Sukeroku (English Translation approved)

S H O C H I K U

"SUKEROKU YUKARI-NO EDO-ZAKURA" Kabuki-Play

I

Wr i t t e n

ACT.

by Tsumur a J i h e i .

o T be pr es en ted by K ik u g o r o , K i ch i e mon, et c . a t the Tokyo Theatr e

May 5 - 3 1 ,

( Facade o f Mi u r a y a , a b r o t h e l curtain r is e s ,

’ 46.

in Y o sh i wa r a .

When the

t h e e x p l a i n e r e x p l a i n s t he o r i g i n o f

t h i s c l a s s i c a l p l ay and then u rge s the Kato-bushi reciters Satobushi r e c i t i n g : n ad the

to take

to s i n g i n g . )

Sp r i n g has c o me t o the Yosh i n o f l o we r s a r e o u t in

mounta i ns

M i u r aya house,

he re in Yosh iwa ra.

The name o f Hanakawado (Su k e r o ku ' s f a m ily n a m e ) i s as f r a g r a n t as the blossoms.

(Meanwhile si x c o u r t e s a n s , iAz e n ,

Yaeg inu,

Ukihashi,

o Kcho,

Tag as ode and Umegaka come in accompanied by

young ma i d s .

- 2 -

Agemaki, a c o ur te sa n o f the h i g h e s t c l a s s , through the

pa ss a ge a tt e n d e d by s i x

comes in

a mn f o l l o w e r s ,

t h r e e w oman f o l l o w e r s and t wo c h i l d a t t e n d a n t s . ) Y ae g in u :

Look f o l k s ,

th er e comes Agemaki l o o k i n g as i f

r o l led

on a bo a t .

U kihashi: Kocho:

Sure.

She must have drunk

m uch.

S he was a l r e a d y drunken enough when I met h e r a t M a t su ya j u s t

now.

F u j i z o m e : N o w , A g e m a k i , w h e r e h a v e you.

Al l : Agem aki:

Drunk so much? e Wl l ,

f o l k s , many thanks f o r y our kindness t o have

w a it e d f o r m e h e r e .

I was w a l k i n g for

Yes,

I have drunk much,

a l o n g the s t r e e t ,

me and o f f e r e d

Yes,

not i n t o x i c a t e d

h wen

e v e r y door c a l l e d

me cups a f t e r c u p s . N o one

e v e r has e q u a l l e d me in d r i n k i n g , a drinker.

for

ye s ,

I have

no ma t t e r how heavy

drunk much, but I am

though I am by no

means proud to

ow n it.

Ch i l d a t t e n dant 1: Agema k i :

Oh, dangerous, Agema k i .

Thank s f o r yo ur a d v i c e , c h i d l.

but,

I am not a b i t drun­

ken.

M an f o l l o w e r 1:

You’ d b e t t e r hurry,

Man f o l l o w e r 2:

To the

Agema k i : C hi ld r en:

maam

bench t h e r e .

Come on chil dre n.

We're coming.

C h i l d 1 ( t a k i n g out a d r u g ) :

Her e ' s a m e d i c i n e

down.

C h il d 2:

It's

called

Sod e- no -u me , you know.

to sober you

- 3 -

Agema k i :

Many thanks.

(Takes t he drug)

Well ,

as you know,

I have drunk so much because e v e r y t h i n g has gone a g a i n s t me in my lo v e Katobush i

recitin g:

with Su k e r o ku.

The cuckoo coos

and wa r b l e s .

Wi t h such a sad v o i c e .

Sad i s our f a t e Of l e a d i n g a l i f e

o f slavery

Here in t h i s wo r l d o f shame; W here a f f e c t i o n Nor l o v e ,

i s not r e a l

true.

( Meanwhile Shiratama,

a co u r t e s a n ,

comes i n t o the

s t a g e - p a s s a g e a t t e n d e d by t h r e e man f o l l o w e r s and t wo c h i l d a t t e n d a n t s .

I k y u , a r i c h o l d samurai,

f o l l o w s h e r , accompanied by f o u r Gompei,

M or ok u , Kampachi,

man f o l l o w e r s -

Fu s h i c h i ----------, t h r e e

younger men and f o u r women.

I ky u :

T h e r e ’ s a prov erb s a y i n g t h a t a p a i r o f f a i r arms makes a p i l l o w f o r a thousand heads . hand, however,

it

i s a l s o a co urtesan t h a t w i l l

n e v e r be moved f o r m ig h t , I ’ m sure I ’ l l a pleasure f o r

On the other

f o r money.

g e t the mi t t e n a g a i n . me now t h a t

Ton ig ht I t ’ s rather

I ' m through so many

hard e x p e r i e n c e s . N ow f o l k s ,

s h a l l we commit

double s u i c i d e w ith wine?

Gompei:

Wh a t the boss says stands wine are

Mo r o k u :

m uch r eas on .

Love and

the s o u r se o f g a l l a n t r i e s .

Here on the s t r e e t

Na k a -n o -ma c h i , the fancymen

h id e t h e i r f a c e s in deep h a t s .

4

Kampachi:

N i g h t i n g a l e s come and v i s i t e W,

Fus hic hi :

thronging here.

Gompe i :

Are the f o l l o w e r s

A ll:

Of Ikyu, e Wl l ,

Ikyu:

the

the

" R i ch B e a r d . "

folk s,

bench.

ther e a r e many c o u r t es a n s s i t t i n g

Ar e

Gompei :

Oh, y e s , s i r .

Ikyu:

Why,

on

they the d e b u t a n t e s ?

I think I s h a l l have a good time w ith them.

e Wl l ,

S hi ra tam a:

the f l o wers.

Ikyu, y o u ’ re

so many minded.

T h a t ’ s why

Agemak i h a t e s you.

Ikyu:

Oh,

Shiratama:

Mi n d i t ,

Ikyu:

L e t ' s go a n d g e t a cq u a in t ed with them, a t l e a s t .

I was wrong. pl e a s e .

(They a l l Courtesans:

H allo,

come i n t o

the s t a g e . )

Mr. Ikyu.

Ikyu:

You a l l

know

y m name?

M any thanks.

Yaeginu:

Now, Agemaki, Mr. Ikyu has come.

Agemaki:

Don’ t make such a do about i t .

We l l ,

rM.

Ikyu,

I ’ ve been lon g w a i t i n g ---------- .

Ikyu:

a Wit i n g f o r

A g e maki:

h Wat?

I k yu:

A gema k i:

I

Sukeroku,

know w ell that you’ re very

i n t i m a t e w i t h him

though y o u ’ r e t r y i n g

to c on c e a l i t

Bu t,

when you came t o know our

the o t h e r day,

connection,

e Wl l ,

from me.

y u o pe rm i t t e d us, a f t e r a lo n g preach,

to see each o t h e r .

Ikyu:

eh?

yes , I d i d .

