Hiragana Seisuiki

ひらかな盛衰記~源太勘当・逆櫓・神崎揚屋

Hiragana Seisuiki

Overview

by Mizuochi Kiyoshi
Title

Hiragana Seisuiki

Writer Matsuda Bunkodo, Miyoshi Shoraku, Asada Kakei, Takeda Koizumo, Takeda Izumo
Premiere

Bunraku: April 1739, Osaka

Kabuki: May 1739, Kyoto

Overview

Hiragana Seisuiki is a five-act period piece based on Genpei Seisuiki, the record of the epic Genpei war between the Genji and Heike families. “Hiragana” indicates that the show is about commoners involved in the battle. The story focuses on two warriors, proceeding from Yoshitsune’s battle against Kiso Yoshinaka to the climactic battle at Ichinotani. “The Disinheritance of Genda” (Act II) and “Kanzaki Pleasure House” (Act IV) tell of the tragedy of Kajiwara Kagetoki and his eldest son Genda as the latter returns from the Battle of Uji River. “Sakaro” (Act III) relates the heroic struggle by Higuchi Kanemitsu, a former retainer of the murdered Kiso Yoshinaka. The scene at Otsu Inn features the tragic swapping of Gonshiro’s grandson, and the “Sasabiki” scene is about the death of Komawakamaru’s mother Yamabuki Gozen.

 

●main graphic [from left] Matsuemon, actually Higuchi Kanemitsu(Nakamura Kichiemon)、Gonshiro(Nakamura Karoku)、Oyoshi(Nakamura Tozo)、Hatakeyama Shigetada(Nakamura Tomijuro) September 2008 Kabukiza Theatre

 

●publication date June 2016