Nigorie

Japanese: にごりえ

A short story written by Higuchi Ichiyo. It was published in the September 1895 issue of Literary Club. Riki, the "big name" of Kikunoi, a famous sake shop in Shinkai-cho, has recently gained a good customer, Tomonosuke Yuki, but he used to be in a deep relationship with Genshichi, a well-known futon shop owner in the town. Genshichi has now fallen on hard times and lives in a back alley with his wife Ohatsu and son Takichi. On the night of July 16th, Riki, who had made a promise to meet Tomonosuke, begins to tell him about her life, saying, "The three-generation tradition has failed," but stops midway. Genshichi, however, still cannot forget Riki, so he drives out his wife and children, and a few days later commits a double suicide with Riki. Although it may be considered a tragic novel, popular at the time, Orihira's painful sense of despair is full of reality and reflects the inner thoughts of the author Ichiyo. This is a fine work that received high praise from Taoka Reiun and others.

[Yasushi Oka]

movie

Japanese film. 1953 (Showa 28). An omnibus of three stories based on Higuchi Ichiyo's novels "Thirteenth Night," "Otsugomori," and "Nigorie." Adapted by Mizuki Yoko and Ide Toshiro (1910-1988), script supervision by Kubota Mantaro. Produced in partnership between Bungakuza and the independent Shinseiki Eiga. Cinematographer Nakao Shunichiro (1918-1981), directed by Imai Tadashi, distributed by Shochiku. In the first episode, a bride (Tanami Yatsuko, 1924- ) who has married into a government official's family goes to ask an elderly couple for a divorce. In the second episode, Mine (Kuga Yoshiko, 1931- ), a maid at the mansion, is forced to steal money at the request of her uncle and aunt. In the third episode, Oriki (Awashima Chikage, 1924-2012), a prostitute working at a shop in the entertainment district, is infatuated with a refined customer (Yamamura So, 1910-2000), but is approached by an abandoned man (Miyaguchi Seiji, 1913-1985), and they end up committing a double suicide. The depictions gradually become more realistic as the first episode shows a rickshaw driving through a streetscape set like a stage play, the second episode shows people running around in confusion inside a room, and the third episode skillfully uses the space above and below the shop to depict human drama centered on Awashima, a refined and seductive prostitute. Finally, the director's stern gaze is evident in the cold distance of the outdoor location scene where two bodies are lying down. Kinema Junpo Best Ten No. 1.

[Shohei Sakajiri]

"Complete Works of Higuchi Ichiyo 2" (1974, Chikumashobo) ▽ "Complete Works of Higuchi Ichiyo 2" (1979, Shogakukan) ▽ "Nigorie and Takekurabe" (Shincho Bunko)

[References] | Imai Tadashi | Higuchi Ichiyo | Mizuki Yoko

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

樋口一葉(ひぐちいちよう)作の短編小説。1895年（明治28）9月『文芸倶楽部(くらぶ)』に発表。新開町の銘酒屋菊の井の「一枚看板」お力(りき)は、近ごろ結城朝之助(ゆうきとものすけ)というよい客がついたが、もとは町内でも幅の利いた蒲団(ふとん)屋の源七と深い仲だった。源七はいま落ちぶれて、裏長屋で女房お初、倅(せがれ)の太吉と暮らしている。7月16日の夜、かねて約束のあったお力は朝之助に「三代伝はつての出来そこね」とわが身の上を語り出したものの、途中でやめてしまう。一方、源七は、なおお力が忘れられず、女房子供を追い出し、その後数日たってお力と無理心中して果てる。当時流行の悲惨小説ともみられるが、お力の痛切な絶望感には実感がこもり、作者一葉の内面が反映している。田岡嶺雲(たおかれいうん)らの激賞を受けた佳作。

［岡　保生］

映画

日本映画。1953年（昭和28）作品。原作樋口一葉の『十三夜』『大つごもり』『にごりえ』の3話のオムニバス。脚色水木洋子、井出俊郎(いでとしろう)（1910―1988）、脚本監修久保田万太郎。製作は文学座と独立プロ新世紀映画の提携作品。撮影中尾駿一郎(なかおしゅんいちろう)（1918―1981）、監督今井正、配給松竹。第1話、官吏の家に嫁いだ嫁（丹阿弥谷津子(たんあみやつこ)、1924―　）が老夫婦に離縁を頼みに行く。第2話、屋敷の女中みね（久我美子(くがよしこ)、1931―　）は、伯父夫婦に頼まれやむなく金を盗む。第3話、花街にある店の娼婦お力（淡島千景(あわしまちかげ)、1924―2012）は品のいい客（山村聰(やまむらそう)、1910―2000）に夢中だが、棄(す)てられた男（宮口精二(みやぐちせいじ)、1913―1985）に絡まれ、無理心中してしまう。舞台劇風のセットの町並みを人力車が走る第1話、室内で人が右往左往する第2話、店の上下の空間を巧みに使いながら、淡島の粋で婀娜(あだ)っぽい娼婦を中心にした人間模様を描く第3話と、しだいに描写がリアルになる。最後に、二体の遺体が横たわる野外ロケ場面の冷徹な距離に、監督の峻厳なまなざしがある。キネマ旬報ベスト・テン第1位。

［坂尻昌平］

『『樋口一葉全集2』（1974・筑摩書房）』▽『『全集樋口一葉2』（1979・小学館）』▽『『にごりえ・たけくらべ』（新潮文庫）』

[参照項目] | 今井正 | 樋口一葉 | 水木洋子

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

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