S H O C H I K U
Kabuki P lay
" N A W A - N A G A T O S H I "
Wr i t t e n by Rohan Koda.
To be presented by Kosh iro, K i chiemon and Ennosuke Joint Troupe
at the Tokyo Theater, from Oct . _ __
to Oct. 1947:
NAWA NAGATOSHI
Synopsis:
" Nawa Nagat o sh i" i s a play based upon one o f the masterpieces w r i t t e n by Rohan Koda, one o f the world-
famous men o f l e t t e r s i n the Japanese l i t e r a r y world, who died l a s t July. This p la y deals with Nawa
Nagatoshi and his fa m ily sa vin g Emperor Godaigo who had escaped from the Ci t y f o r f e a r that he might f a l l a v i c t i m to the clutches o f his wicked r e t a i n e r s . Diagonally opposed to what i s ca lle d "Bushido"
(Japanese C h i v a l r y ) , the s p i r i t expressed in t h i s play i s that o f righteousness by which Nagatoshi
saved the Emperor from the troub le.
Koshiro Matsumoto, one o f the famous actors Japan has ever produced has long e njoyed his p o p u la rity i n the t h e a t r i c a l world owing to his good character and benevolence. I f he could be g i v e n an opportunity o f performance f o r the repose o f the soul o f the l a t e Mr. Rohan Koda, o l d as he i s , he would take the r ol e
of Nawa Nag at os h i to his h e a r t 's content. With the assistance o f the other top-notch ac to rs , there i s no room f o r doubt that t h i s p la y, one o f the best Kabuki plays, would be presented s a t i s f a c t o r i l y .
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S C E N E S :
(1) Scene o f Osaka P o r t , Hok i p ro v in c e . (2) Scene o f Nawa’ s Mansion.
(3) Again Scene o f Osaka P o r t , Hok i Province.
DRAMATIS PERSONAL :
N a ri ta Kosaburo Kyudo Gyoshinsa i ;
Lor d Tadaaki, Major-general Rokujo; Helmsman;
Boatmen;
Boss o f Fishermen; Young man;
---F i r s t
Act---Scene of Osaka P o r t , Hoki Province. The Stage i s a f l a t stage a l l over. In f r o n t i s the beach; at a suitable place there are
shapely p in e - t r e e s on the beach in a row; and on the r i g ht there is a rock. Only the prow of a
flat-bottomed ship, somewhat l a r g e r than a f i s h i n g - boat, is seen. A distang view of the Island of
Oki with the edge of a promontory on the l e f t develops. Everything represents the scenery of Osaka P o r t , Hoki Province.
When the curtain r i s e s , i t seems to be e a r l y at dawn ---- the e l e c t r i c l i g h t s are made gloomy. With the sound o f the waves, boatmen's song at
the back of the stage comes within hearing.
Song: "Poor boatmen dreaming o f rowing a boat with oar s awake from t h e i r sleep when i t s s a i l is broken in t h e i r dream."
(During the song, by the mechanism of
a kaleidoscope i t seems to dawn gra dua lly .) 3
4
-Boatmen:
A l l :
Woman 1:
Al l :
"Boatmen's room i s a thousand-mat room ---the sea. They need not pay f o r the moonlight.
Wonde r f u l are boatmen! They eat soup
made o f bean paste and the stars as w e l l . " (Four boatmen go away to the r i g h t . Just then from the r i g h t four women picking seaweeds come out with baskets f o r sea weeds on t h e i r backs and small bamboo
spatulas and knives in t h e i r hand singing in i m it a ti o n o f a vendor in seaweeds from Unshu P ro vin ce.)
(Sing) " I was born at the promontory of Unshu Province. I ’ m a dealer in seaweeds. Okatsu-san, thank you very much. Seaweeds t a s t e good. (Stand at a proper place of the stage.)
We've a l l become good at im ita tin g the voi ce of the de al er in seaweeds, haven’ t we?
(Sing) I was born at the promontory of Unshu Province; I ’ m a dealer in seaweeds.
(They go away speaking very f a s t . F o l l o w ing them, a boss o f fishermen comes out
5
Boss of
Young man
Boss:
Helmsman:
with a young man; they carry an oar or a lar ge net in t h e i r hand and seem to be c o ld .) F
ishermen: Now that the slu ic e i s open, l e t ’ s hurry up.
By the way, Boss, there i s seen a f l a t -bottomed ship moored to such an unsuitable place.
Hm, because o f l a s t n i g h t ' s west wind, a fis h in g - b o a t must have been blown up here; they may have come here to take water.
What we should pay a t t e n t i o n to i s our l i v e l i - hood.
( A f t e r saying p a rti n g words, both of them leave f o r the l e f t . With the sound o f f o o t s t e p s , a v o ic e i s heard from behind the rock on the r i g h t . )
Let me go, l e t me go!
(With a noise, both an old helmsman and a boatman having a water b a rre l of the ship come out from behind the rock --- from the ship. Na r i t a Kosaburo Nyudo Gyoshinsai
struggle with them so as to detain them and i s pulled by them when he s e i z es them by the sleeves and comes out.
6 Helmsman: Boatman: Gyo: Helmsman: Boatman: Gyo: Helmsman:
Gyoshinsai has long untrimmed hair ---seven to eight inches l o n g . Although he does not look indecent, he doesn't look strong; he i s a member o f the N a ri ta
family o f Shimofusa Province and a doctor who has been in the serv ice o f the Emperor
in Kyoto, but now he engages in diverse a f f a i r s as he is a man o f s i n c e r i t y . As to his c lo th es, he wears elegant clothes su it a b le f o r a secular p r i e s t . )
I say, l e t me go, l e t me g o !
No use holding us t i g h t l y ; you'd b e t t e r l e t us go.
We l l , I could l e t you go. However, judging from your manners, you w i l l dare to leave the Emperor's ship and run away, I guess.
That's why I want to reason with you.
Oh, yo u' re very doubtful. How could we run o f f ?
Oh, yo u' re ob stin at e. You see, we're going to take water.
Well, one man i s enough to take water; two men are too many.
I f the young man goes, you helmsman should remain here.
7 Gyo: Helms: Gyo: Boat: Helms: Gyo: Helms: Gyo:
Without food, we c a n 't g et al o ng. That's why both of us w i l l go. This morning's
food f o r you and us has a l r e a d y ---I know. That's why I want you to go by turns.
We've no time to l o s e , you see. Before we do so by turns, we might have a h o r r i b l e experience. We've had enough o f t e r r i b l e
experiences.
Oh, you've a mind to run o f f , I should say. I ask you to stay a l i t t l e longer.
Let me go anyway, please.
Let me also go f o r a while. You're very importunate, I'm a f r a i d . We ' l l surely come back, I can assure you.
Ah, I'm sorry I understand everything from your eyes. I , Kosaburo Gyoshinsai, w i l l get you rewarded f o r your labor some day,
so I hope y o u ' l l be persuaded o f i t .
Oh, no, I p r e f e r rice-c ak e in my presence to a reward in the future. Oh, l e t my hand go.
No, I won't. Although you're men of humble b i r t h , you look very stern.
Boatman:
Helms:
Gyo: Helms:
Gyo :
I ' l l admit I'm a boatman of s e r v i l e s p i r i t . Loyalty and a reward would a t t r a c t my
a tt e n tio n a f t e r I have had enough food. Boss, you needn't l i s t e n to him.
