The Story of Shuzenji Temple

A play written by Okamoto Kidō. 1 act, 3 scenes. It was published in the Literary Club in January 1911 (Meiji 44). It was first performed at the Meijiza Theater in May of the same year by Ichikawa Sadanji II and others. Yashaō, a mask maker at Shuzenji Temple in Izu, is ordered by the Shogun Minamoto no Yoriie to make a mask, but the mask shows the signs of death and he is unable to create a satisfactory piece. However, when Yoriie comes to request it, he likes the mask and takes it home, and makes Yashaō's elder sister Katsura his concubine, naming her Wakasa no Tsubone. Soon, Yoriie is attacked and killed by Hojo assassins, and Katsura wears the mask to take his place, but returns home with a serious injury. Yashaō is pleased with his craft and believes that Yoriie's fate is reflected in the mask, so he sketches the face of the girl as she dies. Kido was inspired to create this piece by seeing an ancient mask called Yoriie's Mask, a treasure of Shuzenji Temple, and was inspired by its poetic quality. It was his breakthrough work, skillfully utilizing the traditions of Kabuki while also adding a fresh touch, and became a representative work of Shin Kabuki. It was also included in the program for Sadanji's visit to Russia in 1928, and became one of his "Ten Apricot Blossom Plays." It has also been translated and introduced abroad.

[Akira Kikuchi]

"Selected Plays of Kido Okamoto 1" (1958, Seigabo)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

岡本綺堂(きどう)作の戯曲。1幕3場。1911年（明治44）1月『文芸倶楽部(くらぶ)』に発表。同年5月明治座で2世市川左団次らにより初演。伊豆の修禅寺の面(おもて)作り師夜叉王(やしゃおう)は将軍源頼家(よりいえ)の命で面を打つが、死相が現れて満足のゆく作品ができない。しかし催促にきた頼家はその面が気に入り、持ち帰るとともに、夜叉王の姉娘のかつらを側女(そばめ)とし若狭(わかさ)の局(つぼね)と名のらせる。やがて頼家は北条の討手に襲われ落命し、かつらはその面をつけて身代りにたとうとして深傷(ふかで)を負って家に戻る。夜叉王は頼家の運命が面に現れたものと、自身の技芸に満足し、断末魔の娘の顔を写生する。綺堂が、修禅寺の寺宝の頼家の面と称する古色蒼然(そうぜん)たる面をみて詩趣を覚えて創作したもので、歌舞伎(かぶき)の伝統を巧みに生かしながら、新鮮味を盛った作として彼の出世作となり、新歌舞伎の代表作ともなった。左団次の訪露公演（1928）の演目にも加えられ、彼の「杏花(きょうか)戯曲十種」の一つとなった。広く海外にも翻訳紹介されている。

［菊池　明］

『『岡本綺堂戯曲選集1』（1958・青蛙房）』

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