Play/Senribana Monogatari

Senribana Monogatari
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Play Information

Senribana Monogatari (千里花物語 Senribana Monogatari) is the ninth Mixed Troupe Play in the game, featuring Spring Troupe and Winter Troupe.

Related Event: Senribana Monogatari
Related Story: Senribana Monogatari
Type: Mixed Troupe Events
Lead Actor Quote: I will do anything, Please take me as your student! (何でもします。俺を弟子にしてください！)

Introduction

そう、それはまるで、春に降る雪の如くーー。
It is just as it seems, like snow falling in spring--

歌舞伎の女形として着実にキャリアを重ねていた雪之丞

舞台後の控室にいる雪之丞の元に、突然
外国人が押しかけてきた。

Yukinojou is a Kabuki onnagata with a long and steady career.

One day when he is sitting in his waiting room after a performance, he is approached by a foreigner

Cast

● Lead Actor

Citron as Sahul

● Second Lead A

Azuma Yukishiro as Yukinojou

● Supporting Cast A

Itaru Chigasaki as Matsunosuke

● Supporting Cast B

Homare Arisugawa as Fujisaka

● Supporting Cast C

Sakuya Sakuma as Ogino

● Supporting Cast D

Hisoka Mikage as Fukumaru

Gallery

Play Translation

	Yukinojou is a Kabuki onnagata with a long and steady career.
	One day when he is sitting in his waiting room after a performance, he is approached by a foreigner
Yukinojou	“And somehow or other, more than when it began, I find myself wondering through this endless purgatory. My wish of dragging Confucianism and Buddhism to hell have only withered away.”
Sahul	Ohh..
Sahul	Please, take me under your wing!
Yukinojou	What?
Matsunosuke	What’s the meaning of this?
	Hey you, it says ‘No unauthorised personnel allowed’.
Yukinojou	It’s alright. I want to hear what he has to say.
Matsunosuke	Are you sure?
Yukinojou	He did come all the way here.
	I don’t think he is here to be rude, right?
	Are you serious about wanting to become my student?
Sahul	Yes! Please!
	I am willing to do anything, even the work of just a servant!
	Please, I ask that you take me as your student!
Yukinojou	I am not so sure..
Matsunosuke	I’m going to call security.
Yukinojou	No, not yet.
	Alright, I’ll give you a chance, boy.
Sahul	SERIOUSLY!?
Matsunosuke	Are you for real?
	I thought you never took on students?
Yukinojou	It wouldn’t hurt to try taking just one student.
	I think it’s fine.
Sahul	I’ll try my very best!
Yukinojou	Alright, go speak with Mr. Yamashita at the house.
Sahul	Thank you!
Yukinojou	Do you have any further questions for me?
Sahul	Well.. When exactly do I start?
Yukinojou	Well well, now let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
	How about we first get you acquainted to our customs before we do anything else.
Sahul	Of course! I leave myself in your care!
Yukinojou	Hmm, so first we need to give you a name.
	Typically a name is derived from one of the characters of the teacher’s name…
	So how about we take the “Yuki (snow)” from my name and give you the name “Yukimaru”?
Sahul	Yukimaru.. Thank you so much!
Matsunosuke	So then, what did you really think about that kid?
Yukinojou	If you’re trying to give me advice I am not here for it.
Matsunosuke	Have you not heard what the elders are saying?
	He may dream of becoming a Kabuki actor but for real, taking a foreigner under your wing so suddenly?
	He’s already turning heads.
Yukinojou	He’s got a lot of spunk. I believe he has done his homework.
Matsunosuke	I just don’t want you wasting your time with this kid with a whole future ahead of him who just happens to have some flashy clothes and elegant demeanor.
Yukinojou	.. I understand where you’re coming from.
	Despite the advice from his elders, Yukinojou accepts the foreign boy as his student.
	Yukinojou then gives his new student, Sahul, the name “Yukimaru”.
Yukinojou	This flower is very pretty.
Servant	It was made by your very own Yukimaru.
Yukinojou	!? Yukimaru made it?
Servant	And he even cleaned up nicely.
	He has been doing a very good job.
Yukinojou	I see..
Sahul	Master, I’m home!
