m p e r e d a s M iruku i i s , he g o t a n g ry and

drag g ed t he guy he r e .

Mi r u : Even one w i t h an empty hand i s a p t t o j o s t l e w i t h

a n o t h e r i n t he b u s t l e .

This guy c a r r y i n g such a l a r g e baggage on h i s back

rub b ed a g a i n s t our b o s s , so -------- .

F o l l o w e r s : T h a t ' s why we c a n ’ t f o r g i v e h im .

C h o j i : I t was c h eek y of t hem t o have come up t o Yedo.

Wha t do you s a y , S i r ?

Heima: Wha t a h a t e f u l t radesm an he i s !

A l th o u g h h e ’ s a bumpkin o f E c h igo P r o v i n c e ,

he made a f o o l o f a Ye d o i t e , so s u c h a guy ought

t o be c h a s t i s e d .

S h in s u k e : Excu se me, S i r , b u t i t ' s t h i s baggage t h a t

rubbed a g a i n s t him in t he crowd,

- 7 -

b u t t h i s guy has c o me up t o Yedo f o r t he f i r s t

t im e t h i s y e a r , so I ’ l l a p o l o g i z e t o h im f o r t h i s

guy’ s c a r e l e s s n e s s .

P l e a s e a p o l o g i z e t o him t o g e t h e r w i t h me.

M iru : Hey, hey , he y , a l though you say t he guy i s q u i t e

a s t r a n g e r t o Yedo, why d id you l e t s u c h a guy c a r r y

t he baggag e on hi s back; in t he t h r o ng?

S h i n s u k e : W e l l , I ’ l l t e l l you .

T h i s n e ig h b o rh o o d i s a m arke t f o r my goods ,

so I u n d e r t o o k to make l i v e r i e s f o r t h e l a n d l o r d s

in t ime f o r t o d a y ’ s f e s t i v a l .

However, t a i l o r i n g was p u t o f f and t hey

p r e s s e d me f o r t he goo d s .

A f t e r a l l t a i l o r i n g was c o m p le te d , so I w ished t hey

c o u l d have t he goods in t im e f o r t he f e s t i v a l

and l o s t no t ime in h u r r y i n g t o t he v e ry p l a c e

t o g e t h e r w i t h my a t t e n d a n t . Al t h ough we were in

a hu r r y , t h e r e was such a crowd t h a t we s h o u te d

o u r s e l v e s h o a r s e and managed t o p a s s

t h r o u g h t he p l a c e f o r t he f e s t i v a l .

We were so much e x c i t e d t h a t we made s u c h a

b l u n d e r . P l e a s e f o r g i v e u s .

I f you f o r g i v e u s , we s h a l l be v e ry much p l e a s e d .

( G e s t i c u l a t e s l i k e a bumpkin .)

- 8 -

Sa k u s u k e : W e l l , S i r , you n e e d n ’ t a p o lo g iz e t o t h em s o much .

We d i d n ’ t run i n t o them i n t e n t i o n a l l y , b u t t r i e d

t o a v o id them in the d i n and b u s t l e when t h e y

bumped a g a i n s t u s and t a l k e d t o th e t o p of

t h e i r b e n t what t h e y l i ke d .

You a p o l o g i z e t o t hem so much t h a t th ey t a k e

a d v a n ta g e of i t , I sh o u ld s a y .

I t ' s s i l l y of you t o a p o l o g i z e t o th em .

First Follower: None of your cheek!

You sh o u ld a p o l o g i z e t o u s .

Second ": What an obstinate rustic you are!

T h i rd F o l l o w e r : Knock down s u c h a g u y .

F o u r th Guy: T h a t ' s r i g h t , t h a t ' s r i g h t . L e t ’ s knock h i m down.

(A l l t h e f o l l o w e r s s l a p Sakusuke in t h e f a c e ,

Sakusuke g e t s i r r i t a t e d . )

Sa k u su k e : Al th o u g h I d i d n ’ t r e s i s t you, you s l a p p e d me in the f a c e .

Sounds i n t e r e s t i n g . Do you t h i n k I m a mere b a g g a g e -man?

In my n a t i v e p r o v i n c e , I ' m a man of good b i r t h .

In the whole v i l l a g e I , Sakus uke, am c o u n te d on the

f i n g e r s o f one hand .

Now hi t me, now, h i t me , now h i t me a s h a rd a s you c a n .

(Says abstinately)

S h i n s u k e : H ere , h e r e , h e r e , w h a t ’ s the ma t t e r ?

Do n ' t say such a cheeky t h i n g t o t h e m.

- 9 -

Sa k u su k e : Ne v e r mi n d . Now, h i t me, h i t me.

I ’ m a l s o a man. I ’ l l f i g ht w i t h t h em.

We l l , S i r , d o n ' t me d d le in t h e m a t t e r , p l e a s e .

Sh i n s u k e : Tu t , t u t ! Won’ t you obey me?

( S h i n s u k e c a l m s d o w n S a k u s u k e . )

Shinsuke: I ’m a f r a i d you' r e v e ry much o f f e n d e d , b u t p l e a s e f o r g i v e

u s .

Genza : Hey, he y , he y , even i f you s a y s u c h a p a t h e t i c t h i n g ,

we won’ t f e e l p i t y f o r you, a s we' r e w ander ing from

one p l a c e t o a n o t he r .

Okay. M i r u k u i , s t r i k e them down.

Mi r u : You two r a s c a l s !

A l l : Be p r e p a r e d ! (Are ab o u t t o r i s e t o t he i r f e e t .

Over t h e r e ---- )

Mi y o : J u s t a m i n u t e , A k am a-san .

(With, a d i t t y t o t he accompaniment

of a m u s i c a l i n s t r u m e n t , out of t he s t a g e

p a s sa g e does O-Miy o d r e s s e d a s a d a n c e r f o r t he

f e s t i v a l come . Fo l lo w in g h e r , a number of

young men w e a r in g to w e l s o f t he same d e s i g n

around t h e i r n e ck s and hav ing in hand b ig f a n s

w i th t he c h a r a c t e r s "Miyo" w r i t t e n in r ed i n k

on them come o u t . The g i r l s on t h e s t a g e l o o k

a t t h e m . )

- 10 -

A: Oh, you’ r e O- Mi y o - s a n .

B : Come ov e r h e r e -------

A l l : P l e a s e .

(O- Miyo seems t o be in t h ough t . )

M iy o : Ex c u s e me, Akama-san and e v e ry b o d y .

Genza: H e l l o , O-Miyo! Why, have you come he r e w i t h o u t

knowing t he c i r c u m s t a n c e s ?

F o l l o w e r s : She ha s come ou t t o mend th e q u a r r e l .

M iyo ; Wel l , I d o n ’ t know t he c i r c u m s t a n c e s , t h o u g h .

I f t he y were gamb l e r s or w a r r i o r s ,

you w ou ldn’t be a b le t o save your f a c e .

However, a s you s e e , t h e y ' r e v e n d o r s .

I t w o u l d n ' t l o o k w e l l f o r you t o t a ke a d v a n ta g e of

t he i r w eak n ess and cha s t i s e them.

a s th e p ro v e rb g o e s , " a k in d n e s s i s n e v e r l o s t . "

I 'm a f r a i d I ' v e pushed m y s e l f a b i t f o r w a r d , but

p l e a s e f o r g ive t hem f o r my i n t e r m e d i a t i o n .

F i r s t G e ish a : We ’ 11 a l s o a p o l o g i z e t o you t o g e t h e r w i t h he r .

Second G e i s h a : Y ou may be a n g ry w i th t hem, b u t s i n ce O-Miyo-san

ha s m e d i a t e d . - - - -

Third G e i s ha : F o rg iv e t hem — --

Thr e e : P l e a s e .

(Genzaemon seems t o be in t h ough t . )

Genza: Hmm. I f any o t h e r p e r s o n - e v e n any b ig sh o t -w o u ld

m e d i a t e , I w o u l d n ' t f o r g i v e them .

- 11 -

However, s i n c e t he n o te d g e i s h a - g i r l

Shi n w a r a - n o - Mi y o of Nakamac h i h a s o f f e r e d m e d i a t i o n ,

I ' l l f o r g i v e t hem.

A t e n d e r f e e l i n g a lw ays f i n d s a r e a d y r e s p o n s e ,

you know.

Mi y o : W e l l , t he n , have you es teem ed my words?

Genza: I ' l l l e a v e t he m a t t e r to you, bu t would

l i k e t o a s k a f a v o r of you.

Mi r u : Bu t , Bo s s , i f you l e a v e t he m a t t e r t o he r ------

Genza: I ' v e so m e th in g up my s l e e v e .

Miru: Then, Bo s s , Okay?

Genza: I s a i d , "Okay". Leave t he m a t t e r t o me .

( J u s t t he n , t he two g i r l s who have been in t he

i n t e r i o r come o u t . )

A: Excuse me, Akama-s a n , bu t d i n n e r i s r e a d y n ow.

B: P l e a s e come t o t he i n n e r room.

Genza; Okay. What do you say t o h a v in g a d r i n k in

t he i n n e r room f o r d i v e r s i o n ?

Heima: The n , I ' l l a l s o accompany you .

R i s h i c h i : Th en , I ' l l have t he t a l k a t l e i s u r e w i t h you a t

t he i n n e r room,.

Genza; Now, O- Miyo, c o me w i t h me.

( H o ld s O -M iy o 's h a n d . )

Miyo: I ' l l go t h e r e l a t e r on ,

G en za : The n , I ' l l w a i t f o r you a t t h e i n n e r room.

- 12 -

(With Genzaemon a t t h e head , a l l o f t h e m go i n t o

th e i n t e r i o r .

A f t e r w a r d s S hi n s u k e , Sakusuke , Mi y o k i c h i and

t he ge i s h a - g i r l s r e m a in .

Sh in su k e come s fo rw ard t h o u g h t f u l l y . )

S h i n s u k e ; O-Mi y o - s a ma , you came h e r e in good t i me ,

so t hanks t o your he l p we e scap ed f r o m t h e d i s t r e s s .

Sa kusuke: I f e a r e d wha t mi g h t become o f us and in w a rd ly

bade f a r e w e l l t o say f a t h e r i n the n a t i v e p l a c e .

Sh i n s u k e : We c o u ld e sc a p e a l i v e .

Thank you v e ry much f o r y o u r k i n d n e s s .

(Both of t h e m e x pr e s s t h e i r t h a n k s t o O-Miyo.

Out of t h e i n t e r i o r does O-Tsuyu, w i fe of Obanaya,

d r e s s e d a s mi s t r e s s o f t he r e s t a u r a n t , come o u t . )

Tsuyu: O-Miyo- s a n , I ' v e o v e rh e a rd you a b o u t your i n t e r m e d i a ­ tion.

I ’ m g la d you i n t e r c e d e d w i t h him f o r

S h i n s u k e - s a n . I f e l t uneasy i n d e e d .

Thanks t o your i n t e r m e d i a t i o n ,

S h i n s u k e - s a n e s c a p e d from the d i s a s t e r .

Miyo: I was una b l e t o rem ain a mere s p e c t a t o r , so

o f f e r e d an a p o lo g y though I was a f r a i d h e ' d

have an a m b i t i o n a g a i n s t me.

- 13 -

S h i n s u k e : M a d a m , I 'm s or r y we’ ve d i s t u r b e d you.

P l e a s e f o r g i v e us .

Tsuyu: Ne v e r mind. I ' v e j u s t wanted to pay you the b i l l and

to d a y i s t h e f e s t i v a l , s o I h ope you’ l l have a d r i n k

b e f o r e you l e a v e h e r e .

Sak u su k e : Ex c u se me. S i r , bu t s i n ce she wa s o f f e r e d t o t r e a t

us t o a d e l i g h t f u l d i n n e r , i t would be ru d e o f you

t o r e f u s e i t .

S h i n su k e ; Don’ t ma k e s u c h a n u n c a l l e d f o r rem a rk .

Tsuyu: Don’ t wor r y a b o u t t he t h i n g . You s h a l l have i t

in th e i n n e r sm a l l r oom.

S h in su k e : W e l l , t h e n , we’ l l p a r t a k e of th e f e a s t f o r t h e f e s t i v a l ,

(With O-Tsuyu a t t h e head , S h in suke ,

Sakusuke and a l l the g e i s h a - g i r l s go i n t o th e i n t e r i o r .

O-Miyo r e m a i n s a n d seems to be i n t h o u g h t . )

Miy o : L i f e i s f u l l of v e x a t i o n s . The ve ry m a n o f my h e a r t

h a s n ' t ye t come.

I n s t e a d , t h a t d i s a g r e e a b l e guy Akama h a s come .

I wonder what my d e a r Sh i n z a b u r o - s a n i s d o i n g .

He p rom ised m e t o com e h e re s u r e l y t o d a y th o u g h .

( J u s t t h e n , i n t h e i n t e r i o r th e v o i c e of O-Suzu,

one of t he g i r l s , i s h e a r d . )

Su z u : How n a s t y you a r e , J u r a k u - san! I ’ l l remember.

