[SHUNKAN]: What, we’re four now! There’s another exile?
[YASUYORI]: No, nothing like that. Naritsune has fallen in love with a gentle fishergirl and taken her for his wife.
CHANTER: At this news, Shunkan’s face brightens with joy.
[SHUNKAN]: How unusual, how strange! All these three years in exile, no one has spoken the word “love.” This is the first time I’ve smiled. And especially to hear of love for a fishergirl—how romantic—like the tales told of Fujiwara no Kamatari64 or Ariwara no Yukihira65 who fell in love with fishergirls while in exile, dampened by the sea breezes, entangled in the flowing seaweed among the rocks. How delightful to hear of a love story! I, too, have a wife back home whom I love dearly. To speak of love or listen to its tales is to feel love. How wonderful! Let’s hear your story, tell us of your passion.
CHANTER: Pressed to relate his tale, Naritsune blushes.66
[NARITSUNE]: Although we three have not tried to hide our existence here, many fishing boats come and go, bringing supplies; I am embarrassed to use the word “love.” Who would have thought that anyone would have an affair here on this lonely, barren isle so far away from anywhere? She is the daughter of a fisherman from Kirishima Island. Her name is Chidori. Her task is to burn brine, collect it, and boil it on the shore. One day this young woman rose out of the evening waves, half naked, with a small bucket at her hip and a sickle in her hand. This nymph had emerged from the depths of the sea where the mirume seaweed grows, and wakame and arame.67 On her gently curving body, supple and wet and glistening, sea eels and gray mullets clung; crabs, too, pinched her skin. A small bream, thinking it food, suckled at her breast. The wrap at her waist was transparent, dripping wet, showing her skin smooth and radiant. A tiny octopus, thinking it a jar, had settled in her navel. Her life floating and sinking, buffeted by the waves—a mermaid swimming must be like this! When the tide had receded, her waist was covered in sand. She stepped on a clam. At her loins clung a succulent ark shell.68 She cast off an abalone from her finger; under her nails nestled ivory shells.
Resting after her diving, she quickly arranged her hair in a bun, curling it like a turban shell, not even a boxwood comb for ornament.69 But in the eyes of a lover, her hair is jewel-like in its beauty. Was it a chance visit of cupid to this isle? She now lives happily in a small thatched hut with her husband whom she deeply loves. Gathering leaves from the trees, she has grown skillful at sewing them into robes. Waking in the night, she pulls her husband close to her sea-swept body and whispers love in the exotic tones of her Satsuma dialect.
“Someone simple like me never dreamed I’d meet a gentleman from the capital who enjoys poetry. But we met, fell in love, and slept together. How wonderful to receive his favor and be thought attractive. Since I have no parents, my husband’s friends are my family; I want to consider Lord Yasuyori my elder brother and Priest Shunkan as my father. Ask them to call me ‘sister,’ ‘daughter,’ to do this and that, to serve them well, and let me come into their hearts.”
[NARITSUNE]: The poor girl then broke down in tears. Her words, hoping to gain your favor, struck my heart deeply.
CHANTER: At Naritsune’s words, Shunkan interjects.
[SHUNKAN]: What a fine, romantic tale! First of all let me meet your new wife. Shall I go to your hut?
[NARITSUNE]: No need; she came with me. Chidori, Chidori!
CHANTER: At his call she timidly answers yes and steps out from the reeds carrying a basket on a pole, a modest, pretty young woman, wearing a tattered but beautiful kimono with colorful brocade designs: her beauty bows to none. Why was she born to be wasted as a fishergirl? Shunkan offers his greetings.
[SHUNKAN]: You certainly match the description fondly told. I’ve heard that you’ve met Yasuyori, and that you want to consider me your father. The three of us are the same as relatives. Today I pledge us parent and child. You’re my daughter, and I’ll get a pardon so we all four can go to the capital. It’s only a matter of time until you wear the formal silk robes as Naritsune’s wife. How regrettable! Even if we were to drill into a boulder or dig a hole in the ground, we would have no saké. All I can do is offer congratulations nine times—with no saké.
[CHIDORI]: I’d surely meet a bad end if a poor, lowly fishergirl like me were to cover herself in fine silks. I’m happy to be marrying a man from the capital.