5

Agemaki:

And why are you t h w a r t in g our l o v e a g a i n ?

Ikyu:

I d i d p e r mi t you, is

Agemaki Ikyu:

Sukeroku?

(an gry):

then.

But,

I won’ t ,

now.

W hat

H e’ s a r o b b e r .

h Wa t did you s a y ?

h We n e v e r he f i g h t s , opponent.

he t a k e s the sword o f h i s

That pr ov e s the f a c t

t h a t he

is a robber.

Are you g o i n g to e n j o y you r t i me w i t h him?

Agemaki:

I hav e not a l i f e

to e n j o y m y s e l f .

I d o n ’ t know why,

I ------

Ikyu:

In l o v e w ith Sukeroku?

Agemaki :

I ’m afraid

Ikyu:

I am o n l y s o r r y f o r you,

Bu t ,

though

I am.

f o r you w i l l one day

be r o b bed o f a l l your t h in g s i f y ou go on a s s o c i a t i n g w i t h him.

Agemaki:

You may c a l l to c a l l

me mad, f o o l or an y th in g you l i k e .

Sukeroku a r o b b e r ,

it's a lit t le

But,

too

much.

Ikyu:

I t ’ s not too much. robber,

y ou to o ,

I f you keep company with a w ill

come to search f o r

o f o t h e r s and you w i l l

the purposes

become a co upl e o f homeless

w aifs.

Ikyu:

I t ’ s v e r y importunate o f you. fa ith fu l

t o h i s own p r i n c i p l e

" Like a t t r a c t s

l i k e you know.

c a l l i n g you h a r d names. rM. Ikyu,

Suke roku i s of g a lla n tr y .

I sha l l now take to

( P u t t i n g on a i r s . )

when I c omp a i r you with Su ke r oku,

W e ll, one

l o o k s f i n e and one lo o ks i l l - n a t u r e d .

Y o u ’ re as l i k e as ch a lk and chees e . ocean and the inland sea,

The

they are both se as;

-

but the

6

-

dif f e r e n c e

i s t h a t one i s deep and the

o t h e r i s s h a l l o w . A c o ur te sa n w i l l have such a miserable life

wi thout a fa n c y - man

you f o r Ikyu : Agemaki:

I s h a l l n e ve r mistake

Sukeroku e v e n i n the dark,

Hu m (t ou c he s h i s swo r d . ) e Wl l ,

cut me down i f

k illed ,

it

p l e a s e s you.

I sh a l l n e v e r g i v e him up.

Cu t ,

or

Do cut me,

rM. I k y u .

I k y u : ( P u t t i n g a w a y h i s sw or d ) : Agemaki:

Go away.

W he r e s h a l l I g o ?

Ikyu:

To Sukeroku.

Agemaki:

Have you no say?

Ikyu:

Go away.

(Agemaki stands up and g o e s to t h e passage)

Sh i r a t a m a ( c a l l i n g her ba c k ) : w i l l drive

Now, Agemaki you

Sukeroku i n t o

t r o u b l e s by g e t t i n g so

mad and angry w it h I kyu.

We l l , Agemak i , j u s t come

back.

Agemaki:

I have no

imn d to go a g a i n s t

best fr ie n d , dear Shiratama: Agemaki:

my

though I should be v e r y g l a d to go to my

Suke roku.

Wi l l you c o m e b a c k th e n ?

C ertain ly I sh all. (G o in g back to th e m ain stage.)

I say,

M r.

Ikyu,

I ’ll

Shiratama.

Shiratama :

the words o f you,

h Wy , Agemaki.

Agema k i :

Corme on,

Children:

Okay.

chil d r e n.

ne ver see you a g a i n .

W ell,

-

(Agemaki,

7 -

Sh i r a t a ma and the c h i l d r e n go out.

Sh a k u h a c h i ------a k i n d o f f l u t e --------- sounds behind the s t a g e . ) Yae gi nu:

There

comes a s t r o l l i n g

Aizen:

He i s n ot a

Ukihash i :

Well?

A ll:

Ce r t a i n l y he i s .

flu te-player.

fl u t e pl a y e r , but a young f e l l o w .

( Sukeroku comes i n t o the Katobushi r e c i t i n g :

pas sage.)

Urged by the sound o f sa mi s e n , Here he c o me s , a dashing y u o ng f e l l o w , His

handsome f a c e

r e f l e c t i n g upon the

r a i n y sky.

Courtesans A ll:

e Wl l ,

Sukeroku,

wh a t ' s

the o r i g i n .

fO your h e a d-band?

Sukeroku:

You mean t h i s

Song:

Th i s i s

turban?

the t o ken o f our promise.

Which n e ve r f o r g o t t e n o Fr

w ill

be.

we have promised

Ne v e r to change our mind.

As the e v e r g r e e n s change not t h e i r c o l our.

Along the banks o f the r i v e r

Sumi d a ,

Willows are weepi n g and c h e r r i e s are out.

Flo w e r s and blossoms f a l l down upon the p a r a s o l s .

Fuj i

a nd Tsukuba a re seen beyond the f l o w e r s .

Flo w er s,

d o n’ t h ur r y

Do n ’ t be im pa tie nt f o r

to f a l l : the day o f a pp o in t me n t .

The n i g h t o f r e n d z - v o us w i l l Sukerk o u:

come in time

The woman lo v e d by me ------------ .

8

Song:

" I s Agemaki" And thus h e shuts h i s u m b r e lla Wi t h

A11: Yaeginu:

m u ch

grace

Hurrah e W’ v e been w a i t i n g f o r you,

Ukihashi:

Come here

A ll:

Just f o r a moment.

Su ke r ok u :

Oh, how are you?

Sukeroku.

You ar e a l l as b e a u t i f u l as e v e r .

M ay I t h r u s t m y s e l f among you?

P l e a s e do

Courtesans:: Suk e r o k o :

Excuse me ( S i t s on the b e nc h .)

(A d r u g - p e d d l e r comes in accompanied by the master and m i s t r e s s o f effect

iM u r a y a and pr o p a g a te s the

o f the m e d ic in e " U i r o " in a dance.

W i l l you have a f i l l

Courtesans:

o f to bacco?

(Each o f f e r s a

p ip e to him) Sukeroku: Courtesans:: Ikyu: Yaeginu:

Look out f o r f i r e .

Oh, d o n ’ t m i n d .

Now,

courtesans,

w i l l you g i v e

e W would f a i n g i v e you one

e m j u s t one f i l l ?

i f we had a p i p e .

Ikyu:

Y ou ’ ve g o t

so many.

Ya eg in u:

These p ip es have been o f f e r e d a l r e a d y .

Ikyu:

To whom?

Sukeroku:

To me.

h Wa t a t h i n g !

end o f the s t r e e t ,

As soon as I appe a r a t

e v e r y door c a l l s f o r

the

me and o f f e r s

a pipe.

