 | Takasago |  |
Takasago
SHIN-NO-SHIDAI
Sideman and Sideman's Second enter; they stand facing each other down front.
SHIDAI
on-str
our travel wear
now do we first
our travel wear
day by day it's bound
afar we go!
Sideman faces front
NANORI
off-sp
I here present before you am Tomonari, a priest from the Aso Shrine in Kyushu. As I have not yet seen Miyako, I am starting on up there now; and I mean to take a look at famous spots all along the way.
They face each other again.
AGEUTA
on-str
unfolding long
Miyako Way
unfolding long
Miyako Way's
cut out for us
now waves touch shore
and ship lanes lie
calm the spring breeze how many days
stretch on, ahead,
behind, all's vague
white clouds trail away,
and Takasago shore
is where we are
Takasago shore
is where we are.
TSUKI-ZERIFU
off-sp
Hurrying along that way, we have come to Takasago shore in the land of Harima. Perhaps someone from nearby will be kind enough to show us the sights.
Sideman and Sideman's Second retire to Sideman's spot. Second enters, followed by Doer.
SHIN-NO-ISSEI
They stop at first and third pines, respectively. Doer wears koujijo mask and carries a rake; Second wears the uba mask and carries a broom. They face each other.
ISSEI
off-str
through the High Dune
pine spring breezes
blow till sundown,
Onoe
the Hilltop bell
gently tolls.
Second faces front.
Second
veiled from shore
They face each other.
Doer, Second
ebb and flow.
They come onstage. Second stands at center, Doer at main spot, both facing front.
SASHI
off-str
shall be friend to me?
Takasago's very pine of old
I never knew';
They face each other.
Doer, Second
ages gone,
bank snow on what snows we hoary cranes
roost where lingers
breaking dawn
by spring nights of rime,
work or rest,
it's pining wind alone
the ear takes in,
while the heart's
the friend I choose
to open to.
SAGEUTA
on-str
courting the pines
come shore winds
and fallen needles cloak
now sleeve by sleeve,
come, clear litter
from beneath the tree
come, clear litter
from beneath the tree!
AGEUTA
on-str
the place here,
Takasago, and Hilltop Pine
has grown old,
ripples of age come wrinkling in,
and all around
under the tree
fallen needles
lie deep-piled,
so enduring
does
life thrive,
and how much longer yet?
The Iki Pine,
place of lasting fame
why, there's another
place of lasting fame.
MONDO
off-str*
sp
Just as I'm waiting for someone from the village, an old couple has arrived. Old people, I beg your pardon, but I have a question for you.
Doer
You're talking to us, sir? What is it?
Sideman
Which of these trees is the Takasago Pine?
Doer
Why, the one this old man is clearing around right now, that's the Takasago Pine.
Sideman
The Takasago Pine and the Pine of Suminoe are said to be 'paired,' yet Takasago and Sumiyoshi are a whole province apart. How is it they're called the Paired Pines?
Doer
The preface to the Kokinshū says, 'The pines of Takasago and Suminoe are themselves reputed to be paired.' But this old man is from Sumiyoshi, in yonder land of Tsu. It's the old lady here who hails from Takasago.
He turns to Second.If you know anything about this, do please tell it.
Sideman
s
I see, old people,
that you're together here,
man and wife, yet
far Suminoe and Takasago,
by shore and mountain
a whole land apart,
you say are your homes.
How can this be?
Second
Though ten thousand leagues
of hill and stream
divide them,
for lovers' hearts finely attuned,
the way is never long.
Doer
sp
Just reflect a little.
Doer, Second
s
Suminoe pines,
all insentient,
do still bear
the name of Paired:
how much more we, then,
living humans,
with all the years
we've gladly plied
between here
and Sumiyoshi—
an old couple,
who in the pines'
own company
have until now
lived on, paired in age.
KAKEAI
off-str*
s
with greatest pleasure.
Tell me then:
the Paired Pines
you spoke of now,
do people here
draw from them no moral?
Doer
sp
people said they mark
a happy reign.
