Page:Tales from old Japanese dramas (1915).djvu/38

8 of recitation was well suited to the martial spirit then prevalent. He not only commanded large audiences, but daimios and other noblemen gave him their patronage. An author named Oka Seibei is said to have written for him a number of stories. Some of them are known as "Kimpira-Bon," and are still in existence. They relate the adventures of Kimpira, a fictitious hero of Herculean strength and gigantic stature, who achieves military exploits, destroys demons, and slays savage beasts. These stories were listened to with great interest by the general public. They particularly received an enthusiastic welcome from the ignorant samurai of those days. Thus Jōun and his pupils enjoyed great popularity for some years.

Several years after the death of Jōun, a great jōruri chanter named Takemoto Gidayū made his appearance in Ōsaka. He was gifted with a loud, musical voice, and originated a new style of recitation. In 1685 he established a marionette theatre called the Takemoto Za in Dōtombori, Ōsaka. The following year he began to chant pieces written at his request by Chikamatsu Monzayemon, the founder of the epical drama. Now