- 14 -

(Comes ou t h u r r i e d l y s a y i n g s o .

O-Miyo lo o k s a t O-Su z u . )

Miyo : O-Suzu-sa n , y o u ’ r e a lw ay s l i v e l y .

Why d i d you speak; s o l o u d ly ?

Su z u : O-Miyo- s a n , h a s n ' t Sh i n - s a n come y e t?

M iyo: He s a i d h e ’ d s u r e l y c ome h e re t o d a y , bu t I wond e r

why h e ’ s s o t a r d y in comin g I f e e l ve ry m uch

i m p a t i e n t , you know.

Suzu: Don ' t wor r y . H e ’ s a man o f his wor d , s o I ' m su re

h e ’ l l be h e r e .

M iyo: I ' m a f r a i d I c a n ’ t depend upon h i s word s o much now; he

has b e c ome v e r y cros s r e c e n t l y .

T h a t ' s why I f e e l much mor e n e r v o u s .

( O-Suzu pumps O-Miyo t h o u g h t f u l l y . )

Suzu: Oh , my go o d n e s s ! R e a l l y !

No w on d e r t h e ot h e r d ay he was t a l k i n g w i t h a g e i s h a -

g i r l of Kunemoto a t Y a g u r a s h i t a .

( T r i e s t o l e t O- Miyo f e e l u n e asy in v a r i o u s ways.

In t h e m e a n t im e , S h i n z a b u r o d r e s s e d a s a

d e ta c h e d w a r r i o r comes ou t o f th e i n t e r i o r

and o v e r h e a r s t h e i r t a l k .

Bot h o f them become unaware of h i s comi n g .

O -M iyo g r a d u a l l y g e t s c l o s e t o O-Suzu.)

Miyo: In d eed a m an i s f l i r t a t i o u s . Be s i d e s , S h i n - s a n

i s k ind to wo men , so t h e y ’ r e a p t t o l o ve him.

- 15 -

( S h i n z a b u r o c o m e s f o r w a r d . )

S h i n : O -M iy o a r e n ' t y ou g o i n ' t o speak i l l o f m e

any m ore?

(The r e u p on O- Miyo ge t s s t a r t l e d and l ooks a t

S h i n z a b u r o . )

Miyo: Oh , S h i n - s a n , when d i d you come he r e ?

Suzu: I go t s t a r t l e d and my he a r t t hr obbed v i o l e n t l y .

Sh i n : I ’ ve b e e n h e r e f o r some t i m e .

Miyo: Don’ t t e l l a l i e .

S h i n : Oh , n o , i t i s n ' t a l i e .

She ha s become ve ry c r o s s r e c e n t l y , so I c a n ’ t tak e

my e y e s o f f he r .

Suzu: G r a c io u s m e! Th e n , d i d you hea r t he t a l k - - - - - ?

Sh i n : W e l l , I migh t h a ve o v e rhe a r d i t .

A woman i s f l i r t a t i o u s , you know.

B e s i d e s , O- Miy o i s e s p e c i a l l y k i nd t o me,

so any man i s a pt t o be a t t r a c t e d by he r and ------.

Miyo; Huh?

Suzu: Oh , h ow unkind of you, Sh i n - s a n .

I ’ m a f r a i d y o u 'v e h e a r d a l l t ha t we s a i d .

What s ha l l we do?

M ijo : O- S u z u - s a n , I ’ l l remember.

A f t e r a l l you’ ve d e c e iv e d me.

Suzu: Fo r g i v e me, O-Mi y o - s a n .

(O-Suzu goes i n t o t he i n t e r i o r i n a f l u r r y .

- 16 -

Af t e r w a r d s b o th of them s e e m t o be in t h o u g h t . ) .

Miy o : W e l l , S h i n z a b u r o - s a n !

Shi n : What do you want w i t h me?

Why d o you s t a n d on ceremony? .

W e l l , O-Mi y o , a l t h o u g h you’ r e a lw ay s g o o d - l o o k i n g ,

a t l e a s t in my e y e s you' v e e s p e c i a l l y improved

i n your l o o k s , a s y o u 'v e worn su ch a d r e s s .

Miy o : You 've l e t me f e e l u n e a s y . D o n ' t make game of

me so much .

Shi n : How co u ld I make game of you?

I ’ m a d e ta c h e d w a r r i o r , so i f I ’ d n e g l e c t you,

I ' d become a c u r s e d f e l l o w , I ’ m a f r a i d .

M iy o : W hen I went t o th e m e e t i n g - p l a c e f o r t h e f e s t i v a l

t o d a y , e v e r y g i r l p r a i s e d you up t o the s k i e s i n

my p r e s e n c e , so I f e l t u n e a s y .

Sh i n : I f e e l more u n e asy t h a n you,

Miye; Wh y?

S h i n : Of c o u r s e I can keep on l o v i n g you a l o n e .

You t r a d e on c h a s t i t y , so even i f you a r e n ' t a

p r o s t i t u t e , you’ r e a g e i s h a - g i r l and do p r a c t i c a l l y

t h e same t h i n g . T h a t ’ s why I f e e l u n e asy , I sh o u ld

s a y .%

- 17 -

Mi y o : As i f you d i d n ' t kn ow my mind.

How v ex in g !

( O-Miyo g e t s s o r e . J u s t th en O-Suzu comes out a g a i n . )

Suzu: O-Mi y o - s a n , I go t re a d y f o r d r i n k i n g a t t he i n n e r

room j u s t now, s o go t h e r e t o g e t h e r

w i t h S h in z a - s a n . .

Mi y o : Oh , t h a n k y ou . Then , S h i n - s a n , have a d r i n k a t t he

i n n e r room, wo n ’ t you?

S k i n : I f you go t h e r e , I ’ l l accompany you.

Suzu: Go t he r e r i g h t awa y .

Miyo: O -S u z u - s a n , I ’ l l l e a v e t h e ma t t e r t o you.

(Both Sh in z a b u r o and O-Miyo t h o u g h t f u l l y go i n t o t he

house on t he r i g h t .

O-Suzu g o es i n t o t he i n t e r i o r .

J u s t t h e n , w i t h Mi r u k u i - n o - Ma t s u a t t he h ead , Heima ,

Cho j i and t he g i r l s c o me o u t . )

Mi r u : Now, I ’ ve b een t o l d our b o ss ha s some t a l k w i t h

t he c u r i o - d e a l e r Ri s h i c h i .

I d o n ’ t want t o have a s e r i o u s look among them,

you know. What do you say t o d r i n k i n g w h i l e

e n j o y i n g th e f e s t i v a l e n t e r t a i n m e n t ?

Ch o j i : T h a t ’ s a good i d e a . Now, n ow, r i c e - wi n e , r i c e - w i n e !

B r in g h e r e a l o t of r i c e - w i ne an d e a t a b l e s r i g h t

away.

G i r l : Very w e l l . J u s t a m in u te , p l e a s e .

(C la p s h e r hands when two g i r l s come ou t w i t h so me

r i c e - w i n e and ea t a b l e s . )

G i r l : Now, now , e v e ry b o d y , h e r e ’ s r i c e - w i n e .

- 18 -

Heima : I t ' s a g r e a t p l e a s u r e t o h old a b anque t

e n j o y i n g t he dance he r e .

How i n t e r e s t i n g , h ow i n t e r e s t i n g !

Cho j i : I f I 'm lo v ed by a g i r l , a s w e l l , I ’ l l be q u i t e s a t i s f i e d .

F i r s t G i r l : My good n e s s !

Any g i r l l o v e s you, I can a s s u r e you.

Ch o j i : I ’ ve had no e x p e r i e n c e o f t ha t k ind up t o now, so I

c a n ’ t depend upon y o u r words so much.

F o l l o w e r : Th a t ' s q u i t e t r u e . H a ,ha , ha , ha --------

T h i rd F o l lo w e r : Why d i d ou r b o ss come a l l t he way h e r e t o

t a l k w i t h t he c u r i o - d e a l e r ? .

F o u r th F o l l o w e r : We c a n ' t u n d e r s t a n d i t w e l l , b u t i t seems t he y ’ r e

t a l k n g a b o u t a sword .

Mi r u : The y ’ r e h a v i n g a c o n f i d e n t i a l t a l k .

About a ve ry c o m p l i c a t e d ma t t e r , I su p p o s e .

Cho j i : In my opin ion , t o morrow w i l l be t he

1 5 t h of Augus t , so p e r ha p s t h e y ’ r e t a l k i n g a b o u t t he

mo o n -v ie w in g f e a s t , a r e n ’ t t hey?

Heima : I f he w an ts t o t a l k about t he mo o n -v iew in g f e a s t ,

he n e e d n ' t have a c o n f i d e n t i a l t a l k w i t h on l y t he

cu r i o - d e a l e r .

Cho j i : T h a t ' s b e c a u s e our boss i s good a t j o k e s .

Miru: Wha t on, e a r t h -----

Four F o l l o w e r s : Do you mean?

Ch o j i : W e l l , "doguya" ("t he c u r i o - d e a l e r ” ) l o o k s u p a t O - T s u k i - s a m a ( t h e

m o o n ) a n d jumps.Heima : I s i t pun, e h?

- 19 -

A l l : Ha, h a , ha -------

( In th e mea n t im e , Genzaemon comes out o f the

i n t e r i o r when a l l of them lo o k a t h im . )

F i r s t Fo l l o w e r : B o s s , how ab o u t th e busi n e s s ?

All : Are you th r o u g h w i t h i t n ow?

Genza; O-Miyo h a s n ' t y e t come. I d o n ' t f e e l s w e l l i n

dr i n k i n g w i th men o n l y .

C a l l O-Mi iy o r i ght now.

G i r l s : C e r t a i n l y . S h e ’ l l be he r e i n a m in u t e .

(Fi d g e t . )

Gen za : Oh , d o n ' t f i d g e t a b o u t . C a l l h e r , c a l l h e r r i g h t now.

A l l : O-Miyo, O-M iy o !

(Ca l l h e r c o n t i n u a l l y . In th e house on t h e r i g h t

i s hea rd O-Mi y o ’ s v o i c e . )

Mi y o : How busy I am! I ’ l l be t h e r e in a m i n u t e .

( O-Miyo comes ou t and s i t s in th e m id d le

n o n c h a l a n t l y . Gen zaemon who seems t o be in

t h o u g h t o f f e r s a cup t o O- Mi y o . )

Gen: W e l l , O-Mi y o , where have you been h i d i n g y o u r s e l f ?

W ith o u t you a c h i l l would f a l l over th e company,

I 'm a f r a i d . A n y h o w , keep calm and have a d r i n k .

Mi y o : Thank you, bu t I ’ ve made a vow and g iv en up d r i n k i n g .

P l e a s e f o r g i v e me ,

M iru : Hey, O-Mi y o , our boss ha s been w a i t i n g f o r yo u r coming.

Don ' t say such a s i l l y t h i n g .

Today i s a f e s t i v a l , you know.

A l l : H e r e ’ s how.

- 20 -

Miyo: Be q u i e t , p l e a s e .

I f e e l d i z z y , I 'm a f r a i d .

Gen: W e l l , O- Mi y o , e v e n i f you t r y t o r e j e c t me, I ' 11 ne v e r

giv e up my h ope w h e th e r i t ' s r i g h t o r wrong .

I he a r y o u have a l o v e r . Wha t ’ s t he guy?

I ’ d l i k e t o h e a r h i s name.

(O-Miyo seems t o be a t a l o s s . )

Miyo: Yeah , I ’ ve a l o v e r — — t he v e ry man of my he a r t .

Gen : What -------?

Mi y o : W e l l , I ’ve a man w i th whom I p l e d g e d my e t e r n a l l o v e ,

so I ’ m s o r r y f o r you, b u t I s h a n ’ t be a b le t o obey you .

You s e e , t h e r e ’ r e a g r e a t many g e i s ha - g i r l s i n t h i s

s p a c i o u s N a k a m ic h i , so c a l l an y o t h e r geis h a - g i r l ,

p l e a s e . (Smokes t ob acco.)

Heima; By t h e way, w h o 's t he guy?

W e l l , w h a t ' s t h e guy?

Mi y o : W e l l , th e man i s --------.

Heima; Wh a t ’ s t h e name of t he guy?

( O-Mi y o f i d g e t s . J u s t t h e n , Mi r u k u i - n o - Mat s u comes

s t r a i g h t fo rw ard a nd r o l l s up O- Mi y o ’ s s l e e v e

a nd shows h e r l e f t a r m . )

Mi r u : I kep t a n eye on your l o v e r .

Now b r i ng th e guy h e r e .

(Fo r c i b l y shows her arm. O- Mi y o ho ld s t he a r m . )

Mi y o : No, you. m u s tn ’ t ---- .

Miru : Oh , i t ’ s of no use t o h id e i t .

T h i s C h in ese c h a r a c t e r "S h i n" t a t t o o e d upon your

arm i s th e i n i t i a l of t he g u y ’ s name, i s n ’ t i t ?

