— Anonymous
Part 1
The play “Love Suicide at Amijima” by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, is a tragic love story of a young prostitute(Koharu) and a business, family man (Jihei). They both fall in love with each other but that is impossible to be together. Because the first reason is that jihei was a married person and he has a wife and two children. Our society rule is that people cannot accept two wives/husbands together at the same time. And, I think any wife/husband does not want to share their love with others. Also, any family cannot accept this kind of love like the situation created in the play. For the reason, they do not possibly live together that’s why they committed to suicide. But I do not think suicide would be any solution to be together after death. From the point of religious view, we know that people who will suicide not be granted in a good place after death. I think Jihei’s decision was wrong to committed suicide together from the religious view. Also, in general, if he dies who will take care of his family members. I think, here Jihei shows an irresponsible character about his family. Moreover, Jihei persuades Koharu to suicide, here Jihei not only irresponsible to his family but also he is irresponsible Koharu’s life. I do not blame Koharu for the profession because any bad situation put her in this profession that maybe She wants to move out of her profession for a better life by loved Jihei where prostitution is illegal in many societies and people see them a different way. In the end Act one, I agree with Koharu she decides not to commit suicide with Jihei because she thinks about her mom if she die who will take care of her mom so here we can see she shows responsibility to her family. In my opinion, the play shows the opposite characters of irresponsible vs responsible.
Part 2
I never watched any puppet play before that, a puppet play could bring a real reflection of the story in front of the audience. But when I watch this puppet play video I am amazed because this is so fascinating to see how a puppet shows the realistic scenes. First of all, I want to say about the puppeteer and chanter magical performances, dress, expression they represent in front of the audience so confidently that brings the award to become the national treasure. They give expression to the human drama represent by puppet. In the play Love Suicide when they present on the stage chanter Sumitayu use his voice so perfectly he changes his voice in different characters that make the play more realistic to audiences. Also, the three puppeteers play the three different characters of love suicide. Especially the puppeteer Tomao Yoshida presents the puppet with real facial expression to catch up with the audience’s attention. The three puppeteers show Jihei stabs Kohrau and kill her after her death Jihei kills by himself. That moment, my full attention goes on the puppet, not to people who are moving the puppet. I think that proves the puppet expression was so realistic to get the attention of the audience. When I was watching the video I felt so realistic. So this is a wonderful Japanese traditional art performance that presents people’s emotions, expressions by puppet realistically.