La s t n i g h t , when I j u s t dropped i n t o Ma ts u y a , lighted

p ip e s wer e

p i l e d up mountain h i g h .

you e v e r st ep i n t o t h i s kind o f be t r e a t e d l i k e

thi s .

you cann ot g e t i t

life ,

If

you should

However r i c h y ou may be ,

f o r money.

- 9-

e Wl l ,

ol d man,

i f you want a

pi p e ,

I wil l

fain

len d you one.

Ikyu :

T h a n k y o u s o m u c h . W ill y o u ?

Sukeroku:

A ll righ t.

You sh a l l have o n e .

Sukeroku o f f e r s toes.)

Ikyu:

I kyu a pipe pi n ch in g i t up w ith h i s

How do you l i k e

(La ugh ing )

Ha, ha, ha.

though he l o o k s

it?

He i s a sim p let on a f t e r a l l ,

fin e.

He m u s t be a workman or a

p o r t e r f o r he seems to be a good w a l k e r . e Wl l ,

the r e a l g a l l a n t r y i s t o walk the way o f

ju stice,

to behave

and to be f a i t h f u l In t h e s e p r o s t i t u t e

on e s e l f ,

n e ve r to make p r e t e x t s

to o n e ' s p r i d e . q u a r t e r s , young unemployed a re

apt t o act im p o r t a n t.

I won’ t m ind t h em no more

than I mind mosquitoes b u z z i n g about my e a r s .

I th in k I shalL smudge them o f f .

(Burns an i n c e n s e . ) Sukeroku:

As the say s,

"Sanryaku" ,

a famous

Chinese book on t a c t i c s

s t r a t e g y must change a c c o r d i n g

opponent. treated

Those who are im p e r t i n e n t must be

iwt h the f o o t ;

treated

with sand als .

those who a r e rude must be T h a t ’ s the way with g a l l a n t r y .

There can be no s e c r e t nor i n i t i a t i o n gallan try.

to o n e ' s

As f o r s uch a r a s c a l ,

for

the r e a l

i t ’ s enough

t o shake a nd knock him d o wn. e Wl l ,

ladies,

hear.

A ll:

Oh, goodness.

a snake f r e q u e n t Yoshi ha r a o f l a t e ,

I

10

-

Sukeroku:

-

Oh, you needn’ t be f r i g h t e n e d , I t has a b l u s t e r i n g a i r , and lo o k s j u s t

for

i t won’ t b i t e you.

wh i t e h a i r and beard,

l i k e Kichiemon.

e Wl l ,

t h i s snake i s

so t e n a c io u s th at he v i s i t s a c o u r t es a n e v e r y n i g h t though he always g e t s the mi t t e n . h wa t f o r

is i t ?

He o f t e n burns an i n c e n s e ,

J u s t to smudge away t he l i c e s i n ­

f e s t i n g h i s beard.

He’ s so smart th at no one w i l l

know the r e a l r eas on .

I won’ t .

M ombei (b e h in d the s t a g e ) :

(Comes in.

have come out o f a bat h.

He s e e ms to

O- T a t su, a b r o t h e l ma t r o n ,

f o l l o w s t r y i n g to check him.

Mombei : Ikyu:

I won’t . h Wa t are you grumbling about,

Kampe r a .

(M o m b ei's n ick -n a m e)?

Mombei :

h Wy,

boss,

Come h e r e ,

ju st lis t e n woman.

to

e m.

Such a woman!

You've made doubl e d e a l i n g s

w i t h co u r t e s a n s .

O-Tatau: Mombe i:

h Wat do you mean,

air?

Do n ’ t make a fun o f

m e.

a f t e r cups and f e a s t s , a b a th ,

W e l l , the famous Kampera, d e si g n e d to want t o have

and orde re d you to

m ake a l l

the co ur tesans

com e i n t o h i s bath-room and wash h i s back.

You s e r i o u s l y answered t h a t you my r e q u e s t . for

them.

would comply with

And so I have been w a i t i n g and w a i t i n g But,

b o i l e d up in the

no one appeared and I was h a l f tub.

Could i t

to t r e a t a r i c h

man l i k e

a ll

women b e f o r e me .

the v i c i o u s

be e v e r c a l l e d proper

t h i s ? D on’ t h esita te, Present

them in the bath and e a t them up.

I ’ll

ju st b o il

11

Ah, Yae g i n u :

dizzy!

How do y ou dare to c a l l us such names, Mr .

Uk i h a s h i :

I feel

Kampe r a "

I f y ou go on,

we s h a l l

j

ust f i t

up your mouth

w it h a do or.

Kambei:

Shut up.

If

you f i x a door t o my mouth, my words

w i l l go out through my n o s t r i l s . Come, b r i n g out a l l the v i c i ous women h e r e .

I ’ll

in a row so t h a t I could t e l l

j u st t i e

the beads w i t h them.

Ya eg in u:

How co u ld you do t h a t !

A izen :

Just l o o k how u n a t t r a c t i v e he l o o k s .

A ll

them

( laugh.)

Mombei;

You’ ve laughed a t me.

A l l r i g h t . S e e what I do

( c r i e s l i k e mad .)

(Fukuyama, a m a c a r o n i - p e d d l e r , comes in with h i s c a r r y i n g - b o x and runs a g a i n s t Mombei:

Ouch!

Fukuyama:

Oh, excuse me.

Mom b e i:

Why, a fter

do you think t h a t i t ’ s enough to say t h a t , knocking y o u r c a r r y i n g - b o x a g a i n s t me?

You f r e c k l e d Fukuyama:

F u kuyama:

l o o s e - l o o k i n g s im p le t o n !

I ’ m so s o r r y .

Excuse me,

Momb e i:

I w s a in such a h u r ry , you know,

please.

I won’ t excuse you.

Do n ’ t move an in c h .

You won’ t pardon me when I have made so many a pologies?

Mombei:

Mombei.)

Of course n o t .

■

-

Fukuyama:

Do what you would,

12 -

then.

Though i t may compromise t h e

honour of

the famous shop Fukuyama,

quarrels.

I ’ m as quick in temper as in c a r r y i n g

macaroni.

I ’ ll

just

I am so fond o f

make you see how b o l d

and d a r i n g I am.

Mom be i:

You i m p e r t i n e n t !

I can stand no more.

(Swings about h i s f i r s t .

Sukeroku i n t e r f e r e s him

and t w i s t s h i s a rm s .)

Mombei:

Ouch!

Sukeroku ( to F ukuyama ) :

Go a l o n g .

Fukuyama:

Oh, thank you.

Mombei:

Don' t move .

Sukeroku:

Go, qu ic k.

Mombei:

Don’ t

Suke r o k u :

You must keep p a t i e n t ,

Mombei:

" I must", you say?

Suke roku:

Do be p a t i e n t .

o Mm be i:

mov e,

"Be p a t i e n t " ,

or y o u ’ l l

be ki l l e d .

you say"

sir.

