 | The Well Cradle (Izutsu: a woman play) |  |
A well cradle, that is to say, the railing surrounding the mouth of a well, stands down
front; to it are fastened a few plumed stalks of pampas grass.
He sits. At 'comfort,' he joins his palms over the rosary he carries, in a gesture of reverence.
He retires to Sideman's spot.
She stands and returns to main spot.
Doer
Sideman
s
Doer
sp
Sideman
Doer
Sideman
Doer
Sideman
Doer presses toward Sideman, then faces front again.
Doer
Doer moves before drums, then sits at center facing front.
Chorus
Doer
Chorus
Doer
Chorus
Doer
Chorus
Doer
Chorus
Doer
Chorus
Doer
turning to Sideman
Chorus
Doer stands, goes to main spot.
Doer opens, then exits.
turning to Sideman
Chorus
Chorus
onori
She now advances a little, then turns left up to drums and faces front.
She advances a little toward well cradle, stands with open fan held vertical; at 'grown old,' opens, then moves to mark post, points to headdress with fan; then sweeps left up to drums, comes down beside well cradle, parts pampas grasses and peers within.
Doer
Chorus
Doer
Chorus
Step by step she backs away from the well, hiding tears.
Chorus
Having opened toward front, she now turns to side and stamps final beat.
NANORI-BUE
Sideman enters and stands at main spot facing front. NANORI
off-sp
I'm a brother who's taking a look at all lands. These few days past I've been in the Southern Capital. Now, though, I mean to visit Hatsuse. When I inquired about the temple before me here, I was told it's called Ariwara Temple. So I think I'll go up to it and have a look.
SASHI
off-w
I do believe this Ariwara Temple must be at Isonokami, where in the old
days Narihira and Ki no Aritsune's daughter lived their
wedded life. And surely the verse, 'Let winds blow,
and offshore white waves
mount Tatsuta. . .' refers to what happened here.
days Narihira and Ki no Aritsune's daughter lived their
wedded life. And surely the verse, 'Let winds blow,
and offshore white waves
mount Tatsuta. . .' refers to what happened here.
He sits. At 'comfort,' he joins his palms over the rosary he carries, in a gesture of reverence.
UTA
on-w
Now I've reached
this storied spot
where Narihara
and his chosen love,
Ki no Aritsune's
daughter tarried
so short a while
I'll comfort
those lovers two
I'll comfort
those lovers two.
this storied spot
where Narihara
and his chosen love,
Ki no Aritsune's
daughter tarried
so short a while
I'll comfort
those lovers two
I'll comfort
those lovers two.
He retires to Sideman's spot.
SHIDAI
Doer enters, carrying a rosary and a leafy twig, and wearing the wakaonna mask. She stops at main spot, facing upstage. After 'heart and moon,' she faces front. SHIDAI
on-w
Morn by morn blessed
holy water
morn by morn blessed
holy water
shall clear
both heart and moon!
holy water
morn by morn blessed
holy water
shall clear
both heart and moon!
66
SASHI
off-w
And all the while,
these forsaken
autumn nights,
seldom comes
another's face,
the old temple's
pining wind
blows through the small hours,
moon drops low
past low eaves' grasses;
long forgot,
the past, abashed,
I recall,
oh, how long
with all hope gone
must I live on?
For in this world
all things linger
in memory of him.
these forsaken
autumn nights,
seldom comes
another's face,
the old temple's
pining wind
blows through the small hours,
moon drops low
past low eaves' grasses;
long forgot,
the past, abashed,
I recall,
oh, how long
with all hope gone
must I live on?
For in this world
all things linger
in memory of him.
SAGEUTA
on-w
But ceaselessly,
with single mind
I trust the Buddha's
offered cord;
guide me, I beg,
voice of the Dharma!
with single mind
I trust the Buddha's
offered cord;
guide me, I beg,
voice of the Dharma!
