Kiichi Hogen’s Book of Strategy

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Kiichi Hogen’s Book of Strategy

Bunraku: September 1731, Osaka Kabuki: December 1731, Osaka

A five-act period piece. The writers are known for several other masterpieces, including Ishikiri Kajiwara and Akoya, dealing with the Heike-Genji wars. The first and second acts depict the youthful years of Oniwakamaru, later known as the warrior-priest Musashibo Benkei. These acts, which depend largely on unexpected plot twists, have not been performed since April 1966. The famous scene “Kikubatake” (The Chrysanthemum Garden) corresponds to Act III, which features actions by several characters seeking the precious strategy book owned by Kiichi Hogen. The rarely performed following scene, “Oku-niwa” (The Inner Garden), shows the precious book taken by Ushiwakamaru, causing Kiichi to commit suicide. Act IV deals primarily with Lord Ichijo and Tokiwa Gozen, which is often performed independently as a stand-alone piece called Ichijo Okura Monogatari (The Tale of Ichijo Okura). The Bunraku version is no longer performed as the music has been lost. Act V depicts the popular story of the meeting between Ushiwakamaru and Benkei at Kyoto’s Gojo Bridge.

●main graphic ［from left］Chienai, actually Kisanda（Matsumoto Koshiro）、Torazo, actually Ushiwakamaru（Ichikawa Somegoro）　September 2006　Kabukiza Theatre

●publication date　November 2016