Main Characters
This character is a merchant who is in love with a courtesan.
Who is Jihei?
Jihei and Koharu meet at this type of establishment, which leads to their fateful relationship.
What is a brothel?
Jihei struggles between his emotional love for Koharu and his obligation to this person in his life.
Who is his wife, Osan?
This is the area where the brothels are located.
What is the Pleasure District?
This character says "I would rather die with you than live life without you."
Who is Koharu?
This character is a courtesan who fall in love with Jihei.
Who is Koharu?
Jihei's wife, Osan, confronts him after discovering his affair with Koharu, leading to a dramatic decision.
What is the confrontation between Jihei and Osan?
Koharu is torn between her love for Johei and her feelings of being trapped in this type of life.
What is the life of a courtesan?
This is where Jihei and Osan live.
What is Jihei's home?
This character says "Even in death, I cannot escape my love for you."
Who is Jihei?
This character is Jihei's wife and the mother of his children.
Who is Osan?
Jihei decides to resolve his internal conflict by choosing this drastic action with Koharu.
What is double suicide?
This character is a tragic figure who believes that a woman's place is to stat loyal to her husband, no matter the circumstances.
Who is Osan?
This is the place where the double suicide takes place.
What is the Shinju River?
This character says " My love for you is stronger than any other duty.":
Who is Koharu?
This character is Jihei's younger brother, who is pragmatic and disapproves of Jihei's emotional choices.
Who is Magoemon?
After receiving money to help his family, Jihei's decision to leave his wife and children drives him to this tragic moment.
What is double suicide with Koharu?
Jihei's younger brother, Magoemon, urges him to do this in order to fulfill his family's expectations.
What is to leave Koharu and be faithful to his wife?
This is where Jihei confronts his brother and his decisions.
What is the family home?
This character says " You've betrayed your family and now you'll abandon us."
Who is Osan?
This character is a woman in the Pleasure District who plays a minor role but is central to Jihei's financial troubles.
Who is the brothel manager, Tatsu?
At the mend of the play, Jihei and Koharu make their final, tragic decision, which takes place at this location.
What is the Shinju River?
The theme of shinju represents this: a final act of love and escape, as Jihei and Koharu choose death together.
What is double suicide?
Tis is the place where Koharu faces her consequences of her life as a courtesan.
What is the brothel?
This character says " Of you abandon your wife for a courtesan, you'll bring disgrace upon our family."
Who is Magoemon?