Kirare Yosa: The Legend of Japan’s Scarred Kabuki Hero
Japan’s folklore is dense with spirits, vengeful ghosts, and warriors, but some of its most haunting figures come not from the grave, but from the stage. Among the most iconic is “Kirare Yosa,” or Yosaburo the Scarred. While not a ghost in the spectral sense of a yurei, Yosaburo is a figure who returned from the brink of death, haunting the streets of Edo as a scarred, tragic anti-hero. His story is a masterpiece of the Kabuki theater, blending romance, brutality, and the melancholic beauty of the outlaw life.
The Origins of the Scarred Outlaw
The tale of Kirare Yosa originates from the famous Kabuki play titled Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi (The Story of Yosaburo and Otomi), which first premiered in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) in 1853. It was written by the playwright Segawa Joko III.
Unlike the ancient myths found in Japan’s oldest chronicles, this story belongs to the genre of Kizewamono—”rough domestic plays” that depicted the gritty, realistic lives of the lower classes, gangsters, and merchants during the late Edo period. The character of Yosaburo was reportedly based on a real-life incident involving a handsome young man and a scandalous affair, which Segawa Joko III dramatized into a theatrical sensation. The play captured the public’s imagination because it focused on the transience of beauty and the cruelty of fate, themes deeply resonant in Japanese culture.
The Legend of Yosaburo and Otomi
The legend centers on Yosaburo, the spoiled, incredibly handsome son of a wealthy merchant. During a visit to the coastal town of Kisarazu, he locks eyes with Otomi, a breathtaking beauty. The attraction is instant and magnetic. However, Otomi is the mistress of a powerful and ruthless local boss named Genzaemon.
The Tragedy at Kisarazu
Driven by youthful passion, Yosaburo and Otomi engage in a forbidden affair. When they are inevitably discovered, the punishment is swift and gruesome. Genzaemon’s men capture Yosaburo and slash him all over his body—cutting his face, arms, and chest—destroying the beauty he was known for. This creates the moniker “Kirare Yosa” (Cut/Scarred Yosa). Believing him dead, they dump his body.
Otomi, believing her lover has been killed, throws herself into the ocean in despair, though she is miraculously saved.
The Reunion
Three years later, Yosaburo has survived but has fallen from grace. No longer a merchant’s son, he is a rogue and a petty blackmailer, his body covered in the scars of his past. The climax of the legend occurs when he attempts to blackmail a woman in a wealthy household, only to realize the woman is Otomi, who is now living comfortably under the patronage of another man.
The scene known as the Yusuriba (Blackmail Scene) contains one of the most famous monologues in Kabuki history. Yosaburo reveals his scars and his identity with the line, “Iyasa, Otomi…” (Well now, Otomi…), recounting their tragic past and his descent into the underworld.
Modern Culture and Influence
While Kirare Yosa is an Edo-period creation, his influence permeates modern Japanese pop culture. He is the archetype of the “lovable rogue” or the tragic gangster.
Irezumi (Tattoo Art)
Kirare Yosa is a popular motif in traditional Japanese tattooing (Irezumi). The image of a handsome man covered in scars (often depicted alongside cherry blossoms to symbolize fleeting life) represents resilience, a checkered past, and the acceptance of one’s fate.
Cinema and Media
The story has been adapted into numerous films and TV dramas in the 20th century. The aesthetic of the scarred face—once a mark of shame—became a symbol of toughness in Yakuza films of the 1960s and 70s, directly borrowing from the visual language established by the character of Yosaburo.
Traveler’s Tips: Tracing the Legend
For travelers fascinated by Japanese theater and folklore, tracing the steps of Kirare Yosa takes you out of the neon lights of Tokyo and into the history of the Chiba Prefecture.
Kisarazu City
The setting of the tragedy, Kisarazu, embraces the legend. You can visit the Yosaburo-Otomi Stone Monuments located near the port. The city retains a slight nostalgic atmosphere of the Showa and Edo periods in its older districts.
Komyo-ji Temple
Located in Kisarazu, this temple is said to house the grave of the real-life figure who inspired the character of Yosaburo. It is a quiet, solemn place for fans of the play to pay their respects.
Kabuki-za Theatre (Tokyo)
The best way to experience the legend is to check the schedule at the Kabuki-za in Ginza. Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi remains a staple of the repertoire. Watching a master actor deliver the famous “Iyasa, Otomi” speech is a cultural highlight of any trip to Japan.
Sources & Further Reading
To understand the depth of Japanese storytelling, one must look at the evolution from ancient myths to Edo-period drama.
- Kabuki Plays on Stage III: Darkness and Desire (Universities of Hawaii Press): Contains translations and detailed context of the play Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi.
- The Kabuki Handbook: An essential guide for understanding the structure of Sewamono plays.
- Historical Context: While the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki establish the foundational myths of Japan, tales like Kirare Yosa represent the shift toward human-centric, urban literature in the 19th century.