KUMASAKA
A Play in two Acts, by Ujinobu, adopted son of Motokiyo
CHARACTERS
PLOT.—The ghost of Kumasaka makes reparation for his brigandage by
protecting the country. He comes back to praise the bravery of the young
man who had killed him in single combat.
KUMASAKA
By ZENCHIKU UJINOBU (1414-1499?)
ワキ次第
「憂しとは言ひて捨つる身の。憂しとは言ひて捨つる身の。行方いつとか定むらん。
詞
「是は都方より出でたる僧にて候。我いまだ東國を見ず候ふ程に。只今思ひ立ち東國修行と志し候。
Priest
Where shall I rest, wandering weary of the world?
I am a city-bred priest,
I have not
seen the east counties, and I've a mind to go there.
Crossing the hills, I
look on the lake of Omi, on the woods of Awatsu. Going over the long
bridge at Seta, I rested a night at Noji, and another at Shinohara, and at
the dawn I came to the green field, Awono in Miwo. I now pass Akasaka at
sunset.
Priest
These weary feet that found the World
Too sad to walk in, whither
Oh whither shall wandering lead them?
I am a priest from the Capital. I have never seen the East country, and
now I am minded to go there on pilgrimage.
He describes the journey, walking slowly round the stage.
Over the mountains, down the Ōmi road by a foam-flecked
stream;
And through the woods of Awazu.
Over the long bridge of Seta
Heavily my footfall clangs.
In the bamboo-woods of Noji I await the dawn.
There where the morning dew lies thick, over the Greenfield Plain,
Green in name only—for the leaves are red with autumn—
In evening sunshine to the village of Akasaka I am come!
I will not tell you his name, but his grave lies in the green field beyond
that tall pine tree. He cannot enter the gates of Paradise, and so I ask
you to pray.
Kumasaka
There is no need to know his name. He is buried in that tomb over there,
among the rushes to this side of the pine tree. It is because he cannot
get free
[1]1
that he needs your prayers.
ワキ
「あら何ともなや。誰と名を知らで回向は如何ならん。
Priest
But I do not think it is right for me to pray unless you tell me his name.
Priest
No, no; it will not do. I cannot pray for him unless I know his name.
シテ
「よしそれとても苦しからず。法界衆生平等利益。
Shite
No, no; you can pray the prayer, Ho kai shujo biodo ri aku; that would do.
Kumasaka
Pray, none the less. For it is written, "All the creatures of the world
shall be profited.
There shall be no distinction."
ワキ
「出離生死を。
Priest
praying
Unto all mortals let there be equal grace, to pass from this life of agony
by the gates of death into law; into the peaceful kingdom.
—If you pray with the prayer of "Exeat" he will be thankful, and you
need not then know his name. They say that prayer can be heard for even
the grass and the plants, for even the sand and the soil here; and they
will surely hear it, if you pray for an unknown man.
Chorus
For he that taketh a prayer unto himself
Even though his name be not named, if he receive it gladly,
Is the owner of the prayer.
Was not the promise made to the trees of the field,
To the soil of the land? Though the heart that prays marks no name upon
the prayer,
Yet shall it be heard.
シテ詞
「さらば此方へ御入り候へ。愚僧が庵室の候ふに一夜を明かして御通り候ひ。
Shite
Will you come in? This is my cottage.
Kumasaka
Then come back to my cottage with me and pass the night there.
This is your house? Very well, I will hold the service in your house; but
I see no picture of Buddha nor any wooden image in this
cottage—nothing but a long spear on one wall and an iron stick in
place of a priest's wand, and many arrows. What are these for?
Priest
I will come.
They go into the cottage, which is represented by a wicker framework at
the front.
Listen! I thought you were taking me to where there would be a chapel, so
that I could begin my prayers. But here I can see no painted picture nor
carven image that I could put up. There is nothing on the wall but a great
pike,—no handstaff, but only an iron crowbar; and other weapons of
war are nailed up. What is the reason of this?
Yes, this priest is still in the first stage of faith.
Aloud.