- 21 -

Cho j i : You had t he i n i t i a l o f your l o v e r ’ s name t a t t o o e d

upon your name. You' r e a n u l t r a - m o d e r n

woman, I shou ld s a y .

Mi y o : Now t ha t y ou ’ ve r e c o g n i z e d i t , t h e r e ’ s n o he l p f o r i t .

W e l l , t h i s i s t he i n i t i a l of th e v e ry man o f

my hear t t o whom I p l e d g e d my e t e r n a l l o v e .

(S e e m s t o b e i n t h o u g h t . )

Gen : Now t h a t y o u ’ ve co n f e s s e d i t ,

wh o' s t he guy who ha s made a dupe o f me?

Heim a: W e l l , Akama , w a i t a momen t .

(Turns t o O-Miy o )

Th i s i n i t i a l Shin i s t ha t o f Hozumi

Shinzaburo, one of my companions , wh o h a s become a

d e t a c h e d w a r r i o r , i s n ’ t i t ?

( O- Mi y o keeps s i l e n t . )

A l r i g h t . I f t he guy i s Shi n z a b u r o ,

I ’ l l f i n d t he c a s e very i n t e r e s t i n g .

A l t h ough he ’ s in d u t y bound t o i n v e s t i g a t e th e m i s s i n g

c e n s e r , h e ha s n e g l e c t e d h i s d u t y ,

b e e n enamored o f t h e g e i s h a - g i r l a nd t r e a t e d our

l o r d ’ s d i r e c t i v e l i g ht l y .

Sha l l I a r r e s t t he r a s h guy Shin z a b u r o and t a k e h i m to

t he mansion? ( Ri s e s t o h i s f e e t . )

Miy o : W e l l , I don' t w a n t t o - - - .

1

- 22 -

Gen: I s your love r Shinzaburo?

M iyo : W e l l , I don ’ t want to --------

Mi ru ; Otherw ise , do you mean to say t h a t t h e guy

. i s another man?

Mlyo ; W e l l .

Four; W el l .

A l l : Wel l , w e l l , w e l l , w e l l .

Gen : What 's your answer , you cheeky woman?

(O-Mi y o is at a loss f o r a r e p l y .

Just t hem Shinsuke , who has wan ted to come out, come ou t . )

Shinsuke : W ell , I ' m t h e guy that exchanged vows o f love

w i tk he r .

(Thereupon M iyo seems nonpleased.

A l l t i e others get s t a r t l e d and look at S h in s u k e )

Gen: You’ re t he dea ler in c o t t o n crepe ,

a ren ’ t you? S ou nd s in te res t ing . I f you want to ,

I may t h in k you her l o v e r , though.

M i ru : Do you have any strong ------

Four Fo l low e rs : Proo f?

S h i n s u k e : H m m . as a p roo f of i t , I ’ ve th is acoount - book.

Gen : The account -book, e h ?

A l l : as a p roo f of i t ?

Shinsuke: 0n the back o f th e aocount-book i s w r i t te a

" Shinsuke , De a l e r in Co t to n Crepe ,

Takada, Echigo P ro v in c e . ”

- 23 -

Th i s i n i t i a l Shin i s s u r e l y a p r o o f of i t .

No wonder I ’ m h e r l o v e r because o f the

i n i t i a l "S h i n " .

Madam, i s t h a t enough?

( S t r a i g ht e n s h i m s e l f when O-Tsu p u l l s O- Mi y o by

t he s l e e v e a nd l e t s he r un d e r s t a nd i t .

S h i n s u k e , Genzaemon an d M ir u k u i s e e m t o be

a t a l o s s . )

Mi y o : Ye s . A l though I ' v e k e p t i t s e c r e t up t o now,

a s t h i s t a t t o o r e p r e s e n t s , my l o v e r i s

S h i n s u k e - s a n .

Tha t ' s why, Akama-san , when you were ab o u t t o b e a t

h im , I c o u l d n ' t s t and i t a nd ch ecked you.

T h a t ’s a s t r o n g p ro o f f o r i t , I s h ould say .

Gen : W e l l , t h e n , i s O-Mi y o ' s l o v e r t h a t d e a l e r in c o t t o n crepe

of Ec hig o P r o v i n c e ? I ndeed t a s t e s d i f f e r .

Miru:: No wonder he l o o k s l i k e he r l o v e r .

H e ' s v e ry much s t y l i s h l y d r e s s e d from to p t o t o e .

Heim a: Such a s t y l e seems t o be i n f a s h i o n among l o v e r s

a t Echigo P r o v i n c e .

F i r s t F o l l o w e r : I n n i n e ca s e s out o f t e n , I suppose t h a t

woman borrowed s ome c o t t o n c r e pe from h im.

- 24 -

S e c o n d F o l l o w e r : No wond e r she c owered a t t h e s i g h t of him

l i k e c o t t o n c r è p e .

T h ird Fo l l o w e r : That guy i s i ndeed t h e i n c a r n a t i o n o f E ch ig o

b le a c h e d c o t t o n .

Mi r u : He’ s a g h o s t o f b l e a c h e d c o t t o n , I sh o u ld s a y .

A l l : Hmm. Ha, ha , h a --------

(He a r i ng t h e i r l a u g h t e r , S h i n suke g e t s o f f e n ded , bu t

O-Miyo ma s t e r s her a n g e r an d draws S h i n suke c l o s e t o

he r . )

Mi y o : W e l l , I ad m i t I ’m c a p r i c i o u s . I f o n ly a h a ndsome man

s h o u ld be e n t i t l e d t o become a l o v e r a s in a

p l a y , t h e wide w o r ld would seem t o d im in i s h .

You s e e , I s h a n ' t be a b l e t o rem ai n a g e i s h a - g i r l

t hroughout my l i f e , s o s h a l l have to s e t t l e down

i n good t i m e .

S i n ce y o u ' r e r e l i a b l e a nd k i n d, I ’ ve

f a l l e n i n love w i t h you.

(Sa y s so t h o u g h t f u l l y . W ip in g th e p e r s p i r a t i o n

o f f h i s f o r e h e a d , S h i nsuke seems t o be a t

a l o s s . Genzaemon seems t o be in t h o u g h t . )

Gen : Ne v e r mind . Even i f she w r i g g l e s , when I r a n som

h e r , a s s h e ’ s a g e i s h a - g i r l , s h e ’ l l be min e .

W e l l , Ch o j i , c a l l Ri s h i c h i .

C h o j i : Hey, c u r i o - d e a l e r Ri s h i c h i - s a n , c u r i o - d e a l e r

R i s h i c h i - s a n , r i g h t away, r i g h t away.

- 25 -

R i s h i c h i : Very we l l . (Comes o u t . )

H e r e ' s th e money f o r i t a c c o r d i n g to p r o m is e .

Gen: Al r i g ht . W e l l , O-Tsuyu, I ' l l pay t h e r a nsom

f o r O-Miyo. Give t h i s m o n ey t o y o u r boss and

n e g o t i a t e w i t h h i m .

Ts u y u : S o r r y t o s a y , a s t o t he ransom of O -M iy o - s a n

w e ' v e a p r e v i o u s engagement w i t h a no t he r ma n .

Gen: B y t he wa y , wh o ' s t he v e ry man t ha t ha s a p r e v i o u s

engagem ent w i t h you a bou t t he ma t t e r ?

A l l : Wh o ' s t he guy?

( S h in su k e c o me s f o r w a r d )

Sh i n s u k e : W e l l , i t ’ s me j u s t th e s a me

Gen : Hmm, a l r i g h t . I f y o u 'v e a p r e v i o u s en gagemen t ,

I ' d l i k e t o a s k a f a v o r of you.

Sh i n suke : What i s i t ? ( F i d g e t s . )

Gen: W e l l , you s e e , a t K i s a r a z u of Ka z u s a P ro v in c e I 'm

r a t h e r no ted a nd go by t he name of Akama or Akauma.

I ' v e n ev e r asked f o r an o t h e r ' s f a v o r up t o now,

t hough . Not only you b u t a l s o I ' d l i k e t o sh ow o f f .

P l e a s e g iv e O-Miy o t o me.

I , Genzaemon, have r a n s o m e d h e r .

S h i n s u k e - d o n , t h i n k s o , p l e a s e .

( Sh insuke s e e ms t o be i n t hough t . )

S h in su k e Y o u ' v e p o l i t e l y a s k e d f o r m y f a v o r ,

so I 'd l ike to say tha t I ' l l g ive her to you and y ie ld to you .

- 26 -

Howe v e r , I 'm a f r a i d I c a n ' t g i ve h e r t o you.

A l l : Why ca n ' t you g ive he r t o him?

Tsuyu: We l l , S h i n s u k e - s a n , n ow t ha t you have t o l e t

Akama-san c omprehend t he ma t t e r ,

y ou’ d b e t t e r t e l l him your r e l a t i o n t o t ha t g i r l .

Hum, y o u ' r e a ma n , s o i t ' d sound r a t he r s t r a n ge

i f y o u 'd t a l k about your lo v e a f f a i r .

A woman would be mo re s u i t a b l e f o r d o i ng s o .

(Seems to be in t h ough t . )

Mi y o : I don ' t mean t o t a l k b o a s t f u l l y , t h o u g h .

At t h e t i me of l a s t y e a r ' s mo u n t a i n f e s t i v a l h e

came he r e t o Oban aya f o r company ' s s a k e f o r t he

f i r s t t i me .

On t h a t day he made a d v an c es to me .

S i n c e then we c a me t o become i n t i m a t e w i th each o t h e r

and t o make a s i g n w i t h the e y e .

Shinsuke: The more d id I become i n t i m a t e w i t h h e r , t h e more

d id I spend my days i n f l o w e r - v i e w i n g and sn ow -v iew ing .

The snow remin d ed me of my n a t i v e p l a c e , s o I t h o u g h t

I ' d d e t e r m i n e d l y go b ack t o my n a t i v e p l a c e

w e a r i n g my c l o t h e s made of N a r a b l e a c h e d c o t t o n

and l i v e t o g e t h e r w i t h h e r in m a t r i m o n i a l

harmony t h e r e t o t h e end of my d a y s .

We have been r e s o l v e d t o work t o g e t h e r in

g ray c l o t h e s with splashed patterns and been in love with each other like dyed goods for two years

- 27 -

Mi y o : I f I don't meet him even for one day, I ' l l

be anxious about him, straighten my back, and c a l l him.

Our love a f fa i r has given r ise to scandals, but

I 'm looking forward to keeping house with him.

Shinsuke: Both of us love each other so much,

Miyo : Shinsuke-san, I ' v e fa l len in love with you.

Come nearer to me.

Shinsuke: I t ' s a hot day, everybody, isn ' t it?

Mi ru : Boss, what sha l l we do?

Gen : They 're merely a free - love couple,

She might be possessed by a horse instead of by a fox .

Miru: But. ( I s about to r ise to his f e e t . )

Tsuyu: We l l , no wonder you're angry with them, but,

as the proverb goes, "Love is bl ind , " you know.

Especia l ly today is the f e s t iv a l day of this place ,

Akama-sama, leave the matter t o me, please.

I ' l l do my utmost so as to save your face .

Gen: You’ re w i fe of th is house and said to be gooda t judgment at Nakamachi, so I ' l l be w i l l in g to

leave the ma t ter to you.

Tsuyu: You see, I 'm known as Tsuyu of Obanaya,

so understand i t well .

Gen: I ' l l surely leave the matter to you.

I met cotton crepe dealer Shinsuke for the f i r s t

time toda y , so when I meet him again on my

way herea fter, I shan't be able to recogn ize him

unless he has some character ist ic .* r

- 28 -

I ’ l l p u t a mark on him s o t h a t I c a n

r e c o g n i z e h i m.

(G ra sp s th e p ip e w i t h t he t i p downward and c r a c k s

S h i n s u k e ’s f o r e h e a d . Sh i n s uke g r o a n s .

Genzaemon g r i n s . O-Mi y o seems t o be v e x a t i o u s ,

A l l the g i r l s seem t o be i n t h o u g h t . )

Mi y o : Oh, S h i n s u k e - s a n -------- ( I s abou t t o r i s e t o h e r f e e t when

S h i n suke c h e c k s h e r . Genz aemon k i c k s down S h i n s u ke.

S h in su k e seems t o be v e x a t i o u s . )

Gen: The guy pushed h i m s e l f fo rw a rd and t h e s p l i t

bowl of t h e p ip e do e s n o t c o r r e s p o n d w i t h h i s u n g a i n l y

f o r e h e a d l i k e borrowed wisdom.

The more c l o s e l y do we look a t him - - - .

Al l ; The more m i s e r a b l e d o es he seem.

Gen: Hmm . ------ h a -------, w e l l , l e t ’ s go now, s h a l l we?

(Leads th e way.

Al l of them go t o t h e s t a g e p a s s a g e .

Sh in su k e l i e s p r o n e . Bo th O-Tsu and O- Miy o lo o k

a f t e r him .)

Ts u y u : W e l l , Sh i n s u k e - s a n , you must be ve ry m o r t i f i e d .

P l e a s e f o r g i v e me.

