Shimoyo no Kane Jūji no Tsujiura (Crossroads at Ten Bells on a Frosty Night)By Kawatake Mokuami in Five Acts

This domestic drama (sewamaono) was serialised in the Kabuki Shinpō magazine in 1879 in six parts entitled…

‘The Policeman’s Protection’ (Junsa no Hogo)‘Former Samurai Receiving Milk’ (Shizoku no

Chichimorai)‘The Blind Masseur and the Thief ‘ (Anma no Shiranami)‘Drunken Braggart’ (Tengu no Tamayoi)‘The Fidelity of the Harlot’ (Shōgi no Teisetsu)‘Nankō’s Clever Scheme’ (Nankō no Kikei)

This serialisation was at the time welcomed with great popular acclaim improving sales and circulation for “Kabuki News” (Kabuki Shinpō). Later on the contents were collected and published in a special Kusazōshi woodblock printed illustrated book. It was said that each of these pieces was written for each of the six beloved old guard of the stage by Mokuami. Namely…

‘The Policeman’s Protection’ (Junsa no Hogo) Onoe Kikugorō V‘Former Samurai Receiving Milk’ (Shizoku no Chichimorai) Nakamura Sōjūrō‘The Blind Masseur and the Thief ‘ (Anma no Shiranami) Nakamura Nakazō III‘Drunken Braggart’ (Tengu no Tamayoi) Ichikawa Sadanji I‘The Fidelity of the Harlot’ (Shōgi no Teisetsu) Iwai Hanshirō VIII‘Nankō’s Clever Scheme’ (Nankō no Kikei) Ichikawa Danjūrō IX

According to the introduction of the synopsis this was done meticulously. However in the circumstances it should be noted that this was the first time that such a production was announced in a newspaper. The actual Kabuki script for the production was intended just for the theatre and that outsiders, as a general rule, did not see it. What the Kabuki house playwright Mokuami did in serialising this in a journal was ground breaking. Later on other writers would publish old favourites from books in the newspapers to help with publicity. Mokuami’s “Crossroads at Ten Bells on a Frosty Night” (Shimoyo no Kane Jūji no Tsujiura) was pioneering in this respect.

It then premiered at the Shintomiza Theatre, Tōkyō, in June Meiji 13 (1880) starring in their principal roles:

Kusunoki Sekisai Ichikawa Danjūrō IXMutsūra Shōsaburō Nakamura SōjūrōSugita Kaoru Onoe Kikugorō VYoung braggart Sanuki no Kinsuke Ichikawa Sadanji IOmura Iwai Hanshirō VIIIMasseur Shūan、Kaoru’s mother Nagi（dual role) Nakamura Nakazō IIIOrō、Otoyo（dual role) Kawarasaki Kunitarō IIIToyosaburō Ichikawa Kodanji VOken Iwai Komurasaki III

In June the following year, Meiji 13 (1880), “Crossroads at Ten Bells on a Frosty Night” (Shimoyo no Kane Jūji no Tsujiura) was performed only at the Shintomiza Theatre. There were high expectations because the most revered actors appeared on stage. There were popular successful reviews in the newspapers. It was so popular that it was staged again and one of the most popular characters was Nakazō III’s masseur Shūan. Later that year, in November, the play was performed in Kyōto and Ōsaka. At the time there were Rakugoka (Japanese storytellers) sitting on stage performing Kōdan (Japanese spoken storytelling) oration. Mokuami wrote this most original and supreme masterpiece of Zangirimono (cropped hair plays) genre and these were the only performances until the Showa era. For Kabuki this was the best illustration of the Shinpa (new school) performance of contemporary realistic stories. It is a play in five acts and owes everything to its specialisation. The staging is key to its performance in its unique form.

The Kiyomoto Jōruri recitation with shamisen section for the prologue, Shinobazu Shindote (new embankment at Shinobazu), was “Hatsukazuki naka mo Yoiyami”*. For the viewpoint of movement from one place to another at the cheap Tanbaya Inn the Jōruri recitation with shamisen used was from the last part of the third act ‘Sodehagi Saimon’ of “Ōshū Adachigahara”.

