Comparing Sakurahime and Yotsuya Kaidan by the 19th century Kabuki Playwright Tsuruya Nanboku IV

This thesis explores the evolution of female characters in 19th century Edo kabuki through a comparative analysis of two plays by Tsuruya Nanboku IV (1755-1829): Sakurahime Azuma Bunshō and Tōkaidō Yotsuya Kaidan. Initially motivated by the question of whether social changes of the era could be traced through kabuki's female figures, the research narrows its focus to investigate how differing portrayals of women may explain the varying popularity of these plays. By situating the plays within the socio-cultural context of late Edo Japan and examining the influence of the kaidan genre, the study argues that Nanboku's character Princess Sakura served as a precursor to the more radical and enduring figure of Oiwa. The analysis suggests that Nanboku's evolving experimentation with female archetypes reflects both audience expectations and a broader cultural shift, culminating in Oiwa's uniquely personal and destructive revenge—a major factor in the lasting impact of Yotsuya Kaidan.