The Tale of Shuzenji

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The Tale of Shuzenji

May 1911, Tokyo

Shuzenji Temple in Izu is famous as the place where Yoriie, the second shogun in the Kamakura dynasty, was imprisoned and ultimately murdered by Hojo Tokimasa, his regent and wife’s grandfather. The temple is said to have a mask of Yoriie. The playwright heard about the story upon a visit to the Shuzenji hot springs region in September 1908. He did some research at the temple and, adding other episodes, shaped the tale into this play. Kido created the piece for Ichikawa Sadanji II, who requested new plays that would reflect the social trends in the early 20th century. The play received strong reviews and was selected as one of Sadanji’s “Kyoka Ten Select Plays”. Sadanji did not allow other actors to perform the lead role during his lifetime. The play has been translated into various languages, such as a French version performed in the 1920s. The show has become a major part of the Kabuki repertory.

●main graphic ［from left］Kaede（Ichikawa Shunen）、Katsura（Ichikawa Emisaburo）、Haruhiko（Ichikawa Enya）、Yashao（Nakamura Karoku）　July 2004　Kabukiza Theatre

●publication date　April 2016