(Just then the boatman f o r c i b l y tea rs him self fr e e from Gyoshin and runs into the l e f t . )
Wa i t , Iwamatsu! Hey, I ' l l also go. (S t r iv e s hard to thrust Gyoshin away.) Oh, no, I won't l e t you go by a l l means.
Darn i t ! (Disengages him self from Gyoshin's grasp and a f t e r a s c u ffle f o r a while knocks down Gyoshin, who f a l l s on the sand with a thud.) I'm so rry, but I care fo r my l i f e . (Makes an excuse r a p id ly .)
Iwamatsu, Iwamatsu! (Runs o f f h u rriedly. Gyoshin r is e s to his f e e t . )
Confound i t ! I ' m sorry he knocked me down. (Turns to the l e f t and g iv e s himself
a ir s . Just then behind the rock Lord Tada- a k i, Major-general Rokujo, c a l l s Gyoshin and i s one the l e f t in deep thought.
Wit h a musical accompaniment, Lord Tadaaki who has got o f f the ship comes out calmly
-Major-general
Gyo:
Major:
Major-G:
wearing a d isco lored ceremonial dress
and no coron et; although he lacks d ig n it y , he i s n o b le-lo ok in g just the same.
Gyoshin, don’ t run a f t e r them. No use running a f t e r them.
However, I ’ m a fr a id they might inform against us.
Don't worry! They aren’ t so ill- n a t u r e d as you would suppose, but they are o r d i nary men. I ’ m sure they w i l l understand what l o y a l t y i s i f they eat to t h e ir h e a r t’ s
content. T h a t’ s why we’ ve l e t them accom pany us. However, since we l e f t the
isla n d , we’ ve had l o t s o f hardships and p r iv a t io n s . They could not put up with hardships and t e r r o r any more. I t can’ t be helped. Let them do as they lik e . Very w e ll. However, I'm a w fu lly sorry they have deserted the Emperor as the people o f th is country though he is in an awkward predicament. ( Weeps.)
No wonder your heart is f u l l . However, there are such wicked people as Hangan and his
brother of Oki who re b e lle d against the Emperor, you see. ( Laments more deeply
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10 Gyo: Ma-G: Gyo: M ajor-G Gyo:
and indig nan tly .
Gyoshin also bears the wicked people an i l l w i l l . Just then i t becomes morning --- the e l e c t r i c l i g h t s become l i g h t and the mimic sound of plo v e rs and waves i s heard. T h e Major-general braces himself and i s thoughtfu l .)
Ah , there i s no use cryi ng over s p i l t milk, though. Since the Emperor l e f t the
is la n d o f O k i, s i x days have already passed without dropping in at any other island. Being a f r a i d o f the sworn enemy ’ s a t t e n t i o n , we’ ve been thrown i n such a miserable condi t i o n a f t e r a great many hardships and
p r i v a t i o n s . I f I , Gyoshin, had enough strength f o r a man, I would work as hard as p o s s i b l e , though. Sorry to say, I ’ m old and in f ir m and h e l p l e s s .
Both Fujina-dono and K i n go-dono were taken prisoner at I zumo. To make matters worse,
even the boatman and hel msman deserted us. You and I ---.
Only two.
How s h a l l we p ro te c t the Emperor?
We’ ve been driven to the l a s t extremity, I should say.
11 Major: Gyo: Both: Major: Gyo: Major: Gyo: Major: Gyo: M a jo r : Gyo: Major: Gyo: M a j o r :
Even i f we wish to d ie , we can’ t die now. I t ' s very hard f o r us to l i v e .
Hum, hm, hm, um!
(Both of them are at a lo s s what to do and exchange glances with each other. With the mimic sound o f a crow, the sky get s l i g h t . )
Now, Kosaburo Gyoshin. (Cries commandingly.) (Yes, yes, yes! (R eplies h e l p l e s s l y . )
A s the Emperor always wishes, there i s no other way But to persuade Matataro Nagatoshi, lor d o f the manor of Nawa,
into meeting the Emperor.
That’ s r i g h t . I f Nawa-No-Matataro i s persuaded into doing so, I s h a ll be very much pleased.
KosaBuro Gyoshin. ( Again c r i e s commandingly.) Yes, yes! ( Again r e p l i e s h e l p l e s s l y . )
You g o --- !
Very w e l l . Where shal l I go?
T o the manor of Nawa as a messenger. ( Says s t e r n l y . Gyo shin g et s a s t o n i s h e d to hear his words.)
How could such a man as I go there?
You needn’ t depreciate y o u r s e l f ; you ought to accept i t .
12 Gyo: Major: Gyo: Major: G yo: Major: Gyo:
Even i f you say s o ---What?
An important mission. (trem bles.) How could I f u l f i l such an important mission? Should I f a i l in i t , i t would be a serious matter. How h o r r i b l e , how h o r r i b l e !
Even at the thought o f i t , I shudder with f e a r . Please excuse me from t h i s task. I t ’ s f o r the sake o f the Emperor in an awkward predicament.
Even i f i t ' s a d i f f i c u l t and important mission, Gyoshin, i t ' s cowardly of you to refuse the mission.
Even i f you c a l l me a coward, I shan't
be able to do so. I ' l l admit I'm a cowardly and s p i r i t l e s s man.
(Trembles and ge ts confused.)
I t ' s unlike you to say such a t h i n g. What's the reason f o r your ref usal? We l l , i t ' s an important mission beyond my a b i l i t y . I f I should f a i l in i t , a serious ma t t e r would surely take place. I f I t e l l Matataro of the mission and he accepts i t , i t ' l l be a l r i g h t .
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However, as i s customaril y done in these troubled times, a horse pays a t t e n t i o n to fodder while a wa rrior g i v e s heed to the amount of his stipend.
I f he has a close t i e with the people of Rokuhara and Kamakura, he'll behead m e ---Gyoshin and immediately march on here with
scores of armoured cavalrymen so as to take the Emperor to say nothing o f refusing the request. How could I ---Gyoshin be
l o y a l to the Emperor, then? A dyke w i l l break from i t s lower place while an im portant matter w i l l end in bubble owing to a helpless man’ s act.
I b e l i e v e I , Gyoshin, am l o y a l to the Emperor, but I haven’ t enough strength and I have no w i t . Moreover, I ’ m an old man with no t i t l e and rank. Sorry to say, I have no d ig n it y enabling me to persuade Nawa-No-Matataro into taking sides with
us, as I ’ m in a low p o s i t i o n . S e n i l i t y breeds only contempt. You see, I ’ ve been
disdained by even that helmsman, so how could I t a ke such an important task upon myself? ( Tri e s t o say something more when the major-general cuts him sho rt.)
14 Major: Gyo: Major: Gyo: Major: Gyo: Major: G yo: Major: Gy o : Major:
Don’ t be modest, Kosaburo! I ’ l l admit you’ re an eloquent speaker and a man o f d i s c r e t i o n . You’ re the only man sui table f o r th is mission.
Oh, no, i t ’ s beyond my a b i l i t y , I should say.
Of course th is mission is very important, so no wonder you’ l l refuse i t on the
pre te x t of lack o f your a b i l i t y . However, t h i s i s an urgent business. I f you don’ t go, I ' l l go, instead. I f I go, w i l l you surely pro t ect the Emperor and set his mind at r e s t during my absence?
