Did you know Benten Kozō Kikunosuke was more than just a name? Benten Kozō is actually the main character of a captivating kabuki play. It tells a thrilling tale of honorable thieves.
Benten Kozō is a gizoku. Gizoku means honorable thief. He leads a band of five such intriguing men. The play is often called “Shiranami Gonin Otoko”. This translates to “Five Men of the White Waves”. “Shiranami” refers to the thieves themselves.
The play’s original title is “Aoto Zōshi Hana no Nishiki-e”. It premiered in Edo at the Ichimura-za in March 1862. Kawatake Mokuami wrote this masterpiece.
The story of Benten Kozō draws inspiration from real-life Edo period criminals. These included Karigane Bunshichi and An no Heibei. Nippon Daemon, the band’s leader, gets his name from Nippon Saemon. He was a thief captured and executed in 1747. Benten Kozō is said to be based on a servant from Iwamoto-in temple. This temple sits on Enoshima, dedicated to the goddess Benten.
The play showcases elaborate disguises and dramatic reveals. One of the most famous scenes is when Kozō and his comrades reveal their true identities. They make rousing speeches as they shed their disguises.
Let’s explore the plot of Benten Kozō. In Act I, Princess Senju prays at Hase-dera for her missing fiancé, Kotarō. Kotarō, actually Benten Kozō in disguise, appears. He is accompanied by his fellow thief Nangō Rikimaru. Akaboshi Jūzaburō tries to swindle Senju’s party. A scuffle ensues and Benten Kozō tries to steal a gold incense burner from Senju. Tadanobu Rihei intervenes and defuses the situation.
Senju gives the incense burner to “Kotarō” for safekeeping. They leave for Mt. Mikoshi-ga-take. Rihei and Rikimaru fight over stolen money. In Act II, Kozō reveals his true identity to Senju. He explains he was named Benten Kozō after his home, Benten-jima island. He lies about how he got Kotarō’s flute. Senju throws herself into a ravine. Nippon Daemon appears. He asks Kozō to join him and form a band of thieves.
Act III unfolds inside the Hamamatsu-ya. This is a clothing shop run by Hamamatsuya Kōbei and his son-in-law Sōnosuke. Benten Kozō, disguised as a young lady, enters the shop. Rikimaru poses as her retainer. The “lady” tries to steal fabric. She is caught and a fight breaks out. Tamashima Ittō reveals Kozō’s cherry blossom tattoo. Kozō reveals his true identity.
Tamashima, actually Nippon Daemon, demands Kōbei’s money. Sōnosuke intervenes. Daemon realizes Sōnosuke is his long-lost son. Kōbei learns Kozō is also his son.
In Act IV, the five thieves reveal their identities on the banks of the Inase River. They battle the police and flee. Act V sees Kozō searching for the incense burner at Gokuraku-ji. He commits suicide on the temple roof. Nippon Daemon watches as police search for him. He resolves to turn himself in later.
Benten Kozō’s story embodies themes of honor and identity. It shows the complexities of family and the consequences of one’s actions. The play remains a beloved kabuki classic. It continues to captivate audiences with its drama and spectacle.