[SHUNKAN]: The medicine saké that seven-hundred-year-old immortals drank was from China’s Ju Shui River.70 Let’s follow their lead and drink cold mountain water. If we think it is saké, it is saké. This abalone shell is our cup. From today we are parent and child.
CHANTER: Calling each other Father and Daughter, they drink a toast.
[CHIDORI]: Please accept me in your favor.
CHANTER: At this all laugh and agree: the mountain water is saké; the abalone shell, a jeweled cup. Back and forth the cup goes. Drinking, singing, the three now four celebrate, and like the Isle of Hōrai, their volcanic island has an endless supply of saké in its springs. Yasuyori looks off out to the sea.
[YASUYORI]: That ship’s too big for a fishing boat. That’s strange—it’s coming toward our island. Look! Look!
Shunkan reading the letter. (Photograph courtesy of Barbara Curtis Adachi Collection, C. V. Starr East Asian Library, Columbia University)
CHANTER: Before they know it, a ship bearing the colors of officers from the capital comes near shore, and two soldiers jump out onto the beach, setting up chairs in the shade of some pine trees.
[SENO’O]: Are the exiles Captain Naritsune, of Tanba, and Yasuyori, lord of Hei, present?
CHANTER: At the cry of this voice, wondering if it were a dream, they answer yes, and Shunkan and Yasuyori also answer “present.” All three hurriedly run before the two men and fall on their knees, heads bowed to the ground. Seno’o takes out the letter of pardon.
[SENO’O]: Listen to the words of this pardon.
CHANTER: He opens the letters and reads:71
[SENO’O]: On the occasion of the imperial birth, a special amnesty has been granted. The two exiles of Devil’s Island, Captain Naritsune of Tanba and Yasuyori, lord of Hei, have been given a pardon. They are to return immediately to the capital.
CHANTER: Before he finishes, the pair collapse with joy. But Shunkan says:
[SHUNKAN]: Have you somehow missed the name Shunkan?
[SENO’O]: How rude to suggest a man like Seno’o could possibly make a mistake. If you wish to check, here look for yourself.
CHANTER: He hands over the letter. Both Naritsune and Yasuyori think it strange as he reads the letter—backward and forward, even checking the envelope.
[SHUNKAN]: There’s no mention of Shunkan. Did Lord Kiyomori forget about me? Did the scribe make a mistake? We have the same crime, same punishment, and all the details were the same. The amnesty has pardoned two. Why have I alone slipped through the saving net? Has the bodhisattva singled me out to receive no pity, no mercy? If I had died earlier, I would not have to suffer this pain. How wretched to have lived so long!
CHANTER: He weeps tears of agony. Tanzaemon takes a letter out of his pocket:
[TANZAEMON]: You have heard the pardon, but to learn the full extent of Lord Shigemori’s kind and benevolent heart, listen to the following: “The exile on Devil’s Island. On the occasion of Lord Shigemori’s compassion, the high priest Shunkan is allowed to go as far as Bizen in the Island Sea. Signed Lord Noritsune, Governor of Nōto.”
[SHUNKAN]: Then are all three of us pardoned?
[TANZAEMON]: Yes.
CHANTER: Shunkan rubs his forehead in the sand, bowing three times in thanks and weeping tears of joy. Naritsune and Chidori and Yasuyori all dance about, wondering if it’s all a dream. The sweet dew of Buddha has dampened the fires burning in this hell of hungry ghosts. Were one to sing of paradise it would surely be like this.
CHANTER: The two officials speak as one voice:
[SENO’O AND TANZAEMON]: We have no more business on this island. Fortunately the win
ds are good. Board the ship.
CHANTER: As the four start to board, Seno’o grabs Chidori and pulls her aside, fiercely shouting.
[SENO’O]: Wretched woman. If you’re seeing them off, be gone.
[NARITSUNE]: No, it’s fine. She is the woman whom I married while on this island, and we have pledged to live together when we return to the capital. Please let her travel as far as the first port of call. Please, my descendants and I shall never forget your kindness, please?
CHANTER: He bows to the ground, pleading. At this Seno’o replies angrily.