Huh? I t ’ s f a r more beyond my power. We l l , then, w i l l you go to Nawa on the mission?
I t ’ s an important mission, too.
W i l l you look a f t e r the Emperor, then? Wel l ---.
Wi l l you go to Nawa? We l l ---.
Now, now, now. (Repeats h im self.) What do you say, Gyoshin?
(Gyoshin i s in a f i x and sheds tears of sorrow.)
I ’ m sorry I ’ m a p o o r - s p i r i t e d man.
Although I was bor n as a warrior in the N a r i t a fa m il y o f Shimofusa Province, I ’ m weak by nature; I ' v e aspired no ambition nor have I competed w ith others fo r lack o f my a b i l i t y and strength, but I ' v e spent my days in an easy-going manner. Now I'm close upon 60 y ea rs . F or the f i r s t time in my l i f e t o d a y I ’ ve f e l t sorry f o r lack o f my a b i l i t y .
Ah, I'm sorry I s h a ll be hel ple ss whether I ' l l go to Nawa or protect the Em pero r. ( I s l o s t in thought. Just then some
sound probably made by a board in the dire c- ti o n of the ship i s heard. The major- g e n e r a l pays a t t e n t i o n to the sound, r i s e s to his f e e t and looks stern.) The land i s n ' t the only place to do an important task. Gyoshin, I don’ t want to l i s t e n to your useless excuse any more.
15
-Gyo:
Gyo:
Major:
Gyo:
16
-This i s the Imperial order. G o to Nawa. (Encourages him in a scolding v o i c e . )
Hum, hm.
( Gyoshin i s at a loss how to answer and changes c o l o r . )
C er t a in ly, I w i l l . (Accepts the mission when the sun by e l e c t r i c i t y s t a r t s shining.) Oh, you’ ve accepted i t to my s a t is fa c ti o n . Go right away.
Very wel l . ( Ris e s t o his f e e t and takes a few steps quickly and again walks slowly; he s t i l l looks uneasy.)
As f o r the man named Nawa-No-Matataro,
his younger brother Yasunaga takes sides with the Emperor, but his e ld es t son Y o s h i t aka.
sides with Rokuhara; I can’ t sound his mind, though. ( Says so in a small voice and looks as id e.)
I f I couldn’ t persuade him into agreeing to i t ,
b e l l y .
I would disembowel th is wrinkled (P oses to d i sembowel h im s e lf. )
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-T hen I would throw my e n t r a i l s a t him and l e t him a g r e e to i t . (Makes up h i s mind and t r i e s to run away sudd e n l y when he
stumbles a g a in s t the w a t e r - b a r r e l which the boatman has l e f t and f a l l s w i t h a thud.
Just then he exchanges g l a n c e s w i t h the m a j o r - g e n e r a l . )
Step on . i t !
Ve r y w e l l . (S u dden ly runs o f f . Ju st at th e moment a sea-son g comes w i t h i n h e a r in g . M a j o r :
Gyo:
can’ t g e t . "
(The maj o r-g en e ra l sees him o f f .
•
The s ta g e -s e ttin g s r e v o lv e .)
--- Act Drop
---"W e 'v e l e f t the p o r t i n s p i t e o f the storm. L e t ’ s c a tc h the f i s h which the others
SECOND ACT
Scene o f Nawa's Mansion Dramatis Personae:
Nawa Matataro Nagatoshi ;
Nagatoshi’ s Younger Brother Onigoro Suketaka; Nagatoshi's Second Son Magosaburo Motonaga; Rokuro Dairo Y o s h i u j i ;
Ji r o Saburo Saneyuki;
Toriya Muneshichiro Muneie; Bitchunokami Yoshitada; Hinosaburo Yoshiyuki;
Yoshiyuki's Son Matasaburo Yoshiyasu; Steward Uchikawara Hikosaburo Yoshisane; Nagatos h i ' s Youngest Son I t sudomaru; Na r i t a Kosaburo Gyoshin;
Young Subordinate Re ta in er Tozaburo Chikakiyo; Two Young Subordinate Retainers; Young Wa r r i o r .
The main stage has a h i g h and wide verandah. In fr o n t stands a paper screen; on the l e f t i s a standing plum-tree; next to i t i s a wi c k e t ; and near i t i s Nawa Matataro’ s mansion. J ust then the s t a g e - s e t t in g s stop.
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-Here are seated Nagatoshi's younger brother Onigoro Suketaka, Na g a t o s h i ’ s second son Magosaburo Motonaga, Rokuro Dai r o Yoshiuuj i , Ji ro Saburo Saneyuki,
Toriya Hik oshic h i r o Muneie, Bitchunokami Yoshina o,
Hinosaburo Yoshiyuki, Yoshiyuki’ s Son Matasaburo Yoshiyasu, Steward Utsumi Hikosaburo Yoshisane - - a l l in the same clan; they have only just fin is h ed a competition fo r shooting. Near then are arranged a great many bows and arrows.
Second Son Motonaga: Today’ s comp e t i t i o n f o r shooting
i s now over. Indeed I ’ ve had a j o l l y good time. Hikoshichi Mu n e i e : Yo s h in a o -dono, I ’ l l admit, you’ ve displayed
your s k i l l wonderfully w e l l today.
Yoshinao: We l l , although I ’ m a poor hand at archery, I sometimes have a good luck.
Today I ’ ve h i t the mark unexpectedly, so I ’m rather a shamed o f your p ra is e .
Yoshiyuki: Now I ’ m an old man, so I 'm apt to take an aim at the mark at ra ndom and no match f o r young men; I ’ m ashamed o f myself.
Yoshisane: We l l , Hino-dono, even i f you t a ke an aim at
random, at the time of a b a t t l e I ’ m sure the enemy w i l l be t e r r i f i e d only by the twang. I ’m ashamed
I ’ m a poor hand at archery,
Yoshiyasu: Thanks to Utsumi- d o n o ’ s kind words, my old fa t h e r has kept hi s pride to some extent, I should think.
Yoshi y u k i : Ha, ha, ha! Speaking of the sound o f an arrow, only such men as the l a t e Tametomo and the old l o r d o f t h is mansion, c a p i t a l hands at archery, could make i t splen didly .
I ’ m by no means such a c a p i t a l hand at archery. Suketaka: Don’ t be modest. Except my elder brother
nobody in our clan can compete with you in archery.
Motonaga: Sorry to say, we middle-aged men are s t i l l far i n f e r i o r to you in the s k i l l .
I ’m sure you practised archery a gre at deal in your younger days.
Yosh i y u k i : From the s k i l l you displayed ju st now in our presence, I understand so.
Yoshiyuki: Oh, speaking o f the pract i c e , Yoshiyuki-dono, I can’ t help admiring your successive h i t s . Yoshiyuki: Oh, I ’m only accustomed to doing so. I don’ t
deserve your pra ise, so I , Saneyuki, f e e l bashful. (During t h e i r comment and chat, behind the stage s t i l l the sound o f arrows and bowstrings i s heard.) Motonaga : In c e le b r a ti o n o f today’ s competition f o r shooting
to Hino-dono and the other gentlemen my fa t h e r w i l l make presents o f arrows made o f e a g l e s ’ fe a th e r s from Michinoku Province w ith the heads made by well-known smiths o f Kamakura and Kyoto and with the ends made by good workers.
