This is a Jidaimono Gidayu-kyogen based on the Nijushiko (24 filial pieties) of ancient China, and depicts the battle between the military commanders Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin [here called Nagao Kenshin] in the Sengoku period (Japanese civil war era).
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Shingen and Kenshin, who were fighting against each other, have been ordered to search together for the criminal who assassinated Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru, so they have arranged for Shingen's son Takeda Katsuyori to become engaged to Kenshin's daughter Yaegakihime, and have maintained their truce for 3 years.
The scenes performed today are the one commonly called 'Jushuko' in which Yaegakihime vows her love to Takeda Katsuyori who has entered Kenshin's palace in disguise, and the scene commonly called 'Kitsunebi' in which the power of a fox's spirit possesses Yaegakihime, who is going to warn Katsuyori about the pursuers sent by Kenshin, and a miracle occurs. Yaegakihime is a famous role, one of the Sanhime [3 princesses], very important roles for Onnagata. |
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<Other important Sanhime roles for Onnagata>
| • "Kamakura sandaiki" | |
| Tokihime | |
| > "Gion sairei shinkoki" | |
| Common name: "Kinkakuji" Yukihime | |
Yaegakihime was notified that her fiance Katsuyori had committed seppuku (ritual suicide). She ordered a painting of Katsuyori and had it made into a hanging scroll and carries out an eko (memorial service) every day. In 'Jushuko' scene, a young man called Minosaku, hired by her father Kenshin, and identical to the portrait of Katsuyori, appears. Yaegakihime falls in love with Minosaku, and asks her maid Nureginu to act as a go-between, saying, "Kawaigatte tamoruyoni" (Ask him to please love me).
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Yaegakihime wears a red kitsuke (kimono) and a red uchikake (long outer garment). Her role is that of a typical Kabuki princess called Akahime. The distinctive feature of Yaegakihime is that she is a princess in a daimyo (feudal lord) family, but is positive and determined in her love for Katsuyori.
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