📖 Synopsis
Tokubei refuses the marriage and tries to return the betrothal money, but his friend Kuheiji begs him for a short-term loan, tearfully pleading "just for a few days." Out of goodwill, Tokubei lends him the money. But far from repaying it, Kuheiji publicly accuses Tokubei of being a swindler, claiming the money was stolen from him, and beats Tokubei in front of a crowd.
Ohatsu, who has been worrying about Tokubei since they parted at Ikutama Shrine, discovers him standing bruised and battered at the entrance to the Temma-ya. She secretly hides him beneath the veranda of the teahouse. Soon after, a drunken Kuheiji arrives and heaps abuse upon Tokubei. Trembling with rage beneath the floorboards, Tokubei is held back by Ohatsu pressing her foot against him. She then declares to Kuheiji: "Tokubei has no choice but to die. I want to hear that he is resolved to die" — while using her foot to ask the hidden Tokubei whether he is prepared to die together with her. Tokubei draws her foot to his throat like a blade, signaling his consent.
Late that night, when all in the house are asleep, Ohatsu and Tokubei slip away from the Temma-ya and make their way toward the Tenjin Forest in Sonezaki.
After their departure, word arrives from the oil merchant exposing Kuheiji's scheme of forging Tokubei's seal — Tokubei's innocence is proven at last. Kyūemon, Tokubei's uncle and master of the Hiranoya, who had come to the Temma-ya out of concern, reveals that he had actually intended all along to let Tokubei and Ohatsu marry. He stands at the entrance calling out "Don't die!" — but it is already too late. The two lovers end their lives, believing they will be united in the next world.