Yukinojou	Tell me, have you been adjusting well to our culture?
Sahul	Yes, and it is all thanks to your guidance.
	Since the very beginning I have yearned to live in this country, how could I not but enjoy myself?
	From the first time I saw Kabuki on TV, I have yearned to study this beautiful art form no matter it would take me or how I would learn it. I just knew it was what I wanted.
	Being able to see this world I have only imagined has only broadened my horizons as if I was living in a dream.
Yukinojou	So, I guess you really are..
Sahul	Master?
Yukinojou	.. Ready to begin training soon.
Sahul	SERIOUSLY!? THANK YOU SO MUCH!
	Yukimaru spends his days doing everything from chores to oddjobs for his master. Even though he is not yet ready for training, Yukimaru tells his master that he is happy to just be able to be surrounded by traditional Japanese arts and culture. Yukinojou watches over him carefully.
Fujisaka	Hmm, what wonderful form. Alrighty, how about you show me what you know.
Sahul	Okay!
Fujisaka	W-Where did you learn to do Japanese Buyo!?
Sahul	I happened to find a teacher some years ago.. About 10 years ago.
Fujisaka	That’s great.
	You have more passion than I imagined.
Sahul	Thank you very much.
Ogino	.. I’m going to head out first.
Sahul	W-Wait..
Ogino	?
Sahul	My playing wasn’t weird, was it?
	If there’s anything you notice I would like to know—
Ogino	Well there’s nothing in particular.
Sahul	Really!? Thank you!
	See you next week!
Ogino	Yeah, okay.
Fujisaka	And haven’t you heard his increadible Nagauta performance?
Yukinojou	Wait who?
Fujisaka	Yukimaru of course!
Yukinojou	Oh, yes..
Fujisaka	That boy’s a born genius!
	He’s the cream of the crop, I have never seen anyone like him!
	If only there was somewhere he could go to use his talents. I have no doubts he talents would flourish wherever he goes. It’s such a shame.
	Becoming a Kabuki actor would truly be difficult for someone like him.
	Not only is he foreign, but he has no titles nor any powerful sponsors to back him. Oh and not to mention he is starting awfully late.
Yukinojou	..
Fujisaka	Well anyway, I am sure you have been thinking about his future since you’re his teacher after all.
Yukinojou	.. Yes, of course.
Fujisaka	However I find him to be a very interesting pick for someone like you, the son of a commoner.
	At last Yukimaru begins his training. Despite his teachers having low expectations, he surprises them by excelling in each art he tries.
	Yukimaru’s dance teacher, Fujisaka, also praises his abilities. However, as great as his abilities are, Fujisaka tells Yukinojou that becoming a Kabuki performer are slim to none. No matter how skilled Yukimaru is, he is still a foreigner with no noble lineage and no wealthy sponsors. On top of that, he began his training very late. Fujisaka grumbles that his talents would have to go to waste and recommends that Yukinojou consider a different career path for his student.
Matsunosuke	Hey—
Yukinojou	Oh, it’s rare to see you here.
Matsunosuke	Well you know I had to come greet my partner before the performance.
Yukinojou	You say that but this is the first time you have ever done it.
Matsunosuke	Soooo is that kid here today?
Yukinojou	He is at dance practice right now.
Matsunosuke	Hmm, practice huh.
	Just how long do you plan to keep that kid around for anyway?
Yukinojou	Well..
Sahul	I’m baaccckkk, yooo!
	Oh, are you a visitor?
Matsunosuke	Oh, you’re looking better than I expected.
Sahul	W-Welcome!
Matsunosuke	.. Hmmm.
Sahul	Umm?
	Who was that man?
Yukinojou	Yanase Matsunosuke.
	He is the noble son of the Yanase family.
	And loved by the God of Kabuki.
Sahul	Oh, is that so?
	Well I for one think the God of Kabuki is also looking down upon you, great master.
Yukinojou	Well actually—
	I did not exactly have the easiest time getting into this industry myself.
