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''Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba'' is a [[kabuki]] ''[[sewamono]]'' play by [[Chikamatsu Tokuzo|Chikamatsu Tokuzô]], [[Tatsuoka Mansaku]], and [[Namiki Shozo II|Namiki Shôzô II]], which debuted on [[1796]]/7/25 at the [[Kado no Shibai]] in [[Osaka]]. The title roughly translates as "The Ise Dances and Love's Dull Blade"<ref>Jones. p319.</ref>, though it has been given the English titles "The Quest of Shimosaka"<ref>[http://www.hawaii.edu/theatre/departmental/Maile/EVENTS.history.PDF Theatrical Events at the University of Hawaii]. University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Theatre and Dance. Accessed 20 November 2010.</ref> and "The Vengeful Sword"<ref>[http://www.hawaii.edu/theatre/stage/stage00.htm Kennedy Theatre 2010-2011]. University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Theatre and Dance. Accessed 20 November 2010.</ref> as well.

''Ise Ondo Koi no Netaba'' is a [[kabuki]] ''[[sewamono]]'' play by [[Chikamatsu Tokuzo|Chikamatsu Tokuzô]], [[Tatsuoka Mansaku]], and [[Namiki Shozo II|Namiki Shôzô II]], which debuted on [[1796]]/7/25 at the [[Kado no Shibai]] in [[Osaka]]. The title roughly translates as "The Ise Dances and Love's Dull Blade"<ref>Jones. p319.</ref>, though it has been given the English titles "The Quest of Shimosaka"<ref>[http://www.hawaii.edu/theatre/departmental/Maile/EVENTS.history.PDF Theatrical Events at the University of Hawaii]. University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Theatre and Dance. Accessed 20 November 2010.</ref> and "The Vengeful Sword"<ref>[http://www.hawaii.edu/theatre/stage/stage00.htm Kennedy Theatre 2010-2011]. University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Theatre and Dance. Accessed 20 November 2010.</ref> as well.

The play takes place primarily at the Aburaya, a house of assignation in the town of [[Furuichi]]<ref>Today part of Ise City.</ref> near [[Ise Shrine]], and features a cursed [[Shimosaka]] sword which, once it is drawn, must taste blood. The hero, Mitsugi, aids Manjirô, in searching for his family's heirloom Shimosaka sword, and eventually finds it at the Aburaya, which they both frequent. Through the machinations of the teahouse's proprietess or chief maid, Mannô, Mitsugi finds himself dumped by his lover, Okon. Taunted by Mannô to strike her with his scabbard to express his anger with her, he does so, but the scabbard splits, and the sword cuts the woman's neck; the curse is never explicitly discussed at all in the play, but Mitsugi is possessed by it, and goes on a killing spree, killing nearly everyone in the brothel.

The play takes place primarily at the [[Aburaya]], a house of assignation in the town of [[Furuichi]]<ref>Today part of Ise City.</ref> near [[Ise Shrine]], and features a cursed [[Shimosaka]] sword which, once it is drawn, must taste blood. The hero, Mitsugi, aids Manjirô, in searching for his family's heirloom Shimosaka sword, and eventually finds it at the Aburaya, which they both frequent. Through the machinations of the teahouse's proprietess or chief maid, Manno, Mitsugi finds himself dumped by his lover, Okon. Taunted by Manno to strike her with his scabbard to express his anger with her, he does so, but the scabbard splits, and the sword cuts the woman's neck; the curse is never explicitly discussed at all in the play, but Mitsugi is possessed by it, and goes on a killing spree, killing nearly everyone in the brothel.

''Ise Ondo'' is a summer play, both set during the summer and traditionally performed during the summer, when it is believed the chills the audience feels at the horror of the bloodbath will cool them off. Most of the characters wear summer ''[[yukata]]'', and visual and verbal references are made to the summer heat.

''Ise Ondo'' is a summer play, both set during the summer and traditionally performed during the summer, when it is believed the chills the audience feels at the horror of the bloodbath will cool them off. Most of the characters wear summer ''[[yukata]]'', and visual and verbal references are made to the summer heat.

Like many ''sewamono'', the play is based on a real incident, in this case a mass murder which occurred near Ise that same year. A local doctor by the name of Magofuku Itsuki, went on a drunken killing spree in the Aburaya, a local Furuichi brothel; among those killed was a maid by the name of Oman (note that the chief maid or proprietess of the Aburaya in the play is named Mannô). Itsuki committed suicide two days later at the home of his uncle, a low-ranking Ise Shrine priest.