I a sk ed you such a d i f f i c u l t t a s k and I ’ m s o r r y you

had a h a r d t ime o f i t .

Mi y o : You must have a p a i n , I ' m a f r a i d .

- 29 -

I d o n ' t know how t o e x p r e ss my t h a n k s in w o rd s .

Madam, what s h a l l I do?

S h in s u k e : Exc u s e me, b u t i f you s a y such a t h i n g , I ' 11 be a t a l o s s

i n d e e d . I d o n ' t mind such a t r i f l i n g t h i n g a t a l l .

S a k u s u k e : W e l l , s i r , I ’m a f r a id you f e e l a n a c u te p a i n .

Whenever I saw and h e a rd you in t h e ad j o i n i n g room

a w h i le ago , I f e l t m o r t i f i e d and t r i e d t o run o u t ,

b u t a l l o f them kep t me from d o i n g s o and I c o u l d n ’ t

g e t ou t of t h e r e , so f e l t v e x a t i o u s and

b i t the s l e e v e .

Sh i n s u k e : I r e c e i v e d on ly a s l i g h t c u t , so you n e e d n ’ t

w o r ry a b o u t i t ,

Howe v e r , a l t h o u g h I became a l o v e r f o r t h e f i r s t t ime

in my l i f e , I had a ha rd t ime of i t i n d e e d , (Shi

n z a b u ro comes out o f t h e i n t e r i o r , bows to

everybody and t u r n s t o S h in su k e .

J u s t th en O-Miyo sa y s t o S h i n z a b u r o . )

Mi y o : S h i n z o - s a n , I want you to a p p r e c i a t e h i s k i n d n e s s .

When you were abou t t o be in t r o u b l e , S h i n s u k e - s an

t o o k upon h i m s e l f th e t a s k f o r your sak e .

Tsuyu: Yo u 'd b e t t e r t h a n k him very much.

Sh i n z o : How do you do? S h in z o -d o n o , I suppose?

I ’m s o r r y I l e t you s u f f e r h a r d s h i p s u n e x p e c t e d l y .

S h i n z a : How do you do? S h i n s u k e - dono , I suppose?

I am Hozumi S h i n z a b u r o .

You k i n d ly h e lp e d me in t r o u b l e I c a n ’ t e x p r e s s my th a n k s

in w o r d s . I a p p r e c i a t e i t .

- 30 -

S h in s u k e : How do you do? A l th o u g h I 'm a man, I 'm s t r u c k by

y our handsome c o u n te n a n c e .

In d eed you d e s e r v e t o be h e r l o v e r .

Sa k u s u k e : S i r , I w ish I c o u ld have been bo rn a handsome man.

S h i n s u ke : You ough t t o have a g rudge a g a i n s t you r p a r e n t s .

Mi y o : I ’ m a f r a i d my head has been t u r n e d by t h e t r o u b l e

and I ’ ve had a f i t of spasm.

Tsuyu; Tomorrow wi l l be an i m p o r t a n t day f o r you,

you know.

Then, y ou’ d b e t t e r ta k e a r e s t a t t h e s m a l l room

f o r a w h i l e .

Sh i n z a : A woman i s a p t t o have an a t t a c k o f he r c h r o n i c

d i s e a s e w h e th e r she i s bo th in joy and in s o r r o w .

Tsuyu: Ex cuse me , S h i n z a - s a n , b u t h e r spasm ought t o - - —

Sh i n z a : You mean I ought t o l o ok a f t e r h e r?

Ts u : Nothing i s so good f o r M iy o k ic h i - s a n ' s h e a l t h a s t h a t .

(Wi t h a r o m a n t ic d i t t y , Sh i n z a b u r o g oes i n t o th e house

on t h e r i g h t . )

Tsuyu: By t h e way, S h i n s u k e - s a n , ha ve you b ro u g h t h e re t o d a y t he

dr y goods which I a sked you th e o t h e r day?

S h in s u k e : I d o n ' t know w h e th e r you l i k e i t or n o t , b u t I ' l l

j u s t show i t to you. Sak u su k e , t a k e i t o u t , p l e a s e .

(Sakusuke u n d e r s t a n d s i t and t a k e s c o t t o n c r e p e

ou t of the c l o t h e s - b o x . O-Tsuyu lo o k s a t t h e d r y - g o o d s .

Out of t h e i n t e r i o r does a g i r l come.)

- 31 -

G i r l A: Ex cu se me, Madam, b u t t h e g u e s t a t t he

s e m i - d e t a c h e d room i s c a l l i n g you.

Come r i g h t away, p l e a s e , (Ta k e s Tsuyu by th e

hand f o r c i b l y . Tsuyu r i s e s t o h e r f e e t . )

Tsuyu; W e l l , how busy I am! I ' 11 be t h e r e in a m i n u t e .

(Taken by t h e g i r l , O-Tsuyu goes i n t o th e i n t e r i o r .

A f t e r w a r d s a d i t t y s t a r t s :

" I 'm so much p r e s s e d f o r t i me t h a t I f r e t away my days.

Even when I meet him in t h e n i g h t now and th e n ,

I f e e l i m p a t i e n t . "

( In t h e m e a n t ime, Shi n s u ke p u t s away th e d ry - g o o d s .

In t h e r o o m on th e r i g h t Mi y o ’ s v o i c e i s h e a r d . )

Miyo: I f you f e e l h o t , you ' d b e t t e r t ak e o f f your

J a p a n e s e c o a t .

( "The b e l l of dawn comes w i t h in h e a r i n g .

En t e r i n g, in the book , S h i n s u ke t u r n s t o t he r i g h t

t h o u g h t f u l l y Sakusuke p u t s a s i d e th e b a g g a g e . )

Sa k u : We l l , S h i n s u k e - s a n .

( P a t s Sh i n s uke on t he back when Sh i n s uke g e t s s t a r t l e d . )

S h i n : Huh ? ( F a l l s on h i s b u t t o c k s .

J u s t t h e n the sound o f th e wooden c l a p p e r i s h e a r d . )

Sh in : I ' m v e r y m u c h a s t o n i s h e d .

(With the o r c h e s t r a , t h e sound of t he wooden

c lap p ers i s he a r d . )

-------- Act Drop-------

The main s t a g e h as a l i g h t blue c u r t a i n a l l ove r

be h i n d . Two boatmen w e a r in g a l i v e r y f o r t h e f e s t i v a l ,

t u c k i n g up t h e i r c l o t h e s b e h in d , c a r r y i n g a lo n g l a n t e r n in

h a n d , h a v in g some t a t to o e d , p a t t e r n upon t h e i r back , w e a r in g

a b e l l y - b a n d and t y i n g a tow e l a ro u n d t h e i r head r e s p e c t i v e l y

a re a bou t t o r i s e to t h e i r f e e t .

Wi t h t h e r o a r o f th e se a , th e c u r t a i n r i s e s .

Young Man: We l l , have many o f them been saved from drowning?

Boatman A: You see, such a crowd of peop le dropped a t the

same t i m e , so we were s h o r t - h a n d e d .

Young Ma n : A l th o u g h i t was a r a r e t h i n g i n r e c e n t y e a r s t h a t

th e s t r e e t s were so much crowded w i t h p e o p l e , t h e r e

was no o t h e r p a s s a g e a n d the b r i d g e was b la c k w i t h

p e o p l e .

Boatman A: A l though t h e r e were s e v e r a l b o a t s , most of th e

boatmen had gone out f o r p l e a s u r e , so w e were

s h o r t - h a n d e d and c o u l d n ’ t be t h e r e i n time f o r

t h e i r r e s c u e , b u t were o b l ig e d to l e t them d ie

b e f o r e our v e ry e y e s .

Young Man: However, t h e r e seem to be a g r e a t many p e o p le d ren c h ed

to the s k i n a t the b r i d g e w a tchm an 's lo d g e .

Boatman A: Well , t h e y ' r e th o se who were a t the f o o t of th e

b r i d g e .

- - - - - Scene of Breakwater at River Okawa---------

- 2 -

Young Man : I ’m a f r a i d th e people- who h a d been in t h e c e n t e r o f

t h e b r id g e c o u l d n ’ t budge even an i n c h .

J u s t th e n a n o th e r boatman d r e s s e d i n th e same

c l o t h e s comess o u t of t h e l e f t .

Boatman B: Hey, H a tsu , come o v e r h e r e r i g h t away and work

a g a i n .

Boatman A: Okay.

I ’m s o r r y I ’ve k i l l e d so much t im e .

Young Man : I ’l l a l so go round th e r i v e r - b a n k .

Boatman B : Now, come on, come on r i g h t away.

A l l of them le a v e .

The c u r t a i n d r o p s .

J u s t then Shinsuke comes out l o o k i n g a f t e r O-Miyo

d r e s s e d i n a f e s t i v a l dance cos tum e .

Sh in su k e : W el l , O-M iy o -san , c h e e r u p , c h e e r up!

Miyo : I wonder what on e a r t h happened to me.

S h in su k e : Well, today on my way back from Nakamachi t h e r e

were jammed w i t h p e o p l e , s o I wanted t o t ak e a

b o a t , but was t o l d a l l t h e boatmen took a d ay o f f f o r

th e f e s t i v a l .

A f te r a l l I a sked t h a t o l d boatmen w i th whom I ’m

f a m i l i a r to l e t me t a k e t h i s f i s h i n g - b o a t .

However, I h e a r d a f i g h t i n g took p l a c e t h e r e , so

th o u g h t i t d angerous and p a sse d u n d e r t h e b r id g e

h u r r i e d l y .

- 3 -

At t h a t moment, t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e broken p ie c e o f

th e r a i l a p e r s o n f e l l down from above, so I k e p t

t h e p e rs o n back and lo o k e d a t t h e f a c e when to my

g r e a t a s t o n i s h m e n t I knew i t was you, so rowed th ro u g h

t h e sp o t and n u r s e d you back to h e a l t h ,

I ’m g la d you ha v e n ' t h u r t y o u r s e l f a t a l l .

Miyo: Y e s t e r d a y I was saved f rom th e f i n a l d i s t r e s s by you

and to d ay I was m i r a c u l o u s l y saved from d e a t h by you

a g a i n . I owe you my l i f e , Shinsuke-san.

I d o n ' t know how t o e x p r e s s my t h a n k s to you i n

words .

H ear ing h e r w ords , Sh in suke s a y s t h o u g h t f u l l y .

Shinsuke: W ell , i f you want t o thank me, I have a f a v o r t o

ask of you. Won’ t you p l e a s e g r a n t my r e q u e s t ?

Miyo: S ince I owe you my l i f e , S h in s u k e - s a n , I ’l l do

a n y t h i n g i f I can .

Sh insuke Well, i t would depend upon your w i l l w h e th e r you

c o u ld g r a n t my r e q u e s t o r not .

Miyo: And w h a t ’ s th e r e q u e s t ?

S h in s u k e : We l l , th e r e q u e s t i s ------ ( I s u n ab le t o say and

m e d i t a t e s . )

I 'm a f r a i d i t ' s h a r d f o r me to say t h e v e ry t h i n g .

Mi y o : W h a t ' s the ma t t e r ?

I know y o u ' r e a r e l i a b l e man, S h in s u k e - s a n .

T h a t ’ s why y e s t e r d a y i n p r e s e n c e of Akama-san I s a i d

you were my l o v e r s o a s to hoodwink him.

- 4 -

That was because b o th O-Tsu y u - s a n and I knew you mind.

I 'm r e l i e v e d , you know.

Your r e q u e s t i s n ’ t a d i s a g r e e a b l e one , I g u e s s .

W il l you p l e a s e t e l l me f r a n k l y what i t i s ?

Sh in su k e seems to be a t a l o s s .

S h in s u k e : Now, you see , i t ' s on the t i p of my t o n g u e , th o u g h .

Miyo : Wh a t ’ s the r e a s o n why you c a n ' t say i t ?

Shinsuke : We l l .

M iyo : Come o n !

S h in su k e : S h a l l I v e n t u r e to say i t ?

Miyo: Now say i t r i g h t away, p l e a s e .

S h in su k e : W el l , p l e a s e .

Miyo : Pl ease.

S h in su k e : P l e a s e become my s w e e t i e . (Says so and h i d e s h i s

f a c e . )

Miyo: Huh? ( Gets a s t o n i s h e d and seems to be n o n p l u s s e d . )

S h in su k e : Well, no wonder y o u ’re a s t o n i s h e d to h e a r i t , t h o u g h .

I , S h in s u k e , love you d e a r l y , O-Miyo-sama.

Hear me o u t , p l e a s e . B e s i d e s , y e s t e r d a y a t Ob anaya

you p r e t e n d e d t o lo v e me so a s t o e s c a p e from the

t r o u b l e .

A l though I knew you p r e t e n d e d to do s o , I became

enamored o f you a n d w ished i t h a d been your t r u e l o v e .

S ince t h e n I was s t u c k on you. A l though I r e t u r n e d

to t h e inn , I f e l t madly i n love w i th you and even

a l o v e - s t o r y o f my f e l l o w - d e a l e r i n c o t t o n c re p e reminded

me o f you.

