This Sewamono, written by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, is based on an actual case of double suicide and was originally performed as Ningyo-joruri (puppet play).
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The courtesan Ohatsu of the Temmaya brothel, and her regular customer Tokube, have been gradually driven to despair because Tokube was defrauded by his friend Kuheiji, to whom he lent money. Tokube goes secretly to visit Ohatsu at Temmaya and reassure her of his devotion. Ohatsu hides him under the veranda so he will not be seen by her other customers. They decide to commit double suicide, and head for the Sonezaki forest.
For quite some time, this work was almost never in Kabuki, but it was revived by the dramatization and production done by Uno Nobuo in 1953 and became popular. Since then, it has been performed quite regularly. |
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In the 'Temmaya' scene, Ohatsu is sitting on the narrow wooden deck outside the room. While talking with Kuheiji, she casually asks Tokube, who is hiding under the floor, about his decision to commit double suicide with her. Because Kuheiji is in the room, Tokube cannot come out from under the floor, he conveys his determination by drawing Ohatsu's bare foot across his throat like a knife. This dramatic technique in the main highlight scene became popular at the time of the revival performance of this work.
