Pit Workers in the Old Days #3 (Play by Young Men's Association)
1958 - 1963
Mukashi no Yamabito #3 (Seinen-dan no Shibai)
[Pit Workers in the Old Days #3 (Play by Young Men's Association)]
21.2 x 30.1 cm Ink Painting
Young men in middle or large-scale coal pits performed plays for three days during the Bon holidays, building temporary playhouses. They practiced their plays very hard for more than a month before the Bon holidays. They gathered in faraway forests to practice every clear day after exiting from underground without regard to their distress. Of course, they did not ask any professional producers to instruct them, but asked some pit workers who were formerly actors or actresses to do so.
This painting shows a scene in a new-school drama (shinpa geki) called "Giri no Shigarami." The young hero, Kinnosuke Yamaoka, filled with a strong sense of justice, is excitedly going out for vengeance on a villain, Mamushi no Genta, for the wound on his forehead, which he suddenly received from Genta after he cautioned him against his wicked deeds. Kinnosuke's wife and his follower are trying to stop him.
Excerpt from a Song Sung in the Play
"Kan ni taeru no mei wa hada masani kambashii.
Ningen banji nintai ni ari."
"Keeping in mind the importance of withstanding hardships is truly admirable.
Patience is the key to success in life."
(The above lyrics were sung by the chorus [tanagatari ] in this play.)
Kinnosuke's Wife's Speech
"Ah, anata, matte kudasai! Tanki wa sonki."
"Ah, wait a minute, darling! Impatience will ruin you!"
Kinnosuke's Follower's Speech
"Oyabun, chotto matte kunnase! Ima wa toki ga warui. Naru kan-nin wa daredemo suru. Naranu kan-nin suru ga makoto no kan-nin desu."
"Boss, wait a moment, please! It's untimely to do it. Everybody endures what they can, but a true hero of justice bears the unbearable."
Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro
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