That sounds s t r a n g e .

Sukeroku:

Oh, d o n ’ t be so p a r t i c u l a r .

Mombei:

Y o u ’ ve been so d a r in g .

Put up w it h him.

You d o n ’ t know me,

I ’m sure.

Sukerok u :

Oh, what you sa y !

Every one know s you.

so famous he re in Y o s h i wa r a and in a l l Mombei:

Do you know my name?

Sukerok u:

No,

Mombei:

Don’t

Sukoroku:

I don't k n o w y o u ,

but God knows.

Mombei:

How do you dar e!

You do n't know me?

I don’ t. make a fun o f

e m.

You’ re the w o r l d ,

too.

- 13 -

Ah,

I see.

the f i r s t

You’ v e come h e re to Yoshiwara f o r

t i me,

I ’ m su r e.

B e a ll ears,

Well, t h i s gentleman st a n d in g here i s i s named Kan-u a f t e r Sangokushi .

e hr o o f the Chinese n o v e l

Ikyu the B earde d."

f a v o u r i t e f o l lowe r Kampera -M ombei

and I am r i c h enough,

too.

turban and make an ob eis an ce Sukeroku:

A ll

righ t.

But, h i s speech,

my boss. He

His cognomen i s Un-cho, and he i s

usually c a lle d I am h i s

the

now.

All r i g h t .

No,

take o f f your

to me.

Your words sound d i g n i f i e d .

m a ca ron i w i l l g e t s p o i l e d during your I ’ m a fraid .

Go a l o n g ,

T ( o Fukuyama)

qu ic k.

Mombei:

You shan’ t .

Sukeroku:

Why do you say so when he has a p o l o g i z e d many t im e s .

Ah, I s e e .

You’ re hungry.

I ’ll

so A ll rig h t;

stand you t h a t .

(Takes out a bowl o f macaroni) Sukeroku:

Ju s t have a bowl.

M ombei:

I won’t eat, i t .

Sukeroku:

Do n ’ t be so proud.

Or, are you ke ep ing ma igre?

Wi l l

you have i t

with

pepper?

(Mombei s n e e z e s )

Shall I f e e d you from my mouth?

Mombei:

Feed m e?

Sukeroku:

Yes,

Mombei:

An e a g l e t n e ve r f e e d s an e a g l e .

Sukeroku: Mombei:

f e e d you.

o Wn ’ t you ?

C ertainly I

wo n ’ t .

I shan’ t e a t i t .

14

Sukeroku:

D o w h a t y o u w o u l d . ( P ours the

Mombei :

Oh,

macaroni o v e r Mombei. )

I ' ve been cut.

Fukuyama ( g o i n g o u t ) :

I

t o l d you so.

( Asagao-Sembei c o mes in, w i t h many f e l l o wattendants .

Sembei:

W hy, boss .

Mombei:

Oh,

Sembei:

W h a t's

Mombei:

I ’ m s o r r y I ’ ve been taken by s u r p r i s e . A m

Sembei. the

m tat e r ?

seriou sly

I

o wunded?

Sembei:

W h y , bo ss , you a r e n ’ t hu rt a t a l l .

Momb e i :

Not at a l l ?

W hy,

I 'm b l e e d i n g s o .

Oh,

this is

ma c a r o n i .

Sembe i:

We l l ,

Momb e i :

Fa l l

Sukeroku:

I never. on him,

fellow s.

h Wa t di d you s a y ? W e l l

boys,

i f your clubs e v e r

touch me, you s h a l l l a y dead in heaps. a ll:

Why!

Sukeroku:

Put o f f your c l u b s .

A11:

a ll rig h t. (re tire s .)

Sembe i :

You y o u n g s t e r ,

sim pleton, f o o l .

anyone cha l l e n g e my boss.

I ' v e ne ver seen

How could y o u d a r e !

Yo u ' v e t h r o n w t h e m a c a r o n i o v e r h i m. b a d l y - made macaroni, him now. put i t

e Wl l ,

young

too.

I ’ m angry

I ’ll

w it h

boy. r emember my name and

in y ou r book i n h e l l .

the handsome".

And such

just

I am c a l l e d

th row you away.

- 15 -

( F a l l s on Sukeroku, when he is f a i r l y

f l i nged down

by S u k e ro k u . ) Sembei:

Ouch.

Mombei:

h Wy,

Sembei:

Semb e i ,

wh a t ' s

the a mt t e r ?

I ’ ve g o t h u r t by knocking a g a i n s t

the r o o t

there.

Mombei:

Oh,

the r o o t i s your op pon ent .

e Wl l ,

then,

the

one t h a t has won the natch i s ----- ----- .

Semb e i :

W e ll ?

Mombei:

The r o o t .

A ll:

Oh, what a f e l l o w !

Mo m be i:

You smart young wretch,

A ll:

Your name?

Sukeroku:

what i s ---- --------.

I'll

t e l l you by and by,

into

these q u a r t e r s should know m y name.

firs t

place , i t

w ill

for

short in

the

who e v e r

in the

make a ta lism a n a g a i n s t

mitten from pr o s t i t u t e s .

size,

step

make a charm a g a i n s t ague .

In the second p l a c e , i t w i l l gettin g

those

I a m b o ld i n mind.

Though I am

The o l d man

making c h a r c o a l f a r in the suburbs o f Edo rumours o f me and o f my q u a r r e l s as w e l l as the o w n i ng the b r o t h e l never for

Mi t a n i he re

in Y oshiw ara .

been d e f e a t e d in q u a r r e l s .

th is

o l d woman I ’ ve

I ’ m a l s o famous

our p urple turban o f mine and f o r my

hair-dressin g.

Many opponents i n q u a r r e l s a r e f o r me what much w a t e r is

for

a fish .

I am known a l l

through Edo

as Sukeroku o f the f a m i l y Hanakawado o r as

16

Sukeroku,

l o v e r o f Agemaki.

and worship A ll:

Fo l k s ,

come n e a r e r

me on your knees.

hurrah!

(M o m b e i t re m bl es with f e a r . )

Sukeroku:

You d i r t y ,

Mom be i:

Fa l l

shabby,

on him,

freckled

m an.

Are you g o i n g ?

folk s.

( Mombei and Sembe i

f i g h t with t h e i r swords.

Sukeroku knocks t h e m down w i t h h i s shakuhachi

(long

f l u t e ).

Yaeginu:

Mr .

Courtesans :

Sukeroku has won the day.

Oh, b r a v o !

Sukeroku ( l o o k i n g at I kyu) :

e Wl l

you ol d chap, a l l your

f o l l o w e r s have been d e f e a t e d by me. f e e l much m o r t i f i e d . a cut a t me.

Unsheathe your sword and g i v e

Wo n ' t you? W h y d o you remain so s i l e n t ?

