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*''Japanese'': 曽我物語 ''(Soga monogatari)''
*''Japanese'': 曽我物語 ''(Soga monogatari)''
''Soga Monogatari'', or "The Tale of the Soga Brothers," is the story of the Soga brothers, Soga Gorô and Soga Jûrô, who seek their father's murderer in order to kill the murderer and avenge their father. The story has been told and retold with much variation and elaboration, in a variety of forms, including medieval storytelling performance, ''[[kowaka mai|kôwaka mai]]'', illustrated books, [[Noh]], [[kabuki]], and [[bunraku]] puppet theatre, but is based originally on a true historical incident, in which two brothers by the name of [[Soga clan|Soga]], on [[1193]]/5/28, killed [[Kudo Suketsune|Kudô Suketsune]], their father's killer.
''Soga Monogatari'', or "The Tale of the Soga Brothers," is the story of the Soga brothers, Soga Gorô and Soga Jûrô, who seek their father's murderer in order to kill the murderer and avenge their father. The story has been told and retold with much variation and elaboration, in a variety of forms, including medieval storytelling performance, ''[[kowaka mai|kôwaka mai]]'', illustrated books, [[Noh]], [[kabuki]], and [[bunraku]] puppet theatre, but is based originally on a true historical incident, in which two brothers by the name of [[Soga clan|Soga]], on [[1193]]/5/28, killed [[Kudo Suketsune|Kudô Suketsune]], their father's killer. Jûrô, however, was killed in the fighting.
Kudô had been a retainer to the [[Shogun]], [[Minamoto no Yoritomo]], making Yoritomo a possible target for revenge as well. Though initially concerned about this possibility, Yoritomo is said to have commented on the brothers' bravery, and to have been so moved as to desire to pardon Soga Gorô, the surviving brother. Suketsune's son, Inubômaru, protested however, and in the end, Soga Gorô was formally executed.
==Fictionalization and Popular Culture==
The Soga Brothers story was first related in the ''[[Azuma kagami]]'', first compiled after [[1266]]; texts known by the name "Soga Monogatari" came sometime afterwards, along with ''kôwaka mai'' (medieval ballad-dramas), and later Noh plays, and, in the 17th century, kabuki plays.
The Soga Brothers story was first related in the ''[[Azuma kagami]]'', first compiled after [[1266]]; texts known by the name "Soga Monogatari" came sometime afterwards, along with ''kôwaka mai'' (medieval ballad-dramas), and later Noh plays, and, in the 17th century, kabuki plays.
==References==
==References==
*Mills, D.E. "Kataki-uchi: The Practice of Blood Revenge in Pre-Modern Japan." ''Modern Asian Studies'' 10:4 (1976). pp530-531.
*Mills, D.E. "Kataki-uchi: The Practice of Blood Revenge in Pre-Modern Japan." ''Modern Asian Studies'' 10:4 (1976). pp530-531, 536.
[[Category:Kamakura Period]]
[[Category:Kamakura Period]]
