{"id":93,"date":"2026-02-19T20:59:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T11:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kabukiguide.jp\/en\/?p=93"},"modified":"2026-03-20T11:28:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T02:28:18","slug":"kotobuki-soga-no-taimen%ef%bc%88%e5%af%bf%e6%9b%bd%e6%88%91%e5%af%be%e9%9d%a2%ef%bc%89","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/kabukiguide.jp\/en\/kotobuki-soga-no-taimen%ef%bc%88%e5%af%bf%e6%9b%bd%e6%88%91%e5%af%be%e9%9d%a2%ef%bc%89\/","title":{"rendered":"Kotobuki Soga no Taimen\uff08\u5bff\u66fd\u6211\u5bfe\u9762\uff09"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kotobuki Soga no Taimen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u5bff\u66fd\u6211\u5bfe\u9762 (Kotobuki Soga no Taimen)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kotobuki Soga no Taimen<\/strong> is one of the most famous and celebratory works in Kabuki theatre<\/strong>, based on the real historical revenge carried out by the Soga brothers, J\u016br\u014d and Gor\u014d<\/strong>, in the early Kamakura period (12th century).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Kabuki, when people simply say \u201cTaimen\u201d (The Confrontation)<\/strong>, they are almost always referring to this play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Historical Background<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The play was first performed in 1676 (Enp\u014d 4)<\/strong> as a New Year production at Nakamura-za Theatre<\/strong> in Edo (modern Tokyo).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the Ky\u014dh\u014d era (18th century)<\/strong>, it became customary in Edo Kabuki to perform a Soga-themed play<\/strong> as part of the New Year season.
As a result, Kotobuki Soga no Taimen<\/em> came to be performed every year as the grand finale of the main program<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because it was staged so frequently, actors and theatres created countless variations in staging and presentation. It is said that there were \u201cover one thousand versions\u201d<\/strong> of this play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The version commonly performed today is based on a script revised by Kawatake Mokuami<\/strong>, first staged in 1903 at the Kabuki-za Theatre<\/strong> in Tokyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Story Summary (Easy to Understand)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The story takes place during the Kamakura period<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kud\u014d Suketsune<\/strong>, a powerful retainer of the shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo<\/strong>, has been appointed the chief organizer of a grand hunting event at the foot of Mount Fuji<\/strong>, known as the Makigari<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lavish celebration is held at Kud\u014d\u2019s residence.
Powerful lords gather, and beautiful courtesans\u2014Tora of \u014ciso<\/strong> and Sh\u014dsh\u014d of Kesh\u014dzaka<\/strong>\u2014add elegance and color to the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the celebration, Kobayashi Asahina<\/strong>, a warrior, brings in two young men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are revealed to be Soga J\u016br\u014d<\/strong> and Soga Gor\u014d<\/strong>, the sons of Kawazu Sabur\u014d<\/strong>, a man whom Kud\u014d killed years earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the brothers, Kud\u014d is their father\u2019s sworn enemy.
Gor\u014d, the younger brother, is filled with rage and nearly attacks Kud\u014d on the spot.
J\u016br\u014d, the elder brother, struggles to restrain him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kud\u014d, fully aware of who they are, declares that this is not the time for revenge<\/strong>.
Instead, he gives them official passes<\/strong> that allow entry to the hunting grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They part with a promise:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe shall meet again\u2014at the hunting grounds.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This moment marks the beginning of the brothers\u2019 path toward revenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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