Act Two Summary

Outside Yasuchika's mansion two servants swap rumors of their lord's humiliation at the hands of Moronao. Overhearing this, chief retainer Kakogawa Honzo Yukikuni, scolds them for their foolish worrying. Honzo's wife and daughter, Tonase and Konami, appear to bring word from her ladyship; she too is worried about the rumored spat between her husband and Moronao and wonders if Honzo can shed any light on the matter. Honzo is exasperated, arguing that it is the place of a samurai's wife to shield her husband from having to answer socially dangerous questions.

Honzo agrees to speak to her ladyship. Before he goes, he instructs Tonase to receive a messenger from Enya Hangan Takasada. Realizing that the messenger is Obashi Rikiya, her daughter's betrothed, Tonase feigns illness, affording her daughter the opportunity to receive Rikiya in her place. Konami is grateful for her...