Characters
Masaoka
Tsuruchiyo’s nursemaid and guardian. The character must show a resolute strength of will in guarding the young lord in her charge but also a mother’s tender love for her child. This is considered the most difficult lady-in-waiting role (katahazushi) in Kabuki and is a key test for actors.
Nikki Danjo
Long-serving Ashikaga servant and the ringleader of a plot to take over the household. He is the very epitome of evil and a practitioner of black magic. This is a classic arch-villain (jitsuaku) role. His slow, silent exit on the hanamichi, still performed today in candlelight, is one of the show’s highlights.
Yashio
Nikki Danjo’s sister and a participant in the usurpation plot. She is assigned with going into the ladies chamber to deal with the troublesome Masaoka.
Sakae Gozen
Wife of a high-ranking government official, both part of Nikki Danjo’s usurpation plans. She plots to poison Tsuruchiyo by bringing tainted sweets allegedly as a present from the shogun’s household, making it impossible for the lord to refuse.
Otokonosuke
Servant guarding Tsuruchiyo. He is removed from duty due to slander by his opponents, but manages to sneak under the floor of the ladies chamber and keeps faithful watch.
Okinoi and Matsushima
Samurai wives who visit the lord with Yashio, unaware of the usurpation plot.
Senmatsu
Masaoka’s son, serving Tsuruchiyo as his playmate. Played by a child actor. When a suspicious gift puts his mother in a quandary, his heroic actions save her and the household from disaster.
Ashikaga Tsuruchiyo
Becomes head of the Ashikaga household while still a child when his father is unfairly removed from the post. Played by a child actor. Due to rumored assassination plots, he is kept by his guardian Masaoka in the ladies quarters away even from his own servants, with Senmatsu as his only playmate.
Ashikaga Yorikane
Ruling lord in Sendai. He falls into a dissolute lifestyle due to maneuverings by conspirators and is eventually forced to step down.
Tanizo
Bodyguard in Ashikaga household.
Hosokawa Katsumoto
Government official overseeing the courts and serving as judge. Young but fair in judgment, he takes on a key court case pitting Nikko Danjo against an adviser to the Ashikaga household.
Yamana Sozen
A high government official and husband of Sakae Gozen. Supporting the conspirators, he organizes a court hearing while his colleague Katsumoto is away and destroys key evidence in an attempt to weaken the Ashikaga household.
Gekizaemon
Loyal senior adviser to the Ashikaga household. Aiming to prevent the usurpation scheme led by Nikki, he goes to court with his son and other faithful servants.
Oe Onitsura
Yorikane’s uncle, a classic “villainous uncle” role and part of the usurpation scheme.
