Playwright: Fukushima Sayano

Director: Kudo Saki

Institution: Nihon University College of Arts, Japan

Venue: Small Theatre 2, CAD Changping Campus

Time: 13:30, May 19, 2024

Event: The 7th Asian Theatre Schools Festival

Director's Notes

This play is based on the famous story “Chrysanthemum's Promise” from the Japanese classic “Ugetsu Monogatari”. We created this play with “faith” as the core. 'Faith' means keeping one's word and doing one's duty.

The two male characters in this play, Samon and Soemon, who have only met once at an acquaintance's home, have developed a bond of friendship through some kind of faith that they can share in times of trouble. How will this kind of emotion, which transcends blood and identity, make modern people feel? It is hoped that the audience will be able to experience the charm of classical Japanese culture and storytelling in this fragile 'faith'.

Synopsis

A nameless Confucian scholar named Samon, with few relatives and friends, only lived a simple life with his sister. One day, he visited the home of a fellow villager and happened to meet Akana Soemon, who was suffering from a fever.

Soemon fell ill on his way back home and sought help here. Samon takes a liking to him and offers to take care of Soemon. In the process of caring for him, they develop a deep bond and eventually become 'brothers'.

Soemon's condition has improved. He bid farewell to Samon and returned to his hometown, promising to visit again during the Double Ninth Festival.

On the day of the Double Ninth Festival, Samon was prepared early, but Soemon never showed up. As night fell, Soemon appeared, but a strange aura hung over him. He remained silent and did not eat or drink. Seeing this, Samon inquired, “I have actually committed suicide in Izumo...” Soemon begins to tell of his experience of killing himself in his homeland.