“Hatsukazuki naka mo Yoiyami”. At the Shintomiza Theatre June Meiji 13 (1880)Waseda on line nishiki-e database

*Translator’s note: “Hatsukazuki naka mo Yoiyami”. 二十日月中宵闇. A Kigo, poetic phrase, referring to the phase of the mid-autumn moon around September. Literally “In the darkness of night at the hour of the Wild Boar (about 10pm) on the 20th day after the mid-autumn full moon of the lunar calendar”).

Prologue

The Scene at the new embankment at Shinobazu Pond (Shinobazu Shindote no ba)

It’s about eleven o’clock in the evening at Shinobazu Pond in Gunma Prefecture. Toyosaburō, the son of Inada Sakuemon the owner of the Gofuku’ya dry goods store, was carrying a lot of money and has been pickpocketed. He is wandering

around after dark in the area of Shinobazu Pond in contemplation. As Toyosaburō is doing that a young woman from the brothel, Oken, with who he is friends passes by. Oken, who is a prostitute, says she is escaping from an unpleasant customer who is seducing her against her will. At their wits end and both feeling that they both have a sense of duty they decide to leave this fleeting world by throwing themselves to their deaths into Shinobazu Pond.

The scene at Negishi Imosaka (Negishi Imosaka no ba)

Meanwhile, at about the same time, a man from an ancestral Samurai family called Mutsūra Shōsaburō arrives on a street in Negishi’s Imosaka district with his wife Orō. Orō is carrying her baby Shōtarō. With great strength Shōsaburō has cut off the head of a man that was with Orō. That man, Orō says, was in the days of the Shōgunate Shōsaburō’s colleague Nojima Denji who had behaved badly and was a murderer. In order to clarify her assumption Orō asks if the head is being carried in a bag. Orō confesses to having had an affair with Denji. In reality Shōsaburō has kept hidden that he had known about some serious matter with Denji. Orō says that the secret was that she was reluctantly compelled to give her body to Denji. Shōsaburō is entrusted with Shōtarō so that Orō can end her life by suicide with a short sword. In such a situation Shōsaburō is ashamedly unclear about what his duty is. Tearfully Orō apologises. However, Shōsaburō has kept some sort of serious matter a secret. What exactly has happened?

The scene at Ueno Sanmai Bridge (Ueno Sanmaibashi no ba)

Toyosaburō, who works for the assistant manager Yoshichi at an Inn, is getting increasingly depressed and is not returning to the Inn while he is searching for the missing wallet which he then finds. When he finds the wallet it appears that the contents have disappeared.

A masseur by the name of Shūan appears who has a walking stick and is carrying a flute which he is playing. Yoshichi, who seems to be a compassionately moral person, and who is listening to the sound of the flute feels concern for the blind man. Shūan, who can really see, strangles Yoshichi to death with a hand towel and robs him of his wallet. Shūan is delighted with the large amount of money he now has. Suddenly he is surprised to see a birth mark on the back of Yoshichi’s neck. Just then he realises that others are coming and throws Yoshichi’s corpse in the river.

At this point a young man by the name of Konpira appears. Shūan continues to feign blindness. This is pointless as Konpira says that a while ago he saw everything that happened and that Shūan has the money from the wallet held behind him. Konpira, a young braggart, is also called Sanuki no Kinsuke and is also a villain. Shūan quarrels with Kinsuke over the contents of the wallet which Kinsuke takes. As someone else arrives at the scene they both escape. Just then someone dressed as a Policeman appears carrying a square glass panelled lantern on a pole. It is Sugita Kaoru.

Act II

The Scene at the Okuyama Tea Shop (Okuyama Cha Mise no ba)

A high class courtesan Komurasaki, an Oiran, from the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters is talking to Kusunoki Sekisai who has bought her out of her contract as a courtesan. Now her name has been changed to Omura and they have been living happily together. They had their first child which, unfortunately, died at birth. Today is the forty ninth day after death and Omura and her maid are returning from Nishidera Temple having attended a ceremonial service for the dead child. They stop to rest at a tea house in the Okuyama district west of Sensōji Temple. Coming into view is Mutsūra Shōsaburō who is carrying the child Shōtarō in his arms. Omura’s voice breaks as she recalls that during the Shōgunate period she was friends with Shōsaburō and they had visited the Yoshiwara together. Omura and Komurasaki have seen each other about four or five times in total. Omura takes pity on Shōsaburō as a result of his ragged appearance and intends to give thirty yen for the child’s birthday. At first Shōsaburō refuses but sensing Omura’s emotions he accepts the money.

