Fuwa - 不破

The play

Fuwa was created in Edo in 1680 with Ichikawa Danjuro I in the lead role. The play features the first and most famous "Sayaate" (鞘当)(rivalry in love) scene which requires the use of two hanamichi for the simultaneous entrance of both lovers. 

Here the two rivals Nagoya Sanza and Fuwa Banzaemon (wearing a basket-hat) are confronting each other to win the love of the courtesan Katsuragi. It starts when their swords scabbards touch, an very offensive move and escalates into a full blown quarrel. Fuwa is played very rarely, but Sayaate has become a separate play which is regularly staged.

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