Sewamono

Sewamono (世話物) is a genre of Japanese theatrical drama—especially in bunraku (puppet theater) and kabuki—that focuses on contemporary, everyday life rather than historical or legendary subjects. Originating in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, sewamono dramatizes the problems and relationships of commoners: merchants, artisans, servants, and courtesans. Its plots often center on domestic conflicts, economic pressure, social obligation, and romantic entanglements, with moral dilemmas and emotional realism as central concerns.

A prominent subgenre of sewamono is the shinjūmono, or love-suicide play, in which ill-fated lovers choose death to escape social constraints; Chikamatsu Monzaemon’s The Love Suicides at Sonezaki and The Love Suicides at Amijima are canonical examples. Sewamono contrasts with jidaimono (historical plays) by using present-day settings, everyday costumes, and naturalistic dialogue and behavior rather than idealized heroes and stylized action.

Onstage, sewamono emphasizes realistic sets and situations, restrained movement, and a focus on speech and psychological depth; in bunraku this is expressed through the combination of narrative chanting and puppet manipulation, and in kabuki through acting and music tailored to domestic scenes. The genre influenced later developments in modern Japanese drama and literature and remains important for its insights into Edo-period urban society and popular culture.