- 5 -

I was o v e r h ead and e a r s i n lo v e w i t h you, so my

h e a r t t h r o b b e d f a s t even a t t h e t h o u g h t o f you.

However, I knew you had the man o f y o u r h e a r t t o

whom you p le d g e d your e t e r n a l lo v e and h ad h i s i n i t i a l

t a t t o o e d upon your arm, so I m a s te re d my emotion and

p u t up w i t h my so r ro w .

Aga i n , t o d a y when you were f a l l i n g o f f t h e b r i d g e ,

I k e p t you back f o r f e a r t h a t you might h u r t y o u r s e l f

and n u r s e d you back to h e a l t h , as you had

swooned. When you came to y o u r s e l f , however , I

became c r a z y about you a g a in and u n f o r t u n a t e l y

c o u l d n ’ t g i v e up my l o v e .

Now t h a t I ’ve c o n f e s s e d my l o v e t o you though I

know you have your l o v e r , w i l l you p l e a s e u n d e r s t a n d

my h e a r t and g r a n t my r e q u e s t , O-Miyo-sama?

S h in suke s a y s so t h o u g h t f u l l y . During the t im e ,

O-Miyo, who h as d ropped h e r h e a d , t h o u g h t f u l l y c h a n ts

the B u d d h is t s c r i p t u r e s .

M iyo : Save u s , m e r c i f u l Buddha!

( T r i e s t o th row h e r s e l f i n to t h e r i v e r when Shinsuke

h o l d s h e r back.)

Shi n su k e : Ah, lo o k ou t !

Wait , w a i t a moment!

Miyo: P l e a s e l e t me go.

S h in s u k e : No, I won’t l e t you go. A l though I k i n d l y saved

you from d e a t h , why are you g o in g to k i l l y o u r s e l f

a g a in ?

6

Miyo

Shinsuke

M iyo :

Shinsuke

W e l l , I owe you my l i f e , so I c a n ’ t r e fu se

your req ues t from a sense o f o b l i g a t i o n , thouh .

I ’m a f r a i d I c a n ’ t g ive you a s a t i s f a c t o r y answer

because o f t h i s t a t t o o as a symbol o f my e t e r n a l

l o v e t o Shinz aburo-sama.

Once a b ig s h o t , but. now a p oop -ou t i s Shinzaburo

8ama, as h e ' s a h e l p l e s s " r o n i n n, you know.

I f I ' d abandon him in such a c o ndi t i o n , i t ’ d

r e f l e c t upon my honor as a g e i s h a - g i r l o f Nakamachi.

I f he should ob ta in the censer even tomorrow, h e 'd

be able to r e tu rn to h i s na t ive p r o v i n c e .

Then, I ' d t e l l him o f the r eason , separate from him

and become your l e g a l w i f e .

Now you understand the reason f o r i t , Shinsuke- san ,

d o n ' t you? So I ’ l l do anything but t h i s .

Hmm, I s e e . Y o u 'r e r i g h t , I should say.

I understand Shinzaburo-dono i s now a p o o p -o u t ,

so you c a n ’ t g iv e the c o l d s h ou ld er to him out o f

s i n c e r i t y . Hearing your words, I ' v e become

stuck on you more and more.

We l l , then, I ' l l w a it t i l l he o b ta in s the

c e n s e r .

Then, w i l l - you k in d ly w a i t ?

Even i f i t takes one o r two y e a r s , I ' l l w a i t .

I 'm a l s o a man, you know.

- 7 -

M iyo : Then, I f e e l a t e a s e . Now t h a t I ' v e unbosomed m y s e l f ,

w i l l you p l e a s e look f o r th e c e n s e r t o g e t h e r w i t h u s ?

S h in s u k e : Oh, owing t o the a p p e a ra n c e o f the c e n s e r I sh o u ld

have my r e q u e s t g r a n t e d , I suppose .

Then, I ’l l look f o r i t even a t the r i s k o f my l i f e .

Miyo: You know, S h in z a - s a n h a s lo n g been ou t o f j o b .

S h in s u k e : I f he n e ed s money, a t any t im e --------

Miyo: You mean y o u ' l l su p p ly him w i t h h i s l i v i n g e x p e n s e s ?

S h in su k e : I ’l l t a k e upon m y s e l f to do so .

Miyo: Oh, I ’m g l a d to h e a r i t .

S h in s u k e : In r e t u r n , when he can s u c c e s s f u l l y o b t a i n the

c e n s e r --------

Miyo: You mean y o u r r e q u e s t ?

S h in s u k e : W il l you g r a n t i t ?

Miyo: Yeah. ( G e s t i c u l a t e s . )

S h in su k e : I t ' s a g o lden o p p o r t u n i t y , th o u g h . (G e ts s t r u c k

by O-Miyo ’ s b e a u t i f u l c o u n te n a n c e , but t h o u g h t f u l l y

g i v e s up the i d e a . )

Now I ’l l have to s t a n d i t .

Over t h e r e i s h e a r d a v o i c e .

V o ice : Ship ahoy!

(Both o f them g e t s t a r t l e d when the sound of the

wooden c l a p p e r s i s h e a r d .

With t h e r o a r o f t h e sea , t h e c u r t a i n d r o p s .

---------— Act D r o p ----- ---------

ACT II

The Scene a t the br o t h e l Obanaya

A f l a t s t a g e r e p r e s e n t i n g the b i g h a l l o f t h e b r o t h e l

Obanaya .

Two g i r l s a r e l i g h t i n g lam ps , when the c u r t a i n r i s e s

w i t h a b a l l a d sung beh in d s t a g e .

Soon C h o j i , t h e boatman, comes i n t o s t a g e . )

Cho: Good e v e n i n g .

O-Suzu, an e l d e r l y , woman, comes i n t o s t a g e and

a d d r e s s e s C h o j i .

Suzu: H e l l o , Choji . I was j u s t go ing t o y ou .

Cho: Any u r g e n c y ?

Suzu : I ’ve h e a r d som eth ing aw fu l and I f e e l n e r v o u s .

Ch o : I t ' s n o t l i k e you to f e e l n e r v o u s .

Suzu: I t ’ s a bou t you and me. The b u s i b o d i e s a r e t a l k i n g

much about u s . And wha t I want t o ask you i s what

y o u ’ve done w i th t h e 3 ryo o f money I l e n t t o you

b e f o r e y e s t e r d a y .

Cho: W ell , I s p e n t i t a t the Ahi r u , b ecau se you s a i d you

were t o s t a y h e r e f o r the n i g h t and I was d e s p e r a t e

abou t i t .

Suzu: What f o r d i d you make such a b i g m erry a t the Ahiru?

- 2 -

Cho: I ' ve just told you. You were to stay here a11 the

n ight and so-- --

Suzu: You untrustworthy rasca l. Come on with me.

Takes him by the hand.

Cho: But I ’ ve got things to do------

About to go

Suzu: Don’ t mind. Come on w ith me.

Drags him out of stage. O-Miyo, the courtesan,

comes in. One of the former g i r ls comes in and

addresses him.

G i r l 1 : Here you are, Madame O-Miyo.

Miyo: I ' v e just come.

Gir l : I was bustling so much, I d idn't notice when you

came. You're so ear ly .

Miyo: Shinsuke, the crepe-dea ler i s to come here. We've

got some secret ta lk . Please get a quiet room ready.

Gir l : Certainly

Goes out.

Miyo: As the proverb says, i t ' s i r r i ta t in g to be waiting for

others. I 'm waiting for Shinsuke to bring me the

money to give to Shinza --- for he needs i t badly

f o r the search of the incense-burner. How I wish

Shinsuke would come soon.

Sinks into thought. Meantime Shinzaburo comes

into the stage passage.

- 3 -

Shin: I am now about to get possession of the looked f o r

treasure through the kindness of my o ld friend Mr.

Katsushika.

Well, by the way, O-Kishi my bethrothed, has gone to

the nunnery so that i t ’ l l be my duty to Seisaku, her

father, to sever from O-Nigo I ' l l have to reason with

her or to forsake her in sp ite of myself.

Well, i t ’ s the house Obanaya, already.

He comes in to the main stage and peeps in to the

house .

Oh, there she is a l l alone.

Opens t he door.

Miyo : Who' s that?

Shinzaburo steps in , with his back turned to her.

Miyo: Who on earth i s that?

Shin: No one but me.

Miyo: Oh, Shinza, I ’ ve been waiting for you.

Clings to him, Shinza, undecided what to do,

pushes her o f f . )

Shin: Waiting for me? Waiting for someone e ls e , you mean.

Miyo: Someone else?

Shin: I ’m not a man to be waited fo r , by O-Miyo, th.e best

geisha in Nakamachi.

Miyo: How heart less o f me to say such harsh a thing.

Just s i t down.

O-Miyo c l ings to Shinzaburo. He pushes her o f f .

- 4 -

S h in : I ’m q u i t e f r e e e i t h e r to s t a n d or t o s i t .

Miyo ( a f t e r a p a u s e ) : I t ' s no t l i k e you to t a l k l i k e t h i s .

Are you d ru n k en ? S i t down, I s a y .

I t i s n ’ t a s i f w e 'v e become i n t i m a t e w i t h e ach o t h e r

l a t e l y . We have been in t h i s k in d of r e l a t i o n s h i p

f o r t h r e e y e a r s now and do n o t h a ve any s e c r e t from

e ach o t h e r , so t h a t I f e e l a s i f we were r e a l l y a man

and w i f e . Why do you a c t so h a r s h l y to me?

You may h a v e t o l d me so , i f I h a ve o f f e n d e d you

somehow.

S h in : I ’l l have done so , i f I were i n love w i t h y o u . But

now t h a t I ’ve f a l l e n o u t o f i t - - ----

Miyo: You’ve f a l l e n o u t of l o v e w i t h me------

Sh in : I ’m d i s g u s t e d w i t h you .

Miyo: Oh— -------

Sh in : So I ’m go ing to s e v e r f rom you .

Miyo: Why ------- ( s u r p r i s e d ) What have I done? Wh a t do you

t a k e a s th e r e a s o n ?

S h in : You know w hat i t i s . The p r o o f i s h e r e -------- th e

l e t t e r Shin t a t t o o e d on y o u r arm. I t ’ s t h e p led g e

y o u ’l l s tay f a i t h f u l to S h inzo , the c re p e d e a l e r .

Sh inza t a k e s O-Miyo by t h e han d .

Miyo: Oh, no . This l e t t e r Shin means S h in z a b u ro , y o u r

name.

- 5 -

S h in : Oh, s h u t u p . I t ’ s t h e g e n e r a l r e p u t a t i o n t h a t you

r e a l l y mean f a i t h f u l n e s s to S h in s u k e , th o u g h you t r y

t o p r e t e n d t o be l o y a l t o me.

Miyo: Oh, d o n ’ t be so u n r e a s o n a b l e .

Y o u know q u i t e w e l l how i t i s be tween Shinsuke and me.

S h in : No, n o . I know n o t h i n g a b o u t i t .

Meantime O-Tsuyu, th e m i s t r e s s o f th e h o u s e , comes

i n accom panied by O- Suzu and o t h e r f o u r g i r l s .

Tsuyu; Now, Mr. S h i n z a . I ’ve h e a r d you speak o v e r t h e r e .

Wait a m in u t e , I p r a y y o u .

G i r l s : Wait a m in u te .

S h in : Oh, Madame and g i r l s .

Tsu y u : I d o n ’t know w e l l what the m a t t e r i s t o d a y , b u t I ’ve

been i n v o l v e d i n h e r r e l a t i o n s h i p w i th S h in s u k e .

I t was on t h e , e v e n in g of the Hachiman f e s t i v a l t h a t

we a sk e d him to p r e t e n d t o be h e r l o v e r j u s t f o r a

s h i f t . He h a s become a cu s to m er o f O-Miyo, b u t no

g i r l w i l l f o r s a k e you f o r Sh insuke h e re in N a k a -n o -m a c h i .

Suzu: I d o n ’t know who h a s t o l d you such a n o n s e n s e , b u t

i t ’ s n o t l i k e you to b e l i e v e th e s a y i n g s o f b u s y b o d i e s .

G i r l 1 : I f you have some o t h e r r e a s o n t o be an g ry w i t h h e r ------

G i r l 2 : You had b e t t e r t e l l h e r so .

G i r l s : Do so , p l e a s e .

Shin ( a f t e r t h i n k i n g f o r a t i m e ) : I ’m n o t a n g r y a t a l l , b u t

I ’m d i s g u s t e d of h e r h e a r t l e s s n e s s . The w r i t e r

Namiki Gohei h a s w r i t t e n t h a t i t i s the cus tom o f the

gay q u a r t e r s to be moved by the power o f money.

- 6 -

I ’m disgusted o f i t . (Feel ing sorry fo r her)

Now, O-Miyo, Madame O-Tsuyu and g i r ls , I thank you

a l l fo r having been s0 very kind to me for a long

t i m e -------I mean, I ’m disgusted of your heartlessness-

-------- for having given a mitten to me because I am

detached and p o o r ---- and for having taken advantage

of Shinsuke’ s kind s i l l in e s s . I ’ve come to take leave

of you.

