Horikawa Nami no Tsuzumi

Joruri Gidayubushi (play of the chanted chant). Sewamono (domestic drama). Three acts. Written by Chikamatsu Monzaemon. It premiered at the Takemotoza in Osaka before the New Year in 1711 (Shotoku 1). It is a dramatization of the incident of wife revenge in which Okura Hikohachiro, a samurai of the Tottori domain, killed Miyai Den'emon, who had committed adultery with his wife Tane, at Horikawa in Kyoto. It is one of Chikamatsu's three great adultery stories, along with "Daikyoji Mukashigoyomi" and "Gonzakasane Katabira." While her husband was away in Edo, Otane, the wife of Inaba clan samurai Ogura Hikokuro, was pursued by Isobe Yukaemon, also of the clan. When this was discovered by Miyaji Gen'emon, the drum teacher of his adopted son Bunroku, who tried to keep quiet, they ended up having a relationship, aided by his favorite alcohol. Rumors of the affair spread by Tokaemon, and when Hikokuro returned to Japan he was forced to kill his wife, but Otane had already committed suicide, and his husband stabbed him to death. Hikokuro, unable to contain his grief, sets out to avenge his wife with Otane's sister Oto, Bunroku, and others, and kills Miyaji at Horikawa in Kyoto on June 7th, the day of the Gion Festival. This is a story of the tragedy that the feudal society's alternate attendance system brings to the families of low-ranking samurai, and Otane's character portrayal is characteristic of Chikamatsu. After its premiere, the play ceased to be performed, but in modern times, as the work has been reevaluated, it has been performed more frequently as a kabuki play, and has also been adapted into new screenplays and films.

[Toshiaki Matsui]

"Complete Works of Japanese Classical Literature 43: Chikamatsu Monzaemon Collection 1" edited by Mori Osamu and Torigoe Bunzo (1972, Shogakukan)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

浄瑠璃義太夫節(じょうるりぎだゆうぶし)。世話物。三段。近松門左衛門作。1711年（正徳1）正月以前に大坂・竹本座で初演。当時、鳥取藩士大蔵彦八郎が、妻たねと姦通(かんつう)した宮井伝右衛門を京の堀川で討った妻敵討(めがたきうち)の事件を脚色。『大経師昔暦(だいきょうじむかしごよみ)』『鑓(やり)の権三重帷子(ごんざかさねかたびら)』と並ぶ近松三大姦通物の一つ。因幡(いなば)藩士小倉彦九郎の妻お種は、夫が江戸詰で留守中、同藩の磯部床右衛門(いそべゆかえもん)から恋を迫られたのを、養子文六の鼓の師匠宮地源右衛門に知られ、口止めしようとして、好きな酒の酔いも手伝い、思わず関係を結ぶ。不義の噂(うわさ)は床右衛門から広まり、帰国した彦九郎はやむなく妻を討とうとするが、すでにお種は自刃し、潔く夫にとどめを刺される。彦九郎は悲しみをこらえ、お種の妹お藤(ふじ)、文六らとともに妻敵討に出立、祇園会(ぎおんえ)の6月7日、京・堀川で宮地を討つ。封建社会の参勤交代が下級武士の家庭にもたらす悲劇で、お種の性格描写に近松らしい特色がある。初演後は絶えていたが、近代以降、作品の再評価に伴い、歌舞伎(かぶき)での上演も多くなり、新脚色や映画化もされるようになった。

［松井俊諭］

『森修・鳥越文蔵校注『日本古典文学全集43　近松門左衛門集1』（1972・小学館）』

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