Shirai Gonpachi

The plot

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.

The actor

Actor Ichikawa Jukai III (1886-1971) is a Kabuki legend. He started playing at the age of eight and worked his way up. He took the actor name Jukai III in 1949 and was named "Living National Treasure" in 1962, the first kabuki actor to be so honored. His previous stage name was Ichikawa Sumizo VI and several prints exist of him in his youth roles.