Scarred Yosaburō (Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi)

📝 Work Info

Author	Segawa Jokō III
Premiere	January 1853 (Kaei 6) at Edo Nakamura-za
Genre	Sewamono (domestic play)
Duration	Approximately 70 minutes
Original work	Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi

📖 Synopsis

A story of former lovers reuniting after years apart, their past and present colliding in a single dramatic encounter.

In Kisarazu, Yosaburō fell in love with Otomi, but when their secret affair was discovered, he was slashed and left for dead. He disappeared, and years passed.

Now Yosaburō, his body covered in scars, has fallen into a life of petty extortion. Together with his partner, he forces his way into a house in Kamakura to shake down its occupants for money. There, he comes face to face with a woman — and realizes she is Otomi, the lover he believed to be dead.

Otomi had been rescued and started a new life, while Yosaburō has been carrying both his scars and his bitter past. Now they stand before each other once again.

🌟 Highlights

The greatest highlight is the mounting tension from the reunion at the Genji-dana shop to the moment Yosaburō reveals his true identity. His famous speech beginning with "Shiganee koi no nasake ga ada..." ("This wretched love's tender mercy turned against me...") is one of the most celebrated lines in all of kabuki.

Equally striking is Yosaburō's visual portrayal as an iro-aku (romantic villain). His face marked with scars and his appearance fallen from grace, he nonetheless radiates a strange allure and beauty. Villainous yet seductive — this is the unique aesthetic sensibility of kabuki brought vividly to life.

🎭 Characters

Yosaburō

与三郎

Once the pampered young heir of a wealthy family, a romantic scandal left him covered head to toe in sword scars. Now he makes his living through extortion as an outlaw. Despite his scarred face and body, there is something undeniably alluring about him — a quality that defines the iro-aku (romantic villain) archetype in kabuki.

His famous speech, delivered in mesmerizing rhythmic cadence — "Shiganee koi no nasake ga ada..." — is an absolute must-hear. He even inspired the hit Shōwa-era pop song 'Otomi-san,' making him one of kabuki's most iconic characters.

Otomi

お富

A former geisha who now lives as the kept woman of a wealthy patron. When her love affair with Yosaburō was torn apart, she threw herself into the sea — but she actually survived. The moment she comes face to face with Yosaburō, whom she believed to be dead, her shock and the conflicting emotions that follow create her most compelling scene. Watch for her captivating blend of sophistication and sensuality.

Kōmori no Yasugorō

蝠蝠の安五郎

Yosaburō's partner in crime, recognizable by the bat tattoo on his cheek. A small-time crook and something of a clown, he provides comic relief even in the most serious scenes. The mismatched-duo dynamic between him and Yosaburō is wonderfully entertaining — enjoy their banter.

Tazaemon

多左衛門

The head clerk of Izumiya, a large pawnshop in Kamakura. He happened to rescue Otomi after her attempted drowning and has been looking after her, passing her off as his mistress. His secret reason: Otomi is actually his long-lost younger sister.

Tōhachi

藤八

The second clerk at Izumiya. He has a crush on Otomi and uses the pretense of sheltering from the rain to get closer to her. A comic supporting role whose antics bring lighthearted laughter to the stage.

✍️ Written by: けらのすけ

Supervised by：Kera Kabuki Preservation Society (Gujo, Gifu)

A group dedicated to preserving jikabuki (regional kabuki) traditions since the Edo period. Content accuracy is reviewed based on their knowledge and experience.

← Back to Play List