-Father wi l l be here in a minute and t e l l each of you of i t . We l l , my men, bring the presents here.
Many Young warriors: Very w e l l .
(Gradually bring the p re s e n ts .) Yoshiyuki: He always encourages us k i n d l y . A l l : A thousand thanks,
Saneyuki: Since he encourages us in th is way, they say that Nawa’ s clansmen can draw a bow f o r three men, so we f e e l proud.
Yoshiyasu: Es p e c i a l l y the old lo rd o f this mansion never f a i l s to bend the large bow every day, so even the aborigines recognize the sound and speak o f his s k i l l , I hear,
(Just then the sound o f an arrow i s heard loudly behind the stage.)
We l l , speaking o f a bow, somebody s t i l l remains in the shooting-place and seems to be p r a c t i s i n g archery. L i s t e n ! There goes that sound o f the arrow again,
Motonaga: Ha, ha, ha, ha, h a !
My youngest brother Itsudomaru i s ashamed o f his i n f e r i o r i t y in archery at today s competition f o r
shoot in g , so I guess he s t i l l hangs about the shooting-place.
-5
Yoshiyuki: Although h e ’ s s t i l l a c h i l d, he bends a strong
bow and devotes himsel f to practice in archery. I 'm sure h e ’ l l become a top-notch archer when he grows up. Muneie: We'v e been influenced a great deal by the old lord,
I should say.
Y o s h ie : A l l of us are very much int er este d in martial a r t s .
Yoshinao: We are a l l Nawa's clansmen.
Motonaga: Should an emergency occur, ---. Yoshiyasu: We ’ re in confused t i mes.
Suketaka: We would have my e ld er brother as our head. Yoshiyuki: Old as I am, I , Saburo Yoshiyuki, will
hors e .
whip my
Saneyuki: And wi l l d rive the horse in the b a t t l e - f i e l d and be high in saddle and armours.
Yoshiyuki: I f e e l l i k e running amuck a b i t . Saneyuki: Ha, ha, ha, ha!
A l l : Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Steward Yoshisane: Hino-dono you pretend to be young as usual.
Muneie: I f the old lord should hear him, ---. Yoshiyuki: The lord would kni t his brows.
A l l : Ha, ha, ha, ha!
(Just then, with the sound o f footsteps, a sound near the shooting-place outside o f the wicket is heard. )
Many Shadows: Hey, wa i t ! What are you? 6
-Steward Yoshisane: Anyway the guy c a l l s the lo r d only by h i s f i r s t name. What a h a te fu l guy!
bow and arrows.)
Itsudomaru: I ’ ve had the suspicious guy a rre sted . Hikosaburo, look a f t e r the a f f a i r s .
Yoshisane: Very w e l l . ( I s about to g et down from the Stop, stop! (Make a noise. A l l of them on the double stand look s t e r n . )
Motonaga : Wh a t ’ s that noise? A l l : What happened?
(L is te n t o the noise. S t i l l outside o f the wicket the noise i s heard.)
Gyoshin; Let me see Nawa-No-Matataro.
( ) ( ( ) ) : What a suspicious guy! Wa i t , w a i t ! Gyoshi n : Let me see Nawa Mata tar o.
( ) : Ge t away!
(They again s c o f f at him and make a n o i s e . ) Muneie: What' s the ma t t e r ?
A l l : Ve r y noisy, i ndeed!
Le t ’ s ar re s t the suspicious guy and i n v e s t i g a t e him. ( Gla r e s at the distance and t r i e s to stand up
when Itsudomaru comes in f r o m the wicket with
verandah when Gyo shin c r i e s a g ai n .) Gyoshin: I s n ' t Nawa Matataro in? Nawa Matataro!
( A gain c r i e s . Just then the paper screen in fr o n t i s thrown open.)
Nagatoshi: Who are you that are c a l l i n g my name?
( Nagatoshi makes his appearance calmly and takes his seat when a l l of them g re e t him. Nagatoshi looks at Itsudomaru.)
Nagatoshi: What sort of guy i s the man who has c a l l e d
my name?
I t s u : Father, he i s a thin old man who i s no match f o r you. Because o f the twang, he mistook me, I t sudo, f o r you and cal le d your name and ran up to me. However, he noticed the mistake and t r i e d to run into the wicket when he was checked by young subordinate r e t a i n e r s and h i t his head c r a z i l y . Naga to sh i: Hum.
Yoshisane: He i s e i t h e r a vagrant loony or a beggar. L e t ’ s drive him away from the g ate, s h a ll we? Na g a t o s h i : Well, everybody, you mig h t think i t d u l l , but
since he c a l l e d my name, i t ’ s cowardly o f me not to see him.
I , Nagatoshi, w i l l see him. Bring the guy here. Yoshisane: C erta in ly.
(Both Itsudo and Yoshisane leave together. A f t e r a while Y oshisane comes out with Narita Kosaburo Gy oshin whose neck i s seized by Young
Subordinate Retainer Tosaburo and whose hands are pulled by two young subordinate r e t a i n e r s .
As f o r Itsudo, he does not come back, but again s t a r t s p r a c t i s i n g archery.
-Tosaburo Chikakiyo t r i e s to l e t Gyoshi s i t down on the verandah. However, Gyoshin struggles with him and does not y i e l d to him, but looks over the
stand and looks at Nagatoshi while r i s i n g to his f e e t . )
Gyoshin: Are you Nawa Matataro-dono? Nagatoshi: Oh, I am Matataro Nagatoshi.
Gyoshin: Oh, boy! Ah, I f e e l at ease now. (Seems exhausted.) Nagatoshi: Why have you broken into this mansion r e c k l e s s l y ?
What on earth are you?
Hm. (Hesitate s and looks around at a great many
men on the stand and then turns his eyes to the plum tree on the l e f t . )
Looking f o r t he plum- t r e e , I ’ ve fo rgo tt e n to commi t a crime and a f t e r a l l I ’ ve forced my way in to another's garden. (Says as i f r e c i t i n g a poem.)
Don’ t blame me so much. I ’ ve longed fo r your name and come here. I ’ ve an urgent request to
ask of you, so I ’ ve done a rude thing unconsciously. Please f o r g i v e me. I ’m a doctor in the C it y .
Hm, are you a doctor in the City?
Chikaki yo: He doesn't seem to be a cra zy man, I think.
(Lets Gyoshin’ s neck go with the young subordinate re t a in e r s ( ( ) ) ( ) . )
Yoshisane: And what’ s your urgent request? Gyoshin: I c a n 't t e l l i t to such people as you.
Chikakiyo: What? (Again takes Gyoshin by the neck t i g h t l y . Gyoshin braces h i m s e l f . )
8
-Gyoshin:
9 Gyoshin: Nagatoshi Gyoshin: Nagatoshi Gyoshin: Yoshisane Chikakiyo Nagatoshi Gyoshin:
As you see, I'm a thin old nan.
Nagatoshi-dono, are you a f r a i d o f me?
I t ; s too absurd that you should l e t your men p ro t e c t you.
What?
I hope you’ l l l e t the people l e a v e here and l i s t e n to my important story.
Do you mean to t e l l me that you want me to l e t the others leave here and l i s t e n to you?