	Yukimaru continues to excel in his Nagauta lessons and earns praise from Yukinojou. However despite his achievements and praise, Yukinojou knew that the path to Kabuki would not be easy. He kept Fujisaka’s words in the back of his mind, concealed from his student..
	Matsunosuke visits Yukinojou in his dressing room and asks why the other has chosen Yukimaru as his student. Yukinojou pauses at the question.
Fukumaru	HAH!
Sahul	Wow.. So that’s how you do a somersault..
Actor A	So you are Yukinojou’s student.. ?
Sahul	Nice to meet you!
Actor A	Well to get you started you first need to master the basic starting position and then—
Fukumaru	I heard you studied Nagauta and dance in your home country so I am sure you can do a simple somersault, right?
Actor A	Hmm yeah, I heard you are pretty strong, right?
Sahul	Well umm.. I..
	I have never done a somersault before and umm..
Fukumaru	Come on, give it a try!
	Why don’t you give it a shot, you are a student after all.
	I am sure you have enough guts to at least give it a shot, right?
Sahul	Alright, I’ll try.
Actor A	WATCH OUT!
Sahul	O-Oww..
Fukumaru	Hmm.. Being brave and being reckless are two different things you know.
Sahul	B-But!
Fukumaru	What is it?
Sahul	Please teach me how to somersault!
	I was moved by the beauty of your somersault you did earlier!
Fukumaru	You want me to teach..
	— You know it’s not something that you can simply learn overnight.
Sahul	I am sorry for asking..
Fukumaru	You know I don’t see any real potential in you. And not to rain on your parade, but I’m not the only one either, Yukinojou’s master also, well..
Sahul	Huh!?
Fukumaru	Hurry and just give up now and go back to your country.
Actor A	I think it’s time we start heading back.
Sahul	Thank you so much for helping me!
Actor B	Don’t overdo it.
Sahul	Okay!
	HAH!
	UWAAHH!
	O-Oww oww..
	This sure is hard..
Fukumaru	Are you stupid?
	Do you really think if just recklessly try it over and over you’ll do it?
Sahul	Is that not it?
Fukumaru	I’ll help you out so try again.
Sahul	Are you sure?
Fukumaru	You gotta learn those three disciplines by the end of today after all.
	I don’t see anything promising so I will just leave.
Sahul	OKAY!
Fukumaru	You gotta be more aggressive.
Sahul	OKAY!
	I’m gonna try!
	HAH!
	— I-I did it..
	I DID IT!
	Thank you so much!
Fukumaru	You’re really dumb.
	.. But, maybe you do have what it takes.
	Yukimaru visits the somersault dojo to learn how to somersault from Fukumaru. Fukumaru tells Yukimaru that he does not see anything in Yukinojou despite Yukimaru being his student.
	When the other students leave, Yukimaru tries to practice on his own and perfects his form and stance. However he is disappointed that he is still not able to complete even a single somersault. Fukumaru notices Yukimaru continuing to practice and decides to give him a hand. With Fukumaru’s help, Yukimaru is able to finally do the somersault.
Sahul	Good morning!
Matsunosuke	Hey Yukimaru, assistants need to wait over there.
Sahul	B-But I am Yukinojou’s student—
Matsunosuke	Do you really think it’s worth it to put so much effort into practicing even though you’ll never stand on stage? If you’re just doing this for a hobby you can leave.
Sahul	..
Yukinojou	That’s enough.
Matsunosuke	I am only being honest. Yukimaru will never become a Kabuki actor no matter how hard he works.
	Guys like him are a dime a dozen. They can train as hard as they want and long for the stage, but the result is all the same.
	This kid has no titles, no wealthy sponsor, is completely inexperienced, and on top of all that, he’s foreign. Did you really think you would get any support from the elders or your fans?
	Yukinojou, this is what I have been trying to tell you from the beginning.
Sahul	Umm.. I.. Please excuse me, I’ll just go wait over there.
Yukinojou	Yukimaru..
	Yukinojou and Yukimaru are both busy preparing for Yukinojou’s upcoming performance.