Are you dumb or d e a f ?

You s p i r i t l e s s !

Oh,

You must

Do unsheathe your sword.

Just l i k e

poor, he has d i e d .

a ra t watched by a c a t .

A ll rig h t,

a l l righ t,

I

s h a l l say a r e q u iem f o r h i m.

(Takes o f one o f h i s sandals and pu t s i t on I k y u ’ s h e a d . ) "I

beseech the Buddha Amitabha th at t h i s animal w i l l

g e t e n li g h t e n m e n t and th at he w i l l go t o p a r a d i s e . " ( Ikyu throws away the sandal a nd touches the h i l t o f h is Sukeroku :

sword. )

Unsheathe y o u r s w o r d (Ikyu is

o wn ’ t you?

on the po in t o f unsheathing h i s sword,

when he l o oks a t i t

and s t o p s . )

- 17 -

I th in k I w o n 't .

I kyu: Mombei:

h Wy,

boss,

weak,

too.

i f you a r e s o

meek and weak,

I

feel

Sembei:

You are always so p r oud o f your f i g h t i n g a r t s .

Ikyu:

An e le p h a n t wo n ’ t take

to h e a r t what a hare does

with him.N o o n e k i l l s

a f l y w i t h a lon g sp e a r .

He it, not a match f o r

m e.

Now, f e l l o w s ,

t a k e care of

your purges.

S u k e r oku unsheathes h i s sword and c u t s the a rm r e s t

in the m idd l e .

Sukeroku :

You see my sk i l l

Ikyu:

Fol k s ,

now.

f a l l upon him.

( H i s f o l l o we r s f a l l upon

Sukeroku.

M eanw hil e I kyu,

Mombei, Sembei and the co ur te sa ns go i n t o the house Mi u r a y a .

Shimbei, a wh i t e - w i n e - p e d d l e r , , c o m es i n .

Sukeroku unsheathes h i s d i r k . away from him.

Shimbei, l e f t

Hi s opponents run behind,

squats on the

passage.

Sukeroku::

They are so weak. W e l l ,

I t h in k I s h a l l have a cup

w i t h Agemaki.

Shimbei

(addressing):

I say, young

m an,

j u s t a moment,

pl e a s e .

Sukeroku :

"Young

m an" you s a y ?

h Wa t ’ s the m a t t e r ?

Y o u ’ re so d a r i n g to say t h a t .

18

(Comes t o the pa s s a g e .

Shimbe i

squats f l a t ,

r e a dy to f l e e . ) W ho on e a r t h i s he th at has c a l l e d me and then disappeared?

Edo.

I am Sukeroku,

Com e out.

boss o f a l l g a l l a n t s in

W h e r e are you h i d i n g ? (Goes i n t o

the main s t a g e .)

Shimbei:

I

say,

boss o f a l l

g a l l a n t s , w i l l you w a i t j ust

f o r a moment?

Sukeroku;

Ca l l i n g

g aain .

(Goes to the

h Wa t ' s the m a t t e r ?

passage. Shim bei

W h e r e are you h i d i n g ?

I ’ll

squats down a g a in . )

I f you make a fun o f me,

j u s t sweep you i n t o the r i v e r and ki ck a r o o f -

bo at i n t o your n o s t r i l .

W h a t do you mean by do ing

such a thing?

(Comes i n t o

the

S h im b ei S ( tanding u p ) :

a min s t a ge . )

I s a y , wa i t a min u t e , p l e a s e .

Sukeroku: ( F i n d i n g Shimbei ) Just s t a y where you a r e .

Do n ’ t

move an inch. ( Br i n g s

Shimbe i

to the

m a in s t a g e ,

t a k in g him by

the c o l l a r . ) W ho the h e l l Shimbei:

I t ’ s me .

Sukeroku:

Me?

W hat a f a c e have you to say that to me?

(Looks i n t o Shimbei: Sukeroku: Shimbei:

It's h Wy,

a r e you?

h S i m b e i ’ s face and g e t s s u r p r i s e d . )

me, you know.

S h im bei,

my e l d e r b r o t h e r !

Oh, you r e c o g n i ze me, a t l e a s t .

-

Sukeroku: S h imbei:

Sukeroku:

19 -

h Wa t f o r have you come he r e ?

Just to be swe p t i n t o the r i v e r .

You may k ic k a

boat i n t o

my n o s t r i l ,

or l e f t ?

You m ay choose w h ich ev er you l i k e .

Oh, I

i f you l i k e .

h Wi c h n o s t r i l ,

right

s a i d such t h i n g s because I d i d n ’ t know t h a t you

were the p e d d l e r .

Shim be i:

Di d you say t h a t wi thout n o t i c i n g me?

Sukeroku:

How c o u ld I ,

Shim be i:

"A pebble i n the dark

Sukeroku:

Um - - - - - - ,

Shi m b e i :

We l l ,

if

Sukeroku,

Our f a t h e r l a i d

I knew i t was you. m ay h i t your pa r e n t " you know.

what on e a r t h a r e you t h i n k i n g o f ? down h i s l i f e

o f h i s f e l l o w merchants.

i n o r d e r t o save

those

We b r o t h e r s have made up

our mind to wipe out the s t a i n on h i s name and have done our b e s t t o a t t a i n our o b j e c t .

I my s e l f have

become a w h it e -w i n e - p e d d l e r . as

f o r you, you k i l l your time h ere in Yoshiwara

and q u a r r e l day in ,

day ou t.

you and i s a l ways a sk in g was i t

o Mt h e r i s

so anxious about

e m to preach you.

t h a t cut a man a t Takecho?"

"Who

"Sukeroku".

"Who was i t

t h a t threw a man i n t o a heap o f sand?"

" Sukeroku".

Not a day passes with ou t our h e a r in g

your bad name,

though the

sun may f o r g e t t o sh in e .

h Wa t the deuce has made you such a knave? to you no more now.

I ’ l l ju st

r e l a t i o n and have no t h in g you.

I ’m d isgu sted

listen

s e v e r our br o t h e r l y

to do with you.

w i t h you.

I ’ll

I despise

- 20 -

Sukeroku:

I thank you v e r y much f o r your k i n d e s t adv i c e .

But,

it

may be s a i d that I q u a r r e l as a f i l i a l

Shimbei:

h Wa t !

A filia l

Sukeroku:

e Wl l ,

I s h a l l t e l l you how i t i s .

duty.

du t y ?

Our f a t h e r l o st

the sword Tomoki rimaru and g o t i n t o t r o u b l e s f o r that.

I t ’ s o ur g r e a t e s t du ty to f i n d i t

out and t o

co ns ol e h i s s p i r i t . W e have t r i e d our b e s t , but a l l in v a i n . We l l ,

these p r o s t i t u t e

quarters are frequ en ted

by so many rakes t h a t I thought i t f o r our enemy here in Yoshiwara.

c o n v e n ie n t to s e e k I p ic k q u a r r e l s

on dandies an d r a s c a l s and f o r ce t h em to unsheathe t h e i r swords so t h a t I may examine them.