Second
sp
Takasago means the ancient times of the
Man'yōshū;
Doer
sp
and Sumiyoshi, His Majesty of Engi, who dwells in this present age.
Second
s
leaves of speech
Doer
sp
now, as then,
Doer, Second
sp
of praise to this reign.
Sideman
I've heard you out,
and how I thank you!
Now in me no doubts
spring sunny days
Doer, Second
light the western sea,
Sideman
Suminoe,
Doer
Takasago here
Sideman
pines gather hue,
Doer presses toward Sideman.
the spring is mild,
Doer faces front, while Second goes to stand before Chorus and Sideman sits at Sideman's spot. At 'rustles,' Doer advances a little and opens; after 'fortune,' he changes mood and goes to mark post, then turns left up to main spot; at 'of our Lord's,' turns to Sideman, then moves to center and sits. Second sits also.
AGEUTA
on-str
the Realm at peace;
a timely breeze
rustles no boughs
in this sovereign reign!
Well met indeed,
the Paired Pines
show good fortune!
No, no praise
is equal to the task,
for such a reign
brings to us, His subjects,
full richness
of our Lord's blessing,
o the precious gift!
of our Lord's blessing,
o the precious gift!
*
off-sp
But do tell me more about the happy meaning of the Takasago Pine.
KURI
off-str
Now, plants and trees, they say, have no heart, yet flower and fruit never miss their time; filled with the power of surging spring, the southern boughs it is that blossom first.
SASHI
off-str
Yet this pine looks ever the same; the flowers and fruit distinguish no time.
Chorus
The four seasons pass, yet deep its millenial hue holds amid the snow; and the pine's very flowers bloom ten times, once in ten lives.
Doer
one pine's boughs
Chorus
of speech aglow
with dewdrop pearls:
these in the heart
seed polished grace,
till all living things
Chorus
they say, draw nigh.
KUSE
on-str
in Chōnō's words,
'Each sound of beings feeling
and non-feeling,
every last one,
is a song.'
Plants, trees, soil, sand,
voice of the wind,
water noises:
even there's a heart
to harbor all.
Springtime woods
moving to east wind,
fall insects crying
in northern dews:
are not both song,
our poetry?
And the pine
stands over all trees,
in lordly guise,
green through a thousand falls,
and shows no hue
of new or old:
a tree worthy of that title,
Marquis,
the First Emperor gave it,
so that in China
and this Realm,
all men accord it praise.
Doer
the High Dunes'
Hilltop bell rings;
Doer stands, still holding his rake, and comes down front.
Chorus
settles freezing rime,'
yet pine boughs'
needles stay
the same deep green.
Morning and night
beneath the tree,
but fallen needles
never fail:
for true it is,
do not all fall,
their hue only
grows and grows
the masaki vine,
sign of an
enduring reign;
and among all evergreens
the Takasago Pine
paired still,
signals blessing.
RONGI
on-str
boughs of this pine,
yes, justly famed,
boughs of this pine
the old tree's past
do tell, and now,
pray, say your names!
Doer, Second
We, the spirits
of the Paired Pines
of Takasago
and Suminoe,
man and wife,
stand before you.
Chorus
So, the renowned
pines show a wonder,
Doer, Second
are without heart,
Chorus
so wise His rule
Doer, Second
that plants and trees, both,
Chorus
of our great Lord,
aspire under
His sovereign reign
to dwell on and
to Sumiyoshi now
to wait for you, cry
they beside
a fishing craft
now board,
and sail
before the wind
far, far away
across the sea
far, far away
across the sea.
Doer and Second exit. Now Sideman addresses Sideman's Second, and approximately the following dialogue ensues.
MONDO
off-sp
I've a question to ask. Please see if anyone is nearby.
Side Second
Yes, sir.
Hello! Is anyone around?
The Fool, who some time ago slipped in to sit at Fool's spot, now stands.
Fool
Surely. What can I do for you?
Side Second
Would you mind coming with me? My master has a question he wishes to ask you.
Fool
By all means.
Sideman's second goes before Sideman.
Side Second
Sir, here is someone who will answer your question.
He goes to sit before Chorus. Fool sits at center.
