Product Description
Performed in 2003, 119 mins. Comes with both Japanese and English commentaries, subtitles and notes. Region Code : All, NTSC. Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura (Sukeroku, Flower of Edo) written by Tsuuchi Jihei II and Tsuuchi Hanemon was first performed in 1713 by Ichikawa Danjuro II. The Soga brothers are seeking revenge for their father's murder. When performed by actors other than from the Danjuro line, the title is changed and the music from Kato Bushi to Kiyomoto. Set in Yoshiwara, Edo's red light district, Agemaki, the top courtesan of the Miura-ya teahouse, enters. Her lover is the handsome Sukeroku, an otokodate (kind of Robin Hood figure). Agemaki also has an admirer, a wealthy old man called Ikyu. She hates him and insults him in a famous speech, called akutai. The sound of the shakuhachi floats over the stage, as Sukeroku, or rather Soga no Goro in disguise enters. Holding a magnificent umbrella, the actor and character make a series of poses linked by dance in a breathtaking sequence. He wears a black kimono that woos the ladies of the pleasure quarter. Sukeroku comes to Yoshiwara in search of the sword that slew his father. He fights with different men, so they draw their swords and he might recognize the blade. Goro's more gentle brother, Soga no Juro arrives to try and stop the fighting but once he understands the reason, becomes involved himself. They pick fights but their mother brings a halt to it. Ikyu tries again to woo Agemaki, but having promised not to fight, Sukeroku is powerless to help. Ikyu insults and beats him, but ends up suggesting he and his brothers could rule the country. He likens them to an incense stand with two legs and cuts off the leg of one such stand to make his point. He reveals the blade of his sword to be the one that killed Sukeroku's father.
