The Feather Mantle (Hagoromo: a woman play)

THE FEATHER MANTLE (Hagoromo: a woman play)

ISSEI

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ISSEI

A small pine stands down front. Caught in its branches is a length of cloth that represents the mantle. Sideman and two Sideman's Seconds enter, carrying fishing poles; they stand down front, to one side of the pine. When all three sing together, they are face to face; when Sideman speaks alone, he faces front.

ISSEI

Sideman and Side Second

Swift winds blow
by Mio
down the curving shore
small craft row
and fishermen
call o'er the sea lanes!

NANORI

Sideman

I'm a fisherman known on the pine barrens of Mio as Hakuryō.

SASHI

Sideman and Side Second

Boundless leagues of lovely hills, and clouds suddenly rise; one lone tower's bright moon marks first the rain's clearing.' Yes, a time it is
of mild calm!
Spring again has touched
pine barrens
wave on lingering wave
the morning mists,
moon loitering in sky meadows
endless
the gaze roves on:
a scene to quiet,
to absorb the heart!

SAGEUTA

I'll not forget
how mountain trails
we took to Clearview Cove,
and spied afar
Mio's pine barrens:
come now, friends,
there's where we'll go
come now, friends,
there's where we'll go!

AGEUTA

Wind-billowed,
the clouds float high
waves then to you
the clouds float high
waves then to you
are they, men,
no fishing done,
will you hurry home?
Wait! It's spring a while,
and mild blows the morning breeze,
yes, the pines' song everlasting,
waves are silent
in the morning calm
and fishermen crowd forth
in teeming craft
fishermen crowd forth
in teeming craft!

Sideman's Seconds sit slightly upstage of Sideman's spot. Sideman lays down his pole at stagehand stop, takes fan in hand, and comes out to main spot.

Sideman

I've just come up to the pine barrens of Mio, and I'm gazing at the view of the shore, when from the void blossoms fall, music resounds, and wondrous fragrances pervade all space. This can hardly be common. And in fact I see here, hung on this pine tree, a beautiful mantle. A closer look now: color and scent are marvelous indeed. This is no ordinary mantle. I'll take it home with me to show my friends, and to keep as an heirloom in my house.

Carrying the mantle in both hands, he starts toward Sideman's spot. But Doer calls to him as she comes through curtain, and starts down bridgeway. She wears the zō-onna mask and an angel's glittering crown.

MONDO

Doer

I'm sorry, but that mantle's mine! Why have you taken it?

Sideman is now at Sideman's spot.)
Sideman

I just happen to have run across it, so I'm taking it home with me.

Doer

But it's an angel's feather mantle! It isn't supposed to be given to a human being! Do please leave it where it was!

Sideman

As I understand it, then, this is an angel's mantle. Why, in that case, it's obviously a wonder in these latter days, and I ought to have it as a treasure for the whole land! I'm not going to give it back.

Doer

Oh no! Without the feather mantle, flying is over for me; I'll never be able to return to Heaven! Please, please give it back!

Sideman

Hakuryō
will not heed
this gracious plea,
but grows stubborn:
heartless I've always been,
I, a fisherman.
The celestial
feather mantle
he hides from her.

He turns front, away from Doer, who is by now at main spot.

No indeed, says he,
and turns to go.

Doer

In her plight now
the angel,
like a wingless bird,

Sideman

moving to rise,
has no mantle;

Doer

on earth, is caught
in the nether world.

Sideman

Either way, alas! . . .
she laments,

Doer

but as Hakuryō
will keep the mantle,

Sideman

helpless,

Doer

hopeless

AGEUTA

Chorus

tears run,
shining jewel headdress,
flowers in her hair
droop and wilt:
the five signs
of an angel's fall
are here
before my very eyes—
oh pitiful!

She gazes up to her right into the sky.

SHIMO-NO-EI

Doer

To the fields of Heaven
backward I gaze,
but mists rise,
cloudways blur,
the path is lost!'

SAGEUTA

Chorus

My home so dear,
the sky, oh when
shall I pass yonder move
the clouds
and enviously
I look on!

AGEUTA

The kalavinka's
voice I loved
the kalavinka's
voice I loved
to hear, now fades
and wild geese cry
down the skyways,
going home—
and oh, this

longing!
Plovers, gulls,
with waves offshore come and go
breezes of spring
blowing through the sky, they too
quicken yearning
blowing through the sky, they too
quicken yearning!

She gazes up at sky, and weeps.

MONDO

Sideman

I can see now you're suffering terribly. I'll give you back your mantle.

Doer

Oh, I'm so happy! Then do bring it to me!

