Black Hand Group Kuruwa Tatsuhiki - Black Hand Group Kuruwa Tatsuhiki

A Kabuki play. A domestic drama. Three acts. Written by Kawatake Mokuami. Commonly known as "Kurottegumi Sukeroku." It was first performed in March 1858 (Ansei 5) at the Ichimuraza Theater in Edo, with Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Sukeroku, Onoe Kikugoro IV as Agemaki, and Seki Sanjuro III as Torii Shinzaemon and Shirozakeuri Shinbei. The author wrote it in response to Kodanji's request, based on a kodan story. At the time of the premiere, it was the second play after "Edo Sakura Kiyomizu Seigen," but later it became an independent title. Sukeroku of the Kurote-gumi is in conflict with Torii Shinzaemon over his lover, Miuraya Agemaki, and they end up fighting when he saves the sake seller Shinbei from the violence of Torii's disciples. However, after being scolded by Kinokuniya Bunzaemon for his short temper and being persevering, he learns that Torii is his father's enemy and kills him at Komagatagashi. This is a parody of the Kabuki classic "Sukeroku," and the play's humor can be seen in both the script and the direction. The prologue is a journey by the comical head clerk Gonkuro and Miuraya Shiratama from the Kiyomoto play "Shinobugaoka Koi Hakusemono," and in the end, Gonkuro loses both his money and his woman to Shiratama's lover Ushiwaka Denji. In later times, it became customary for the Sukeroku actor to also play Gonkuro, exuding charm, and there was also a style in which he alternated between the three roles, this time with Denji.

[Toshiaki Matsui]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

歌舞伎(かぶき)脚本。世話物。3幕。河竹黙阿弥(もくあみ)作。通称「黒手組助六(すけろく)」。1858年（安政5）3月、江戸・市村座で4世市川小団次の助六、4世尾上(おのえ)菊五郎の揚巻(あげまき)、3世関三十郎の鳥居新左衛門・白酒売新兵衛らにより初演。作者が小団次の注文に応じ、講談をもとに書いたもので、初演のときは『江戸桜清水清玄(えどざくらきよみずせいげん)』の二番目であったが、のち独立して表記の名題(なだい)になった。黒手組の助六は愛人三浦屋揚巻をめぐり鳥居新左衛門と対立、鳥居の門弟の乱暴から白酒売の新兵衛を助けたのが原因で喧嘩(けんか)になるが、紀国屋(きのくにや)文左衛門に短気を戒められ、しんぼうして鳥居の手籠(てご)めにあったあと、父の仇(あだ)を鳥居と知り駒形河岸(こまがたがし)で討ち果たす。歌舞伎十八番の『助六』を世話に直したパロディーで、脚本にも演出にもその洒落(しゃれ)がみられる作品。なお、序幕は清元(きよもと)『忍岡恋曲者(しのぶがおかこいはくせもの)』による三枚目の番頭権九郎と三浦屋白玉の道行で、結局は権九郎が白玉の情夫牛若伝次に金も女も奪われる話。後世、助六役者が権九郎も勤めて愛嬌(あいきょう)を振りまく型が通例になり、さらに伝次と3役替わる型も行われている。

［松井俊諭］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例