Chiritotechin
Week 4: "Tiny Carp's Melody" Episode 22
Won't you perform at Isomura-ya's party?
What's wrong?
This is the first time that I've been so forceful
with anybody, and tried telling them what to do.
But after hearing about what happened three years ago...
I'm sorry.
But if you're considering going back on the stage
with the master, I thought you have to be able to
get back up on the stage first.
It's none of your business.
It's not easy, is it?
Meddling in someone else's business and having them get angry at you.
But since I've started this, I'll say what I want to say.
Say what?
Do "Tsujiurajaya."
Are you a fool, or what?
What about the "geza"?
"Geza"?
The musical accompanist.
Don't you remember in "Tsujiurajaya," there
was some singing in between?
Shall I go home without seeing her today?
Wait a minute...
Genta...
The singing in between and putting in sound
effects is called "hamemono" and it's a unique feature
of Kamigata "rakugo."
That "hamemono" is especially important in "Tsujiurajaya."
You can't do it without a "geza.
You can't find a "geza" who will work with the Sojaku group, can you?
Do you understand now?
If you do, then don't tell me to do it as
if it's something so simple, you fool!
Of all things, don't you think it was cruel to ask
him to do "Tsujiurajaya"?
If you had asked him to do something else, he
might have been willing to get up on stage.
No!
I just have a feeling that it has to "Tsujiurajaya."
In that case, why don't you be his "geza"?
I couldn't do that.
Why not? You can play the shamisen, can't you?
I'm terrible at it.
I couldn't even perform at our school festival.
You wanted to change...
Isn't that why you came to Osaka?
I found it.
If you want to help him, you can study this.
You can have this.
Rakugo Encyclopedia
Brother Soso's coming again today, isn't he?
I wish he wouldn't.
It's such a pain.
If they think we're helping the Sojaku group, we could
lose our livelihood, too.
I wouldn't put it past the head of Tengu Entertainment
to do something like that.
The "rakugo" story, "Tsujiurajaya" goes like this...
Tsujiurajaya
A blacksmith named Genta falls in love with a courtesan named Umeno.
He tries to verify if it's true love or not.
I can't go on living.
I was going to jump into the river and die.
Will you die with me?
I'm busy today.
Don't say that.
Why do I have to die with a hopeless guy like that?
I'm going to jump in now.
Umeno!
The poor thing! I had no intention of dying.
Umeno!
It's been a while, Gen-yan.
What are you saying?
After all, we haven't seen each other since we
both left this world.
in this story, the "hamemono" appears quite a bit.
Starting with the scene in the gay quarters...
Then tuning the shamisen, and then "Yukari no Tsuki."
Followed by the "tokiwazu" ballad, "Ebira no Genta."
Then "don't be a burden, penniless merrymaker..."
And so on...
I can't do this.
After all, I got hung up on "chi-ri-to-te-chin."
I can't go on living.
I was thinking of jumping into the river and dying.
Will you die with me?
I was thinking of dying.
Soso!
Soso...?
What is it?
How can that be?
But I just saw a big ripple in the water.
I threw a rock.
It must have been a huge rock!
What do you want?
Nothing.
Then don't call my name.
That girl!
What do you think you're doing?
I learned how to play the shamisen...
So I thought I might be able to help you.
Who asked you to!
I told you I wasn't going to do it!
Do you understand?
Do you?
I'm not good at meddling.
Besides, I'm afraid when people scold me,
so I hate it, but...
You looked so regretful.
When you were watching Ryubi perform "Tsujiurajaya,"
you looked so regretful.
You looked like you wished you were up there yourself.
I know you'll regret it.
If you don't find the courage to do what
you want to do the most, I know you'll regret it.
That's why I...
Do you really think you can be a "geza" by
starting to practice now?
Don't take "rakugo" lightly!
Master?
Was that "Yukari no Tsuki"?
Play it.
Master...!
Go ahead and play it.
You're really terrible.
At this rate, I don't know how many years it'll take
before you can do "Tsujiurajaya."
But you might be able to manage if you improvise.
Master!
Soso...?
I have no intention of going back to the stage again.
But that's not how you feel, is it?
You want to go back on stage so badly that you can't bear it, can you?
Look at how desperately Kii-ko, the fool is trying...
You might come up with something interesting.
Really? You'll do it?
I appreciate it.
Not having the budget to go on a trip for rest
and relaxation was just an excuse...
Kumagoro told me later that Isomura-ya just wanted
to give Soso a chance to get back up on the stage again.
Master...
What have I done?
That girl will never be able to be your
"geza" for "Tsujiurajaya."
But, Master...!
Never mind... Just let her play the shamisen,
and you can come up with something to say along
with her playing... Then get off the stage.
No one knows that complicated story.
But...
Soso...?
"Rakugo" isn't as great as you think it is.
In any case, we started practicing to go on stage.
You expect me to follow that?
I'm sorry!
What did I get myself into?