As you see, there are many villages here: Tarui, Awohaka, and Akasaka. But
the tall grass of Awo-no-gahara grows round the roads between them, and
the forest is thick at Koyasu and Awohaka, and many robbers come out under
the rains. They attack the baggage on horseback, and take the clothing of
maids and servants who pass here. So I go out with his spear.
クセ
「ししようなき手柄。
Priest
That's very fine, isn't it ?
Kumasaka
You must know that when I first took the vows of priesthood I went round
from village to village here, to Tarui, Auhaka and Akasaka—there is
no end to them, but I know all the roads,—through the tall grass at
Aono and the thick woods of Koyasu, night or day, rain or fine. For I was
a hill-bandit in those days, a thief of the night, tilting baggage from
mules' backs; even stripping servant-girls of their clothes, as they went
from farm to farm, and leaving them sobbing.
Then it was that I used to take with me that pike there and waving it in
their faces, "Stand and deliver!" I would cry.
But at last a time came when it was not so.
[2]2
And after that time I was glad enough to find shelter even in such a
place as this. I yielded my will and was content. For at last I had indeed
resolved to leave the hateful World.
You will think it very strange for a priest to do this, but even Buddha
has the sharp sword of Mida, and Aizen Miowo has arrows, and Tamon, taking
his long spear, throws down the evil spirits.
—is excellent. Good feeling and keeping order are much more
excellent than the love of Bosatsu. "I think of these matters and know
little of anything else. It is from my own heart that I am lost,
wandering. But if I begin talking I shall keep on talking until dawn. Go
to bed, good father, I will sleep too."
He seemed to be going to his bedroom, but suddenly his figure disappeared,
and the cottage became a field of grass. The priest passes the night under
the pine trees.
"But I must have done, or dawn will find me talking still. Go to your
rest, Sir; and I too will doze awhile." So he spoke, and seemed to go into
the bedroom. But suddenly the cottage vanished: nothing was left but the
tall grass. It was under the shadow of a pine-tree that he
[7]7
had rested!
There is usually an interlude to occupy the time while Kumasaka is
changing his costume. An inhabitant of Akasaka tells stories of Kumasaka's
exploits.
I cannot sleep out the night. Perhaps if I held my service during the
night under this pine tree—
He begins his service for the dead man.
PART SECOND
Priest
I have seen strange things. I cannot sleep, no, not even for a while as
little as the space between the antlers of a young stag. Under this
autumn-winded pine-tree lying, all night long I will perform a service of
chanted prayer.
[8]8
後ジテ
「東南に風立つて西北に雲しづかならず。夕闇の夜風烈しき山陰に。
Second Shite
There are winds in the east and south; the clouds are not calm in the
west; and in the north the wind of the dark evening blusters; and under
the shade of the mountain—
Kumasaka
Reappearing with a scarf tied round his head and a long pike over his
shoulder.
The wind is rising in the south-east. The clouds of the north-west are
shifting; it is a dark night. A wild wind is sweeping the woods under the
hill.
Perhaps there will be moonshine to-night, but the clouds veil the sky; the
moon will not break up their shadow. "Have at them!" "Ho, there!" "Dash
in!" That is the way I would shout, calling and ordering my men before and
behind, my bowmen and horsemen. I plundered men of their treasure, that
was my work in the world, and now I must go on; it is sorry work for a
spirit.
Kumasaka
The moon does not rise till dawn to-night; and even when she rises she
will be covered.
Send along the order for an assault!
Recollecting himself.
The whole heart divided between bow-hand and rein-hand,—oh the sin
of it! For ever seizing another's treasure! Look, look on my misery, how
my heart clings to the World!
ワキ詞
「熊坂の長範にてましますか。其時の有樣御物語り候へ。
Priest
Are you Kumasaka Chohan? Tell me the tale of your years.
Priest
If you are Kumasaka himself, tell me the story of those days.
There were great merchants in Sanjo, Yoshitsugu, and Nobutaka; they
collected treasure each year; they sent rich goods up to Oku. It was then
I assailed their trains. Would you know what men were with me?
Kumasaka
There was a merchant, a trafficker in gold, called Kichiji of the Third
Ward. Each year he brought together a great store, and loading it in bales
carried it up-country. And thinking to waylay him I summoned divers trusty
men. . . .
