Characters
Tatsugoro
Head of the Megumi fire brigade in charge of Hamamatsucho. He is masculine but sensitive to the ways of society. His nominal resistance to his wife’s demand for action stems from his desire to find the optimal timing for the revenge to minimize the inconvenience to his family and troupe.
Yotsuguruma Daihachi
Modeled after an actual sumo wrestler who lived at the end of the Edo Period. He was much admired by his fellow wrestlers and a key figure in the perennial conflict with firefighters. He had two samurai patrons.
Onaka
Tatsugoro’s wife. As competitive as a man, she threatens to break up with Tatsugoro if he does not take on the challenge by the sumo wrestlers.
Matahachi
The son of Tatsugoro and Onaka.
Takidashi Kisaburo
A local leader regarded by Tatsugoro as a personal boss. Having connections with officials both in the town (which has authority over the firefighters) and the shrine (which has authority over the sumo wrestlers), he intervenes in the fight to bring the two sides to peace.
Kuryuzan Namiemon
An up-and-coming sumo wrestler junior to Yotsuguruma. Modeled on an actual wrestler of the period. He starts a fight in the playhouse over a drunken spectator, sparking a large conflict.
Fujimatsu
One of the junior members of Tatsugoro’s group. He is in charge of Shibaicho (currently in Tokyo’s Shinbashi). One reason for his fight is jealousy since his favorite courtesan is entertaining the sumo wrestlers.
Kame-emon
Another junior member of Tatsugoro’s team. He is in charge of Rogetsucho (currently in Shinbashi). He encourages Tatsugoro to listen to his wife and take up the wrestlers’ challenge of battle.
Chojiro
Another junior member of Tatsugoro’s team. He is in charge of the Udagawacho area. He and Kame-emon have a dispute with sumo wrestler Kuryuzan that triggers a major brawl.
Omocha no Bunji
Tatsugoro’s personal assistant. He has a cheerful personality and helps care for Tatsugoro’s son.
Okura
Proprietress of the teahouse Ohanaya. Seeing off Yotsuguruma at night with a lantern, she is attacked along with him by Tatsugoro.
Edoza Kitaro
Manager (producer) of the Edoza playhouse. He heads off a fight between the firefighters and wrestlers at the theater.