Sideman
The Takasago Pine is famous indeed. But could you tell me about its connection with the Pine of Suminoe?
Fool
Well, I hardly know a thing about it, but I'll tell you what I've heard.
KATARI
off-sp
They say the pines of Takasago and Suminoe stand for the Man'yōshū and the Kokinshū. One story has it that the God of Takasago and the God of Sumiyoshi were man and wife, and that when they called on each other they held divine converse through these pine boughs. That's why the pines are described as Paired. The glory of our own poetry, the vigor of courtship and marriage: for both of these we have the gods' divine power to thank.
He goes on to cite various classic texts in support of his theme.By the way, didn't you meet an old man and an old woman cleaning around the base of the pine here?
I did indeed. They spoke of the Paired Pines and of their fame, then suddenly stepped into a boat and set sail, they said, for Sumiyoshi.
Fool
Then no doubt that old couple were the spirits of the Takasago and Suminoe pines themselves. You really should go on pilgrimage to Sumiyoshi.
Sideman
But I have no boat.
Fool
In that case, please do this little craft, newly built as it is, the honor of being the first to sail it. It will take you safely to Sumiyoshi. See! A following breeze is blowing!
Sideman
Thank you very much indeed.
Fool
At your service.
Fool retires to Fool's spot. He will slip out after the Doer's entrance. Sideman and Sideman's Second now face each other down front.
AGEUTA
on-str
Our light craft
under all sail
our light craft
under all sail
slips out
with the moon
rising, the tide surge swells
waves' salt foam,
Awaji Isle looms
and drops
far thunders Naruo
while skimming on
swiftly to Suminoe borne
we have put in
swiftly to Suminoe borne
we have put in.
DEHA
Sideman and Sideman's Second retire to Sideman's spot. Doer, who is now the God of Sumiyoshi, makes a vigorous entrance and stands facing front at first pine. He wears the kantan-otoko mask.
SASHI
off-str
these long, long years
on Sumiyoshi coast,
the lady-pine—
and she,
what eons has she seen?'
'We're lovers:
did my Lord not know?
Within the Pristine Zone,
has the god endured;
music and mime
now play, night drums
in rhythm beat,
ye of the Shrine!
KAMI-NO-EI
off-str
wave furrows
of Liveoak Plain,
Doer
the god pine,
and it's spring!
ISSEI
off-str
thin down Asaka strand
Chorus
where sleek seaweed
is cut and garnered,
Doer
a pine's stout root,
rub your hips there,
Chorus
fresh green
brims from your hands;
Doer
set it in your hair,
Chorus
sprinkles your cloak.'
KAMI-MAI
At main spot now, Doer begins a vigorous but elegant dance. As text resumes, he withdraws to Doer post.
RONGI
on-str
O precious vision!
Clear shines
at Sumiyoshi
sports the God:
with what new joy
we worship
His own form divine!
Doer is now facing front at main spot. Below, at 'the pine,' he gazes toward pines on bridgeway; then points with fan at his own image reflected in the sea down front; at 'For God,' goes to mark post, then sweeps left up to center; at 'pure,' glances at his own left sleeve, then turns right and up to flute; then strikes full excitement pose, as though sweeping away demons; then moves to center, mimes embracing something, stamps beat; at 'Thousand Autumns,' moves down front, pointing before him with fan, then rolls up the long, hanging length of his sleeves, then turns right and up to main spot; at first 'inspires,' opens toward front; then faces side and stamps final beat.
Doer
dancing maidens' voices ring clear too,
the pine
of Suminoe
mirrored shows in
Blue Sea Waves
is this, surely!
Chorus
straight lies the way,
to Miyako
in springtime go,
Doer
Home to the Palace;
Chorus
endless fair years they bring,
Doer
the pure, festal robes:
Chorus
sweeps demons hence,
an arm drawn in
clasps length of days
and good fortune.
A Thousand Autumns
brings folk ease;
Ten Thousand Years
makes life long,
so long the paired
pining wind's
hushed singing sound
inspires tranquil joy
hushed singing sound
inspires tranquil joy.
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