A faded cloth-wrapper sometimes contains a j e w e l. Even a man o f humble b i r t h s o me t i mes says a noble thing. What I am going to say now i s by no means a mean thing which I must say on the ground.
Allow me to step in. None of your cheek!
Behave y o u r s e l f !
(They detain Gyoshin when Nagatoshi checks them.) Judging from his appearance and words, he can’ t be a man of humble b i r t h . Anyway I ' l l l i s t e n to h is stor y. Yoshisane, take him here.
(Wi t h t h e i r master's sign, Young Subordinate Retainer Chikakiyo and the young subordinate r e t a i n e r s ( ( ) ) ( ) l e a v e . )
Ah, are you going to l i s t e n to me? I'm glad to hear i t . ( Wa l k s t o t t e r i n g l y and t r i e s to step in from the verandah, but loses courage and manages to
10
Yos hisane
Nagatoshi
Gyoshin:
Nagatoshi
Come this way.
(Although Gyoshin is allowed to take a seat, he gets overwhelmed by the people present and f e e l s uneasy.
The people a l so suspect Gyoshin and exchange nods looking at him with no word. )
Now, D octor o f the City, t e l l me the story, please. I ’ m an inelegant country warrior by the name o f Nawa Matataro ; anyway l e t me know the reason why you’ v e come here.
(Gyoshin becomes more and more timid and shudders with f r i g h t .)
Thank you very much. However, I ’ ve got an important request to ask o f you, so please l e t them go f i r s t of a l l .
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
You needn't ask me t o l e t t h e m go. Al l of them are my clansmen and kinsmen. Although I , Matataro, am not a man of v i r t u e , I am not so cold-hearted a man as l e t s them leave.
Although my clansmen have d i f f e r e n t minds, they a r e n 't so cold-hearted as they w i l l leave me in the lurch.
Both they and I are one in body and s p i r i t , We act according to this custom o f Nawa.
( A l l of them become glad to hear his words and smile.)
11
You ought to think that only you and I , Matataro, are here and t e l l me the s t ory. Since you've said i t ' s an important mat t er , e s p e c i a l l y I ' l l l i s t e n to you together with my clansmen.
Gyoshin: Hm, hm, hm! ( I s at a loss how to answer and can't sound Matataro's min d . )
Nagatoshi: When one unsheathes one's sword, one should f i g h t t i l l the sword gets broken and when one opens one's mouth, one should speak t i l l one clears on e se lf of
one's dishonor, they say. You seem t o have a
firm determination, so I ’ ve wanted to hear from you o f the important matter. However, i t ' s unlike
such a man of w it as you t o ask me to l e t my clansmen go. Ha, ha, ha!
Even i f the branch o f a plum-tree d iv id e s the south from the north, the spring breeze w i l l blow making no d i f fe r e n c e between the east and west. I t ' s too shallow-minded of you t o l e t me only hear you and not to l e t the others hear you. Gyoshin: Huh?
Nagatoshi: I f i t ' s a secret and c o n f i d e n t i a l matter, I, Matataro, won't l i s t e n to you, e i t h e r .
You're an old man who takes i n t e r e s t in disturbing others, I should say.
Stand up and get out of here r i g h t away. (During the words, Gyoshin b i t e s h is l i p s
Gyoshin: Why could I have come here cut of breath only f o r t e l l i n g you o f a se cr et and c o n f i d e n t i a l matter in the tee th of d i f f i c u l t i e s ? I don’ t mean to ta lk with you s e c r e t l y only f o r my sake.
Since I am not bold enough, I ’ ve only wanted to keep the l a t t e r se cr et f o r i t s success.
Now that I ’ ve heard you and th ey ’ re one in body and s p i r i t , anyway I ’ l l speak to you and then. You see, I ’ m old and f e e b l e , so I ’ m no match f o r you.
Even i f I say too much, I hope you’ l l f o r g i v e me and hear me out. (Drops his voice lower and lower and a gain suddenly braces h im self. )
I don’ t mind I ’ l l be charged with my bad words and i f my words hurt your f e e l i n g s and you want to take my l i f e , I hope you’ l l do so a f t e r I f i n i s h t a l k i n g . (Takes o f f his swords, looks up turning pale and trembling, and g iv e s himself a i r s . )
Nawa-No-Matataro -dono, f i r s t I ’ l l put a question to you.
Nagatoshi; What?
(Music s t a r t s . )
Gyoshin: I hear your family are descendants of Murakami Genji. I say with awe and trepid ation, you’ re the scion of Prince Tomohira, the s ix t h son of Emperor Murakami, a r e n ' t you?
-13 Nagatos h i : Gyoshin: Nagatoshi: Gyoshin: Yoshiyuki
Hm, you knew w e l l about my lin eag e.
The grandson of Tajima Zenji Yukimori, the eleventh scion of Prince Tomohira, is me --- Matataro Na g a t o s h i .
(Gyoshin braces hims e l f more and more.)
We l l , then, your grandfather Y u kimo r i took sides with t he then Emperor in the old days of Shokyu and fought with Kamakura troops; he was a son of
Futakata Ji r o Yukiaki, wasn’ t he? Why, you know about him in d e t a i l . Right you are!
Futakata J i r o fought with Hojo’ s troops and was defeated a f t e r al l . As a r e s u l t , he had his seventeen mansions confiscated, but he d id n’ t r e g r e t what he did, as he was a bold man.
Matataro-dono, you're his descendent, but according to the current of the times you’ re looking at the flowers drawn on the paper screen and your wi f e and children and enj o y i n g your time p e a c e f u l l y without thinking of j u s t i c e , ar en’ t you?
(Says so r a p i d l y . Nagatoshi and the other people f e e l angry. However, Nagatoshi m a s t e r s his anger and keeps s i l e n t .
Yoshiyuki loses h i s temper.)
None of your cheek! Such a guy as you can’ t under stand Nag at oshi-dono’ s pers o n a li ty .
14 Mun e i e : Yoshinao: Saneyuki: A l l : Gyoshin: Yoshiyuki: Gyoshin:
Yos hiyu ki: Gyosh i n :
Yoshiyuki: Gyoshin:
Yos hiyu ki: Yoshiyasu: Muneie: Yoshinao:
I won’ t tr y to speak w e l l o f h i m.
However, he i s by no means i n f e r i o r to Futakata-dono. On a windy day, although a bamboo droops, i t won’ t lose i t s s t r a i g h t n e s s .
A l l of h is clans men know h is mind. I f you talk nonsense, ---Y o u ' l l get beat up.
(Gyoshin g et s glad to hear the words.)
Whatever you may say, he l e t his e l d e s t son Yoshitaka go up to Kyoto according to Rokuhara’ s d i r e c t i v e and f i g h t with the Expeditionary Forces at Chihaya,
didn’ t he? Haw
Well , i f he knows what j u s t i c e i s , how could he l i v e at peace in 't h e s e times when the Emperor has hidden himself in a l o n e ly island -and the rea r- vassal wield s his power in a l l Japan?
Hm.
Do you s t i l l i n s i s t that he i s n ’ t i n f e r i o r to Futakata Saburo in spite o f the fact?
Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Can he take pride in the f a c t that he is descended from the Murakami Genji family and the scion o f Prince Tomohira?
Hm
Don’ t say such a s i l l y thing. Don’ t make a noise. Shut up!