AGEUTA
on-w
'Delusion itself
shall I illumine,'
such is his vow
'shall I illumine,'
such is his vow,
and he truly will,
for dawns do move
toward the western hills
while all around
is autumn sky;
the song of pines
alone is heard
while gale winds blow
all ways changing
life goes on
and lived in dream—
She advances two steps, kneels, lays her twig down as an offering, then joins palms
over rosary and bows. shall I illumine,'
such is his vow
'shall I illumine,'
such is his vow,
and he truly will,
for dawns do move
toward the western hills
while all around
is autumn sky;
the song of pines
alone is heard
while gale winds blow
all ways changing
life goes on
and lived in dream—
at what sound then
shall we waken
at what sound then
shall we waken?
shall we waken
at what sound then
shall we waken?
She stands and returns to main spot.
MONDO
off-w*
sp
Just as I'm resting and clearing my heart at the temple here, a very lovely lady
draws water from the well in the yard and gives it as an offering. It seems she's bringing
comfort to this grave mound. Who are you, pray?
67
I live nearby. Ariwara no Narihira, whose vow founded this temple, left to the world his name; and the mark of his shade, they say, lies under this mound. I myself know little about him, but I do look after him so, by offering flowers and water.
Sideman
s
Narihira is indeed one who left his name to the world. And yet,
now removed
from the far time
of the age-old tale
here shadowed,
you, a woman,
look after him so. . .
With that Ariwara no Narihira then
you surely have some link.
now removed
from the far time
of the age-old tale
here shadowed,
you, a woman,
look after him so. . .
With that Ariwara no Narihira then
you surely have some link.
Doer
sp
Have I a link?
you are pleased to ask.
Even then Narihira
was dubbed
a Man of Old;
and now,
far removed in time,
one hardly could have with him
link or tie.
you are pleased to ask.
Even then Narihira
was dubbed
a Man of Old;
and now,
far removed in time,
one hardly could have with him
link or tie.
Sideman
s
What you say is convincing enough, yet here from the past is an ancient relic,
Doer
the man being far
Narihira's
Narihira's
Sideman
shadow lingers,
yes, for still
yes, for still
Doer
his fame's unwithered;
should that tale
should that tale
Sideman
be told, even now
Doer presses toward Sideman, then faces front again.
Doer
the Man of Old
AGEUTA
on-w
in name alone lasts:
Ariwara Temple,
his trace,
grows old
Ariwara Temple,
his trace, grows old
and the pine grown
from the mound's weeds. . .
His grave it is,
where the departed
left his shade
pampas grasses
rise in full plume—
Doer moves toward well cradle, stares at grasses, then sweeps gaze around. Ariwara Temple,
his trace,
grows old
Ariwara Temple,
his trace, grows old
and the pine grown
from the mound's weeds. . .
His grave it is,
where the departed
left his shade
pampas grasses
rise in full plume—
68
to recall when?
Wild, wild the weeds,
deep, deep the dews
on the old mound fall.
Oh, it's too true!
Out of the past
this shadow
holds my love still
She turns left and back to main spot, faces Sideman. Wild, wild the weeds,
deep, deep the dews
on the old mound fall.
Oh, it's too true!
Out of the past
this shadow
holds my love still
this shadow
holds my love still!
holds my love still!
*
off-sp
Do please tell me more about Narihira.
Doer moves before drums, then sits at center facing front.
KURI
off-w
Ages ago,
Ariwara,
the Middle Captain,
long years here
at Isonokami
was pleased to dwell,
the ancient village
in spring yielding blossoms
and moons in fall.
Ariwara,
the Middle Captain,
long years here
at Isonokami
was pleased to dwell,
the ancient village
in spring yielding blossoms
and moons in fall.
SASHI
off-w
Then courted he
Ki no Aritsune's daughter,
and the lovers' hearts
surely
were not shallow;
Ki no Aritsune's daughter,
and the lovers' hearts
surely
were not shallow;
Chorus
and yet,
in the land of Kawachi,
at Takayasu,
he had a dear one,
so that two roads it was
he stole down.
in the land of Kawachi,
at Takayasu,
he had a dear one,
so that two roads it was
he stole down.