The Scene at the entrance to Kurumazaka Chō (Kurumazaka Chō Iriguchi no ba)

It is late in the evening on a street near Ueno’s Kurumazaka district. Otoyo and her daughter Otake are sitting on reed matting on the ground. Otoyo has been abandoned by her husband and this is one of the reasons she is living in poverty. Her daughter and companion is reciting Gidayu Bushi narrative style of music on a shamisen, busking to make some money. Occasionally Otoyo suffers from convulsions as a result of the cold. Her daughter Otake is looking after her, massaging her back. Sugita Kaoru, who is on patrol, appears. Kaoru, hearing of their plight takes pity on them and gives them thirty sen and with great kindness persuades them to find some lodging for the night. Otoyo agrees to take the money and mother and daughter both leave with Kaoru. Still patrolling Sugita Kaoru leaves.

Omura appears with her maid. They are returning home. Omura is unmindful of the ornamental floral hair pin that was stuck in her hair and which has been lost. The maid who is with her is depressed. Omura goes looking for her ornamental hairpin helped by one man who has appeared in front of her. The man holds out the hairpin and Omura, delighted, thanks him. Suddenly a voice can be heard in the distance shouting, ‘it’s a fight, it’s a fight’. The man who was helping Omura senses danger and as he leaves he pulls her away. This man is really the villain Sanuki no Kinsuke.

What has happened to Toyosaburō and Oken, a couple of people who were in danger of dying? They were found by an acquaintance of Oken and eventually Oken decided to return to her father’s hut. Toyosaburō, depressed, didn’t return to the inn but decided instead to go back to his parents’ home in Jōshū (Kōzuke province). As Oken is travelling she is conflicted about her personal situation and feels that she has should not have left. This we are told as they are travelling together when they left Kurumazaka. A warehouse comes into view. Oken is talking about her situation but Toyosaburō isn’t listening and she starts hitting him. Oken forcibly pulls away from Toyosaburō and is then kidnapped. All that remains for Toyosaburō is his beaten painful body and instinctively he starts to cry. Kunosoki Sekisai calls for a rickshaw and fixes Toyosaburō with a look as a consequence of what he has heard. Sekisai is doing this as he was previously friends with Toyosaburō’s father

Sakuemon Eimon. As Toyosaburō is struggling with his situation Sekisai gives him a lift home in the rickshaw.

The scene in the meadow on Shinobu Hill (Shinobugaoka Hara naka no ba)

Meanwhile on the open field at Shinobugaoka Hill Sanuki no Kinsuke is making personal use of Omura by raping her. Kinsuke had fallen in love with and monopolised Omura when she was Komuasaki in the Yoshiwara Pleasure Quarter. Today, quite by chance, he had caught sight of her figure as she was going about her business. Kinsuke had quickly stolen her ornate hairpin and one of his associates had been the person who had shouted about the fight at Kurumazaka. As a result Kinsuke had contrived to trap Omura. However, Omura has now moved on from the work she did, selling herself in the Pleasure Quarters. Though struggling strongly she was unable to resist being seized. Kinsuke’s associate arrived and as a consequence is seized and tied up with her obi belt. Just then footsteps are heard. A policeman appears surprising Kinsuke and Tansaku. Omura quickly escapes plunging into the pond. The policeman that appears is Sugita Kaoru. Kaoru rescues Omura from the pond into which she has dived.

Act III

The Scene at the cheap inn Tanbaya (Yasudo Tanbaya no ba)

Mutsūra Shōsaburō long ago lost his estate. He and his child are sitting in the cheap Tabanya Inn. It’s about five o’clock in the evening and Otoyo and Otake have just arrived back at the same inn where they are also staying.

