Synopsis

Kuroda - Synopsis

In the early part of the 17th Century, our central character - Kuroda - is the Daimyo of Chikuzen, the regional governor of modern-day Fukuoka, on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu. It is the beginning of the Edo period, a time of peace and stability following many centuries of factional wars.

We open with the dramatic spectacle of Taiko drummers, ushering in the servants of Kuroda’s court who sing of prosperous times and of their kind master.
Kuroda’s chamberlain, Tanaka, announces the Daimyo’s arrival and introduces himself as self-appointed bodyguard. He warns Kuroda, or Tonosama as he addresses him, of the dangers which might face him if he goes out to experience the real world in nearby downtown Hakata. Kuroda reassures him of his worldliness, but invites him along anyway.

As they are about to set off, Kuroda’s mother, Fujino, intercepts them. She berates Kuroda for having not yet taken a bride, and offers him a choice of several pretty young girls, who sing the traditional Japanese saying about their resemblance to beautiful flowers. Kuroda protests he is too busy with his duties and his martial arts, and escapes to the sanctity of the tea house, where he sings a song of meditation, and meets a traditional monk (komuso) who plays the Shakuhachi.

We next see him in the judicial court, which is one of his main obligations. He makes various wise judgments, but one particular case intrigues him: an old couple has had the interest raised exorbitantly on a loan from a moneylender. Unable to repay this, the moneylender has kidnapped their daughter and is holding her for ransom. Kuroda tells them not to worry and hatches a clandestine plan with Tanaka.

In downtown Hakata, Kuroda poses as a commoner by the name of Kosuke. He manages to get a job as the moneylender’s apprentice.

In the moneylender’s house, we meet Shino, the abducted daughter, who is imprisoned in the house. In her room she sings to keep up her inner strength and self-belief. In another part of the house Kosuke (Kuroda) is mocked by the moneylender’s Yojinbos (bodyguards), all of whom sport enormous tattoos. The moneylender - Yamashi - thinks he is the worst apprentice he has ever had, though his wife has taken a shine to the handsome young man, and tries unsuccessfully to seduce him. The next day, Kuroda meets Shino for the first time, when Yamashi orders her to show him how to light a fire. Shino is frustrated by how useless Kosuke (Kuroda) is, but likes him in spite of herself. They share an unexpected moment of mutual attraction until he is called away by the moneylender. She reflects upon her life and upon what kind of man would choose to become a moneylender.

The moneylender hosts a musical evening, with traditional Japanese dancing and folk song (such as Oedonihonbashi.

Kosuke’s plan is to give Shino an instrument case so she can walk out with the musicians at the end of the evening. The plan is foiled by the Yojinbos, but there is an earthquake and Shino escapes in the ensuing confusion. Kosuke does not see where she goes, and calls her name in despair.

Act II begins with a Bonsai festival at the castle, where the ancient traditional song and dance “Kuroda Bushi” is performed. The second verse tells of a manservant who is seeking the exiled wife of a prince. He hears her lament and thereby discovers that she still loves the prince. Kuroda sings of his own sadness at losing Shino before having the chance to tell her the truth about his identity. Tanaka overhears and decides to seek her out for his master, like the good servant in the Kuroda Bushi story. Fujino comforts Kuroda in his sadness. Her motherly intuition tells her all is not well. She relates Tanaka’s story: Kuroda’s father saved him from the death penalty, imposed for a crime he did not commit. The grateful Tanaka then pledged his lifelong service to the family. His evil accuser disappeared...

Tanaka finds Shino’s parents’ house and hears her singing about her loneliness and growing affection for the moneylender’s apprentice; he sets off back to the castle to tell Kuroda the good news. Shino’s parents tell her she must learn the traditional duties of a wife and give up her tomboyish ways, particularly Kendo. She flatly refuses.

On his way back to the castle, Tanaka is accosted by his old enemy and left for dead.

Kuroda is attending Kendo martial arts practice. He expresses his concern about Tanaka’s disappearance to his Kendo Master (an old friend of Tanaka’s) but is told not to worry. Kuroda believes he is the strongest student in his class and longs for competition. The wise master arranges an impromptu match; both masked and unrecognisable, Kuroda and the diminutive Shino are the opponents. Kuroda, though a skilled warrior, is a relative beginner, whilst Shino has practiced all her life and is very experienced. The match is an honourable draw, and they remove their masks. Shino is astonished to see her opponent is the apprentice. They have no opportunity to speak to each other and, bewildered, she is taken away by some girlfriends, who tell her to have nothing to do with the apprentice as he is just a useless gigolo who they encountered in Hakata. Shino is confused about her feelings for the apprentice, but has other concerns, as the next day will be another court hearing for her parents. Finding himself alone outside the competition, Kuroda sings of his foolish pride in not telling Shino the truth.

Next day in the judicial court, Kuroda is partially concealed by screens. Tanaka is absent. The moneylender Yamashi demands payment from Shino’s parents. Kuroda reveals himself and is recognised as Kosuke, the useless apprentice. He swiftly dispenses justice, but Shino is completely overwhelmed at Kuroda’s true identity and runs out of the courtroom. Kuroda finds her in the garden and explains everything. They declare their love for each other; they will be together always.

Preparations are underway for a wedding, providing a big set piece number for the chorus, with Sake Traders, Fishmongers and other trades-people plying their wares. When the mayhem calms down, we witness the supreme serenity of a traditional Shinto marriage ceremony.

Copyright © Sachiko Higuchi, Ian Lynn 2008. All Rights Reserved.
Illustrations by Kirsten Baron Tel: 01737 218875 email: Kirsten