Heike and the Isle of Women, aka Shunkan

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Heike and the Isle of Women, aka Shunkan

Bunraku: August 1719, Osaka Kabuki: January 1720, Osaka

The play consists of five acts, but the scene in Act II, known commonly as Shunkan, is particularly famous and frequently performed independently. It is taken from the historical chronicle The Tale of Heike. There is a well-known 12-century Noh drama Shunkan taken from the same source. Chikamatsu added two fictional characters, a female diver and a second messenger, to enhance the story and highlight Shunkan’s humanity and agony in agreeing to be left behind. The play opens similarly to the Noh piece, lending it an atmosphere of grandeur, but gradually transforms into a more realistic drama.

●main graphic ［from left］Shukan（Nakamura Kichiemon）、Seno Taro Kaneyasu（Ichikawa Sadanji）　June 2013　Kabukiza Theatre

●publication date　July 2015