Even now Shōsaburō has heartfelt hopes for their current circumstances. To help he is planning to reveal that Shōtarō is his foster child. Ohyaku, who was asking around for a job, has been employed by the master of the Inn, Okuma, as his assistant. He gives five yen as a gift to the child Shōtarō just as some second hand items that he bought are delivered and put into a warehouse. Payment for these has been put back as Shōsaburō is selling his black haori short sleeved kimono for which he is relieved to have been paid. The masseur Shūan comes into view playing his flute. Shōsaburō, who wants his shoulders massaged, sends for Shūan. They chat while Shūan massages between his shoulders. Keeping an eye on them, Shōsaburō lays down his black haori and wallet which are then stealthily stolen. Too late, Shōsaburō notices that he no longer has his haori and wallet. The gift that the child received from Ohyaku had been brought along by a craftsman by the name of Donsai. However Donsai hears that Shōsaburō’s money has been stolen and is especially angry as the child now needs more money. Ohyaku is searching for the stolen property and is getting increasingly angry as it can’t be found. Okama derides Shōsaburō for leaving what was stolen around after having shown his money to a stranger and for having been robbed of his wallet. Everyone is getting increasingly angry and ganging up on Shōsaburō they intend to beat him up. Otoyo goes to his defence but before anything happens Sugita Kaoru helps to organise a collection of thirty yen. For now they all offer to contribute and the money is given to Shōsaburō which he offers to pay back over time. In spite of this Okuma reluctantly agrees to contribute though she isn’t happy about it.

At that time the voice from the table tails off and none other than Sugita Kaoru appears. Kaoru was returning from having visited his father, Kyōemon’s grave. At the Tabanya Inn Otoyo and her daughter Otake are making enquiries about what his purpose is. Okuma is surprised and astonished to learn that Kaoru is a policeman.

It would appear that everyone has been typically underhanded in their dealings. Kaoru had already visited this location a little while ago. It appears that Shōsaburō has then been blamed for the events surrounding the stolen money. Kaoru has just replaced Shōsaburō’s money. Okuma who is walking around chooses to accept what is happening and then hurriedly leaves. Shōsaburō is really an old friend of Kaoru from the days of the Shōgunate but it’s been a surprisingly long time since they last met. Shōsaburō expresses his gratitude for the money that has been replaced but is now ashamed of the decline in his circumstances. Kaoru who is aware of Shōsaburō’s previous circumstances sympathises and sheds some tears. Kaoru’s mother has recently been taken ill and as he is providing her nursing care in the circumstances Kaoryu resigned from his position three days ago. Hesasy that he still lives in Iriya and that he is still married and feels very comfortable with his circumstances and having answered some other questions he leaves for home. Later Otoyo and Otake find Kaoru’s business card holder which he forgot which seems rather odd. There was still time to meet up with him so they later leave the Inn to go after him.

The Scene at Shinobu Hill Hakamagoshi Square (Shinobugaoka Hakamagoshi no ba)

Shūan happens to meet Sanuki no Kinsuke. Kinsuke was watching Shūan steal the haori and wallet at the Tabanya Inn. Shūan and Kinsuke quarrel over the money. Finally Kinsuke steals the money and makes his escape Shūan having been struck hard in the side with a stone. Just then Kaoru happens to wander by and he works out that Shūan is the criminal who stole the haori and wallet. At the same time Otoyo and Otake appearbringing Kaoru’s forgotten article and seeing them Shūan is astonished. Shūan is Otake’s father and Otoyo is the abandoned wife he left.

Though Shūan is surprised what is more unexpected than meeting them again is the fact that he has heard that the haori and wallet that were stolen belonged to Shōsaburō whose father, Shōzaemon, employed Shūan’s mother when Shūan was younger. Shūan had also odd jobbed for the head of the household, Shōzaemon, and was personally close to him. Shūan is deeply shocked knowing that the stolen property belongs to the family of Shōsaburō, the son of Shōzaemon. Nevertheless Shūan goes on to say how some time ago in Takasaki City in Jōshu State (now Gunma Prefecture) he was doing an apprenticeship at the city’s wholesale grain store when he murdered a man named Yoshichi, the store’s deputy, by the Sanmaibashi Bridges in Ueno. He remembers the birthmark on the back of Yoshichi’s neck.

Because of these reasons Shūan decides to give himself up. Otoyo and Otake make their sorrowful farewells while Kaoru leaves taking Shūan along with him to a branch office of the Police.

