Danshichi Kurobei

Act III Danshichi and Issun Tokubei are fighting in front of the shrine and Okaji interferes

The plot

Short summary of act I (not played)

Tamashima Isonojô fell in love with the courtesan Kotoura and spends his days in the tea house where she works. Okaji is sent by Isonojo's parents to ask him to come home, but he refuses for fear that his rival Otori Sagaemon will take Kotoura away. Okaji insists because her husband Danshichi is in prison after injuring one of Sagaemon's men in a fight. Tamashima Hyôdayû, Isonojô's father has promised her that he will be freed if his son returns. Thanks to a stratagem, she manages to convince him, but on the way home, he meets Sagaemon who tells him with a wicked smile that he has been disowned because of his life of debauchery.

Acte III Sumiyoshi torii mae (In front of the Sumiyoshi shrine gate)

Danshichi Kurobei's wife Okaji, their son and their friend Tsuribune Sabu await the release of Danshichi in front of the main gate of the Smiyoshi shrine in Osaka. A palanquin arrives with a peniless young samurai on board. The palanquin-bearers try to extort an exorbitant price for the ride, but Sabu who knows the rates intervenes, pays the carriers the fair price and tells them to leave. The young samurai thanks him and tells him that he is going to Mikawaya Giheiji, Okaji's father, and Sabu understands immediately that he is dealing with Isonojo whose father has managed to free Danshichi. Sabu tells Isonojo to go to the Kobuya restaurant where everyone will meet to celebrate Danshichi's release, and they part ways.

Danshichi, dirty, unshaven and dressed in his prison clothes, arrives surrounded by two policemen who release him mentioning Tamashima's intervention. Danshichi declares that he will do anything to protect his son Isonojô. Sabu comes in with clean clothes, takes Danshichi to the barbershop and goes to the Kobuya restaurant. A young woman comes running on the scene. It is the courtesan Kotoura, pursued by Ôtori Sagaemon who tells her that her lover Isonojô has been disinherited by his father and that he will no longer be able to provide for her. Kotoura tries to escape, but Sagaemon blocks her. Suddenly a powerful hand seizes him. It is Danshichi who takes pleasure in shaking him while showing Kotoura the direction of the restaurant. She leaves immediatly as Sagaemon flies away.

The two palanquin-bearers are back with a new client. They are all paid by Sagaemon to take revenge on Danshichi and retrieve Kotoura. Danshichi quickly gets rid of the two bearers, but the third man is a different kettle of fish. They start fighting with wooden signs when Okaji arrives and pulls them apart. She is angry with her husband who only thinks of fighting. She recognizes the other man, a man named Issun Tokubei from her village. He too owes a debt to Tadashima and realizes that he cannot work for Sagaemon. He immediately changes sides and swears to protect Isonojô and Kotoura. Danshichi and Tokubei become brothers in arms and rip a sleeve of their kimono and exchange.

Acte IV Uchihonmachi Dogûya (The curio shop at Uchihonmachi)

Thanks to Danshichi, Isonojô found a job as an employee in a curio shop in the Uchihonmachi district. Onaka, the daughter of owner Magoemon has fallen in love with the young man, much to the dismay of Denpachi, the other employee who was hoping to marry her. Giheiji, Danshichi's father-in-law, has conspired with Denpachi and another thief Yaichi to swindle Isonojô. Yaichi arrives to consign an old incense burner for 50 gold coins. Giheiji disguised as a samurai walks into the shop and says he's ready to buy it for 55 coins. Isonojô sniffs out a good deal, borrows 50 gold from Denpachi, and pays Yaichi who leaves. Giheiji returns and denies having agreed to this purchase. Denpachi then insists on the repayment of the loan. Isonojo finds himself trapped and is attacked by the two men.

Danshichi enters the shop and recognizes his stepfather the crook. The shop owner returns and sees that the incense burner has no value. Giheiji leaves and Danshichi promises to repay Denpachi. The following night, Isonojô returns with the intent to kill Denpachi in revenge. He meets Onaka who tells him that his father is ready to repay his loan. Denpachi approaches and Isonojo hides in a wooden hut. Denpachi asks Onaka to run away with him, pushes her into the hut and asks Yaichi to watch her while he tries to steal her father's money. Yaichi enters the hut and Isonojo kills him with his sword. Denpachi returns with the money and in the dark, does not see who is in the hut and gives the money to Isonojô. Isonojô takes the money and runs away with Onaka.

Act IV Kunisada Bando Hikosaburo V as Issun Tokubei, Kawarazaki Gonjuro I as Danshichi and Sawamura Tanosuke III as Okaji (1863)

Act VII Utagawa Kuniyoshi Nakamura Utaemon IV as Danshichi Kurobei and Onoe Tamizô II as Giheiji (1850)

Kataoka Nizaemon XV as Issun Tokubei and Nakamura Kichiemon II as Danshichi Kurobei - Act III Danshichi and Tokubei exchange a sleeve of their kimono.