Characters
Kamiya Jihei
The owner of an established paper merchant in Osaka. Though married with two children, he has fallen in love with the courtesan Koharu and has spent his family fortune on her. The concerned manager of Koharu’s pleasure quarters has forbidden him entry.
Kinokuniya Koharu
A courtesan in Osaka. She is deeply in love with Jihei and has vowed to die with him if their love cannot be realized. However, a letter from Jihei’s wife prompts her to break off the relationship. She tells her samurai client, without mentioning the letter, that she does not want to die.
Koya Magoemon
Jihei’s older brother. He disguises himself as a samurai and visits Koharu’s brothel as a client. He tries to persuade Koharu to leave Jihei. He runs into Jihei as well and forces them to break up. When he finds a letter to Koharu from Jihei’s wife, he realizes the truth.
Sangoro
Sangoro A clerk at Jihei’s paper shop. He delivers the letter from Jihei’s wife to Koharu.
Edoya Tahei
A rich merchant and a big customer of the pleasure quarters. He tries to win Koharu’s attention and wants to buy her out in competition with Jihei. He does not have a family and can behave as he likes, calling himself the Lone Tahei.
Gokanya Zenroku
A merchant and fellow customer of Tahei.
Osan
Jihei’s wife and cousin. She has two children, six-year-old Kantaro and four-year-old Osue. Even though her husband is playing around, she is determined to maintain the paper business and her family. To prevent Jihei from killing himself, she writes a letter to Koharu. When she realizes the unexpected consequences of the letter, she tries to rescue Koharu from her sense of duty as a fellow woman.
Gozaemon
Osan’s father. An old man with a stubborn streak. After observing the bickering between Jihei and Osan, he forces Osan to come back to her family home.
