【Title】
['The Hamamatsuya Textile Shop' and 'The Gathering along the Inase River Bank' from 'The Five Thieves']
*With secondary audio in English

【Cast】
Benten Kozō Kikunosuke, a thief・・・Onoe Kikugorō
Nangō Rikimaru, a thief・・・Nakamura Kichiemon
Tadanobu Rihei, a thief・・・Ichikawa Sadanji
Sōnosuke, son of the Hamamatsuya owner・・・Onoe Kikunosuke
Seiji, the chief of a fire brigade・・・Ichikawa Danzō
Kōbē, owner of the Hamamatsuya・・・Nakamura Tōzō
Akaboshi Jūzaburō, a thief・・・Nakamura Baigyoku
Nippon Daemon, chief of the gang of thieves・・・Matsumoto Hakuō

【Story】
A beautiful woman is suspected of shoplifting and is beaten. When it is proved that she was not stealing, her servant demands compensation. However, a samurai who happens to be present uncovers her ruse and reveals that the woman is actually a man. The former ‘woman’ and her accomplice are, in fact, Benten Kozō and Nangō Rikimaru, two members of the same infamous gang of thieves. Even the samurai who supposedly exposed their plot turns out to be none other than Nippon Daemon, the head of this gang. Finally, the gang is hunted down by officers and when they are surrounded, the five gang members remain defiant, delivering elaborate rhythmic speeches dressed in their finest kimono and accompanied by beautiful music.

January, 2010／Kabukiza Theatre