Flower of Water-1, performed at Samuel Beckett Theatre, New York City in 1996 was the first theatrical production written and directed by Yuko Hamada. This production was a three cast member straight play, all by female, set in Edo period, Japan. The story is mainly about Tomoe and Yachiyo, good friends working at a brothel to pay back their families’ debts. Their good relationship takes strange turns with Tomoe’s brothel-departing marriage of convenience, Yachiyo’s love for Tomoe’s fiancé and Yachiyo’s hard-earned money playing an integral part in Tomoe’s marriage. Yachiyo’s prayer at two incense sticks symbolizes the development of the story and the concept of karma.
