University of Virginia Library

CHORIO

By Nobumitsu (who died in the 13th year of
Yeisho, a.d. 1516)

Characters

The Scene is in China

First Shite,

• an old man.

Second Shite, Kosekko.

Waki, Chorio.

PART I

Waki

I am Chorio,[1] a subject of Koso of Kan,
though I am busy in service I had a strange
dream that there was in Kahi an earthen
bridge, and that as I leaned on the bridge-rail
there came an old man on horseback. And
he dropped one of his shoes and bade me pick

up the shoe. I thought this uncivil, yet he
seemed so uncommon a figure and so gone
on in old age that I went and picked up the
shoe. "You've a true heart," he said, "come
back here in five days' time, and I will teach
you all there is to know about fighting."

He said that, and then I woke up, and now
it's five days since the dream, and I am on my
way to Kahi.

Dawn begins to show in the sky. I am
afraid I may be too late. The mountain is
already lit, and I am just reaching the bridge.

Shite

Chorio, you are late, you have not kept your
promise. I came quite early, and now it is
much too late. Hear the bell there.

Chorus

Too late now. Come again. Come in
five days' time if you carry a true heart within
you. And I shall be here, and will teach you
the true craft of fighting. Keep the hour,
and keep true to your promise. How angry
the old man seemed. How suddenly he is
gone. Chorio, see that you come here in
time.

Chorio

He is angry. I am sorry. Why do I follow
a man wholly a stranger? Foolish. Yet, if he
would teach me his secrets of strategy. . . .

Chorus

I think that he will come back. He does
not like wasting his time. Still, he will come
back again. See, he has gone away happy.

PART II

Chorio

Chorus

Old Man

I am the old man, Kosekko. Since Chorio
is loyal in service, no fool, ready at learning . . .

Chorus

Since he cares so much for the people . . .

Kosekko

His heart has been seen in high heaven.

Chorus

The Boddisatwa are ready to bless him.

Kosekko

I will teach him the secrets of battle.

Chorus

He says he will teach Chorio to conquer
the enemy, and to rule well over the people.
He urges his horse, and seeing this from far
off, seeing the old man so changed in aspect,
with eye gleaming out and with such dignity
in his bearing, Chorio has knelt down on the
bridge awaiting Kosekko.

Kosekko

Chorio, you are come in good time. Come
nearer and listen.

Chorio

Chorio then stood up and smoothed out
his hat and his robe.

Kosekko

I know quite well he is wise, but still I will
try him.

Chorus

Kosekko kicked off his shoe so it fell in
the river. Then Chorio leapt in for the shoe,
but the river flowed between rocks; it was
full of currents and arrow-like rapids. He
went diving and floating and still not reaching
the shoe.[2]

See how the waves draw back. A thick
mist covers the place, a dragon moves in
darkness, ramping among the waves, lolling
its fiery tongue. It is fighting with Chorio;
see, it has seized on the shoe.

Chorio

Chorio drew his sword calmly.

Chorus

He struck a great blow at the dragon;
there was terrible light on his sword. See, the
dragon draws back and leaves Chorio with

the shoe. Then Chorio sheathed his sword
and brought up the shoe to Kosekko, and
buckled it fast to his foot.

Kosekko

And Kosekko got down from his horse.

Chorus

He alighted, saying, "Well done. Well
done." And he gave a scroll of writing to
Chorio, containing all the secret traditions of
warfare. And Kosekko said, "That dragon
was Kwannon. She came here to try your
heart, and she must be your goddess hereafter."

Then the dragon went up to the clouds,
and Kosekko drew back to the highest peak,
and set his light in the sky; was changed to
the yellow stone.