ワキ
「さて國々より集まりし。中に取りても誰が有りしぞ。
Priest
Tell me the chief men; were they from many a province?
Priest
Tell me the names of those that were chosen by you and the countries they
came from.
シテ
「河内の覺紹。
詞
「磨針太郎兄弟は。表討には並びなし。
Kumasaka
There was Kakusho of Kawachi,
there were the two brothers Suriharitaro;
they have no rivals in fencing.
[1]1
Kumasaka
There was Kakujō of Kawachi,
and the brothers Surihari that had no
rivals in fencing.
ワキ
「さて又都の其内に。多き中にも誰が有りしぞ。
Priest
What chiefs came to you from the city?
Priest
Well, and from within the City itself among many there were—
シテ
「三條の衞門壬生の小猿。
Kumasaka
Emon of Sanjo, Kozari of Mibu.
Kumasaka
There was Emon of the Third Ward and Kozaru of Mibu.
ワキ
「火ともしの上手分切には。
Priest
In the fighting with torches and in mêlée—
Priest
Skilful torch-throwers, in broken-attack
シテ
「是等に上はよも越さじ。
Kumasaka
—they had no equals.
Kumasaka
Their like will never be seen.
ワキ
「さて北國には越前の。
Priest
In northern Hakoku?
Priest
And from the North country, from Echizen
シテ
「淺生の松若三國の九郎。
Kumasaka
Were Aso no Matsuwaka and Mikune no Kuro.
Kumasaka
There was Matsuwaka of Asau and Kurō of Mikuni.
ワキ
「加賀の國には熊坂の。
Priest
In Kaga?
Priest
And from the country of Kaga, from Kumasaka
シテ
「此長範を始として。究竟の手柄の痴者ら。七十人は與力して。
Kumasaka
No, Chohan was the head there. There were seventy comrades who were very
strong and skilful.
Kumasaka
There was this Chōhan, the first of them, a great hand at deeds of
villainy; and with him seventy men of the band.
ワキ
「吉次がとほる道すがら。野にも山にも宿泊に。目付を附けて之を見す。
Chorus
While Yoshitsugu was going along in the fields and on the mountains, we
set many spies to take him.
Priest
On all the roads where Kichiji might be passing, up hill and down dale on
every halting-place they spied, till at last
Let us say that he is come to the village of Akasaka. This is the best
place to attack him. There are many ways to escape if we are defeated, and
he has invited many guests and has had a great feast at the inn.
Kumasaka
Here at the Inn of Akasaka we found him,—a fine place, with many
roads leading from it. We set watch upon the place. The merchants had sent
for women. From nightfall they feasted. They roystered the hours
away—
ワキ
「夜も更け行けば吉次兄弟。前後も知らず臥したりしに。
Priest
When the night was advanced the brothers Yoshitsugu and Nobutaka fell
asleep.
Priest
And at last, very late at night,
Kichiji and his brother, with no thought for safety,
Fell into a sodden sleep.
シテ
「十六七の小男の。目の内人に勝れたるが。障子の透間物合の。そよともするを心にかけて。
Kumasaka
But there was a small boy with keen eyes, about sixteen or seventeen years
old, and he was looking through a little hole in the partition, alert to
the slightest noise.
describing the original combat, now symbolized in the dance
At this word they rushed in, one after another. They seized the torches;
it seemed as if gods could not face them. Ushiwaka stood unafraid; he
seized a small halberd and fought like a lion in earnest, like a tiger
rushing, like a bird swooping. He fought so cleverly that he felled the
thirteen who opposed him; many were wounded besides. They fled without
swords or arrows. Then Kumasaka said, "Are you the devil? Is it a god who
has struck down these men with such ease? Perhaps you are not a man.
However, dead men take no plunder, and I'd rather leave this truck of
Yoshitsugu's than my corpse." So he took his long spear and was about to
make off—
Chorus
And, hurling their firebrands,
In they rushed, each jostling to be first,
More of them and more, in a wild onslaught.
Not even the God of Peril had dared to face them.
But little Ushiwaka showed no fear.
He drew his belt-sword and met them.