	Yukinojou’s co-actor, Matsunosuke, mistakes Yukimaru for just another one of Yukinojou’s stage assistants. Yukimaru tells Matsunosuke that he is actually Yukinojou’s student. Despite his position as a student, Matsunosuke tells Yukimaru that he has no chance of ever becoming a Kabuki actor. He explains that not only is he older than other students, but he also does not have any titles, no wealthy sponsors, and most of all is foreign born. Yukimaru is shocked at these words and moves offstage.
Nagauta Teacher	You seem a bit distracted today. How about we end the lesson here?
Sahul	My apologies..
Ogino	Good job.
Sahul	Yeah, good job.
Ogino	.. Umm, can I ask, is there something wrong?
Sahul	Ogino, why did you choose to learn the shamisen?
Ogino	Huh? Me? Umm.. Well, I have always loved it since I was a child.
Sahul	You loved the sound..
Ogino	I guess, what are you trying to get at?
Sahul	Nothing, thank you so much! I’ll see you next time!
Ogino	I don’t know what I did but.. I’m glad you seem happier.
	Yukimaru has trouble focusing during his Nagauta practice and briefly speaks with Ogino.
	He asks Ogino why he continues to practice the shamisen and Ogino tells him he just simply loves the instrument. Somehow, this reignites the fire in Yukimaru’s soul and reminds him that his reason for practicing Kabuki is just like Ogino and the shamisen.
Sahul	Umm, could I have a word?
Matsunosuke	Hmm?
Sahul	Even if I can’t stand on the stage now.. I will continue to work hard until the day I can make my dream a reality.
	I do not think my hard work is all for nothing. I really love Kabuki.
Matsunosuke	Hmm.. Okay fine, do whatever you want.
Yukinojou	Yukimaru is pretty amazing. I am sure he could teach me a thing or two.
Matsunosuke	I have noticed your demeanor has changed, you seem more like a teacher now.
	Hey, Yukimaru, why don’t you try being my stage hand.
Sahul	What!? For real!?
Yukinojou	Yes, I think this is great timing.
Matsunosuke	You won’t stand out if you’re dressed in all black.
Sahul	I’ll do my best!
	Matsunosuke snaps at Yukimaru, but that does not discourage him. Instead, it only encourages him to work harder and even his teacher, Yukinojou, is inspired as well.
	The two notice despite their change in attitude, Matsunosuke still seems to look down on them.
	Finally the first day of Yukinojou’s performance has arrived. Dressed in all black, Yukimaru assists Yukinojou as his stage hand. However during the performance, Yukimaru drops one of the props on stage.
Matsunosuke	If you’re gonna be clumsy like that on stage there’s no point in trying a second time.
Sahul	My deepest apologies..
Yukinojou	Please don’t get discouraged.
Sahul	..
Matsunosuke	Fine. I’ll give you one chance. I’ll give you a shot at playing Benten Kozo from “Five Men of the White Waves”. If you look good, you’ll get my approval. If you don’t, then you’re better off finding a different career path.
Yukinojou	This has nothing to do with what we were talking about earlier. I don’t think giving him a test has any relation to his mistake he made tonight.
Matsunosuke	But you told me to give him a chance. This is a make or break situation, it’s all up to Yukimaru.
Yukimaru	.. I’ll try. Please give me a chance!
Ogino	They’re really letting you play Benten Kozo this time?
Sahul	Eh, how did you know?
Ogino	Matsunosuke has been telling everyone, word has really gotten around quick.
Sahul	O-oh, is that so?
Ogino	If you need some help with the shamisen, I got you.
Sahul	Thank you so much.
Ogino	Good luck!
Fujisaka	So you’re really going to play Benten?
Sahul	Umm, yes. This is kinda like a test for me.
Fujisaka	Well then seems like you role study will be the same as anyone else’s. I gotta make sure I give you my best guidance.
Yukinojou	It seems like everyone is more excited for Yukimaru’s performance than the man himself.
Sahul	It’s just I feel as if this is some sort of punishment for my mistake, I’m so sorry.
Yukinojou	You are an honest boy, Yukimaru. I have no doubts that your emotions will resonate amongst the audience.
