Who Is Jiro Kaja (Jirō Kaja)?
Taro Kaja's partner in mischief, a fellow servant
Jiro Kaja is the servant role who appears as Taro Kaja's partner in kyogen, Japan's traditional comic theater. As his name suggests, he ranks just below Taro Kaja among the retainers, and in many stories the two make mischief or fail together. Their back-and-forth is one of the great comic highlights of kyogen.
In Episode 2, Busu, he fights Taro Kaja for the sugar as they eat it, and joins in the excuse they act out to fool their master. In Episode 3, Bo-shibari, he first helps the master tie up Taro Kaja, only to have his own hands tied behind his back. Even so, he ends up teaming with Taro Kaja, and the two help each other drink the sake. The comedy of this character lies in how he wavers between his master's orders and his own desires.
Episodes featuring this character3
NEWEpisode 1
Told to Buy a Fan. He Bought an Umbrella.Suehirogari (The Fan)
Taro Kaja is sent to the capital to buy a "suehirogari," without knowing it means a folding fan. A smooth-talking swindler sells him a battered old umbrella for a fortune, and the Daimyo explodes. Thrown out of the house, Taro Kaja makes one last move with the song the swindler taught him.
19 pages
NEWEpisode 2
Even Its Breeze Kills. So We Peeked.Busu (The Poison Jar)
Before heading out, the Daimyo leaves behind a tub of "busu," a poison so deadly that even the breeze off it will kill you. Left to watch the house, Taro Kaja and Jiro Kaja are terrified, but they can't stop wondering what's inside. Once they find out, they turn their master's lie right back on him. It's one of Japan's best-loved kyogen comedies, a favorite in school textbooks.
19 pages
NEWEpisode 3
Can't Reach My CupBut I Can Reach Yours — Bō Shibari (Tied to a Pole)
Every time the Daimyo leaves home, his sake mysteriously goes down. So before heading out, he ties Taro Kaja's arms to a pole and Jiro Kaja's hands behind his back. Neither can lift a cup to his own mouth, but each can reach the other's. This kyogen play about two servants teaming up is 600 years old.
19 pages