15
Yo s h ii e : Your cheeks w i l l be. A l l : Smashed by us.
( A l l of them straighten themselves. Gyoshin seems more and more desperate.)
Gyoshin: I ca n 't reason with reckless people. Now, beat me up, Nawa's clansmen.
What do you say, Matataro-dono?
(Draws close to Nagatoshi, who s t i l l keeps s i l e n t r e s o l u t e l y . )
What do you say? (Again crawls up to Na g a t o s h i , who s t i l l keeps s i l e n t .
A l l h i s clansmen make a n o i s e . )
Nagatoshi: Hush! (Checks them and s t i l l keeps s i l e n t . ) Gyoshin: What do you say?
(Again crawls c lo s e r to Nag a t o s h i , who s t i l l keeps s i l e n t . )
You come o f a good fam ily and are a man o f a b i l i t y . Indeed you seem to be a r el i a b l e man.
However, your mind in confusion, so you keep s i l e n t , I suppose.
(Becomes thoughtful and drops his voice suddenly.) As f o r me, I'm a common man and have no a b i l i t y to
think of the Emperor who spends his days in tears as the keeper of the Island o f Oki against his w i l l , but a l l of his attendants are helpless and as
written in the old poem, " Fish in an awkward p re d i cament kee p the pond but a great many birds flock to speak o f . However, I give heed to the present world and
Na g a t o s h i Gyoshin: Nagatoshi Gyoshin: Nagatoshi Gyoshin:
the blooming c h e r r y - t r e e " , so i s the present
s i t u a t i o n of the world. Sorry to say, people cringe to the powerful and nobody takes sides with the
Emperor. (Sheds t e a r s . )
Although I , Gyoshin, have no power to t i e even
a chicken, I w i l l g i v e up even my l i f e f o r the sake o f the Emperer. I 'm aw fu ll y sorry you don’ t look back upon Futakata Ji ro- don o' s days. (Heaves a sigh. Nagatoshi seems to have become e n l i g h t e n e d . )
Hm, what do you want me, Ma ta ta r o , to do since you’ ve said such a thing to me? I f i t ’ s only your idea, I , Nagatoshi, won’ t r e p l y to you.
From where have you come here?
You’ ve said i t ' s your request f o r convenience sake, haven’ t you? I guess the Emperor in O k i --- ---. Huh? ( Gets asto nished.)
Are you persuading me, Nagatoshi, in t o agreeing with you f o r the sake o f the Emperor?
Huh?
I t ca n 't be your own i d e a .
From your words such as Urgent and Important, the tone o f your v o i c e , eyes and behavior i t must be a serious matter.
By whom have you been sent here? T e l l me fra n k ly, What a man o f i n s i g h t you are! (Loses his s p i r i t s. )
-17
As a ma t t e r o f f a c t , --- (Wants to go on saying, but s t a r t s trembling f o r the importance of the ma t t e r . )
As a ma t t e r of f a c t , - - - (Loses h i s presence o f mind.)
Hm. (R e s o lu t e ly holds out his hand and takes up the small sword before him; he determi n e s t o disembowel him self i f the matter ends in bubble.)
I , N a rit a Kosaburo, have come here by order o f the Emperor through Lord Tadaak i , Major-general Rokujo,
This i s the order of the E mperor in Oki. Nagatoshi and the Others: Very w e l l .
(Get astonished, leave t h e i r seats and p rostra te themselves.)
Gyoshin: Nawa-No-Matataro and the other s , l i s t e n to the order c a r e f u l l y . (Keeps h i s d i g n i t y when music s t a r t s . ) The Emperor escaped from the Island o f Oki,
managed to tide over the clutches o f the r e b e l s a f t e r experiencing hardships and pr i v a t i o n s on land and sea and got to Osaka, Hok i Province aboard a
ship. I ' m sorry to say with awe and tr epidat io n, but he i s in an awkward predicament.
The Emperor has already heard from Nawa Akushiro Yasunaga o f his eld er brother Matataro Nagatoshi and says that he knows w e l l Nagatoshi’s p e rs o n a lit y , so he b e l i e v e s that Matataro w i l l surely accept the request.
18 Nagatoshi Gyoshin: Nagatoshi Gy o s h i n: Nagatoshi Gyoshin:
Anyway he orders Nagatoshi to meet him.
Very w e l l . ( I s absorbed in thought. A l l his
clansmen keep a sharp lookout and hold th eir b re at h. ) "Should you be unable to accept the request you
ought to take me and get a reward at Kamakura, as I wouldn’ t f a l l in the hands of the magistrate o f Oki," says the Emperor. (Finishes saying in a t e a r f u l v o i c e . )
Now, Nawa-No-Matataro-Na g a t o s h i , what do you say? (Draws the sword and points the blade at h is abdomen. Nagatoshi draws back a l i t t l e , adjusts his sleeves and says in a t e a r f u l v o i c e . )
Now that I ’ ve heard the Emp e r o r ’ s gra cefu l
order from you, how could I refuse the order as a w a r r io r ?
Even i f my bleeding neck should be exposed to the a i r and my bones be buried in wilderness, I would accept i t w i l l i n g l y f o r the sake o f j u s t i c e and
the Emperor.
Please take i t easy.
Nagatoshi-dono, do you mean to t e l l me that y o u ' l l accept i t r es o lu t e ly?
I, Nagatoshi, w i l l accept the Emperor's order r e s p e c t f u l l y .
Oh, boy!
I 'm glad to say that fortune w i l l smile on the Emperor.
19
(Loses h is s p i r i t s and seems to paralyzed wit h f e a r . )
Nagatoshi: Now, Magosaburo Motonaga, Onigoro Suketaka, Hino-dono, and a l l my clansmen, I, Nagatoshi, have made up my mind. I don't think l i t t l e of p e o p l e 's opinions.
I f you've any ob je c ti o n to i t , you may do as you l i k e . As f o r me, I ' l l accompany the Emperor, f i g h t with the enemy at the stronghold of Mt. Senjo and give up my l i f e fo r the sake of the Emperor.
Suke: We are your brothers and clansmen, so w e ' l l die together with you when necessary.
Yoshiyuki: We are a l l your clansmen o f the same l i n e a g e . Saneyuki: Nobody w i l l object t o you, I can assure you. Yoshinao : I t ' l l be an honor to our clan.
Yoshiuki; Through f i r e and water. A l l : We' l l accompany you.
Nagatoshi: Oh, I'm glad you've consented to i t and taken an oath. Now, Motonaga and Suketaka, get ready f o r meeting the Emperor r ig h t away.
Hino-dono and Saneyuki-dono, c o l l e c t the clansmen. Muneie and Yoshisane, make arrangements f o r pack- horses. Take care, everybody; i t ' s an urgent matter.
Take the i n i t i a t i v e and co-operate among yourselves and then perform meritorious servi ces in defence.
20
I , Nagatoshi, w i l l be ready f o r i t , so excuse me f o r a w h il e . Na r i t a - d ono, you seem to be hungry. T e l l Yoshisane and Tozaburo to give you tea and r i c e .
Excuse me. (Enters the inner room.
A l l the others also enter the inner room a f t e r g r e e t i n g Gyoshin. Gyoshin puts on the sword, strokes his chest and seems to be r e l i e v e d .
