Setsugekko; Hizen, Saga hana, okuniwa ka…

Based on the Kabuki play where Lord Nabeshima Naoshige (1538-1618), the military governor of Hizen Province is seen threatening the mother of Ryuzoji Matahichiro in the inner garden of Saga Castle. Nabeshima Naoshige takes over Saga castle by brutally slaughtering the entire Ryuzoji family, including the pet cat named Tama (shown in the inset) which licks up the blood and assumes supernatural powers. The ghost of Tama then becomes a vengeful spirit, seeking a terrible retribution for the deaths of his owners. Inset: Tama, the Ryuzoji cat, that became a monster to avenge the family’s misfortunes. From the series Setsugekka. ‘Snow, Moon, Flowers’.