Like many ''sewamono'', the play is based on a real incident, in this case a mass murder which occurred in the fifth month that same year. A local doctor by the name of Magofuku Itsuki (age 27), sparked by jealousy, went on a drunken killing spree in the Aburaya, a local Furuichi brothel. It ended with three dead and six wounded; among those killed was a maid by the name of Oman (note that the chief maid or proprietess of the Aburaya in the play is named Manno). Itsuki committed suicide two days later at the home of his uncle, a low-ranking Ise Shrine priest. His lover, the courtesan Okon (age 16 at the time), died of illness at age 49.<ref>"[http://www.dairinji.com/abura.htm Aburaya sôdô]." Dairinji Homepage. 2008. Accessed 22 November 2010.</ref>

Though ''Ise Ondo'' is said to have been written in three days, making it an ''[[ichiyazuke]]'' or "pickled overnight" play, it in fact debuted roughly two and a half months after the incident, and after a [[jishibai|local rural theatre]] in Matsuzaka had already begun showing a play based on the event.

Though ''Ise Ondo'' is said to have been written in three days, making it an ''[[ichiyazuke]]'' or "pickled overnight" play, it in fact debuted roughly two and a half months after the incident, and after a [[jishibai|local rural theatre]] in Matsuzaka had already begun showing a play based on the event.

The debut performance was produced by Kado no Shibai ''[[zamoto]]'' [[Fujikawa Hachizo III|Fujikawa Hachizô III]], and featured [[Nakayama Bunshichi II]], [[Yoshizawa Ayame V|Yoshizawa Iroha I]], and [[Nakayama Bungoro I|Nakayama Bungorô I]] in the lead roles of, respectively, the samurai Mitsugi and the courtesans Okon and Mannô.<ref>[http://www.kabuki21.com/kadoza.php#jul1796 Kadoza]. Kabuki21.com. Accessed 20 November 2010.</ref>

The debut performance was produced by Kado no Shibai ''[[zamoto]]'' [[Fujikawa Hachizo III|Fujikawa Hachizô III]], and featured [[Nakayama Bunshichi II]], [[Yoshizawa Ayame V|Yoshizawa Iroha I]], and [[Nakayama Bungoro I|Nakayama Bungorô I]] in the lead roles of, respectively, the samurai Mitsugi and the courtesans Okon and Manno.<ref>[http://www.kabuki21.com/kadoza.php#jul1796 Kadoza]. Kabuki21.com. Accessed 20 November 2010.</ref>

In a reverse from the more common situation of kabuki plays being based on those from the puppet theatre, a ''[[ningyo joruri|ningyô jôruri]]'' version of ''Ise Ondo'' first debuted in [[1838]].

In a reverse from the more common situation of kabuki plays being based on those from the puppet theatre, a ''[[ningyo joruri|ningyô jôruri]]'' version of ''Ise Ondo'' first debuted in [[1838]].

*Okishi - a courtesan; Manjirô's lover

*Okishi - a courtesan; Manjirô's lover

*Oshika - a homely courtesan

*Oshika - a homely courtesan

*Mannô - the conniving proprietess at the Aburaya

*Manno - the conniving proprietess at the Aburaya

*Sennô - a courtesan

*Sennô - a courtesan

*Kisuke - the head cook at the Aburaya, who is loyal to Mitsugi

*Kisuke - the head cook at the Aburaya, who is loyal to Mitsugi

She tells Mitsugi about the party in the back, and that Iwaji and Kitaroku plan to buy out the contracts of herself and Okon, Mitsugi's lover, and to return to Awa the next day with the two women. Having seen the letter, Mitsugi figures out that the men from Awa in the back room must be those who plotted against Manjirô, and that they must have the certificate of authenticity, which he needs.  

She tells Mitsugi about the party in the back, and that Iwaji and Kitaroku plan to buy out the contracts of herself and Okon, Mitsugi's lover, and to return to Awa the next day with the two women. Having seen the letter, Mitsugi figures out that the men from Awa in the back room must be those who plotted against Manjirô, and that they must have the certificate of authenticity, which he needs.  

Just as he is resolving to stay longer - in the front room, so as to not interrupt the party or give himself away to Iwaji and Kitaroku - Mannô, the proprietess or chief maid of the teahouse, emerges and tells him he cannot stay if he does not call on a girl. He expresses a wish to see Okon, but Mannô refuses, saying that she is out at another teahouse, and has not yet returned. He presses her, but is refused, and ultimately gives in, telling Mannô to call whichever girl she pleases, so long as he can stay. She then asks to take his sword - it is customary to leave one's sword when entering a teahouse - but he refuses, wishing to not be parted from the Shimosaka he has worked so hard to obtain. Ultimately, Kisuke, the cook, offers to take it for him, explaining after Mannô leaves that he once served Manjirô's father, and thus is quite loyal to Manjirô as well. Mitsugi then explains to Kisuke the entire story, about the sword, and about the men from Awa in the back room who plotted against Manjirô and who still possess the certificate of authenticity.

