—Joseph Jacobs
In the first Act, we come to learn of the difficult situations each character has been placed into. I find it interesting how Chikamatsu was able to get the reader to ask many questions throughout the act, allowing them to form their own opinions about each character’s personality. In my opinion, I feel for someone in Koharu’s because there is an obvious hierarchy in their society, and women are treated as objects most of the time. Whether or not she is loyal to Jihei is still a question we are not sure about. Nevertheless, when you are born into a position that constantly strips dignity and freedom from your world, it tends to make people act in various different ways. Chikamatsu does a wonderful job allowing the reader to figure out on their own whether Koharu’s loyalty to Jihei is real, as she may be genuine in her feelings for him, or, fake and trying to pursue other opportunities. With Magoemon telling his brother, “A prostitute’s business is to deceive men”, you get the feeling that Jihei has been completely influenced by his brother, but the conversation is not over because of the letter that Koharu gives Magoemon. I think many questions remain to be answered, but I am hoping for the benefit of Koharu, even if we do not one hundred percent know who she is yet.
