Over 400 years ago, the dance of Izumo no Okuni captivated all of the audience, which became KABUKI, and from that Japanese Dance was born. Whether you’ve seen it before or not,
we hope you find it interesting…
This time, we’d like to talk about the original story of “KONJIKI YASHA”, considered one of the three great tragic love stories of the Meiji era.
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｜KANICHI-OMIYA Statue
The “KANICHI-OMIYA Statue” and “OMIYA Pine Tree” located along National Route 135 near Atami Sun Beach in Atami City, Shizuoka Pref., recreate the famous farewell scene from the novel “KONJIKI YASHA (The Golden Demon)” written by KOYO OZAKI.
If you look at the statue without knowing the story, it might seem like a violent scene, but once you read the novel, you’ll realize that it’s a memorable scene in which KANICHI leaves with a deep pain in his heart because his childhood friend and fiancée, OMIYA, chose to marry a wealthy man. While I cannot condone violence, it’s not hard to imagine the pain KANICHI must have felt at being betrayed.
｜This Moon of This Very Night
“Next year, on this same night, I shall cloud this moon with my tears”. This is known as the parting words KANICHI spoke to his fiancee in the scene mentioned earlier. However, this line does not appear in the original novel. It was created for the stage adaptation and became widely known after the play became a huge hit. This phrase, shouted with great emotion by the actor, left a powerful impression on audiences and has been repeatedly used in movies and popular songs ever since, thus becoming a memorable line.
｜Characters
“KONJIKI YASHA” is a story in which a choice made between love and wealth eventually leads to revenge.
The protagonist, KANICHI HAZAMA, loved his childhood friend and fiancee, MIYA SHIGISAWA, with all his heart, but but he was deeply hurt by her decision. The shock caused him to descend into darkness and transform into a ruthless loan shark.
His fiancee, MIYA SHIGISAWA (OMIYA), possesses extraordinary beauty. She marries a wealthy banker at her parents’ urging, but even after marriage, she cannot let go of her feelings for KANICHI.
TADATSUGU TOMIYAMA, the son of a wealthy family, uses his financial power to sway OMIYA’s heart, ultimately becoming the one who takes her away from KANICHI.
｜Story
KANICHI, a poor student who had lost both parents and was raised as a live-in student in the home of a benefactor, had pledged his future to OMIYA, the daughter of that family.
However, at a New Year’s card game gathering, OMIYA catches the eye of TADATSUGU TOMIYAMA, the son of a wealthy banker, who is wearing a large diamond. Though she still loves KANICHI in her heart,
OMIYA is swayed by the allure of TOMIYAMA’s wealth and her parents’ urging, and ultimately chooses to marry him.
When KANICHI learned of her betrayal, he fiercely berated OMIYA on the beach in Atami, kicked her as she clung to him, and left. The once innocent young man, consumed by deep despair and anger, becomes consumed by a desire for revenge. To prove himself to the world using the very power of money he once despised, he transforms into a ruthless loan shark.
Meanwhile, OMIYA, now the wife of a wealthy man, continued to suffer from guilt and lingering feelings for KANICHI. She sent him numerous letters begging for forgiveness, but they did not reach KANICHI’s heart, which was consumed by a desire for revenge.
The story ends abruptly at the moment when KANICHI, having reunited with OMIYA in his dream, begins to show signs of uncertainty about his path in life. This is because the author, KOYO OZAKI, died of illness. Will the two find a way to reconnect, or will their story end in tragedy? The answer remains an eternal mystery.
｜KONJIKI YASHA
The reason why “KONJIKI YASHA” continues to be read more than 100 years later may be because its universal theme of love versus wealth continues to resonate with people across time and borders.
The fact that the story remains unfinished is one of its greatest attractions, stimulating the reader’s imagination.
In Atami City, where the story is set, the “OZAKI KOYO Festival” is held on January 17th, the day KANICHI and OMIYA parted ways, to commemorate the author, KOYO OZAKI.
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