Kabuki Plus
Satsuki is not three old-woman role
Though not among the elite Big Three old-women roles, Satsuki is a memorably strong character. When her daughter-in-law and soon-to-be granddaughter-in-law visit in concern for her, she chides them for abandoning their spouses, who face the uncertainty of war, and coming to see an old woman already separated from the world. The others reason sensibly that this is just her normal stubbornness and accept her behavior.
Hatsugiku’s background
notable!Jujiro’s fiancée Hatsugiku is a “red princess” role. Unlike the Big Three red-princess roles, however, her background is not clear. As the fiancée of Takechi’s eldest son, we can presume she is the daughter of a major samurai household. Not allowed to touch Jujiro’s helmet, she carries it in on her sleeve and delicately delivers it to the entrance in one of the show’s highlights.
Flower bud
The handsome young Jujiro is compared to a budding flower. He is a young man’s role like Miuranosuke in Kamakura Sandaiki, but is traditionally played in a more naïve and childish way. Some say the role is more suited to a female-role specialist.
Hot water will grow cold from over-politeness
The mendicant monk (Hisayoshi in disguise) who has asked for a night’s stay appears relaxed. He pulls up his sleeve and readies the bath. When Satsuki tells him to go first, he accepts, saying playfully, “If we keep offering each other the bath, it will grow cold.” This makes him a lovable character.
Flower bed
notable!The playwright adeptly has Mitsuhide appear from among a bed of flowers. He chose a specific flower, the bottle gourd, that has a pure white flower. As it blooms in the early evening, it highlights Mitsuhide’s face when he slowly lifts his hat and reveals himself to the audience. This is a skilful stage direction. This is a big moment for the character, and there are several variations depending on the actor.
Sound of frogs
Upon Mitsuhide’s appearance, there is the sound of frogs all over the stage, recalling the hot and steamy summer nights. The sound of frogs is still created today by rubbing together the shells of an arch shell.
Kudoki lament
Kudoki is a repeated appeal. The character expresses her heartfelt thoughts in emotional and poetic lines and lyrical tune. It is a highlight for a female-role actor. In this scene, Misao laments when her husband accidentally injures his mother.
O-otoshi (major climax)
notable!In puppet-derived tragedies, the climactic moments often come with stirring tears, accompanied by the narrator and shamisen music. This is also called otoshi or naka-otoshi, a scene to make the audiences cry. Mitsuhide at once experiences the death of his mother by his own hand in a tragic mistake, and the death of his son after a fatal wound suffered on the battlefield. Even the brave Mitsuhide cannot hold back his tears at this double tragedy. This is a typical o-otoshi for the main character.
