This work, written by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, is based on part of the Heike monogatari (tales of Heike [the Taira clan]).
Currently the only scene performed is the one about Shunkan and others who were exiled to Kikaigashima (Kikai island) for the crime of plotting a rebellion against the Taira Kiyomori, so this work is commonly called "Shunkan."
A shamensen (ship bearing pardons) has arrived from miyako (the capital) to take back 3 exiles: Shunkan, Tamba no Shosho Naritsune, and Heihangan Yasuyori. Shunkan, informed that his wife, left behind in miyako, has been killed, offers his place on the ship to the female diver, Chidori, who is married to Naritsune. This is forbidden by the messenger, Seno Taro. In despair, Shunkan kills Seno. For this crime, Shunkan must remain on the island. Shunkan, left alone on the island, watches the ship until it is out of sight.
Currently the only scene performed is the one about Shunkan and others who were exiled to Kikaigashima (Kikai island) for the crime of plotting a rebellion against the Taira Kiyomori, so this work is commonly called "Shunkan."
A shamensen (ship bearing pardons) has arrived from miyako (the capital) to take back 3 exiles: Shunkan, Tamba no Shosho Naritsune, and Heihangan Yasuyori. Shunkan, informed that his wife, left behind in miyako, has been killed, offers his place on the ship to the female diver, Chidori, who is married to Naritsune. This is forbidden by the messenger, Seno Taro. In despair, Shunkan kills Seno. For this crime, Shunkan must remain on the island. Shunkan, left alone on the island, watches the ship until it is out of sight.
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Mawaributai (revolving stage) and Naminuno (a huge piece of cloth painted with waves) are effectively used to express the feeling of despair of Shunkan, left alone on the island.
The Mawaributai starts to revolve when Shunkan begins to climb a rocky outcrop to watch the ship as it sails away. After the stage revolves, the Naminuno is laid to cover the part of the stage visible from the audience seats, so only the sea and the rocky cliff Shunkan has climbed are visible. These techniques help show more clearly Shunkan's feelings of loneliness and despair. As shown in the picture image, when Shunkan tries to stretch out further from rocky cliff, the pine branch he has been holding, breaks, and he squats down. The situation in which the distraught Shunkan keeps staring out to sea gives great significance to the Makugire (end of act).
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