What are the boundaries of love? How far will one go in an attempt to assuage the pain of a broken heart? In 1721, Chikamatsu Monzaemon wrote and performed a play called, “The Love Suicides at Amijima”; a riveting drama that reveals different aspects of love, duty, power, and betrayal. Though many complications arise, the play demonstrates the most intricate look at love in an era in which customs and culture prevented the union between lovers. This play also make a powerful statement about religion. In Buddhism, the lotus is known for its purity from the flower’s ability to ascend out of dirty and murky waters in the light of day and become entirely clean. This is a sign of being reborn pure and free of any sin from the previous life. “The Love Suicides at Amijima,” was noted to be one of Chikamatsu greatest masterpieces. Chikamatsu is accredited for more than 100 plays most of which were written as puppet plays also known as joruri plays. He completed his first joruri play in 1683. Between 1695 and the early 1700s, Monzaemon focused mainly on kabuki dramas until 1703 when he reconnected with Gidayu…show more content… The paper merchant and father of two is in love with Koharu, an alluring courtesan. This is a forbidden love, not only because he is married, but also because she is a prostitute. Unsure of the two opposing worlds of private desires and duty, he is compelled to repudiate his home and family when his desires excel past fantasy. Despite being torn, he still tries to keep his duty to Osan by telling her father, “I promise that even if I become a beggar or an outcast and must sustain life with the scraps that fall from other people chopsticks, I will hold Osan in high honor and protect her from every harsh and bitter experience” (Chikamatsu pg356). His words were impetuous, burning like fire in a forest, burning without a cause, unlike the love burning for Koharu. Unable to differentiate between lust and love, Jehei loses