The Fight of the Megumi Fire Brigade

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The Fight of the Megumi Fire Brigade

March 1890, Tokyo

A domestic-affairs drama that, though written during the Meiji Period, adeptly conveys the ambience of Edo. The author was a student of the prolific Kawatake Mokuami; his name is actually his teacher’s poetic penname. Mokuami himself is said to have helped write the third act, and a senior student, Kawatake Shinshichi, contributed to the prologue. This play capitalized on audience nostalgia for old Edo, which had become the nation’s capitol and renamed Tokyo over 20 years earlier. The play was based on an actual brawl between firemen and sumo wrestlers at the Shiba Shinmei Shrine in March 1805, which led to the death of a fireman and many injuries. The spring sumo tournament and a play were both being held at the time in the shrine precinct. The play is also known as Kami no Megumi Wago no Torikumi, a title encompassing several clever untranslatable puns. The original play has four acts and eight scenes, but only the scene at Kisaburo’s home in Act III is currently performed. It portrays a full lineup of dandy actors and lively fight scenes.

●main graphic ［from left］Onaka（Nakamura Tokizo）、Tatsugoro（Onoe Kikugoro）　May 2015　Kabukiza Theatre

●publication date　December 2015