Meanwhile, Tozaburo Chikakiyo comes out with a page, who o f f e r s Gyoshin tea and r i c e . ) Chikakiyo: N ow, Narita- d ono, hel p y o u r s e l f , p le a se.
Gyoshin: Thank you very much, but I ’ m a f r a i d my heart i s s t i l l f u l l .
Chikakiyo: Don’ t say such a thing.
Gyoshin: W e l l , then, I ’ l l have i t . (Does not f e e l l i k e ea tin g, but he takes up the bowl o f r i c e .
Wi t h the sound o f the wooden clappers, behind the stage the sound of a h orse's hoofs i s heard. The neigh of the r i d i n g horse i s also heard.
LAST ACT
Scene of Osaka Fort Again Dramat i s Personae;
Nawa Ma t a t aro Nag atoshi: Lord Tadaaki, Ma j o r - general Rokujo Semba Hachiro;
Onigoro Suketaka; Magosaburo Mo t onaga;
Itsudomaru:
Jiro Saburo Saneyuki; Toriya Hikoshichi Munei e ; Bi t chunokami Yoshinao; Hino Saburo Yoshiyuki; Fisherman Fukashichi ; Woman Diver Onami;
" Oi wa : The Others: Wa r r i o r s ,
Scene of Osaka Port Again
The s t a g e - s e t t in g s represent the beach at Osaka Port again. Here Warrior Semba Hachiro under the m a g i s t r a t e ( Hangan) of Oki wearing a ceremonial robe and an armour and carrying bow and
arrows on his shoulder, a young warrior carrying a halberd in his hand and seve ral common s o l d i e r s are seated proper ly. On the l e f t fishermen, farmers, woman d i v e r s named Oiwa and Onami and several others are seated.
Semba: We l l , l i s t e n to me, Fishermen. By order of Kamakura, the magistrate o f Oki has given d i r e c t i o n s t o us, so we're not on his t r a i l , w a r r i o r ! : Only a court noble and common s o l d i e r s are in his s u ite and
there are no strong men among them.
Wa r r i o r 2: I f you happen to see a stranger, you ought to arrest him.
Warrior 3: Or you should deceive and detain him.
Semba: Bear a report o f such a man to the magistrate in the Konami Castle or Noto-dono in the Aka zaki Cas t l e ,
and you’ l l get a l o t of rewards.
F i sherman Fukashichi: Speaking of a stranger, everybody, how abou t that man?
-Fisherman Fukashic hi O: We ll, we must be c a r e f u l about what we say, though.
" : Although, we c a lle d out to him, he d i d n 't r ep ly .
" : He is a suspicio us-loo king guy, I shoul d say.
Hachiro: Do you mean t o t e l l us that, you've such a man in mind? Fukashichi: Wel l , we haven't yet made sure o f i t ,
though.
Woman Diver Oiwa: w e l l , we haven' t seen a court noble before, though. " Oiso: We met a handsome man behind the p i n e - t r e e a
while ago.
Ohama: He was of l i g h t completion and noble-looking. " Oiwa: Onami-san said that she f e l l in love with him,
b u t --- .
(S t a rt s speaking of the no ble-looking man when Onami in te rr up ts h e r.)
Onami: Ah, don’ t say such a s i l l y thin g. Oiwa-san, I f e e l
bashful . Be c a r e f u l about w hat you say. I f your words give him some trouble, I ’ l l be sorry.
Oiwa: Ha, ha! You se em to be stuck on him.
I ’ l l speak of him. (Smiles. Only Onami becomes d e j e c t e d . Wa r r i o r 1: Say, say, Women, have you seen a man looking like
a court noble?
-H a c h i r o : Oh, h i s c l o t h e s and p e r s o n a l i t y a r e above c omprehension. Now, i n v e s t i g a t e him.
Common s o l d i e r : Ce r t a i n l y .
Ma j o r - g e n e r a l : Oh , i t ’ s unreasonable f o r you to take me.
I ’ m a musician o f the c i t y and by no means a su sp ici ou s man.
H a c h i r o : Hm, i f you’ re a musician o f the c i t y ; what have you come to t h i s beach f o r ?
(Under Hach i r o ' s d i r e c t i o n , the common s o l d i e r s stand up i m m e d i a t e l y .)
A l l : What are you? Wh a t ’ s your name? ( Take the m a j o r - g e n e r a l and come f o r war d . The m a j o r - g e n e r a l shakes h i m s e l f f r e e from them and h i t s on a good i d e a .)
Onami: Oh, n e v e r .
Wa r r i o r 2 : I f y o u ' v e r e a l l y seen such a ma n, you must t e l l the t ru t h ( S ays s t e r n l y . Just then a g r e a t many p l o v e r s f l o c k
t o g e t h e r and s i n g . Ma j o r - g e n e r a l Rokujo makes his appearance behind the p i n e - t r e e on the l e f t . )
Oiwa: S pea ki n g of the d e v i l , h e ' s sure t o come. L o o k ! He i s over t h e r e .
Onami: Tut, t u t , be c a r e f u l about what you say.
( Oiwa p o i n t s t o th e m a j o r - g e n e r a l when Onami checks her in a f l u r r y . In a t w i n k l i n g H a ch ir o n o t i c e s the m a j o r - g e n e r a l . )
5
-M
a j o r - g e n e r a l : I was on my way to the I zumo Shrine f o r my earnest prayer when, sorry to say, my boat went a d r i f t in the teeth of the wind.
Hachi: Oh, be ca r efu l not t o be hoodwinked by him. I ’ m sure he's Major-general Rokujo. Ar r e s t him, everybody. He deserves no con sider ati on .
Ma j o r - gen er al : Don't do v i o l e n c e , Country wa r r i o r s . A lthough I'm a musician, I ’ ve got my o f f i c e and rank.
I won't be a rre ste d by you.
Hachi: W e must do so a c c o r d i n g to the direc tions of the magistrate of Oki by order o f Rokuhara. Don't l e t him complain of i t . Be r e a d y !
(In a twinkling the common s o l d i e r s s t a r t r i s i n g to th ei r f e e t . T he fishermen and woman d i v e r s get astonished. Only Onami braces h e r s e l f . )
Onami: Don’ t do v iol en ce to him by numbers. (Threads her way through them and supports him.)
Common So l d i e r . Don't disturb us, s i l l y woman! (H it s h e r . )
O n a m
i : Oh, you've hit me; I won't excuse you. You’ ve insulted me --Y a saku-N o -Onami. (Leaps on the common s o ld ie r while looking at the fisherman Fukashichi.)
6
-Don’ t leave me in the lurch, but help me.
Fukashichi: I won't help you, f o r I ’ m a f r a i d I s h a ll smart for i t , I ' l l run o f f . (Runs o f f . )
A l l ; We mustn't be involved in the t r o u b l e . L e t ’ s run o f f . (They a l l run o f f . )
Onami: We l l , then, I ’ l l a ls o run away. Fukashichi-san, w a it, w a it!
(Also runs o f f . Meanwhile, the major-general has a rough- tumble with the common s o l d i e r s . )
Hachi: Darn i t ! You may k i l l h i m .
I f p o s s i b l e , catch him a l i v e by h u r t i n g his s i de - l o c k s or sh in . A11 common s o l d i e r s ;
C e r t a i n l y .
