This play was written by Kawatake Mokuami, and it was first performed in 1882. Tokugawa Shogunate Government finished in 1868, and was called Meiji Restoration. This play was first performed after 14 years from Meiji Restoration. So people didn't forget the bushi/samurai class was selfish, violent, and arrogant. People liked stories that the bushi class was laughed, and this play laughed 'daimyo' the local lord. So people applauded it very much, and it made a big hit.

Kochiyama Soshun is a monk of Buddhism, but he is a civil servant working between Shogun and local lords at Edo Castle. Local lords couldn't speak with Shogun directly at that time, so a monk like Kochiyama had power. In this play, Kochiyama has a bad reputation, because he used power in order to get money. So it isn't wrong to say that Kochiyama is one of the power persons who people hate. If Kochiyama laughed arrogance of the bushi class, he would laugh himself at the same time. However, I feel that this play demands to laugh the bushi class only.

Namiji was locked up in a room, because she refused love of the lord whom she worked for. Kochiyama was interested in Namiji, because he thought that her situation would become money to him. He demands 200ryo to get back her. If his proposal was refused, he would find the other way to get money. Kochiyama didn't worry about Namiji. Kochiyama just wants money. He is a monk, and it increases his ugliness. However, people/audiences also want money. Their common desire hide their ugliness. So audiences can accept Kochiyama's feeling easily.

People think that everyone wants money. It might be fact, but it isn't true. People need money in order to achieve something, and money isn't a purpose. It is important why you need money for. Capitalism forced people to convert value of things into money. Sometimes people wish to have the other sense of values. Some of them become being interested in Buddhism. It is ironic that Kochiyama is a monk of Buddhism.

At the ending of this play, Kochiyama said 'FOOLS!!' It was said to the bushi class, himself, and all audiences. And I'm not an exception. It is very unpleasant. (2003,9,6)