This work, written by Kawatake Mokuami, who specialized in Shiranamimono [works starring thieves as heroes], describes causes and effects involving 3 thieves who all have the same name, Kichisa, money 100 ryo in cash, and a sword called Koshinmaru.
This play is usually performed under the title "Sannin kichisa tomoe no shiranami," from the 'Okawabata' scene where Osho Kichisa, who was originally a priest, Ojo Kichisa, who was brought up as a woman and appears in female costume, and Obo Kichisa, the son of a hatamoto (direct retainer of the Shogun), meet and become sworn blood-brothers, to the 'Hongo hinomiyagura' scene in which the 3 Kichisa are being pursued because of their crimes and are arrested while snow falls.
This play is usually performed under the title "Sannin kichisa tomoe no shiranami," from the 'Okawabata' scene where Osho Kichisa, who was originally a priest, Ojo Kichisa, who was brought up as a woman and appears in female costume, and Obo Kichisa, the son of a hatamoto (direct retainer of the Shogun), meet and become sworn blood-brothers, to the 'Hongo hinomiyagura' scene in which the 3 Kichisa are being pursued because of their crimes and are arrested while snow falls.
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In the 'Okawabata' scene, on the night of setsubun (the day before the beginning of spring), Ojo Kichisa steals a purse containing 100 ryo from a yotaka (prostitute) called Otose, then puts his foot on a piling, strikes a pose, and starts the following excellent speech.
Shichigo-cho speeches containing many words with a seasonal mood were a specialty of the playwright Mokuami, and the actor declaims this speech as if singing a song. |
![[Part of] famous speech by Ojo Kichisa. Ojo Kichisa played by Ichikawa Somegoro 7th, "Sannin kichisa kuruwa no hatsugai" 'Okawabata koshinzuka' scene, December 2001](images/img_5_04_18-01.jpg)  < RealPlayer : 3.3MB >
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"Tsuki mo oboro ni shirauo no, kagari mo kasumu haru no sora, tsumetee kaze mo horoyoi ni, kokoromochi yoku ukauka to, ukaregarasu no tada ichiwa, negura e kaeru kawabata de, sao no shizuku ka nurete de awa, omoigakenaku teniiru hyakuryo, [voice of yakuharai calling, "On-yaku haraimashoka, yakuotoshi"] honni kon-ya wa setsubun ka, nishi no umi yori kawa no naka, ochita yotaka wa yakuotoshi, mamedakusan ni ichimon no zeni to chigatte kanezutsumi, koitsua haru kara engi ga iiwae"
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