Shinotmiza Tsuji banzuke 1899 32 09 16 (16th Sept 1899) 450 670

Programme First was ( ) Ichinotani kaiga no ktai Ichinotani Triumphal Song in two acts, written by Kawatake Mokuami. A kotai (or ykyoku or Noh chant) refers to the vocal section of the music associated with classical Noh drama and is sometimes performed as a tribute at the end of a successful tour or to celebrate an event. In the context of the tragic death of Suketakaya Kodenji the previous month, August 1899, and his siblings tribute performance of Karukaya Doshin Tsukushi no Iezuto next on the same programme it is highly likely that this play was staged in his honour and quite possible that the entire show was dedicated to his memory

Ichinotani Kaiga Kotai 7 Meiji 7 (1874 ) by Toikara Kunichika

Before the next, commemorative, play there was a kj, a ceremonial announcement, during which, in accordance with the traditions of Kabuki, his memorial portrait (National Theatre of Japan, Nishiki-e Database), or shini-e, appeared on stage and a commemorative speech was made by the leading actor. The second, memorial play, was ( ) The Priest Karukaya - Karukaya Doshin Tsukushi no Iezuto by Namiki Ssuke . A memorial portrait of Suketakaya Kodenji I can be seen in the in the upper left hand side of the nishiki-e. This was a memorial performance. Roles Monk Karukaya Isshi (child) Ishidmaru Chjr VII) Memorial insert Sawamura Snosuke I Sawamura Chnosuke (later Sawamura Suketakaya Kodenji

Left - Ishidmaru Sawamura Chnosuke (later Sawamura Chjr VII) Right - Karikaya Dshin Sawamura Snosuke I Memorial performance print to the memory of Suketakaya Kodenji I who passed away the previous month on 32 08 24 aged 16 Artist hsai From the performance at the Shintomiza dated 32 09 16 (16th Sept 1899) which this tsuji banzuke advertised

To escape being hen-pecked by his jealous wife, Kato Sayemon Shige-uji, a Feudal Lord, has fled to Mount Koya and become a priest called Karukaya Doshin. His wife follows searching for him accompanied by her son. Arriving at the priests retreat his son Ishidmaru recognises his fathers birthmark. Resolving to remain true to his priestly vocation in spite of his love for his son he denies that he is the father and tells his son to return home. Though longing for his father Ishidmaru agrees to return home and vows not to tell his mother the truth so that Karukaya can continue his peaceful priestly life. The play was staged with the younger brothers of Suketakaya Kodenji I - Sawamura Snosuke in the role of Monk Karukaya and Sawamura Chnosuke (later Sawamura Chjr VII) in the role of the monks son Ishidmaru. Note: Suketakaya Kodenji I - : 1884 1899, was a Meiji era Kabuki actor. He was born in Tky on 17 5 2 (2 May 1884) Ito Masayoshi was the eldest son of Sawamura Tosshi VII. He debuted aged 4 in 20 (1887) on the occasion of

the opening of Tkys Azumaza Theatre () (3-chome, Asakusa, Taito-ku), subsequently renamed the Miyatoza in 1896. He became the zagashira ( ) leader of the Miyatozas childrens troupe. He performed to great acclaim at the Shintomiza () and was expected to become a great Kabuki actor. However on 32 8 24 (24th August 1899) he died aged 16 and was interred in Saikoji Temple in Chitose-cho just south of Ryogoku, Tky alongside generations of the Sawamura line of Kabuki actors.

The third play ( ) Shiranui Monogtari Tale of Shiranui (1874 performance, National Theatre of Japan, Nishiki-e Database) was a supernatural drama written by Kawatake, Mokuami in which during a feud with the Kikuchi clan the family of Princess Wakana are all killed. She is rescued by a giant magic spider and given the gift of spider magic and decides to take revenge by using a magic scroll to defeat one of the Kikuchi retainers, Akisaku

The fourth and final part of the performance was : - Ashiya Dman uchi Kagami - A Courtly Mirror of Ashiya

Doman written by Takeda Izumi. Kuzunoha, Act four in three scenes from the play Ashiya Dman uchi Kagami - A Courtly Mirror of Ashiya Dman (1881 performance at the Namauraza, National Theatre of Japan, Nishiki-e Database) written by Takeda Izumi. The story revolves around the character of Kuzunoha, a beautiful woman who meets and rescues the young Lord Abe no Yasuna after he has freed a white fox from a hunter in Shinoda forest. She helps him return home where they fall in love and marry. She bears him a child called Seimei who inherits some of her powers. Sometime later her son accidentally sees the tip of her fox tail protruding from her kimono. She has been discovered. In one of the most famous scenes in Kabuki with the brush in her mouth and holding her child in her arms she writes a poem on a sliding screen inviting her husband to find her in Shinoda forest. She appears to them and reveals that she is spirit of Shinoda Shrine and bestows on her son the ability to understand the speech of animals.

32 09 16 (16th Sept 1899) Programme ( ( ( ( )

Ritsumeikan University, Art Research Centre, Chronicles Database: zoku2-20835.jpg http://www.dh-jac.net/db1/nendaiki/search.htm