Act IV

The Scene at Sekisai’s home in Negishi (Negishi Sekisai Taku no ba)

Snow is lying thickly on the ground near the home of Kusunoki Sekisai in Negishi. Kinsuke and Tansaku appear suddenly in the street. They are both drunk on sake. They say that they are going to audaciously and forcibly break into this house and steal a quantity of money. They have heard that a number of manservants have temporarily gone away. There is uproar as Kinsuke proceeds with his plan to break in and make his demands on the head of the house. Finally they break into Sekisai’s zashiki (tatami mat room). Sekisai is dressed in armour and eboshi (court style cap) kabuto (helmet) and is wearing a tachi long sword. They are horrified at his appearance. Sekisai is a descendant of Kusunoki Masashige and is carving a wooden statue in which a deity will reside to place in the small hokora shrine that is being built on the premises in front of which prayers will be recited. Also Sekisai’s wife, Omura, who had earlier gone out arrives back. Earlier Kinsuke had pinned her down and raped her on the field of Shinobugaoka Hill. Kinsuke defiantly denies that he did any such thing and to avoid embarrassment Omura admits to adultery. However Sekisai finally charges them with a spear and both Kinsuke and Tansuki run away.

The snow is falling and at around about the same time at the front of the house Shōsaburō is standing holding Shōtarō in his arms. It’s his intention to temporarily leave Shōtarō’s care to someone else, something which he feels would be best. It would seem he is going to disobey the late Orō’s dying wish. However as the money was stolen earlier he can no longer cope with bringing up Shōtarō. As a result of some gossip he heard about Omura, Shōsaburō has been searching for at Sekisai’s address. He abandons the child in front of the gate saying that he has been forced to beg for the money that he had been given for his child, and that what was left had been lost. His mind finally made up he leaves Shōtarō in front of the gate and departs. A manservant immediately spots Shōtarō in front of the gate and puts him inside the house. Sekisai sees Shōtarō and says he will resolve the situation by adopting the child. Shōtarō is once again being cared for. Shōsaburō has left behind on Shōtarō’s person a note he had written saying that – it was highly likely that much trouble has been caused by the money that was stolen that I got from you, Omura. Can you take care of my son? It’s out of necessity that I abandoned him at this house.

Well, Toyosaburō and Oken, who were in Sekisai’s house, have left. Oken has seen the note that was left behind signed by ‘Mutsūra Shōsaburō’ and was surprised. In reality Oken was kidnapped at the age of five and was taken to a warehouse and when she was kidnapped her kidnapper also took her umbilical cord (symbolising separation) believing that she was the daughter of the samurai Mutsūra Shōzaemon. Toyosaburō is related to Shōzaemon’s mother’s side of the family. It was rumoured that Shōzaemon’s daughter was five when she was kidnapped, namely Oken happens to be Shōsaburō’s younger sister. Nevertheless the written note that was left behind seems to hint at Shōsaburō’s death and they are concerned for the course he seems to have set himself upon.

*Translator’s note: see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_in_Japan#Umbilical_cord for Japanese traditions regarding umbilical cords

Act V

The Scene at the house of Sugita in Iriya (Iriya Sugita Taku no ba)

It’s the day of the winter solstice and Otoyo and her daughter Otake are visiting Sugita Kaoru’s house in Iriya. Kaoru is appreciating paying a visit with them to his mother Nagi’s sickbed. They are chatting about a variety of things. Otoyo is talking about going to see the imprisoned Shūan. Kaoru mentions that he is relieved that Shūan has received the death penalty for killing Yoshichi. Otake receives a gift from Nagi and both mother and daughter soon set off on their return journey.

Shortly after they leave a voice tells how a young man, a thief, was pursued by a group of people. As they reach the front of Sugita’s house the person that was running away is arrested. The voice explains that it was a young shop boy from a merchant’s house who was travelling along the road and who had turned up at the house who had stolen some money and then run away. At the back of the man’s neck is a birthmark. Kaoru, by chance, sees it and makes enquiries about the person’s identity thinking that it’s the same birthmark that belonged to the man Shūan killed, Yoshichi. Yoshichi was strangled and thrown into the river some distance away. Pretending to be dead he afterwards regained consciousness and then later wandered into a store where, having completely recovered, perpetrated a theft. Kaoru talks to a maidservant telling her to call back Otoyo and Otake. Shortly afterwards Otoyo and Otake arrive back. He explains that Yoshichi is still alive and to Otoyo and Otake’s delight that as a consequence the rogue Shūan will be saved from the death penalty.

