Shiranui tale

A collection of 90 chapters. First published in 1849 (Kaei 2), completed in 1885 (Meiji 18). The first 90 chapters were reprinted in "Zoku Teikoku Bunko Volumes 28 and 29" (1900). Written by Ryutei Tanekatsu, Ryutei Tanehiko II (Kasatei Senka), and Ryusuitei Tanekiyo. Illustrated by Utagawa Toyokuni III and Utagawa Kunisada II. The longest novel in the collection, set in Kyushu, is also known as "The Tale of the Shiranui" (The Tale of the Shiranui) because it was inspired by a mysterious fire burning in the Ariake Sea. Princess Wakana, the daughter of the Otomo family, who was given the magic of spiders by the enchantress of Nishikigatake, dresses up as a man and calls herself Shiranue Daijin, and spies on like-minded Amakusa Shiro and her sworn enemy, Kikuchi. At first, the princess uses all her magic to fight against Akisaku, the only son of Kikuchi's loyal retainer, Toriyama Bungonosuke, but eventually joins forces with Bungonosuke to pacify pirates throughout Kyushu, and the princess and Bungonosuke are summoned by the heavenly emperor and ascend to heaven. Incorporating stories from the Amakusa Rebellion, the Kuroda Uprising, and the Joruri puppet play "Kikuchi Otomo Konreisode Kagami" (first performed at the Takemotoza Theater in Osaka in 1765), a collaboration between Hanji Chikamatsu and others, the play freely weaves in the dizzying exploits of beautiful boys and brave warriors a beautiful and mysterious fantasy, unfolding a world of great romance. The first 14 chapters were dramatized by Kawatake Mokuami in 1853 and performed at the Kawarazakiza Theater in Edo to great acclaim.

[Masahiro Tanahashi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

合巻(ごうかん)。90編。1849年（嘉永2）初編刊、85年（明治18）完結。初編から大団円の90編まで「続帝国文庫　第28、29編」（1900）に翻刻。柳亭種員(たねかず)、2世柳亭種彦（笠亭仙果）、柳水亭種清作。3世歌川豊国(とよくに)、2世歌川国貞(くにさだ)ら画。合巻中の最長編小説で、舞台を九州にとり、有明(ありあけ)海に妖(あや)しく燃える不知火(しらぬい)に発想の端を得ていることから、一名『不知火物語』ともいう。錦(にしき)が嶽(たけ)の妖女(ようじょ)から蜘蛛(くも)の妖術を授かった大友家の息女若菜姫は、男装して白縫大尽(だいじん)と名のり、志を同じくする天草四郎と仇敵(きゅうてき)菊地をうかがう。初め菊地の忠臣鳥山豊後之助(ぶんごのすけ)の一子秋作と妖術の限りを尽くして闘った姫だが、やがて豊後之助と力をあわせて九州一円の海賊を平定し、姫と豊後之助は天帝に召されて昇天する。天草の乱をはじめ、黒田騒動や、近松半二ら合作の浄瑠璃(じょうるり)『菊地大友姻袖鏡(きくちおおともこんれいそでかがみ)』（1765・大坂竹本座初演）を構想に取り入れ、美童、勇士のめまぐるしい活躍に艶美なまでの幻妖、怪奇性を自在に織り込み、一大ロマンの世界を展開させている。1853年に初編から14編まで河竹黙阿弥(もくあみ)によって劇化され、江戸・河原崎座で上演、好評を博している。

［棚橋正博］

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