The Lion Pounce, The Tiger Leap, The Bird Pounce . . .
[10]10
He parried them all. They thrust at him but could not prevail.
Thirteen there were who attacked him;
And now, done to death, on the same pillow head to head they lie.
And others, wounded, have flung down their swords and slunk back
weaponless,
Stripped of all else but life.
Then Kumasaka cried: "What demon or god can he be
Under whose hand all these have fallen? For a man he cannot be!
But even robbers need their lives! This is no work for me; I will
withdraw."
—What can he do, that young chap, if I ply my secret arts freely? Be
he god or devil, I will grasp him and grind him. I will offer
his body as sacrifice to those whom he has slain. So he drew back, and
holding his long spear against his side, he hid himself behind the door
and stared at the young lad. Ushiwaka beheld him, and holding his bill at
his side, he crouched at a little distance. Kumasaka waited likewise. They
both waited, alertly; then Kumasaka stepped forth swiftly with his left
foot, and struck out with the long spear. It would have run through an
iron wall. Ushiwaka parried it lightly, swept it away, left volted.
Kumasaka followed and again lunged out with the spear, and Ushiwaka
parried the spear-blade quite lightly. Then Kumasaka turned the edge of
his spear-blade towards Ushiwaka and slashed at him, and Ushiwaka leaped
to the right. Kumasaka lifted his spear and the two weapons were twisted
together. Ushiwaka drew back his blade. Kumasaka swung with his spear.
Ushiwaka led up and stepped in shadow.
Kumasaka tried to find him, and Ushiwaka slit through the back-chink of
his armour; this seemed the end of his course, and he was wroth to be
slain by such a young boy.
Chorus
He was thinking as he went,
"Though this stripling slash so bravely,
Yet should Kumasaka employ his secret art,--
Then though the boy be ogre or hobgoblin,
Waist-strangled he would be pressed to dust."
"I will avenge the fallen," he cried, and, turning back,
He levelled his pike and sheltered behind the wattled door,
Waiting for the urchin to come.
Ushiwaka saw him, and drawing his sword held it close to his side,
Stood apart and watched. But Kumasaka too stood with his pike
ready.
Each was waiting for the other to spring.
Then Kumasaka lost patience. He lunged with his left foot and with his
pike
Struck a blow that would have pierced an iron wall.
But Ushiwaka parried it lightly and sprang to the left.
Kumasaka was after him in a moment, and as he sprang nimbly over the
pike
[11]11
Turned the point towards him.
But as he drew back the pike, Ushiwaka crossed to the right.
Then levelling the pike, Kumasaka struck a great blow.
This time the boy parried it with a blow that disengaged them,
And springing into the air leapt hither and thither with invisible
speed.
And while the robber sought him,
The wonderful boy pranced behind and stuck his sword through a chink in
his coat of mail.
"Hey, what is that?" cried Kumasaka. "Has this urchin touched me?"
And he was very angry.
But soon Heaven's fatal ordinance was sealed by despair:
"This sword-play brings me no advantage," he cried; "I will wrestle
with him."
Then he threw away his pike, and spreading out his great hands,
Down this corridor and into this corner he chased him, but when he
would have grasped him,
Like lightning, mist, moonlight on the water,—
The eye could see, but the hand could not touch.
シテ
「次第々々に重手は負ひぬ。
Kumasaka
Slowly the wound—
Kumasaka
I was wounded again and again.
地
「次第々々に重手は負ひぬ。猛きこころ。力も弱り弱り行きて。
Chorus
—seemed to pierce; his heart failed; weakness o'ercame him.
Chorus
He was wounded many times, till the fierce strength of his spirit weakened
and weakened. Like dew upon the moss that grows.
And so saying, he disappeared among the shades of the pine tree at
Akasaka, and night fell.
Chorus
Are vanished the men of this old tale.
"Oh, help me to be born to happiness."
Kumasaka entreats the Priest with folded hands.
The cocks are crowing. A whiteness glimmers over the night.
He has hidden under the shadow of the pine-trees of Akasaka;
Kumasaka hides his face with his left sleeve.
Under the shadow of the pine-trees he has hidden himself away.
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