I t ’ s p i t i l e s s o f you to g e t ang ry w ith me w it h o u t e v e r l i s t e n i n g to my re a so n s.

I ’ll

A l l r i ght, a l l r i g h t

st o p q u a r r e l i n g and become a

you a l l .

pl e a s e

H a i l to the Buddha

A m ti abha and a l l

the Buddhas in t h e Ten D i r e c t i o n s ;

I beseech you to f o r g i v e me f o r Shim b ei:

m onk t o

I ’ ve thought so,

Sukeroku.

m y quarrels h e re to fo r e .

I ’ ve been t h i n k i n g i t

must have been to f i n d out Tomok i rimaru that you are i d l i n g away your t i m e .

I t was v e r y bad o f me

t o make such a preach.

this

It's

t o blame.

that?

"You

month,

month o f

sorry fo r

My month says t h a t he p le a s e .

that. ”

imn e ,

why on e a tr h d i d you say

Take c a r e and n e v e r r e p e a t i t

that y o u ’ re

w i t h him

Oh,

"Oh,

is s o r r y f o r

again.

Say

I ’ m so s o r r y . " ti .

Put up

21

-

-

Sukeroku:

Oh, may I keep q u a r r e l i n g ,

Shimbei:

Of

course you m ay.

then?

Make as many q u a r r e l s as you

can.

Suke r o k u :

I ’ ll

try m y best,

Shimbei:

A ll righ t,

Su ke rok u:

I feel

all

sir.

righ t.

quite r e lie v e d

Do your b e s t . now t h a t I ' v e g o t

the

licen ce.

Shimb e i :

I,

too,

f e e l easy a t h e a r t .

e Wl l ,

Sukeroku, have

you found any cl u e?

Suke r o k u :

No t e x a c t l y ,

Bu t , some time a g o , Ikyu stopped

on the po i n t whys a w Shimbe i:

Ah,

of unsheathing h i s sword,

I wonder

it.

he lo o k s knavish enough to be sus pe cted .

s t a y h ere t h i s e v e n i n g and Suke r ok u :

But you a r e s o .......... ..

Sh i m b e i :

Oh,

a k c ip q u a r r e l

I ’ll

n o him.

I can be animated enough i f you s t a y with me

and h e l p me.

Sukeroku:

A ll righ t.

Shimbei:

Oh,

Suke r o k u :

Le t ' s have a r e h e a r s a l ,

I ’ll

teach you how to quar r e l .

w i l l you? then.

Put out your

elbow so,

s t e p out your f o o t so.

Now,

"You knavish samurai, why did you knock

say:

a g a i n s t me?

I 'll

sweep you away i n t o t he r i v e r

and kick a r o o f - b o a t i n t o your n o s t r i l . W hat do you mean by being so rude to me?"

That w i l l make him angry enough to unsheathe h i s sword.

- 22 -

Shimbei:

I

set.

I'll

try.

(Takes out h i s t o w e l and makes a turban of i t . i m ita tin g.) " You knavish samurai, I ’ll

why d i d you knock a g a i n s t me?

kick a ro o f-b o a t

in to vour n o s t r i l .

h Wat do

you mean?”

A ll righ t,

a l l righ t.

I know qu i t e w e l l now

how t o be g a l l a n t l y .

Sukeroku: Shimbe i

W hy,

there c omes a g u l l .

(a ffe cted ) :

W hat on e a r t h do you mean?"

(A young boy comes i n from the r i g h t , h i d in g h i s face

in a sedge h a t .

sword l o o k s a t i t picks i t

up,

g o i n g away,

Suke roku robs him o f h i s

and then throws i t

sheathes

when he i s c a l l e d ba ck .)

Cr e e p between

Boy:

Creep between your l e g s ?

my legs.

o f my m o t h e r ’ s womb,

Why, e v e r since

I was born

I have n e v e r ---------- .

( A f t e r h e s i t a t i n g f o r a minute.)

It

cannot be

I ’m a fr a i d .

( Re l u c t a n t l y Shimbei

The boy

i t and i s on t h e p o i n t o f

Suke roku:

helped,

off.

( trem bling) :

c r e ep s between

Su keroku 's legs. )

Creep between my l e g s ,

young ma n . )

(The young boy does as he has been t o l d and then h u r r i e s to the s t a g e - p a s s a g e . } Boy:

Oh,

I ’ ve ea t en such d i r t . ( Goes o u t . )

Suke roku:

h Wat a f ell o w !

(A samurai c o mes in,

accompaniedby a f o l l o w e r

Sukeroku snatches h i s sword from him, l o o k s at it

and throws i t

and hands i t

away. T he f o l l o w e r p ic k s i t

to h i s

a ms t e r .

up

The w a r r i o r sheathes i t . )

-23 -

Sukeroku:

Creep between my l e g s .

(The w a r r i o r c la p s h i s hands and then cr e e p s between Sukeroku' s l e g s on al l f o u r s .

Shimbei

(trem bling)

Creep between my l e g s .

(The w a r r i o r c r e e p s ) Fo l l o w e r ( mor t i f i e d ) :

I cannot stand i t any mo r e .

(He i s on the po i n t

of unsheathing h i s sword, when h i s

master c h ec ks him.

War r i o r

( f e i g n i n g to be dumb): by h i s

Sukeroku: m A an

A-a-a-

( Goes out,

attendant.)

h Wat a weak w a r r i o r !

fo f a s h i o n

( comes i n ) :

Taking a walk a l o n g t h i s

i s always v e r y s t y l i s h ,

y ou know.

always s l e n d e r and b e a u t i f u l . t h a t m any a man c o u r t s h e r .

Sukeroku: Man:

follow ed

And she

street is

I t ’ s quite natural W ell,

w ell,

she

b e s t cour tesan he re ,

a fter a ll.

the

addressed by Sukeroku. )

left,

when he i s

i s the

( Makes to

Creep between my l e g s .

Creep b e t ween your l e g s !

e Wl l ,

I never!

Is n 't

it

r a t h e r unromantic to creep between a n o t h e r ' s l e g s here in these q u a r t e r s ?

I 'll

j u s t do i t

A ll righ t,

a l l righ t,

in fun, as the famous m i n i s t e r

Konshin ( personage i n

Chinese h i s t o r y )

di d in h is

young days.

(Takes o f h i s sandals and c r e e p s . ) Man:

My g o o d n e s s !

I'm a l l mud.

I t ' s by no means r o m a n ti c , disgusted o f

m e if

I'm

a fra id

She wi l l

get

she e v e r se es me in t h i s s t a t e .

- 24 -

Shimbei: Man:

Creep between my l e g s.

O nce again? W e l l ,

w ell,

w ell!

