"Keisei hangonko," created by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, is based on the legend of a painter called Iwasa Matabe who was active in the early Edo period.
'Tosa no shogen kankyo' scene describing the miracle of Ukiyo Matahe is regularly performed.
'Tosa no shogen kankyo' scene describing the miracle of Ukiyo Matahe is regularly performed.
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The painter, Ukiyo Matahe, who has a speech impediment, comes with his wife Otoku to visit the house of his teacher Shogen to get permission to use the professional name "Tosa." But Shogen refuses and says the surname cannot be granted to Matahe unless he has done a meritorious deed as a painter. Matahe, driven to despair, decides to kill himself. He paints a farewell self-portrait on a chozubachi (washbasin made of stone), and a miracle occurs - his self-portrait is so powerful that it penetrates the stone and is visible on the back side of the chozubachi. Happily, Matahe is granted the right to use the professional name Tosa Mitsuoki, as a fully-licensed high-status artist of the Tosa school.
The main characters are Matahe, who thinks intensely, and Otoku who helps him. This scene is imbued with their love of being thoughtful each other.The climax of the play is the moment when they realize that the self-portrait Matahe has painted on the chozubachi has penetrated to the back of the stone basin. Another highlight is Matahe's 'Daigashira no mai' dance to the accompaniment of the tsuzumi (hand drum) played by Otoku, after he has received permission to use the school name. |
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The role of a devoted wife like Otoku who takes specially good care of her husband is called Sewa-nyobo.
The role of Otoku differs from other Sewa-nyobo . The distinction of Otoku's role is that she always takes the initiative because her husband has difficulty of speaking. In the first half of the play, this distinction is shown in Otoku's speaking in stead of her husband, entreating Matahe's teacher to allow Matahe to use the Tosa surname.
The role of Otoku differs from other Sewa-nyobo . The distinction of Otoku's role is that she always takes the initiative because her husband has difficulty of speaking. In the first half of the play, this distinction is shown in Otoku's speaking in stead of her husband, entreating Matahe's teacher to allow Matahe to use the Tosa surname.