Yoshichi more/also Shūan as for detestable is that mother and daughter’s event/situation as for pity with feel’s be, personally introduce be appear situation with did, Otoyo and Otake, Yoshichi is clique be each person as for branch office to with go towards.

The day is getting increasingly dark and the lamps are being lit. Mail addressed to Kaoru is delivered. He notices that the sender is Mutsūra Shōsaburō. Breaking the seal he reads the contents which surprise him. Kaoru’s maidservant returns. His mother Nagi reads and understands what the letter says. Kaoru’s father, Kyōemon, was a sword fencing master at a dojo training hall. Three years previously Kyōemon was violently killed by his pupil Shōsaburō. On this evening the house of Sugita say that they will avenge his death.

Kaoru and Nagi are angry. Kaoru gets his sword ready in order to kill Shōsaburō. Sure enough Shōsaburō soon makes a personal appearance and his head is cut off by Kaoru who uses it as an offering, calling to the spirit of his late father, saying that this is a powerful intercession. His mother Nagi is unable to feel any more traumatized than she already does. The cause of the incident is revealed, even as they were making ready to attack Shōsaburō. Kaoru was distressed no matter what the cause. Finally, seeing this, Kaoru’s mother reluctantly and timidly speaks. Shōsaburō lost his way and the circumstances surrounding reasons that the couple were involved with the killing of Kyōemon are recounted. That…

Three years ago Kaoru went to Kyūshū to study sword fighting. Shōsaburō was summoned by the sword fencing master Kyōemon and was told an unexpected story. Kyōemon and his fellow conspirators had assembled, their objective being to overthrow the Government. In the middle of the meeting in which Shōsaburō was also a participant he remonstrated with them saying that the plan was futile and they should stop while Kyōemon listened attentively, thinking. On the contrary Shōsaburō was told and that what was planned they would continue with and struggling with Shōsaburō he was beheaded. This killing would force someone to become an avenger. Shōsaburō’s wife Orō, honouring him with unwavering love indicates that this incident, serious as it was, involving someone else’s father should be kept secret.

The couple hear that over time the vengefulness of their enemy has faded. Kaoru lamented that his father had become involved in such an enterprise. He assumes that should it become public knowledge then there would be a stain on their name and the reputation of the house of Sugita would be in disgrace. Still what happened happens and it would seem that a revenge attack on his enemy would be seem to be a local issue.

His intention was to keep quiet and as a disciple apologised to his master for his death. The direction that his humble son Kaoru was taking was to seek satisfaction and the defeat of his enemy by any means necessary and without taking no for an answer. He can only rely on himself. However nothing was happening and Kaoru felt that if circumstances allowed he would permit Shōsaburō to commit seppuku (ritual disembowelment). While he is sitting there his voice breaks and he goes to visit the house of Kusunoki Sekisai.

A little while ago he was visiting Sekisai’s house when Shōsaburō appeared at the entrance and then spoke asking questions. Kaoru felt unable to attack in revenge and, along with Nagi and Sekisai, they were at a loss as to what to do. In exchange for Kaoru not taking his head it was proposed that Shōsaburō’s samurai topknot be cut of and offered to Kaoru’s father’s departed spirit and that Shōsaburō would enter the Buddhist priesthood and would hold a memorial service for the departed spirit of Kaoru’s father thereby ensuring his happiness in the next world. Shōsaburō agreed to the proposal. However, though having agreed to Sekisai’s proposal, Shōsaburō had lied about his promise, his future actions would contradict the reputation of the house of Mutsūra.

In the event Shōsaburō was later living with his wife Orō who is speaking frankly with him about her body having ben soiled by Nojima Denji when Sanuki no Kinsuke appears. Kinsuke had crept into a vacant neighbouring house to rest and has overheard the gossiping about what Kaoru had been saying. However Nojima Denji was really his elder brother though he felt that his elder brother had been rehabilitated of late of what he had perpetrated and was a somewhat reformed character saying the he thought he would surrender. It was also discovered that Oken was Shōsaburō’s younger sister. The conclusion to this sequence of events approaches.

This synopsis is according to the script in Volume 15 of “Mokuami’s Complete Works“ (Mokuami Zenshū).

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Translated and appended fromhttp://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ 霜夜鐘十字辻筮 by Trevor Skingle