O-Tsuyu, a fter thinking f o r a while, says:

Tsuyu: I ’ve observed both of you- for a time and I f e e l there

must be something about i t . Now, why don’ t you t e l l

her what has, offended you?

O-Miyo has become the ta lk of the town for her a f fa ir

with you and she cannot stay here a fter a l l t h i s .

You’ re not new here, e ither, so you must know how i t

usually i s .

Shinzaburo t r ies to say harsh things but cannot do so.

Suzu: Please, Shinza, don’ t you understand i t when Madame

O-Tsuyu talks so kindly to you? Now, make peace.

Dishes and cups, g i r I s .

Gir ls: Certainly.

. The g i r l s bring w ine-bott les and cups from the

next room.

Tsuyu: I pray you, Shinza, to take this cup of peace-making.

Hands a cup to Shinzaburo, who i s embarrassed.

Shin: I ’m very gratefu l , b u t ---- -------

Pretends to be heart less .

I don’ t drink with people I ’m disgusted of.

- 7 -

(Drops the cup O-Tsuyu has handed him

Heartl essness i s catching. I think I ’ l l go away

before i t does.

Stands up.

Miyo: Then you’ re --------

Shin: I ’m g iv ing you back this amulet-case which you

gave me as the token of your l o v e .

Throws the amulet-case at O-Miyo

M iyo: I won’ t take i t .

Tsuyu: You mean this case for a note of taking- leave.. I ’ l l

keep i t for you,

Puts i t into her pocket.

Shin: This amulet proves that we ’ re separate now. (Aside)

I hope she’ l l read my l e t te r la te r . Well, i t 's a l l *

over now.

He stands up reluctant ly, goes into the stage-

passage, jo ins his hands by way o f apology and then

runs out of stage.

O-Suzu opens the gate and follows him with her eyes.

O-O-Miyo has burst into tears .

Tsuyu (approaching O-Miyo): You must f e e l so remourseful. But as

you have nothing shameful with Shinsuke, Shinzaburo

w i l l understand you in time and apologize you f or i t .

Don’ t take i t to heart.

Miyo: Oh, thank you so much ma’ am.

Takes up the cup.

- 8 -

Miyo : Pour f o r me, p l e a s e .

Suzu: You’ve sworn o f f d r i n k i n g , h a v e n ’ t you?

Miyo: I ’ve g iv e n up d r i n k i n g f o r my i n v o c a t i o n to t h e d e i t y

Kompira, to u n i t e me w i t h S h in z a b u r o . But t h e r e ' s no

r e a s o n I sh o u ld keep i t now.

A b a n q u e t b e g i n s . Meantime Shinsuke comes i n t o the

s t a g e - p a s s a g e , accom pan ied by h i s f e l l o w c r e p e -

d e a l e r s S h i c h i r o b e i a n d K u ro su k e .

S h i c h i r o b e i : We l l , S h in s u k e , we’r e n o t t o p a y by s h a r e, f o r we

two a r e o n ly to se rv e a s a f o i l to you .

Kuro: Oh, y e s , y o u ’r e to s ta n d a l l the p r i c e , f o r y o u 'v e g o t

the l o v e l y O-Miyo f o r you .

Sh in : Oh, no, b o th o f you a r e f a r b ig g e r m e rc h a n t s than I ,

so y o u ’r e to s t a n d . But a s t h i s i s i n the gay

q u a r t e r s where e v e r y man i s t r e a t e d e q u a l l y , I ’l l pay my

sh a r e .

S h ic h i : Then y o u ’l l pay the b o a t f a i r a t l e a s t .

Kuro: W i l l you?

Shin : I ’ l l d i s p u t e i t t o the l a s t i f i t ’ s c o n ce rn e d w i t h

t h e t r a d e , b u t a s i t i s o n ly abou t p l e a s u r e s , I ’l l

do as you w a n t .

S h i c h i : T h is i s how he h a s i n v i t e d O-Miyo t o f a l l i n love

w i t h h im .

Kuro: How e n v i o u s a Romeo i s .

P a t s Sh insuke on the b ack .

- 9 -

Shin: Don't f la t t e r me.

The three reach the door.

Kuro ) Hello , good day.Shichi )

Tsuyu: Oh, you’ re Shichirobei and Kurosuke.

Suzu: You’ ve never been h e r e ----------

Gir ls : Since the last f e s t iv a l .

Shi chi We ’ve been so busy in business.

Shin: Hello , everybody.

Tsuyu: You’ re Shinsuke. I t ’ s rather untimely------

Shin: What do you say?

Tsuyu: Oh, nothing. You’ re welcome.

Shin: I ’m so hot for I ’ ve hurried a l l the way thinking

of my promise with O-Miyo.

Suzu: She's been waiting fo r you.

Shichi: Horray.

Kuro: How I envy him.

Shin: I ’ve brought the promised thing for Miyokichi. Ca l l

her here, please.

Suzu: I t ’ s not necessary. She’ s here in this room.

(Po ints to O-Miyo)

Shin: Oh, there you are. How I wanted to see you.

Approaches O-Miyo.

Here ’ s the promised thing.

O-Miyo looks resen t fu l ly at Shinsuke, fe e l ing that

he has caused Shinzaburo to misunderstand her .

- 10 -

Miyo: You n e e d n ' t have come.

O- Miyo s peak s c o l d l y Shinsuke lo o k s m y s t i f i e d .

Sh in : I n e e d n ’ t, have c o m e ------ ?

Shichi : S h e ’ s p e e v i s h b e ca u se y o u 'v e been l a t e

S h i c h i r o b e i and Kurosuke d r i n k , a d - l i b b i n g

Ch o j i , t h e boa tm an , comes i n .

Ch o : Are y ou come f o r p l e a s u r e , c r e p e d e a l e r s ?

Sh i c h i : Oh, y o u ' r e Ch o j i o f t h e Wakata k e b o a t - h o u s e .

Thanks f o r your u s u a l k i n d n e s s t o u s .

Kuro : W i l l you have some d r in k w i t h u s ?

Cho : I t h i n k I s h a l l

A f t e r a p a u s e .

S h in : Why do you s t a y s i l e n t , O-Miyo?

Miyo: I 'm n o t born f a i r - s p o k e n .

Sh in : Why a r e you so h a r s h to d ay , O-Miyo?

Wh a t ' s t h e m a t t e r w i t h h e r , ma'am?

T su y u : I ’ve g o t a worry a nd f e e l u n w e l l .

S h in : I t ’ s h y s t e r i c s . I ' v e g o t a good m e d i c i n e .

Takes i t o u t of h i s p o c k e t .

T h is i s the famous p i l l Hangontan of Toyama. I t ’ s

v e r y e f f i c a c i o u s . Take i t , w i l l you?

Miyo: I 'm n o t i l l . I d o n ’ t want t o t ak e any p i l l .

Pushes a s i d e t h e c a s e . The p i l l s f a l l .

S h in : You may have s a i d t h a t you d i d n ' t need them.

Wh a t a w a s t e .

P i c k s up th e s c a t t e r e d p i l l s .

- 11 -

S h i c h i : How h y s t e r i c she i s . She mus t f e e l b a s h f u l to t a l k

i n t i m a t e l y w i t h S h in s u k e .

Miyo: How v e x a c io u s a l l t h i s i s .

O-Miyo i s ab o u t t o go o u t , when Shinsuke c a t c h e s

h o l d of h e r s l e e v e s .

Shin : Wa i t , O-Miyo

Miyo: Wh a t ' s t h a t ?

Sh in : I ' v e b ro u g h t th e 50 ry o o f money you asked me f o r .

Gives h i s p u r s e to h e r .

Miyo I d o n ' t n e e d i t now. (Turns away from hi m.)

Shin ( o f f e n d e d ) : I own I am l a t e , but i t ' s not so p r o p e r f o r

you to a sk p e o p le t h i n g s and t h e n g e t a n g ry .

M iyo : You’r e n o t to b lame, b u t i t ’ s my n a t u r e t o g e t an g ry

e a s i l y

S h in : I t ' s na rrow minded o f you. You 'd b e t t e r t ak e t h i s money.

T r i e s t o hand t h e money.

M iyo: I d o n ' t need i t .

Pushes him o f f .

S h i c h i : What a p l i g h t of t h i n g s .

Kuro: Sh insuke t o l d us he was her fancy-m an h e ’s n o t h in g

b u t h e r u s u a l c u s to m e r .

Ch o : How s i l l y he i s . ( S n i f f s a t Sh in su k e)

S h in : Now M iy o k ich i ------ I mean O-Miyo why d id you ask me f o r

i t , i f you d i d n ’ t need i t ? I d o n ’ t know what you

t h i n k o f me, b u t a s I have been w an t ing to t a k e you

to w i f e , I have b r o u g h t i t by d o in g e v e r y t h i n g I c o u ld .

How i s i t ? T e l l me j u s t how i t i s .

Miyo: Do you want to know? I ' l l t e l l you i f you want to k n o w .

- 12 -

P l e a s e p o u r f o r me, w i l l you , O-Sen?

Pro d u ces h e r cup .

Tsu yu : Now, O-Miyo, you had b e t t e r t a l k to Sh insuke tomorrow.

J u s t go to your own room and have a good s l e e p .

Miyo: I 'm now f o r c e d to t e l l how i t i s . Now, S h in su k e ,

t h i s i s how i t i s . I asked f o r t h e money b e c a u s e my

d e a r l y - l o ved l o ve r S h in z a needed i t b a d l y . But

came h e r e j u s t now and accu sed me f o r h a vi n g f o r s a k e n

him f o r h i s p o v e r t y and fo r c l i n g i n g you f o r yo u r

money. He h a s even l e f t the a m u l e t - c a s e I gave him

a s t h e to k en of l o v e . I d o n ’ t need th e money now

t h a t I have no way to g ive i t to him.

S h i n : You say t h a t he h a s s e v e r e d f rom you because o f your

r e l a t i o n s h i p w i th me? T h a t ’ s good. Now t h a t y o u ' r e

a s t r a n g e r w i th S h in za , you can comply w i t h y o u r

promis e w i t h me.

Miyo: My prom ise?

S h in : Of c o u r s e you remember i t . You p rom ised me on the

b o a t t h a t y o u 'd g ive y o u r s e l f to me when you g e t

f r e e from S h in z a .

Miyo: I t was a l l a l i e .

S h in : You s a y i t was a l l a l i e ?

Miyo: I t was i n a b o a t f a r from the s h o r e . I was a f r a i d

y o u ’d do v i o l e n c e i f I r e f u s e d i t . I s a i d i t to

so o th e y o u . I t ' s on ly u s u a l t r i c k s and a r t i f i c e s

o f the gay q u a r t e r s . I have a lw ays known i t would

d ru g me in to t r o u b l e , bu t I have come t o g i v e r i s e

t o s c a n d a l . I have g iven up a l l c l o t h e s and h a i r -

- 13 -

d r e s s i n g s f o r h i s s u p p o r t , bu t I have n e v e r a sked

him f o r money. I t ’ s the Yosh iw ara cus tom w i t h t r e a t i n g

fancy-m en .

Now, t h i s i s the l a s t t im e f o r me to see you . I t ’ s

a g a i n s t man’ s p r i d e t o s t a y when y o u ’r e no t w a n te d .

I t ’ s th e u s u a l s h i f t o f t h e s e q u a r t e r s to wear sp r in g

c l o t h e s in March.

S h i n : Now, Madame O-Tsuyu, i s i t r e a l l y a l l r i g h t t o t e l l

l i e s i n th e gay q u a r t e r s ?

Tsuyu: I t ’ s not e x a c t l y p r o p e r , bu t i t i s j u s t a s you c r e p e -

d e a l e r s p r a i s e a b a d l y - p a t t e r n e d c l o t h by way o f

recommending i t . I t ’ s on ly a t r a d e .

Sh insuke s i n k s i n t o t h o u g h t . Meantime h i s

com panions have been d r i n k i n g .

S h ic h i : N o w ,S h i n s u k e - - ------- I mean S h i n -------- you have b o a s t e d so

much on your p r o s p e c t of h a v in g the most b e a u t i f u l

w i f e i n our c i r c l e o f c r e p e - d e a l e r s .

How a b o u t i t now, hey?

Kuro: Wh a t d i d I t e l l you? The b e s t g e i s h a i n Nakamachi

c a n n o t have f a l l e n in lo v e w i t h him.

Ch o : We l l , you boys f r e q u e n t Edo and a r e p ro u d o f

a t t r a c t i n g t h o s e g i r l s t o you .

S h i c h i : I ’m n o t u se d to be p a t t e d by woman but I ’m not

r e f u s e d so f l a t l y a s Shinsuke i s .

Kuro: He i s th e d i s g r a c e o f our c i r c l e .

- 14 -

S h ic h i : He’ s s i l l y in such m a t t e r s , bu t h e ’ s so c l e v e r in

t r a d i n g . Ma ny o f my c u s to m e rs have become h i s , and i t ’ s

some c o n s o l a t i o n to see him p u t to shame b e fo re us a l l .