( Creeps be tw een Shi m b e i ' s l e g s . ) I ’ ve

done enough,

I ' m sure?

Oh,

I ’ m quite puzzled.

( Goes o u t ) Sukeroku:

W e ll,

such a st r an ge f e l l o w .

(Age mak i’ s v o i c e behind the s t a g e . ) Agemaki:

Take c a r e o f your s t e p s , i f you p l e a s e .

Sukeroku:

T h a t ’ s Agemaki, v is ite r.

Shimbei:

I ’ m sure.

I have a v e r y

Oh, y e s ,

She seems t o see o f f a

black crow to pluck w it h e hr

make as much co mplaint a s you can.

( Gets as mad as a March h a r e . ) Mi t s u e ,

Sukeroku' s m o t h e r ,

Miuraya,

comes out o f the house

d i s g u i s e d as a w a r r i o r , he r f a c e hidden

in a sedge h a t .

Agemaki:

Are you g oi n g back now?

I am v e r y s o r r y to par t

from you.

(Mitsue nod s .

Sukeroku and Shimbei check them in

the middle of the s t a g e . ) Sukeroku:

a Wi t a minute, you samurai.

Shimb e i :

a Wi t a minute.

Agemak i :

Do be p a t i e n t ,

Suke roku.

Sukeroku:

Shut up, you v i c i o u s

Agemaki:

h Wa t a v i o l e n t w o r d .

Sukeroku:

h Wa t ,

if

S h im b e i:

e W’ l l

j u s t take

it

Sukeroku ( t o M a n k o )

woman!

is, it

out o f

then .

h Wy d i d you t r e ad on me,

i s v-xdwide enough enough.

Take o f f

when the road

the mud on my socks.

-

Shimbei :

He must he must.

Agemaki:

Y o u 'll

Sukeroku:

be s o r r y f o r i t

Shut up,

o wman.

Ar e you d e a f , to be

25 -

we a r i n g

Take i t

off.

afterwards.

(To M a n k o ) W hy d o n ' t you answer me?

or a r e you dumb?

It's

im polite

such a ha t b e f o r e r e s p e c t a b l e You w o n ' t ?

A ll righ t.

persons.

I ' l l make you.

(He t ak es o f f h e r hat and g e t s s u r p r i s e d t o g e t f a c e to f a c e w it h h i s m o t h e r . ) Agemaki:

e Wl l

Sukeroku, you may do whatever you want now.

( Su keroku l o o k s d e j e c t e d . ) Shimbei:

e Wl l ,

shal l I

beat h i m, Suke roku?

( Sukeroku t r i e s

to check h i m . )

Oh, d o n ’ t stop me.

I am?

Now, man, do you see how g a l l a n t l y

Ouch, i t ' s p a i n f u l

to be g a l l a n t l y .

e Wl l ,

I an Kasubei the w h i t e - w i n e - s e l l e r , you know.

I have a f i s t h e r e ,

wh i ch my parents gave me to use

to knock down m y enemies.

(P u t s out h i s f i s t ,

but,

on l o o k i n g a t M a n k o , u t t e r s

a helpless c r y .)

O-o-o.

M anko:

h Wy,

A-a-a..M y heavens!

Sukeroku, what a con duc t!

c e p t your

challenge.

A ll righ t.

Knock me,

I ’l l

t re a d on me.

h Wat a knave you have become!

Sukeroku:

I say,

mother------Ah,

I see ( To Agemaki. )

You urged he r to do a l l Agemaki: Sukeroku: Agema k i :

I?

this,

eh?

Oh how could I ?

h Wose

id e a was i t ,

then ?

Your mother is so anxious about you that h a r d l y s l e e p a t n i g h t and---.

she can

ac­

- 2 6 -

Manko :

Agemaki, de ar ,

don’ t say a n y th in g to him,

I won’ t e i t h e r .

you.

It's

I pray

o u tr a g eo u s o f him t o

conduct l i k e t h i s when he has a g r e a t o b j e c t to attain.

"He who touches p i t c h s h a l l he d e f i l e d t h e r e w i t h " .

Oh,

Mr . Kasubei

the wine p e d d l e r ,

I thank you

h e a r t i l y f o r ha vin g made my sun such a r a s c a l , ( Shimbei t r i e s

to e s c a p e . )

h We r e are you g o i n g ?

Come h e re , p l e a s e .

(Takes Shimtbei to the ma i n stage and l o o k s a t h i m . ) Why, y o u ’ r e Shimbei.

Shim bei: Manko: Shi m b e i :

I d o n ’ t know whether I am Shimbei h Wa t a man you a r e !

I ' m so ashamed o f m y s e l f t h a t I wish the ground wi l l

M anko:

or K a s u b e i .

open and e n g u l f me.

h Wa t a p a i r o f b r o t h e r s ! tears)

Both of y o u ! (Through

I cannot but ki l l

m y s e l f t o a lo ne f o r my

negligence.

(Tries tries Shimbei:

to go o u t .

Sh i mbei,

Sukeroku and Agemaki

to check h e r . )

Just a minute,

please.

T e l l your s t o r y to he r,

q u ic k .

Sukeroku ( t o M a n k o) : it But,

I t ’ s q u i t e n a t u r a l t h a t you should think

shameless o f me t o behave as I do, mother. to t e l l

n e g l i g e n t of

the t r u t h ,

I am f a r from being

m y dut y. The reason why I pic k

- 27-

quarrels with everybody is I don’ t q u a r r e l f o r he a r t at r e s t , Manko

( A f t e r a pause) :

leisu re,

You w i l l f o r g i v e us,

Shimbei:

Oh,

Sukeroku:

So much.

Take

do your b e s t to f i n d i t

out.

then?

thank y o u - - —

e Wl l ,

Now

Se t your

Now I f e e l q u i t e easy a t heart.

Suke roku:

a ll

you know .

o mokirimaru.

please.

c a r e o f your s e l v e s and

Manko:

to f i n d out T

Agemaki, I n o w f e e l

f o r you.

Thank you.

Sukeroku,

I shall

you from d a n g er s . gives i t

q u i t e easy a t h e a r t . s 'tI

g i v e you a mascot to keep

(Takes o f f her paper co a t and

to he r s o n . )

It

wi l l

tear e a s ily

if

you

behave v i o l e n t l y .

Shimbei:

Oh,

Sukeroku:

Thank you so much f o r your kindness, I

Manko:

it w i l l

s u r e l y encourage p a t ie n c e .

s h a l l put i t

Oh,

on a t once.

(P u t s i t

mother. on.)

Madam A g e m a k i , I can n e v e r thank you enough

f o r your kindness.

Come,

Shimbei,

le t’ s

go home. Come, Suker oku.

Sukeroku:

I must s t a y here a l i t t l e

longer,

I ’m afraid ,

for

I have some i d e a about the swor d .

Manko:

A ll righ t.

