Overview
| Title | Benten the Maiden and the Five Thieves |
|---|---|
| Writer | Kawatake Shinshichi II (later Kawatake Mokuami) |
| Premiere |
March 1862, Edo |
| Overview |
The original title was Aoto Soshi Hana no Nishikie (The Story of Aoto and the Gorgeous Woodblock Print). Inspired by a series of actor prints by the famed artist Toyokuni III, the playwright created an original drama centered on famous thieves. Two scenes from the long drama have proven particularly popular: The Hamamatsu-ya Shop (where a refined young women is revealed to be a male thief) and Inase River (where the five thieves appear together). This pairing generally takes the title used here. The role of Benten was first performed by Uzaemon XIII (later Kikugoro V) at the age of 19. His detailed stage directions have been passed down, and the role is among the most famous of his Otowa School of actors. The full-length drama has come to be seen more frequently since the war. In the opening scene, Benten Kozo pretends to be a young monk and steals a treasured incense case; the final scene features large-scale stage effects. It is a show rich with unexpected developments.
●main graphic ［from left］Nippon Daemon（Ichikawa Danjuro）、Nango Rikimaru（Ichikawa Sadanji）、Akaboshi Juzaburo（Nakamura Tokizo）、Tadanobu Rihei（Bando Mitsugoro）、Benten Kozo Kikunosuke（Onoe Kikugoro） May 2008 Kabukiza Theatre
●publication date February 2015 |
- External links
-