Doer
'Let winds blow
and offshore white waves
mount Tatsuta—
and offshore white waves
mount Tatsuta—
Chorus
it's midnight
my Lord
goes forth alone!'
sang she, anxious
where night might take him,
till that worry
left her heart free,
the other love
fading away.
my Lord
goes forth alone!'
sang she, anxious
where night might take him,
till that worry
left her heart free,
the other love
fading away.
Doer
Yes, delicate
the song bubbled forth;
the song bubbled forth;
Chorus
froth, she told sorrow
quite naturally. Once in
quite naturally. Once in
69
KUSE
on-w
this land
some people lived
door to door,
with at their gates,
a well cradle.
There the children
leaned and chatted,
close friends,
watched each other
water-mirrored,
cheek to cheek,
sleeve on sleeve;
and their hearts' waters
knew no soundings.
Moons and suns
built each on each
till they grew up
and felt shame now
one toward the other.
Then later on
that staunch man
wrote in gemmed tracery
words given hue
by his heart's flower:
some people lived
door to door,
with at their gates,
a well cradle.
There the children
leaned and chatted,
close friends,
watched each other
water-mirrored,
cheek to cheek,
sleeve on sleeve;
and their hearts' waters
knew no soundings.
Moons and suns
built each on each
till they grew up
and felt shame now
one toward the other.
Then later on
that staunch man
wrote in gemmed tracery
words given hue
by his heart's flower:
Doer
'Cradle well cradle
well cradle that told
who was the taller,
well cradle that told
who was the taller,
Chorus
I've grown up, love,
since you saw me last,'
and sent them to her.
Then the lady:
'The girlish hair
I'd hold to yours
is past my shoulders;
if not you,
who'll do it up for me?'
So she answered,
and this perhaps
is why we hear
of the Well Cradle Lady,
an old name
for Ki no Aritsune's daughter.
since you saw me last,'
and sent them to her.
Then the lady:
'The girlish hair
I'd hold to yours
is past my shoulders;
if not you,
who'll do it up for me?'
So she answered,
and this perhaps
is why we hear
of the Well Cradle Lady,
an old name
for Ki no Aritsune's daughter.
RONGI
on-w
Yes indeed,
an old tale
it is you tell,
but your strangeness
strikes me greatly.
Pray, say your name!
an old tale
it is you tell,
but your strangeness
strikes me greatly.
Pray, say your name!
Doer
If in truth I be,
love-wrapped so,
Ki no Aritsune's daughter
I little
no white waves
Mount Tatsuta
for lost in night
I come to you.
love-wrapped so,
Ki no Aritsune's daughter
I little
no white waves
Mount Tatsuta
for lost in night
I come to you.
Chorus
Amazing!
Then Mount Tatsuta
aglow with red
Then Mount Tatsuta
aglow with red
Doer
leaves
Ki no Aritsune's daughter,
Ki no Aritsune's daughter,
Chorus
Well Cradle Lady,
Doer
turning to Sideman
disclosed,
oh shame, as I!
oh shame, as I!
Chorus
cries she;
70
when we vowed
love's long-coiled strand
should bind us always,
nineteen years
was I from the cradle
well cradle
well cradle, there
she's hidden and gone
in the well cradle
she's hidden and gone.
love's long-coiled strand
should bind us always,
nineteen years
was I from the cradle
well cradle
well cradle, there
she's hidden and gone
in the well cradle
she's hidden and gone.
Doer opens, then exits.