I d i d n ’ t s u s p e c t a l l t h i s and have s e n t home an

i n f o r m a t i o n o f h i s good l u c k . I t ' s been a w as te o f

p o s t a g e a f t e r a l l .

Kuro: We l l , c r e p e - d e a l e r s a r e f ro m Mikawa as w e l l a s t h e

Kakube i - d a n c e r s , and are s a i d to be a s s i l l y a s th e

l a t t e r s . I t ’ s been our common r e g r e t , and I t h o u g h t

S h i n s u k e ’ s a f f a i r w o u ld r e c o v e r our c r e d i t s o I

have p r o c l a im e d i t from t h e h o u s e - t o p to my c u s to m e rs

t h a t a g e i s h a i s much a t t a c h e d to one of our c i r c l e .

I ’ve been to t a k e i t a l l b ack .

Cho: Why, i s i t such a t a l k of th e c i t y ?

I t won’t do to say y o u ’ve been r e f u s e d , Sh in su k e .

But y o u ' l l have to be r e c o n c i l ed to i t .

Suzu :. O-Miyo i s one o f th e most famous g e i s h a g i r l s in a l l

Y o sh iw ara . I t ’ s so a u d a c io u s of Shinsuke to have p r o ­

nounced h i m s e l f to be h e r fan cy -m an .

S h ich i ) Kuro ) How s i l l y h e l o o k s . H a -h a -h a .

S h i n : Oh, I h a v e n ’ t p r o c l a im e d a n y th i n g to the w o r ld .

I know I do look u n r e f i n e d and t h a t no o n e w i l l

b e l i e v e t h a t O-Miyo can f a l l in love w i t h me.

I t i s t r u e , though , t h a t she t o l d me she would marry

me as soon a s Sh inza f i n d s out th e t r e a s u r e i n c e n s e -

b u r n e r and i s a d m i t t e d to h i s c l a n a g a i n . I d i d n ’t know

- 15 -

i t was a l i e . I was to o h o n e s t to s u s p e c t i t .

I have been p r a y i n g the d e i t i e s e v e r s i n c e to

a c c o m p l i s h o u r d e s i r e . And the f a c t i s , I have been

p u t t o shame b e f o r e t h e s e f r i e n d s o f m in e . Wh y

d i d n ’ t you t e l l me so b e f o r e , O-Miyo, when I was

a l l a lo n e ? You say i t i s n o t h in g u n u s u a l i n t h o s e

gay q u a r t e r s to t e l l l i e s , but i t ' s so h e a r t l e s s o f

you t o have done a l l t h i s to me. Oh, Gods and

Buddhas, why d i d n ’ t you a l l l e t me know i t ?

He wipes h i s t e a r s and c l i n g s to O-Tsuyu.

How, Madame O-Tsuyu, i t i s my f a u l t to have b e l i e v e d

h e r f a l s e h o o d , b u t I am i n a p r e t t y p l i g h t , f o r I

d i d n ’ t know how t h i n g s were i n h e r e , have s p e n t a l l

o f my c o l l e c t e d p r o c e e d s , have borrowed t h i n g s from

my f r i e n d s and p u t them i n t o pawn. I t was a l l to

g e t c h an ces of s e e i n g h e r - - - - - and the f a c t i s a s you

s e e , I ’ve been p u t t o shame b e f o r e my f r i e n d s -------

and b e f o r e a l l my f o l k s th ro u g h them. I c a n ’t s t a y

h e r e , nor can go home. I t c a n ’ t be h e l p e d now, but

I ’m l e f t w i t h o u t any means o f l i v i n g , as w e l l a s

th e r e s i d e n c e .

Tsuyu: I t ’ s r e a s o n a b l e you shou ld f e e l t h a t way. But O-Miyo

h a s g o t o t h e r r e a s o n s to be p e e v i s h . I ’ l l t a l k to

h e r a f t e r w a r d s . Go home f o r to d a y , I a s k y ou .

- 16 -

G i r l 2: You’d b e t t e r l e a v e i t a l l to Madame and have a good

d r i n k .

G i r l s : Do s o , p l e a s e .

Sh in : I t ’ s very k in d o f you to say so b u t I c a n ’ t go home

a f t e r b e in g p u t to shame.

Sh i c h i : Now, Shinsuke i t won’ t do f o r you to p r o c l a i m h e r to

be your g i r l , when she r e f u s e s to b e .

Kyu: I t ’ s no u se t o be c o m p la in in g f o r your b e in g c h e a t e d .

You’r e s i l l y .

Su z u : Blame no one b u t y o u r s e l f .

Ch o : Go home a t o n c e .

Chosuke u r g e s on S h in su k e .

S h in : ( p u s h in g o f f S h insuke) You, t o o , have c h e a te d me o u t

o f money, O-Suzu.

Suzu: I e x t o r t money n o t o n ly from you . I t ’ s n a t u r a l

f o r u s w a i t r e s s e s t o ge t money from c u s t o m e r s .

Miyo: I f you grudge t h e money you gav e , I ’l l pay

you back . J u s t go home, w i l l you?

S h in : I d o n ’ t grudge the money, b u t I r e s e n t f o r h a v in g been

c h e a t e d .

He i s abou t to s t a n d up f u r i o u s l y , when O-Tsuyu

ch ec k s him.

Tsuyu: P l e a s e , Sh insuke i t ’ s n a t u r a l you f e e l a n g ry , b u t

O-Miyo i s a woman in the s e r v i c e o f h e r m a s t e r .

You’ l l be i n v o l v e d i n t o t r o u b l e i f you h u r t h e r .

Keep q u i e t , I p r a y you .

- 17 -

S h i c h i : Now, S h in su k e , y o u ' r e t h e d i s g r a c e o f u s c r e p e - d e a l e r s .

Why a re you so b o o r i s h ?

Kuro: Even we a r e ashamed o f b e in g o f your company.

Kuro )Sh ich i ) You f o o l .

S h i c h i : I t won’ t do t o s t a y h e r e l o n g e r .

Kuro: L e t ' s go home b e f o r e i t becomes d a r k .

The two f r i e n d s drug Shinsuke to t h e doorway.

Sh in : I ’m g o in g . D o n ' t p u l l me. A l l t h i s i s b eca u se o f

you, O-Miyo, to be t r e a t e d l i k e t h i s .

Tsuyu : Leave i t a l l to me, Mr. S h in s u k e .

Sh in : Oh , thank you, Madame.

S u z u : He r e ' s y o u r h a o r i ( th ro w s i t a t h i m . )

Cho: A re n ’t you g o in g ?

Sh insuke g e t s o f f e n d e d . O-Tsuyu t r i e s t o so o th e

h im .

Sh in : S o r ry to have d i s t u r b e d y o u .

He p u t s on h i s h a o r i , goes i n t o t h e s t a g e - p a s s a g e ,

l o o k s back r e m o u r s e f u l l y . He lo o k s a t each o t h e r

w i t h O-Tsuyu, w ipes h i s t e a r s and goes o u t .

Cho: S h a l l we have a good d r i n k now t h a t t h e h i n d e r a n c e i s

o u t ?

S h i c h i : I ’d r a t h e r go u p s t a i r s .

Kuro: T h a t ’l l be b e t t e r .

Suzu: I ’l l show you u p s t a i r s , t h e n .

Gir l s : Come on, s i r .

A l l go o u t b u t O-Miyo and O-Tsuyu.

O-Miyo h a s f i t s of h y s t e r i c s . She d r i n k s .

- 18 -

T s u y u : Now, O-Miyo, i t ’ s n a t u r a l you sh o u ld be e x c i t e d

a b o u t S h in z a . But i t w o n ' t do to a c t so h a r s h l y

t oward S h i n s u k e .

M iyo: I ' m a f r a i d I was wrong about i t , b u t i t was b ecause

o f Shinsuke t h a t S h in z a h a s s e v e r e d from m e . I g o t

a l l mixed up and l o s t my p a t i e n c e and p r e s i d e n c e .

What a shame t h a t S h inza h as even r e t u r n e d me the

p le d g e o f my l o v e . How v a x a c i o u s .

Tsuyu : Oh, i t rem inds me o f h i s moments o f l e a v e which I

keep in my p o c k e t f o r you.

Tak es out the amulent c a s e .

T h e r e ’ s a l e t t e r i n i t .

P ro d u c e s a l e t t e r o u t o f i t .

M iyo : A l e t t e r ?

T su y u : To O-Miyo --------S h in z a b u r o . Why --------- t h e r e must be

w r i t t e n th e c a u s e .

Miyo: Read a lo u d w i l l y o u ? Quick.

O-Tsuyu t r i e s to s o o t h e h e r .

T su y u : Don’t be so h a s t y .

She p u l l s the l a n t e r n n e a r h e r s e l f .

A sound o f wooden c l a p p e r s .

I ’l l r e a d a t o n c e .

O- Tsuyu opens the l e t t e r . O-Mi yo draws n e a r h e r .

The c u r t a i n f a l l s w i t h the sound o f wooden c l a p p e r s . )

- 19 -

A C T I I I

The scene a t the Inn C h i j i m iy a , n e a r B ak u ro ch o .

The e n t r a n c e o f th e inn C h i j im iy a i n the c e n t r e .

I t i s t h e r e g u l a r h o t e l i n Ed o f o r the c r e p e - d e a l e r s from t h e

Mikawa p r o v i n c e . A s ig n b o a r d o v e r t h e doorway. A bench , a

w i l l o w - t r e e and a rain - w a t e r b a r r e l . Four c re p e d e a l e r s t a l k s

w i t h each o t h e r some s t a n d i n g , some s i t t i n g on th e bench .

Wild geese c r y i n the sky.

Crepe d e a l e r 1 : I t ’ s autumn a l r e a d y ; the w i l d geese c r y .

W e're t o go home in s e v e r a l d a y s .

D e a le r 2: How I w i s h t o go home and see my w i f e .

D e a le r 3: No d oub t ; y o u ' r e newly m a r r i e d .

Dea l e r 4 : S u r e . t

D e a l e r s : ( l au g h )

Sakusuke comes o u t o f the house w i th h i s b a g

on h i s b a c k .

Saku: H e l lo , f o l k s . When d i d you come back?

D e a le r 1 : D id you s t a y in a l l the day?

Saku: I was p u t t i n g t h i n g s i n o r d e r u p s t a i r s .

D e a le r 2 : Oh, were you? And h ow about Sh insuke?

Saku: He went o u t b e l l - c o l l e c t i n g j u s t a f t e r noon.

He may be t o Yo s h iw a r a a g a i n .

D e a le r 3 : Maybe so .

- 20 -

D e a l e r 1: I t ' s too e a r l y to go home . S h a l l we go t o the

n e w l y - b u i l t v a n d e v i l l e and l i s t e n to th e s t o r y - t e l l e r ?

De a l e r 2: W il l you go, Sak u suke?

Sak u : I ’m a n x io u s abou t S h in s u k e . I ’l l go and see wh e r e

he i s .

D ea le r 3: Thanks for your t r o u b l e .

Sakusuke goes i n t o the ho u se f o r a l a n t e r n .

Le t ’ s s t a r t a t o n c e .

D e a le r 1: I ’d l i k e t o l i s t e n a s much as p o s s i b l e

D ea le r 2 : A l l r i g h t , l e t ’ s go .

D e a l e r s : L e t ’ s g o .

The four go o u t . Sakusuke comes out o f t h e

house w i th h i s l a n t e r n in h i s hand and i s a bou t to

s t a r t , when Shinsuke comes i n t o t h e s t a g e p a s sa g e ,

l o o k i n g d e j e c t e d .

Sak u : Oh, m a s t e r - -------

S h i n: Wh y , Sakusuke . Where a re you going?

Saku: I was g o in g t o meet you .

Shin : Oh, t h a n k s .

They come a lo n g to th e r a i n s t a g e .

Saku: You’ve been l a t e t oday .

Shin : We l l , I v i s i t e d a few cus tom ers and had a f i t o f

h y s t e r i c s on my way home.

Saku (Who h a s been s t a r i n g a t h i s m a s te r a n x i o u s l y ) : D id n ’ t

you happen to have a q u a r r e l w i t h somebody?

- 21 -

S h in : A q u a r r e l ? Oh, n o .

Saku: But your c l o t h e s a r e u n t i d y .

Sh in : O h ---- i t ’ s n o t h i n g . I happened to s tu m b le on a

s to n e j u s t o v e r the c o r n e r and s t a i n e d the c l o t h e s .

( About to g o . )

Sa ku ( f o r m a l l y ) : W i l l you w a i t a m inu te , s i r ?

S h i n : What’ s t h a t ?

Saku: I ’ve g o t some th in g to ask you to l i s t e n t o .

Sh in : W hat’ s t h a t ?

Sakusuke i n v i t e s S h in su k e to s i t on the b e n ch

S a k u : Now, s i r , I a lw ays accompany you eve ry w h ere you go

j u s t a s S a i z o ( t h e b y - p l a y e r o f the s t r o l l i n g d an c in g

p l a y ) f o l l o w s h i s Manzai ( t h e c h i e f p l a y e r ) .

