Besides the traditions related to the New Year, in Japan there are also several Kabuki plays which are traditionally played on New Year, adaptations after the Tale of the Soga Brothers (Soga Monogatari).
Soga Monogatari, written by an anonymous writer, tells a real story from 800 years ago: Kudo Saemon Suketsune, in order to get an inheritance, killed his cousin, Kozu Saburo Sukemichi.
18 years later, the two sons of Sukemichi, Juro and Goro, revenged the death of their father by killing Suketsune during a hunting party.
Juro was killed during the fight, while Goro was condemned and executed.
The story was very popular during the Edo period, many people admiring the courage and the loyalty of the two brothers.
More recently, in 1993, this small shrine was built, dedicated to their spirits:
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Yesterday’s Japan Photo:Rabbit, the 2011 Zodiacal Sign |