MONDO KATARI
The Fool, who for some time past has been sitting at Fool's spot, comes out to main spot. After introducing himself as a visitor to Ariwara Temple, he sees Sideman and moves to center. There, in response to Sideman's questions, he tells the story of Narihira and Ki no Aritsune's daughter, adding only that when the girl made the 'Let winds blow' poem, Narihira was actually hiding in the bushes nearby. He then suggests that the lady just now was the phantom of Ki no Aritsune's daughter herself, and urges Sideman to comfort her. Finally, he retires to Fool's spot and slips out after Doer's entrance. AGEUTA
on-w
Deeper yet!
o'er Ariwara Temple
the night moon
o'er Ariwara Temple
the night moon
drawing the past back
turn I turmy sleeves
and, open to dreams,
briefly pillowed,
lie me down
on a bed of moss
lie me down
on a bed of moss.
o'er Ariwara Temple
the night moon
o'er Ariwara Temple
the night moon
drawing the past back
turn I turmy sleeves
and, open to dreams,
briefly pillowed,
lie me down
on a bed of moss
lie me down
on a bed of moss.
ISSEI
Doer enters and stops at main spot, facing front. Her mask has not changed, but she wears the cloak and headdress Narihira gave her as keepsakes. SASHI
off-w
turning to Sideman
'Fickle's the name
you've made yourself,
cherry blossom;
a man too I've longed for,
the year round rare.
Here too the singer
is I, wherefore
I'm dubbed as well
the Pining Lady.
Since the old days of
cradle well cradle
turning front again you've made yourself,
cherry blossom;
a man too I've longed for,
the year round rare.
Here too the singer
is I, wherefore
I'm dubbed as well
the Pining Lady.
Since the old days of
cradle well cradle
years have flown by
till now that world's
lost Narihira's
keepsake cloak
I don—
till now that world's
lost Narihira's
keepsake cloak
I don—
71
ISSEI
off-w
Oh shame!
to dance
the Man of Old,
to dance
the Man of Old,
Chorus
blossom sleeves swirling snow. . .
JO-NO MAI
Doer withdraws a moment to Doer post, then dances a very quiet jo-no-mai dance. The dance over, she stops at main spot and strikes fan high pose. At 'temple well,' she does a Left-right. WAKA
w
Once come hither,
back I bring
the old days of Ariwara
back I bring
the old days of Ariwara
Chorus
onori
Temple well
roundly clear
brilliant the moon shines
brilliant the moon shines.
roundly clear
brilliant the moon shines
brilliant the moon shines.
She now advances a little, then turns left up to drums and faces front.
*
off-w
'Not the moon, no,
nor the spring of old. . .'
sang he—when, I wonder?
nor the spring of old. . .'
sang he—when, I wonder?
NORIJI
onori-w
'Cradle well cradle
well cradle that told
well cradle that told
She advances a little toward well cradle, stands with open fan held vertical; at 'grown old,' opens, then moves to mark post, points to headdress with fan; then sweeps left up to drums, comes down beside well cradle, parts pampas grasses and peers within.
Doer
who was the taller,
Chorus
I've grown up, love. . .'
Doer
I've grown old, yes!
Chorus
Yet he who courted me,
the Man of Old's
headdress, his cloak,
hide the woman,
show me a man!
Narihira's face
the Man of Old's
headdress, his cloak,
hide the woman,
show me a man!
Narihira's face
72
UTA
on-w
I see;
how I miss him!
how I miss him!
Step by step she backs away from the well, hiding tears.
Chorus
Oh, in spite of me,
I miss him!
Dead lover
in phantom form,
a flower withered,
She sits dejectedly before drums, then almost immediately stands again; she listens to
bell, stamps beat. I miss him!
Dead lover
in phantom form,
a flower withered,
all hue gone
but fragrant
yet Ariwara
Temple bell
gently, gently
tolls in dawn;
Pointing her folded fan in front of her, she comes down to edge of stage near Sideman's
spot, then returns to main spot, stamps beat. but fragrant
yet Ariwara
Temple bell
gently, gently
tolls in dawn;
ah, pining wind
at the old shrine!
a plantain leaf
dream breaks
to waking
dream breaks
into dawn.
at the old shrine!
a plantain leaf
dream breaks
to waking
dream breaks
into dawn.
Having opened toward front, she now turns to side and stamps final beat.
| The Well Cradle (Izutsu: a woman play) | |