Just as he is resolving to stay longer - in the front room, so as to not interrupt the party or give himself away to Iwaji and Kitaroku - Manno, the proprietess or chief maid of the teahouse, emerges and tells him he cannot stay if he does not call on a girl. He expresses a wish to see Okon, but Manno refuses, saying that she is out at another teahouse, and has not yet returned. He presses her, but is refused, and ultimately gives in, telling Manno to call whichever girl she pleases, so long as he can stay. She then asks to take his sword - it is customary to leave one's sword when entering a teahouse - but he refuses, wishing to not be parted from the Shimosaka he has worked so hard to obtain. Ultimately, Kisuke, the cook, offers to take it for him, explaining after Manno leaves that he once served Manjirô's father, and thus is quite loyal to Manjirô as well. Mitsugi then explains to Kisuke the entire story, about the sword, and about the men from Awa in the back room who plotted against Manjirô and who still possess the certificate of authenticity.

Kitaroku then sneaks over to the swords, and switches the scabbards, so that when Mitsugi leaves for the night, he'll take another sword with him, not realizing, and will leave the Shimosaka behind. Kisuke spies this, however, and rather than switch the swords back, plans to give Mitsugi the Shimosaka when he leaves, making it look as though he took the wrong sword.

Kitaroku then sneaks over to the swords, and switches the scabbards, so that when Mitsugi leaves for the night, he'll take another sword with him, not realizing, and will leave the Shimosaka behind. Kisuke spies this, however, and rather than switch the swords back, plans to give Mitsugi the Shimosaka when he leaves, making it look as though he took the wrong sword.

The homely courtesan Oshika then enters, having been called by Mannô to wait upon Mitsugi. It quickly emerges that she has been receiving love letters which she believes have been from Mitsugi. She also believes that Mitsugi requested her specifically tonight, though Mitsugi denies all of it, and expresses considerable confusion at the mention of a lengthy series of exchanges of love letters, which he has seen none of.

The homely courtesan Oshika then enters, having been called by Manno to wait upon Mitsugi. It quickly emerges that she has been receiving love letters which she believes have been from Mitsugi. She also believes that Mitsugi requested her specifically tonight, though Mitsugi denies all of it, and expresses considerable confusion at the mention of a lengthy series of exchanges of love letters, which he has seen none of.

As their argument reaches a peak, Iwaji emerges from the back room along with the remainder of his party - Okon, Okishi, Kitaroku, and a number of other men and courtesans.

As their argument reaches a peak, Iwaji emerges from the back room along with the remainder of his party - Okon, Okishi, Kitaroku, and a number of other men and courtesans.

Okon accuses Mitsugi of intentionally taking advantage of her being unavailable to call upon another girl. Iwaji and Kitaroku chime in, supporting her accusations of disloyalty. Mitsugi tries to explain all that happened, how Mannô lied about Okon not having returned yet, and how Mannô then refused to let him stay without calling on another girl, and called upon Oshika for him. He puts down Oshika in the process, as he tries to explain to Okon that he would never choose to call upon her; Oshika, offended, declares her love for Mitsugi, and bursts into tears, everyone - Oshika, Okon, Iwaji, and Kitaroku - making the situation very difficult for Mitsugi, who is caught in the middle.  

Okon accuses Mitsugi of intentionally taking advantage of her being unavailable to call upon another girl. Iwaji and Kitaroku chime in, supporting her accusations of disloyalty. Mitsugi tries to explain all that happened, how Manno lied about Okon not having returned yet, and how Manno then refused to let him stay without calling on another girl, and called upon Oshika for him. He puts down Oshika in the process, as he tries to explain to Okon that he would never choose to call upon her; Oshika, offended, declares her love for Mitsugi, and bursts into tears, everyone - Oshika, Okon, Iwaji, and Kitaroku - making the situation very difficult for Mitsugi, who is caught in the middle.  

They return to talk about the letters, and it comes out that Oshika lent money to Mitsugi, which he never repaid; Mitsugi remains confused, insisting he knows nothing about any of this. Oshika pulls out one of the letters and begins to read from it, at which point Mitsugi points out that it is not in his handwriting, and asks who the go-between was for the exchange of these letters - Oshika reveals it was Mannô.

They return to talk about the letters, and it comes out that Oshika lent money to Mitsugi, which he never repaid; Mitsugi remains confused, insisting he knows nothing about any of this. Oshika pulls out one of the letters and begins to read from it, at which point Mitsugi points out that it is not in his handwriting, and asks who the go-between was for the exchange of these letters - Oshika reveals it was Manno.