She presses toward Sideman.
Sideman

A moment, though.

He retreats an equal distance.

I'll return your mantle if you'll be kind enough to do right here and now the angel dance I've heard tell of.

Doer

I'm so happy! Yes, I will get home to Heaven! And for joy I'll indeed dance, right here and now. You shall pass my dance on to the downcast folk of your world. But I can't do anything without my mantle. Please give it back to me first.

Sideman

Oh no, if I return your mantle you won't dance, you'll head straight up to Heaven.

Doer

No, suspicion's for the human realm; in Heaven there's no falsehood.

Sideman

I'm so ashamed! Why then, says he, by all means; and gives her back the mantle.

Side gives mantle to Doer, then goes to sit at Sideman's spot.

MONO-GI-ASHIRAI

Doer withdraws to stagehand spot, where she puts on the mantle. She then comes out to main spot.

KAKEAI

Doer

The maiden,
in mantle clothed,
does Rainbow Skirts and Cloak of Wings;

Sideman

the celestial
feather mantle
moves to the winds,

Doer

moist with rain
the blossom sleeves,

Sideman

as music plays

Doer

and she dances on!

SHIDAI

Chorus

The Suruga Dance
from East Country Pleasures
the Suruga Dance
from East Country Pleasures:
Sparely, this
is how it began!

KURI

Now, to speak of
the long-faring sky:
ages past, in the Twin Gods' time,
when they laid out the world
in each one
of its ten directions,
the sky had no end,
and that it why
they dubbed it
long-faring.

SASHI

Doer

As for the Palace
of the Moon,
with glittering ax
hewn for all eternity:

Chorus

robed in white or black
the angel throng
made two bands,
each of thrice five,
and all moon long,
night by night,
a celestial maid
with task assigned
carries out her role.

Doer

Of these I am one:
celestial maiden

Chorus

of the moon
laurel tree,
I've split in two,
to visit
and myself pass on
to your world here
the Suruga Dance
of the East Country!

KUSE

Mists of spring
trail on long-faring
moon laurel flowers bloom!
Yes, crown of blossoms
in full hue
surely means spring!
Oh lovely!
Though no Heaven,
here too we've sweet grace.
Winds of the skies,

blow shut the clouds'
passageways!
The maiden lingers,
pine barrens'
spring hues to see
on Mio Cape,
and the moon so
Clearview Cove,
snows of Fuji—
which excels?
Peerless this spring dawn,
the waves,
the pining wind
so mild,
the tranquil shore!
Sky and earth, why, what parts them?
Zoned with light
are Inner Shrine and Outer,
whose gods' offspring
rule here still;
the very moon's
spotlessly clear
our sunrise land, Japan!

Doer

In this our Sovereign's reign
celestial
feather mantles
seldom descend:

Chorus

caressed, the rock
yet wears not away,
oh happy news!
Songs of the East:
with voices join
in sweet concert
drone-pipes, flutes,
harps and zitherns
swelling out past the Lone Cloud;
red sinks the sun,
so mirroring Mount Sumeru;
green in the waves
Float Isle Moor
gale-swept,
where blossoms fall,
yes, whirling snow
the white cloud sleeves
are lovely indeed!

Pausing in her dance movements, Doer sits at main spot and joins palms in reverence.

Doer

Hail to thee, Seishi, oh thou True Ground of the Moon, daughter of Heaven!

Chorus

A dance, then,
from the East Country Pleasures.

JO-NO-MAI

Doer rises and, between these two passages of text, dances a jo-no-mai dance. She goes on dancing, however, as text resumes.

NORIJI

Doer

Now, the mantle blue
that's Heaven's lofty sky,

Chorus

now, the mantling mist
that rises in spring,

Doer

hue and fragrance
both delight!
The maiden's train

Chorus

sweeps and sways,
all rustling,
flowers nod in her hair;
celestial
feather sleeves
billow, coil and turn,
the dancing sleeves!

HA-NO-MAI

Between these two passages, she dances a ha-no-mai dance. Again, she continues dancing as text resumes.

NORIJI

As on and on
the dances go
as on and on
the dances go,
she who's named moon
palace lady
high in the dark sky
this thrice fifth night
becomes again
face of True Semblance,
the full moon, and rains riches:
prayers fulfilled,
the realm replete,
the seven treasures
overflowing,
these on our land bestows;
and so time runs,
the celestial
feather mantle
wind-borne billows
down the shore;
pine barrens of Mio,
Float Isle's clouds,
Mount Ashitaka, yes,
and Fuji's
towering peak
fade out,
mist-veiled
into high Heaven
she is lost from view.

University of Virginia Library

ISSEI