Figures of Modern Stage #3 – Ichikawa Jukai III is in the role of Gonpachi of Suzu-ga-Mori

Series
Figures of Modern Stage

Series Number
3

Title in English
Figures of Modern Stage #3 – Ichikawa Jukai III is in the role of Gonpachi of Suzu-ga-Mori

Title in Japanese
現代舞台藝蕐(3)鈴ヶ森権八 三代目 市川壽海丈
Gendai Butai Geika 3 – Suzu ga Mori Gonpachi Ichikawa Jukai III

Title in French
Portraits de la scène moderne No.3 – Ichikawa Jukai III dans le role de Gonpachi de Suzu-ga-Mori

The play
The play Ukiyozuka Hikoku no Inazuma (Motifs of the Floating World and matching Lightning Bolts) was premiered in 1823 and consists of two parts, nine acts and 19 scenes. The sixth scene of the first part called “Gozonji Suzu-ga-mori” is now a play in itself performed separately. The play is based on the life of the samurai-turned-bandit Hirai Gonpachi, executed in 1679 and at whose grave the courtesan Komurasaki committed suicide. Their tragic love story has been the subject of popular songs, books, plays and prints with the hero’s name changed from Hirai to Shirai (white (shira) + well (i)) to avoid the wrath of the censors. The symbol on the sleeve of the kimono represents the character of the well (井), written in white.

The story
We are at Suzu-ga-Mori, the execution grounds not far from Edo. An official messenger is attacked by a group of bandits disguised as palanquin bearers. They strip him naked and to save his life, the messenger gives them the case containing the letter he brings to the authorities in Edo. It is a warrant for the capture of Shirai Gonpachi, murderer of his uncle and recognizable by the emblem on his kimono representing a white well (shirai). One of the bandits says he saw him board a palanquin on his way to Edo, he should soon arrive … They all hide to wait, hoping to capture him to receive the reward.
A palanquin approaches on the hanamichi. A young man comes out and begins to quarrel with the bearers about the outrageous transportation fee. The bandits see the white well symbol on his sleeve and attack. But the fugitive is saved when a cloud passes in front of the moon and plunges the scene into darkness. Gonpachi takes the opportunity to defend himself and hurts most of the bandits. During this fight, another palanquin arrives with Banzui Chobei on board. The palanquin carries a lantern which brings a little light to the scene. Chobei admires Gonpachi’s swordmanship as he defeats his opponents one after the other.
The bandits flee and Gonpachi approaches the palanquin’s light to check the condition of his blade. His gaze meets Chobei’s and he is about to leave when Chobei tells him he enjoyed the fight and hands him the case with the messenger’s letter which he had picked up on the ground. Gonpachi reads it and realizes that he is a wanted man. Chobei grabs it, reads it in turn, then looking at Gonpachi, sets it on fire and drops the ashes. He assures Gonpachi of his help when he comes to Edo and they go their separate ways. The second part of this long play takes place in Edo where Chobei and Gonpachi have several adventures. Gonpachi finds Komurasaki, now a courtesan in the Miura-ya house and falls in love with her. But he is captured, then executed and buried at the temple of Meguro Fudo where the desperate Komurasaki commits suicide on his grave.