I The Puppet and Kabuki Theaters
flimsy boat too heavy? Have you no eyes to see the misery of others? Have you no ears with which to hear? Hear me! I want to go on board. I want to go! chanter:
She screams and cries,
stamps her feet and rolls in the sand,
Chidori climbs up a small rock and stretches for a glimpse of the passengers.
wailing and weeping shamelessly regardless of who may be watching.
Chidori gets off the rock and runs around on the shore, seeking a glimpse of Naritsune on the boat. She removes a small towel (tenugui) from her obi and sinks to her knees and weeps, pressing the towel to her face, then tying it around her waist above her obi.
She is a diving girl,
so a one- or two-league swim
is not unthinkable for her.
But even she cannot swim
the hundreds and hundreds of leagues
from here to the capital.
Chidori rises on one knee, her hands outstretched, making light swimming movements. She makes a gesture of counting on the fingers of both hands. She rises, moves about with difficulty, falls against the hut's post, and weeps.
chidori: I will beat my head against this rock and end my life chanter:
dying for Lord Naritsune. chidori:
Unable to bear parting from my lord,
I will pray to Buddha for salvation.
Dear God, please remember this poor island maid.
She bows low before the hut, faces front, and wipes her tears as the wave drum patterns begin.
chanter:
Seeing her about to die, Lord Shunkan cries. shun kan (Coming off the boat): No, no! Wait, Chidori, wait! chanter:
Stumbling, staggering, Lord Shunkan,
with great difficulty,
leaves the boat and goes to the girl.
Shunkan falls on his way to her, then takes her left hand. She struggles, trying to flee. They sink to their knees.
shunkan (Desperately): Board the boat! Go to the capital! Board the boat and go to Kyoto! I have been told that my darling wife, Azumaya, was slain after refus-ing Lord Kiyomori's advances. Now that my beloved is gone, what joy can I
shunkan on devil
find in Kyoto where I would have to view the moon and flowers with only myself for company? Rather than face grief again in the capital, I will remain here on the island, and you will board the boat in my place. The number of people listed on the pardon will remain the same, so there will be no trouble at the checkpoint. The envoys will not be doubted. Please board the boat and leave me, Shunkan—who is all alone in the world —here on this island where I will devote myself to Buddha. Please board the boat!
He n'ses, pulls her a few steps to the left, then they sink to their knees again. chanter:
His tears flow copiously as he takes the girl's hand and leads her to the boat.
shunkan: Honored sirs, I beg you to grant my request. Please allow this girl to
embark with you. chanter:
Hearing this humble plea Senoo boils over with rage and leaps down from the boat. Wave drum patterns. Senoo, fuming, pushes the couple roughly. senoo: No! Never, never! You dumb priest! When did you crawl down there? How dare you ask me to let this girl go on board? What use would the pardon or we envoys be if we merely did as we pleased? Aach! You're too dumb to even understand!
shunkan (On his knees): Sa, sa, sa! I, Shunkan, who have nothing left to live for, am asking you to have some pity! Leave me here and take this girl in my place!
senoo: How dare you? You impudent, conniving priest! Your pleas are useless! If
you want to die, you'll have to do it in the capital! chanter:
He kicks and tramples on the priest. shunkan: Then no matter what I say senoo: I will refuse!
As the wave drum patterns begin, Shunkan starts to crawl on his knees closer to
Senoo, as if praying for leniency, his hands pressed together.
shunkan: Even if I beg you
senoo: Shut your mouth!
shunkan: for compassion!
chanter;
Shunkan stealthily makes his way
to the side of Senoo, where his
sword can be reached. As quick as lightning he pulls it out
and wounds the startled envoy.