I f l a t t e r my s e l f t h a t I am not a bad f o l l o w e r .

W el l , d u r i n g your a b s ence t o d a y , you r f r i e n d Mr.

Rokubei t o l d me of y o u r b e h a v i o u r . I opened your

s u i t - c a s e j u s t to make s u r e and found t h e r e was none o f

y o u r p r o p e r t i e s l e f t . I ' m s u r e you have sq u an d ered

a l l your t h i n g s on the woman of y o u r s c a n d a l .

How c o u ld you go b ack home in t h i s c o n d i t i o n ?

The money i s no t th e i m p o r t a n t p a r t . You’r e my

o n ly prop and s t a y . I p ray you w i t h a l l my h e a r t

t o s e v e r from the woman and never to v i s i t

Yoshiwara a g a in . P l e a s e , s i r .

- 22 -

Sh in : I d o n ’t know how t o e v e r th an k you f o r your kind adv ice ,

Sakusuke . T h ings had come t o a s t r a n g e p ass and I c o u ld

n o t h e lp f r e q u e n t i n g th o s e q u a r t e r s . But today the

woman and me, we have f a l l e n o u t o f lo v e w i t h e ac h

o t h e r . I ' l l n ev e r go t h e r e a g a i n , Sak u su k e .

Be a t e a s e a b o u t i t .

S aku : Oh, a r e you g o in g to g ive h e r up , th e n ? Oh, I ’m

so g l a d , s i r . W ell , how i s your p a in ?

S h in : Not q u i t e gone , I ’m a f r a i d .

Saku: Well, t h e n , I ' l l make a d e c o c t i o n of t h e h e r b Sh i n s e t s u t o

which Mr. Rokubei gave me the o t h e r d a y .

L e t ’ s go i n and change o u r c l o t h e s f i r s t

Sh in : A l l r i g h t .

The two go in to the h o u s e , Sakusuke t e n d i n g Sh i n s u k e .

Soon th e s w o r d - d e a l e r R i s h i c h i comes i n t o th e s t a g e -

p a s s a g e , c a r r y i n g a sw o rd w ra p p e d i n a f u r o s h i k i .

R i s h i c h i : I bough t t h i s sword from Bos s Akama f o r 50 r y o ,

bu t now I f e e l r a t h e r u n w i l l i n g to keep i t , f o r p e o p le

h ave t o l d me t h a t i t i n v i t e s i t s owners to k i l l o t h e r s and

a t l a s t t h e m s e lv e s .

Ro s t u m b le s . The l i g h t o f the l a n t e r n g oes o u t .

Why, the l i g h t h a s gone o u t . I ’ l l go and a s k f o r a f l i n t

a t t h e hou se t h e r e .

At t h e e n t r a n c e o f t h e

inn: Excuse me, please.

-23 -

Shin : Yes--------- ?

Comes w i th a lamp in h i s h a n d .

Use i t , p l e a s e .

Ris h i c h i : Oh, th a n k you .

L i g h t s h i s lamp.

Oh, y o u ’re the c r e p e - d e a l e r

Sh in Oh, your e t h e c u r i o s - m a n .

R i s h i : Thank you so much f o r l e n d i n g me a l i g h t . I 'm

e v e r so t h a n k f u l .

Shin ( n o t i c i n g th e t r a p p e d swo rd ) : What’s th a t you c a r r y ?

R i s h i : You mean t h i s ? I t ’ s a swo r d .

Sh i n : A sword?

R i s h i : Don’ t you have t h e i n t e n t i o n of b u y in g i t f o r y o u r

t r a v e l ?

S h i n : A m i n u te , p l e a s e .

S t e p s o u t of the h o u s e .

And how much d o e s i t c o s t ?

R i s h i : __ 5 0 r y o . J u s t h a v e a l o o k a t i t , w i l l y o u ? S h i n : O h , i t ' s w e l l d o n e . M a y I s e e t h e i n t e r i o r ?

Ris h i : Of c o u r s e . I t ' s a f i n e sword

He u n s h e a t h e s the sword.

S h in : I t must cu t w e l l .

R i s h i : More than w e l l . I t ’ s th e make o f t h e famous sword-

sm i th S e n ju in -M u ram asa .

Sh in : I ’l l t a k e i t .

*

- 24 -

R i s h i : W ill you?

S h in : I w i l l . H e r e ’ s 50 r y o .

Hands t h e money.

R ish i : L e t me examine i t .

A f t e r e x a m in in g :

S h in : Muramasa swords a r e s a i d to d e v o u r human b lo o d .

I s i t the P r o v id e n c e t h a t h a s s e n t me one of them?

R i s h i : Mr. S h in su k e , p l e a s e ------ -

S h in : Hush.

S h insuke f l o u r i s h e s the sword by way o f ch ec k in g

R i s h i c h i . R i s h i c h i f a l I s c u t . Shinsuke

goes i n t o the s tage p a s s a g e as i f e n t r a n c e d .

A m asse u r p a s s e s a lo n g him and to u ch es h i s

sword.

M asseur (coming in to the main s t a g e ) : M a s s a g e ----

The m asse u r f a l l s k i l l e d on th e s t a g e Shinsuke

D i s a p p e a r s , as the s t a g e goes r o u n d .

- 25 -

A C T I V

The s c e ne on the Bank a t Susak i

The g r a s s y bank i n the c e n t r e C h e r ry -b lo s s o m s a re

o u t . Th e sea can be seen a t the b a c k . A w i n e - s t a l l .

The c u r t a i n r i s e s w i t h the sound of waves.

Wine d e a l e r : H o t c h - p o t c h , h o t c h - p o t c h . Won’ t you have a

d i s h o f h o t c h - p o t c h ? W el l , i t h a s s o l d v e r y w e l l

t o n i g h t . Only a l i t t l e more t h a n a dozen b o t t l e s are

l e f t . I w ish t h e y ’d s e l l s oon and I cou ld go home

e a r l y .

H o tc h -p o tc h , h o t c h - p o t c h

Shinsuke comes i n t o s t a g e - p a s s a g e w i t h th e

sword and l o o k s toward t h e w i n e - p e d l a r .

P e d l a r : Wil l you have a cup o f wine?

The wi n e - p e d l a r n o t i c e s the u n sh e a th e d sword and

g e t s f r i g h t e n e d :

P e d l a r : M u r d e r e r , murd e r e r .

The wi n e - p e d l a r goes r u n n i n g o u t o f s t a g e . Shinsuke

d r i n k s w a t e r .

Meantime Kur o s u k e , one o f the c r e p e - d e a l e r , a p p e a r s

i n t o s t a g e , humming. Soon S h i c h i r o b e i f o l l o w s i n ,

h a p p i l y d runken , accompanied by O-Suzu and C h o j i . )

-26 -

Suzu: When are you coming n e x t t i m e , Mr. S h i c h i r o be i ?

S h i c h i : I ’ l l come a f t e r tomorrow, fo r I ’l l have t o go c o l l e c t i n g

bills tomorrow .

Suzu : Be s u r e and d o n ’ t f a i l to come. Madame O-Yama g e t s

c r o s s when you d o n ’ t come.

Cho : S h e ’ s r e a l l y c r a z y of you.

Suzu: And Madame O-Seki i s mad abou t you, Mr. Kurosuke.

S h in s u k e ; meantime, h a s l i s t e ned to them and

now p r o c e e d s .

Ch o : Who’ s t h a t ? Why , S h in s u k e ----------

Ch o j i g e t s s u r p r i s e d .

Suz u : Wh y , Mr.S h in s u k e ------------------

(O-Suzu t r e m b l e s . )

S h i c h i : Oh , how s c a r i n g ---------

S h i c h i r o be i push es o f f Kurosuke and e s c a p e s .

Shinsuke g i v e s a f a i r c u t a t K urosuke .

O-Suzu s h e l t e r s h e r s e l f i n to th e watchm an’ s

lodge n e a r - b y . Ch o j i g r a p p l e s w i t h S h in su k e .

A f i g h t .

C h o j i : F o r h e l p ; f o r h e l p .

He runs o f f .

A p a l a n q u in comes i n th ro u g h the s tage- p a s s a g e .

Sh insuke f l o u r i s h e s h i s sword on the main s t a g e .

B e a r e r s : Murder , murder.

The p a l a n q u i n b e a r e r s run o f f s t a g e . S h insuke

r a i s e s t h e c u r t a i n o f the p a l a n q u i n ; O-Miyo

a p p e a r s i n i t and n o t i c e s S h in su k e .

- 27-

M iyo: Why, y o u ' r e --------

S h in : You’re M iy o -k ich i . .

Miyo: S h in s u k e -------

S h in : You d e v i l .

Sh insuke f l o u r i s h e s h i s sword. O-Miyo s h e l t e r s

h e r s e l f behind the p a l a n q u i n . Sh insuke g i v e s a

c u t a t t h e p a l anqu i n by m is ta k e . O-Miyo i s abou t to

f l e e , when Shinsuke r e a c h e s h e r . A s h o r t f i g h t i n g .

A f t e r a l l , t h e woman f a l l s beh ind a s to n e p i l e .

Sh in su k e makes a l i v i n g t a b l e a u on th e to p o f t h e

bank , w i t h h i s sword f l o u r i s h e d u p .

A t i m e - b e l l s o u n d s . Sakusuke r u ns in t h r o u g h th e

s t a g e - p a s s a g e . Saku: Mr. S h i n s u k e - -------

Sh in : You d e v i l .

F l o u r i s h e s h i s sword.

Saku: Oh, I ’m Sakusuke .

S h in : Sakusuke?

Shinsuke comes su d d en ly to h i m s e l f .

Shin : I ’m s o r r y to have w o r r i e d you f o r a lo n g t i m e , b u t ,

S h in s u k e , j u s t lo o k what h a s happened to the woman who

h a s t a k e n me i n .

Sakusuke g e t s f r i g h t e n e d a t n o t i c i n g O-Miyo' s body.

Saku: W h a t a t h i n g you h a ve done, Mr. S h in s u k e . T h is Madame

Miyokic h i i s your s i s t e r f o r whom you have been in

s e a r c h so l o n g .

- 2 8 -

#

Shin: You say Miyokichi i s my s is te r ------- ?

Saku: You’ l l know i t by this statue of the de i ty Fudo, which

she has l e f t you with her l e t te r of apology.

Shows the l e t te r and the statue to Shinsuke.

Shin: Let me see i t .

Receiving them.

Shin: Really i t is the Fudo statute that my father used

to keep. And what is written in the l e t te r ?

Read i t to me,

Sakusuke opens the l e t te r .

Saku (read ing): "As I am in a hurry, I should l ike only to

apologize you. I have no word to apologize you for

my abusing you about Mr. Shinsuburo. I didn ’ t mean

to offend you. I am rea l ly sorry about i t "

"To t e l l the truth, I cannot take your proposal

because of my obl igation to Mr. Shinsaburo.

Moreover, I f e e l as i f you were my brother

because I have l ived a helpless l i f e ever since

my parents died when I was 5 years old. I pray

you to be always kind to me."

" I make you a present of my amulet Furo statue,

which I have kept as the keepsake of my parents, to

prove that I am rea l ly sincere in apologizing and in asking

you to be my brother.

Shinsuke gets surprised.

- 29 -

S h i n : What a shame. How s i l l y i t i s o f me to have f a l l e n

so d eep ly in lov e w i th my own s i s t e r . And I have

k i l l e d he r w i t h my own hands , t o o . I t must be

by t h e k a r ma o f t h e p r e v i o u s l i f e . I won’ t have h e r

d i e by h e r s e l f .

Sa k u : You must have been p o s s e s s e d by some e v i l s p i r i t .

You c a n ’ t t ak e i t back any way.

S h in : Maybe i t i s by the c u r s e of t h i s sword w h ich i s

s a i d to devour human b lo o d .

Sa ku: Or, maybe i t ’ s by karma. S h in : How s h a m e le s s ---------

Shin ) Saku ) Human l i f e i s .

As t h e two l o ok a t e ach o t h e r , fou r c a t c h - p o l e s

come r u n n i n g i n .

Ca t c h p o l e s : M u r d e r e r . Don’ t budge .

They s u r r o u n d Sh in s uke and Sakusuke.

Saku : We w on’ t r e s i s t .

Sh in : We ' l l s u r r e n d e r o u r s e l v e s — ------------

( Wooden c l a p p e r s ) to t h e l a w .

(The c u r t a i n f a l l s w i t h the sound of the w aves . )

-------------------- SHOCHIKU---------------------------------------------

W ritten by Kawatake M OKUAM I

Three Acts

To be p resen ted by K ich iemon and Kos h ir o

Troupe at the Tokyo Theater from Sep t.

4th to S e p t . , ' 49.

THE; MOONLIGHT NIGHT BUSTLE

AT the HACHIMAN f e s t i v a l

(Hachim an-M atsuri-Yom iya-No-h ijiw ari )