( Al l the common s o l d i e r s unsheathe t h e i r swords; Hachiro takes up the halberd. The major-general also draws his sword and straightens himself.
Just then the sound of a horse’ s hoofs is heard when Nawa Nagatoshi wearing a brown ceremonial robe, a
ceremonial head- g ear and a co a t - o f- m a il on horseback, followed by his clansmen wearing armours, ceremonial robes
or helmets with quick s t e p s . M otonaga places himself in the w ay of the army.)
Motona g a : Oh, you ar e Ma j o r - genera1 Rokujo, a re n ’ t you? We Nawa's Clansmen have come t o meet you.
Maj o r - gen e r a l : Oh, I'm gl a d you've come here in good time. I am Rokujo Tadaaki.
Hachiro: Gee! Look out, everybody! M
otonaga: None of your cheek, Semba and the others. Be prepared f o r death!
Hachiro: What? ( Stabs at Motonaga, who suddenly k i l l s Hachiro. Yoshiyuki, Muneie and Yoshinao s c u f f l e w ith the common s o l d i e r s & run them d own when Nagatoshi
accosts them.)
Nagatoshi: You n e e d n ' t run a f t e r them so long. Let them g o !
All: V e ry w e ll. ( Stop. Thereupon Nawa Matataro gets o f f the horse and kneels down on the sand when the major-general s i t s down on the ston e.)
Nagatoshi: Lord Tadaaki, Ma j o r - g e n e r a l Rokuio, this is the f i r s t time I ’ ve seen you.
I am Nawa Matataro Nagatoshi and have come t o meet you according to the words of the messenger.
I hope y o u ' l l t e l l the Emperor o f i t .
Ma jo r- g e n e r a l : Oh, boy! Nawa-No-Matataro, I'm glad you’ve kindly accepted the message. A l though the Emperor should reign a l l over Japan, p r a c t i c a l l y a l l the vassals
have become his enemies. Now the Ru l e r pays attention to even the sound of reeds o r bush-clovers.
-Now that you’ ve come here immediately to meet the Emperor, I ’ m sure the Emperor w i l l be moved to tears f o r your heroism and l o y a l t y .
Na g a t o s h i: I t ’ s very nice of you to say so. By the way, how about the Emperor?
Ma j o r - g e n e r a l : Sorry to say, he is hiding himself in a d i r t y , small boat and in deep waters.
Nagatoshi: I ’ m s o r r y to hear i t .
(Turns his eyes to the boat, but without looking c l o s e l y at i t drops his head and sheds t e a r s . )
I imagine tha t the Emperor has become emaciated owing to his long voyage since he l e f t the Imperial palace. I ’ m so sorry f o r the Emperor that I , Nagatoshi, have no
words to sympathize with him.
I think the Ruler must be very much t i r e d , but i t ’ s beyond my power to p rotect him on the l e v e l country, so I ’ l l
accompany him to Mt . Senjo the path to which i s steep, a long way from here, f o r the mountain serves as a point of s t r a t e g i c importance. Since i t ’ s a n urgent matter, I ’ ve taken here my r e l i a b l e clansmen though small in number.
Suketaka: I ' m N agat o s h i ’ s younger brother Onigoro Suketaka. 8
-M
otonaga: I ’ m Nagatoshi’ s second son Magosaburo Motonaga. Itsudomaru: I ’ m Na gat o sh i's third son I t sudo.
Yoshinao: I ’ m al so Nagatosh i ' s son-in-law Bitchunokami-Yoshinao. Yoshiuji: I 'm Naga t o s h i ’ s cousin Rokuro Taro Yoshiuji.
N
obusada: I ’ m al so Na ga t o s h i ' s cousin Kotaro Nobusada.
Muneie: I ' m Nagatoshi ' s s o n -in -la w To r i y a Hi k o shi ch i Muneie.
Tadahide: I ’ m also Nagatoshi' s so n -in -la w Hokoji ro Tada h i d e . Yoshiyuki: I ’ m an old clansman by the name of Hino Saburo
Yosh i y u k i .
Yoshiyasu; I ’ m Yoshiyuki’ s e ld es t son Matasaburo Yoshiyasu. M u n e s h ig e
: I ’ m a clansman and Tsuchiya Hikosaburo Muneshige is my name.
Yasuchika : I ' m Utsumi s h i r o t a r o Yasuchika. N
a g a
t o s h i : Besides them, there are a l i t t l e over twenty men h e r e . Even i f t h e i r bones should be broken to pieces , t h e y would never separate f r o m one another.
We ’ l l attend the Emperor c a r e f u l l y .
The enemy Kiyotaka, magistrate of Oki, is in Konami. Motonaga: Another enemy Notonokami Kiyoaki i s in Akazaki.
S u k e ta k
a : They have one thousand cavalrymen r e s p e c t i v e l y . Yoshiyasu: The distant enemy l i ves three miles away from h e r e .
Muneie: The nearer enemy li v e s two miles awa y from here.
-Nagat oshi :
Y o s h i y u k i
Mo t o n a g a : Suk e t a ka : Mu n e i e :
Not onl y they keep si n i s t e r eyes on our movements, but since i t ' s an urgent ma t t e r , we can't
make ready for the Empe r o r ’ s palanquin. That's why
I hope the Emperor w i l l go up to Mt . Senjo on horseback. When the Ruler gets to the stronghold, I , Nagatoshi, w i l l set his mind at r e s t even i f a l l the enemies attack
me on al l sides.
We l l , then, I ' l l urge the emperor to go up there righ t away.
(Just then the sound of noisy musical instruments comes within h ear in g.)
Eek! What' s that sound?
I wonder i f the enemies have known our movements already and closed in upon us.
Oh, don' t make a noise, everybody. Fix arrows t o your bows .
I f they are enemies, shoot them down. (All of them put arrows t o t h e i r bows and
straighten themsel ve s . Just at the moment Nagatoshi's younger brother Shinanobo Ge n s e i ,
priest of the Taisen Temple, comes out from the d i r e c t ion in which Semba Hachi ro ran o f f carrying a halbe r t in hi s hand and wearing an armour over his c l e r i c a l robe lik e Musashibo (Benkei)
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in old days together with numbers o f c l e r i c a l warriors and shouts in a loud v o i c e . )
Gen sei: I ' m N awa-No-Matataro-Nagatoshi' s younger brother Shinanobo Gensei, p r i e s t of the Taisen Temple;
I ’ ve heard from my elder brother of the e v e n t . A lthough I ’ ve l i v e d secluded from the world, I haven’ t forgot ten the Empe r o r ' s grace, so I ’ ve put away the Buddhist
scriptu re s f o r a while and come here w it h p r i e s t s of the same sect so as to help you.
Major-g e n e r a l : I ’ ve mistaken them f o r the enemies and got frightened out of my w i t s , though.
Motonaga: I ’ m glad they have turned out t o be our f r i e n d s . A l l : L e t ' s go up to Mt . Senjo right now.
A l l : L e t ’ s accompany them.
Nagatoshi: Time w i l l come when we go to the f i e l d of b a t t le
on horseback and in armours. (Draws up the b r i d l e of. the horse and exchanges glances with the m aj o r-ge n er a l.)
Majo r - g e n e r a l and Nagatoshi: Ha, ha, ha! A l l : Ha, ha!
(They laugh. The sound of the waves and the p i n e - t r e e is he a rd .)