Sahul	But.. I really don’t think I am good enough yet..
Yukinojou	I said what I said. In fact, you could say I was the one learning from you.
	When I look at you, I see a boy who wholeheartedly loves Kabuki. I see a boy that reminds me of myself when I first entered this industry. Because I love Kabuki.. That is the most important reason of all for me to be here.
	I have forgotten all of the mean comments and whispers amongst my peers. The only thing that mattered was that I love Kabuki and that is what brought me here.
Sahul	I could see you love for this art through your acting and dancing. That is why I had asked you to be my teacher.
Yukinojou	Is that so.. Thank you so much, thank you, Yukimaru. Thank you for being my student.
Sahul	If ya don’t know, I’ll tell ya. Just as Goemon’s death poem says, there are as many thieves in this world as there are grains of sand on Shichirigahama beach.
	I am one of those theives who once worked as a page boy on Enoshima Island.
	I began stealing gifts from temples in Edo.
	Soon the money I stole began to pile up more and more.
	It is me, the one and only Benten Kozo Kikunosuke.
Matsunosuke	Wow, so you really did make it to the end. You passed.
Sahul	Thank you so much!
Matsunosuke	Next time make sure not to make any mistakes.
Sahul	Yes! Thank you!
Matsunosuke	The reception will be the last judge. I wonder if this will be enough to warm up the elders to the idea of Yukimaru in Kabuki.
Yukinojou	Taking Sahul as my student was already against the norms of the Kabuki industry.
	However I also think I have much to learn, just like him. For Yukimaru’s sake, I will also work hard to rise to the top.
Matsunosuke	I see you have been preparing yourself as well.
	Matsunosuke scolds Yukimaru harshly for his mistake. In order to continue his career in Kabuki, Yukimaru agrees to recite Benten Kozo’s monologue from “Five Men of the White Waves”.
	With the help of Yukinojou and Fujisaka, Yukimaru is able to practice for the part. Yukimaru performs the monologue in front of Matsunosuke with confidence. Upon seeing his performance, Yukinojou feels that Yukimaru has more than paid for his mistake at his first performance. Not only that, but watching Yukimaru perform has also reignited Yuknojou’s own motivation.
Yukinojou	And how about for our play ‘Wait a Moment’?
Yukinojou’s Teacher	It has gained a lot of recognition overseas.
	It is surprising to see you making such rapid progress. You are even getting offers from sponsors. I think this is a good time to take them up on those deals.
Yukinojou	First.. May I make a selfish request?
Yukinojou’s Teacher	Sure.
Yukinojou	Will you give Yukimaru a part?
Yukinojou’s Teacher	Hey hey now, let’s not go that far..
Yukinojou	He has already received the approval from other teachers in both his acting and performance. I am sure he would make quite the stir if we are taking our performance overseas.
	After all, everyone has said he is the best of the best. Even you can agree to that, right?
	However if I remember the much decorated and beloved Uzaemon from the Meiji era was also said to have foreign blood running through his veins.
	I am who I am today because of Yukimaru. Yukimaru has the power to capture the hearts of many with his performance. So I beg of you, please.
Yukinojou’s Teacher	Hmm hmm.. I need to ask about this one, I won’t make any promises.
Sahul	Master, are you really going to perform overseas!? Congratulations!
Yukinojou	Oh, Yukimaru, you are also going to be performing with me.
Sahul	HUH!?
Yukinojou	You will be standing on the same stage as me.
Sahul	ARE YOU SERIOUS!?
Sahul	I have come to the Imperial Court to return this treasure that I have stolen.
Matsunosuke	A thief can only atone for their crimes with their life. Servants, tonight this man’s execution will serve as our entertainment.
Subordinate	Hah, yes understood.
Yukinojou	Wait just a minute!

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