Mitsugi attempts to confront Mannô, but she just insists upon her version of events - that it was Mitsugi who wrote the letters, and that she did pass along Oshika's money to him - suggesting that Mitsugi is the one who is lying, trying to cover for himself because he would not want to admit in front of Okon that he was having an affair with Oshika. This escalates until Mitsugi is standing over Mannô, who, seeing him essentially powerless because he neither has a sword, nor would hit a woman in any case, taunts him. He relents, but Iwaji and Kitaroku continue the taunting, until Okon joins in, accusing him of everything that Mannô accused him of, growing upset that he would call on Oshika, that he would send her love letters, and borrow money from her. Mitsugi insists that this is all Mannô's doing, and that he is innocent, but Okon remains upset with him.

Mitsugi attempts to confront Manno, but she just insists upon her version of events - that it was Mitsugi who wrote the letters, and that she did pass along Oshika's money to him - suggesting that Mitsugi is the one who is lying, trying to cover for himself because he would not want to admit in front of Okon that he was having an affair with Oshika. This escalates until Mitsugi is standing over Manno, who, seeing him essentially powerless because he neither has a sword, nor would hit a woman in any case, taunts him. He relents, but Iwaji and Kitaroku continue the taunting, until Okon joins in, accusing him of everything that Manno accused him of, growing upset that he would call on Oshika, that he would send her love letters, and borrow money from her. Mitsugi insists that this is all Manno's doing, and that he is innocent, but Okon remains upset with him.

Fed up, Mitsugi calls for Kisuke, who hands him the Shimosaka sword, disguised in another sword's scabbard. As Mitsugi makes to leave the teahouse, Okon calls after him, and announces she is severing her ties with him.

Fed up, Mitsugi calls for Kisuke, who hands him the Shimosaka sword, disguised in another sword's scabbard. As Mitsugi makes to leave the teahouse, Okon calls after him, and announces she is severing her ties with him.

She returns to the party, where Iwaji and Kitaroku reveal that they have been disguised as each other all along, and reveal as well their plot to steal the Shimosaka sword. Seeing the certificate of authenticity, Okon insists it must be a love letter, and demands to see it. She declares that she won't go back to Awa with him and marry him if he won't show her the document.

She returns to the party, where Iwaji and Kitaroku reveal that they have been disguised as each other all along, and reveal as well their plot to steal the Shimosaka sword. Seeing the certificate of authenticity, Okon insists it must be a love letter, and demands to see it. She declares that she won't go back to Awa with him and marry him if he won't show her the document.

Kitaroku, Iwaji, and Mannô celebrate briefly having tricked Mitsugi into taking the wrong sword before realizing that they were the ones who were duped, and that Mitsugi has in fact made off with the Shimosaka blade. Mannô sends Kisuke after Mitsugi, claiming that he was accidentally given the wrong sword, but then realizes Kisuke's connection to Mitsugi, and chases after him.

Kitaroku, Iwaji, and Manno celebrate briefly having tricked Mitsugi into taking the wrong sword before realizing that they were the ones who were duped, and that Mitsugi has in fact made off with the Shimosaka blade. Manno sends Kisuke after Mitsugi, claiming that he was accidentally given the wrong sword, but then realizes Kisuke's connection to Mitsugi, and chases after him.

Mitsugi returns, thinking he has the wrong sword, and gets into an argument with Mannô over the swords, as he demands to be given his sword back, which she cannot give him since Kisuke has it, and she demands the sword he has, knowing it to be the Shimosaka and intending to give it to Iwaji. The argument escalates until she taunts him to hit her with the scabbard; he taps her lightly, just to satisfy her taunt, but the scabbard splits, and the Shimosaka sword bites into her neck. Mannô instinctively puts her hand to her neck, where he struck, and seeing the blood, starts screaming "Murder!", until Mitsugi cuts her down.

Mitsugi returns, thinking he has the wrong sword, and gets into an argument with Manno over the swords, as he demands to be given his sword back, which she cannot give him since Kisuke has it, and she demands the sword he has, knowing it to be the Shimosaka and intending to give it to Iwaji. The argument escalates until she taunts him to hit her with the scabbard; he taps her lightly, just to satisfy her taunt, but the scabbard splits, and the Shimosaka sword bites into her neck. Manno instinctively puts her hand to her neck, where he struck, and seeing the blood, starts screaming "Murder!", until Mitsugi cuts her down.

Mitsugi begins his murderous rampage, killing Oshika next, and then heading upstairs to attack Iwaji in his bed.

Mitsugi begins his murderous rampage, killing Oshika next, and then heading upstairs to attack Iwaji in his bed.