Page:The Surviving Works of Sharaku (1939).djvu/129



he text of is lacking, but a contemporary play-bill leads one to infer that the plot was practically identical with that of a known drama,, except for an episode entitled “Fuwa-Nagoya” which had been replaced in the production with which we are concerned by one called “Motonobu-Tōyama.”

The gist of the main story is that Ashikaga Yorikane, Lord of the Northern Provinces, becomes infatuated with the renowned courtezan Takao. Partly because of this infatuation and partly as a result of the plotting of disloyal retainers, he is forced to retire and his great position is passed on to his infant son, Tsuruchiyo-maru. Attempts are made to poison the young lord and put a usurper in his place, but a faithful nurse and others who are loyal protect him, until in the end the conspirators are annihilated and right prevails.

In the course of the action the faithful retainer Tomita Sukedayū is killed by the disloyal Kawashima Jibugorō on whom vengeance is taken in Nihonmatsu by Tomita Hyōtarō, the son of Sukedayū, with the aid of Tōfuya Saburobei.

We show first one of the portraits of Hyōtarō.