Prelude
The time was the 17th century. The place, feudal Japan. There was a form of entertainment
forming. It was a new revolution in Japan, entertainment in the form of "theater." The gaijin
influence is obvious, but the Japanese have reformed it. There was no talking, only music. The
actors performed martial arts to tell a wordless story. Wearing make up and weapons, the actors
were very skilled.
In this new entertainment, there were two different styles and schools. One was more formal
and for the royal class, called Noh. The other was less formal and more for the lower class, called
Kabuki.
The Noh were not just entertainers, but protectors of the Shogun. The Kabuki were also
protectors, but protectors of the people. Vigilantes who stood for justice.
In the year 1750, an evil shogun came into power, and wanted to get rid of the vigilantes. He
sent out ninjas and spies and, through them, found out the identities of the Kabukis. Being bitter
enemies, the Noh went out and fought the Kabuki. Many Kabuki were killed. The school was
destroyed and their homes burned. The Noh established a new school, a Kabuki school to be
controlled by the Noh.
Those Kabuki soheis who survived became monks and practiced their art in secret. For two
centuries the Kabuki became legends with their exploits and adventures with the Noh not even aware.
Which brings us to the present day . . .
Toshiro Obata is the Kabuki Fighter, a feared vigilante. After the death of his love at the
hands of a professional assasin, he has come back to Japan to search for his roots, and to search his
soul. He has come back to the rolling hills of Kyoto, to the new temple of the original Kabuki soheis.
The war between the Kabuki and the Noh rages on . . .