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Confrontation of Soga

This is one of the variations of 'Soga-mono' that was a very popular play. 'Soga-mono' is based to a real vendetta of Soga brothers. At Edo period, 'Soga-mono' was performed at the new year in order to rid an evil spirit. Why this play was thought as a purifying method?

In 1176, Ito Sukechika invited Minamoto-no Yoritomo to hunting, Kudo Suketsune killed Kawazu Sukeyasu who was a son of Ito Sukechika then. At the beginning, there was a territorial problem; each family had claimed a territorial right over the same estate. After that, Sukeyasu's widow married to Soga Sukenobu again with her two sons. The brothers become adapted children of Sukenobu, and they were called Soga-no Juro and Goro later. Soga brothers had lived secretly for 17years. They killed Suketsune at a hunting as a vendetta of their real father in May 28, 1193. The elder brother Juro was killed then, and also the younger brother Goro was killed later, because Suketsune's son demanded to the authority to kill him. When the brothers were killed, Juro was 21, and Goro was 19.

That incident gave a very tragic impression to people at that time. Japanese history has some tragical death, for example Sugawara-no Michizane and Taira-no Masakado. They both were thought to have become an evil spirit after they had died tragically. People were afraid of them very much, and thought to need a purifying method. And if the vendetta as tragic as them was shown, people thought that the evil spirits might become calm.

It is very easy to say that a superstition is just a superstition. But I think that people could have wanted to stop the chain of hatred. If Soga brothers had had children, they would have tried to make a vendetta. Any revenge means nothing. Recent international situation make me think the same thing again and again. I really hope that the chain of hatred between Israel and Palestine would stop soon.

This play used to be shown at the new year. However, all of this drama was not always shown at the same time. Only 'Taimen, confrontation' scene has been shown at the new year still now. The vendetta scene was shown in May; it was the same season that the real incident had happened.

I haven't seen any scene of 'Soga-mono' except 'Soga-no Taimen' yet. So I don't know why a treasure sword, Tomokirimaru had been lost. I would like to see all of this drama, but it is very sorry that Kabuki is not shown like that. Of course people had known all of this drama at that time, but now we have no method to know its detail except reading the script. And it is an unreasonable request to hope that every audience would read the script. Kabuki is a great entertainment of Japan, so I think that it should be shown with more understandable method for even foreigners.

Shinnosuke would have performed as Goro this time, but he was absent the stage by his illness this month. And Dnjuro who is father of Shinnosuke did it instead of his son. At that time, Goro was 19, but Danuro didn't give any unsuitable impression to audience. Danjuro was 19 on the stage, and I think that it was shown his great talent. Of course I hope that Shinnosuke gets well soon, though.

Sometimes I'm asked which Kabuki play is the best for foreigners. But I have no idea of it actually. Nevertheless I can recommend you to see 'Kyo Ningyo' this time. I'm sure that you can enjoy it without any knowledge. You wouldn't need even an earphone guide in English. Good luck. (2002,5,4)