Shimbei:

May I accompany you?

Agemaki

(To M a n k o ):

Come, S h i mb e i .

I t ’ s so co ld t h i s e v e n i n g .

and don’ t ca tch a c o l d , Manko

Agemaki

Oh,

thank you.

W e l l ------------ .

please.

We l l , A g e ma k i . ---------- .

Take care

- 28 -

Shimb e i :

Good n i g h t . ( Manko and Shimbei g o o u t.)

Ikyu (behind the s t a g e ) :

Agemaki.

Ik yu ’ s v o ic e ,

Agemaki.

Su kerok u :

T h a t' s

Agemaki:

Oh, Sukeroku, remember your paper c o a t , ( She h i d e s

I'm su r e . p le a s e .

S u keroku under her lon g o v e r - d r e s s .

Ikyu comes i n .

Two c h i l d a tt e n d a n ts f o l l o w

h im .)

Here you a r e ,

Ik yu : Agemaki:

W h y , Mr.

Agemaki.

Ikyu.

I have been lo o k i n g f o r you f o r a lo n g t im e . What

Ikyu:

have you been a b o u t?

Agemaki:

W e ll,

Mr.

Ik yu ,

I ’ ve drunk so much th a t I f e e l

l i k e e x p o s in g my s e l f a fr a id you ’ re

to the wind.

too o ld to do so.

But,

I ’m

You had b e t t e r

go to bed now.

Ik y u :

I f you s t a y h e r e , I if

s h a ll,

too.

We l l ,

Agemaki,

poor Sukeroku se e s us t o g e t h e r h e r e , he w i l l

fret

and fume,

I ’ m su re.

(Draws n e a r e r to Agemaki,

Sukeroku pinches him

on h is l e g . ) Ouch, Agem aki:

Why,

someone has pinched me on my l e g . pinched you on your le g ?

Don’ t be so naughty, C hild

I:

How m is c h ie v o u s !

c h ild re n .

No, we have not ---------- .

Chi l d r e n :

Done t h a t .

Agemaki:

No e x c u s e s .

C h ild re n :

A y e . ( Go o u t . )

Go i n t o the hou se, q u ic k .

-

29

-

-.(G o e s n a rth ) No, i t was not the c h i l d r e n .

Ikyu :

Dear me!

Agemaki:

W e ll,

Mr. Ikyu,

T h e r e ’ s someone

th e re are so many s t a r s ,

a r e n ’ t there?

Y ou don’ t say so .

Ik y u :

S ta r s a r e out e v e r y n ig h t .

Oh, you mean th a t one, eh? you know,

T h a t 's the "Robber S t a r " ,

th a t keeps an eye on c o u r te s a n s th at

o t h e r s have engaged.

A l t a i r cannot meet

Venus so lo n g as I ,

the

them.

a Chinese t r a d i t i o n )

(It

r e fe r s to

M ilk y W a y R iv e r,

lie

between Is n 't

i t so,

Agemaki?

(Sukeroku p in ch e s a g a i n . ) Ouch!

Agemaki:

He pinches me a g a i n !

W here i s he?

Naughty c h i l d r e n !

Ik yu :

They a re not h e r e , you know.

Agemaki:

(To h e r s e l f )

Oh, t h a t ' s

it.

(To Ik y u )

It

must

be a r a t .

A rat?

Ik y u : Agemaki :

Oh, y e s .

C e rta in ly i t

Ikyu :

is .

A rat,

a ra t.

There runs a r a t

round your f e e t .

Agemaki

(frig h te n e d .)

Ikyu:

Dear me!

W h ere?

Just t h e r e .

(Sukeroku jumps o u t . Agemaki g o e s i n t o the h o u s e . )

Sukeroku:

Ik y u ?

Ikyu:

Sukeroku?

Agem aki:

Remember your

Ik y u :

Ik y u ,

paper c o a t ,

Sukeroku.

the e x c e l l e n t c a t , has lo n g n o t i c e d t h a t

3 0-

-

Sukeroku, a d i r t y r a t , o f Agema k i , a v i c i o u s

is h id in g in woman.

the p e t t i c o a t

h Wy do you rob,

Sukeroku?

You can no t be p r o p e r l y c a l l e d a

gallant i f

you go on

o d i n g such t h i n g s .

You r a s c a l , you coward! ( S t r i k e s Sukeroku w ith h i s f a n . ) Sukeroku:

I wish to be a s lucky a s you a r e .

My b r o t h e r and

I , we ha ve not y e t a t t a i n e d our aim though we have been doing our b e s t f o r

eighteen yea rs.

You’ re lu ck y enough to beat your r i v a l

I w is h I were as lu c k y as you.

I envy you.

As f o r me,

in lo v e.

I cannot even r e s i s t you, f o r my

mother’ s paper-coat w i l l S t r i k e me, k ic k me, i f Agemak i :

I t ’ s admirable

Ikyu:

You must know a l i t t l e

tear i f

I behave v i o l e n t l y .

i t p l e a s e s you.

o f you t o be so p a t i e n t . o f f i l i a l duty to take c a r e

o f the paper co a t g i v e n by your m o t h e r .

W ell,

-------. ( Takes out a c e n s e r - s t a n d . )

W e ll,

Sukeroku, you, your mother and your b r o t h e r

are j u s t l i k e any w e i g h t Bu t ,

if

t h i s c e n s e r - s t a n d . You can support

i f you s t i c k and u n i t e t o g e t h e r .

e v e r you t h r e e g e t s e p a r a t e d , you w i l l ,

just lik e

t h i s stand,

---------.

(He unsheathes h i s s word and c u t s t h e c e n s e r stand in two w h i l e Su k e r oku s t a r e s a t the weapon.)

Sukeroku:

h Wy,

that i s

( Ikyu,

s u r e l y Tom o k i r i maru .

surprised,

sheathes h i s sword,

a f t e r a pause g oe s i n t o Agemaki:

h Wy,

Sukeroku,

and then

the house.

the paper c o a t has been t o r n .

- 31 -

re k u Soku:

o T rn? W h y , I c a n b e a r n o m o r e n o w t h a t b e en torn

of f ,

i t has

though I have be e n suppressing

anger h i t h e r t o . ik a m e g A: Sukeroku: A gemk a i: Sukero ku :

D on't be so im patient.

Now, Agemaki, the sword Ikyu wears is ------.

Tomokirimaru? u Hs h ! (Wh i s p e r s in h e r e a r . )

Agemaki:

So y ou w i l l ?

Sukeroku:

a Wi t f o r him to c o m e ba ck.

Agemaki:

You’ d b e t t e r make has te t o get r e a d y , I s h o u l d think.

u S keroku:

A ll right her eyes.

(Goes o u t .

Agemak i f o l low s h im w i t h

The c u r t a i n f al l s

wo o d e n - c l a p p e r s . )

w ith the

sound o f

my