Oshu Adachigahara

Joruri Gidayubushi. Historical piece. Five acts. Collaboration between Chikamatsu Hanji, Takeda Izumi, Kitamado Goichi, and Takemoto Saburobei. First performed in September 1762 (12th year of the Horeki era) at the Takemotoza in Osaka. Commonly known as "Adachigahara." It depicts the struggles of Abe Sadato and Muneto's brothers to rise again after the so-called Zenkunen no Eki, in the attack on Oshu by Hachiman Taro Yoshiie, incorporating legends from Noh plays such as "Utou" at Sotogahama and "Adachigahara," famous for its demon woman legend. The third act, "Tamakinomiya Akigoten," is famous, and is often performed as a kabuki play. Sodehagi, the daughter of Kenjo Nogata, was disowned for rebelling against her father and marrying Abe Sadato. After the war, she left her husband and became a wanderer, becoming a blind beggar. She travels to find her parents with her daughter Okimi, and travels through the snow to reach Aki Palace in Kankyu, but is unable to meet her parents. Sadato's younger brother Munenori is taken prisoner, and there he meets Sodehagi. Naokata is forced to commit seppuku after the enemy takes over Kankyu, which he was guarding, when the imperial envoy Katsura Chunagon holds him accountable, and Sodehagi follows his father. Hachiman Taro Yoshiie realizes that Chunagon's true identity is Sadato, and they part ways, promising to meet again with the Abe brothers. The highlight of the play is when Sodehagi plays the shamisen in the snow and begs her parents for forgiveness through a saimon (a ritual song). In kabuki, the role of Sodehagi and Sadato is often performed in quick succession. The fourth act is "Hitotsuya" at Adachigahara, and tells the story of how Iwate, the mother of the Abe brothers, supports Kanmiya and commits robberies to raise funds. The second act, "Sotogahama", tells the story of Abe's loyal retainer Zenchidori Bunji, who protects Sadato's son Kiyodo, and commits the forbidden act of killing a crane to get money for medicine, leading to Munenori being arrested in his place.

[Toshiaki Matsui]

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)。時代物。5段。近松半二、竹田和泉(いずみ)、北窓後一、竹本三郎兵衛合作。1762年（宝暦12）9月大坂・竹本座初演。通称「安達原」。八幡太郎義家(はちまんたろうよしいえ)の奥州攻め、いわゆる前九年の役後の安倍貞任(あべのさだとう)・宗任(むねとう)兄弟の再挙の苦心に、外ヶ浜(そとがはま)の『善知鳥(うとう)』、鬼女伝説で有名な『安達原』など能に扱われた伝説を取り入れ脚色。三段目「環宮明御殿(たまきのみやあきごてん)」が有名で、歌舞伎(かぶき)でも多く上演される。傔仗直方(けんじょうなおかた)の娘袖萩(そではぎ)は、父に背いて安倍貞任の妻になったため勘当され、戦後、夫に離れ流浪のすえに盲目の乞食(こじき)となり、娘お君を連れて父母を尋ね、雪中を環宮の明御殿にたどり着くが、晴れて親と面会ができない。貞任の弟宗任はとらわれの身となり、袖萩と巡り会う。直方は守護する環宮を敵に奪われたおちどを、勅使桂中納言(かつらちゅうなごん)に問責されて切腹、袖萩も父のあとを追う。八幡太郎義家は中納言の正体を貞任と見破り、安倍兄弟と再会を約して別れる。雪のなかで袖萩が三味線を弾き、祭文(さいもん)の文句に託して父母に許しを乞(こ)うところが見せ場なので、通称「袖萩祭文」。歌舞伎では袖萩と貞任を早替りで演じる演出もよく行われる。四段目が安達原の「一つ家(や)」で、安倍兄弟の母岩手(いわて)が環宮を擁し、資金を集めるために強盗を働く話。二段目の「外ヶ浜」では安倍の忠臣善知鳥文治(ぶんじ)が貞任の子清童(きよどう)を守り、薬代のために禁制の鶴殺しを犯し、宗任がかわりに召し捕らえられる話が描かれている。

［松井俊諭］

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