[SENO’O]: What a nuisance! I don’t care who this woman is, away with her.
CHANTER: There is a scuffle.
[NARITSUNE]: Well if you won’t allow this, then I won’t return, I’ll stay on this island. Shunkan and Yasuyori, board the boat.
[SHUNKAN]: No, no, it wouldn’t be right to leave one behind.
CHANTER: All three exiles refuse to return. The three sit down resolutely on the beach—determination on their faces.
CHANTER: Tanzaemon has an idea.
[TANZAEMON]: Lord Seno’o, if they refuse, it’s likely to have an effect on the imperial birth. Even if we don’t let the woman aboard, let’s stay here for a day or two, explain the problem, and convince them to agree. Let’s have this pardon completed in good faith, with all contented, as an offering for the imperial birth.
Seno’o holding a fan. (Photograph courtesy of Barbara Curtis Adachi Collection, C. V. Starr East Asian Library, Columbia University)
CHANTER: But before he finishes, Seno’o interrupts.
[SENO’O]: No, that’s a bureaucrat’s self-indulgence. My official letter of passage allows for only two passengers. You have permission to add one more. I can take three, but who has given permission for four? Until the exiles are handed over to the Heike headquarters in Rokuhara, they are my responsibility. Even if they refuse to board, do you think I won’t force them? Shunkan’s wife refused to obey Lord Kiyomori’s order and was executed.72 Ariō’s treachery got him arrested. Men, get these three on board and into the hold of the ship.
CHANTER: The soldiers quickly thrust Chidori aside and forcibly drag the weakened exiles onto the boat. Like small birds forced into a hawk’s cage, their arms are twisted, pulled. The severe Seno’o gives his order.
[SENO’O]: Set the sails! Launch the boat. Tanzaemon, all aboard. The exiles are in hand, is there any other business?
CHANTER: He has no reply to Seno’o’s reasoning and boards the ship. Forlorn and despairing, Chidori is left friendless on the shore, a young bird weeping.
[CHIDORI]: It’s all a lie, deceit. Who said that samurai understand human emotion and compassion? There are no demons on Devil’s Island; all the demons are in the capital. From the day we fell in love, I prayed continuously to the dragon god of the sea, but not with the wish to live in glory and splendor in the capital. I wanted—if just for one night with him—to change these rags into flowery robes and experience the joy of being born a woman. This was my only wish. What a cruel demon, you devil! Would the weight of one slim girl sink your boat! Have you no eyes to see a poor creature’s grief? No ears to hear my cries? Please let me come aboard, let me on!
CHANTER: Her voice rises in agony, her arms beg out, her feet stamp in frustration; she collapses, weeping unconcerned at peering eyes.
[CHIDORI]: Since I’m a diver, I have no fear of swimming two or three miles into the ocean, but I cannot swim eight hundred or nine hundred. I shall dash my head to pieces on this stone. Farewell, my love Naritsune, how I regret leaving you. Pray for me and remember me as your pitiful darling abandoned on this island.
CHANTER: She weeps and weeps as she heads for a large boulder.
[SHUNKAN]: Wait, wait there!
CHANTER: Shunkan yells as he clambers over the edge of the boat and runs to her.
[SHUNKAN]: You shall board the boat and go to the capital. You heard what Seno’o said. My wife refused Kiyomori and was killed. My wife, with whom I pledged to be for three lives, has died; what joy is left for me to return to the capital? I have no desire to view the moon or the cherry blossoms. Rather than face my grief all over again, I shall remain on this island, and you shall go in my place. The letter says three; there will be no problem at the barrier stations. Think of me as a buddha with no ties to this world. Leave me and board the boat. Hurry, get aboard.
CHANTER: As he weeps, he takes her hand and drags her forward to the boat.
[SHUNKAN]: Dear officials, both of you, let this woman come aboard.
CHANTER: As he stumbles toward the boat, Seno’o flies down from the boat in a fury.
[SENO’O]: Why you horned owl of a cleric! If we could be that free about the matter, there’d be no need for official letters of pardon or messengers. There’s no way I’ll let that woman board my ship!
CHANTER: To his fierce growls, Shunkan replies.
[SHUNKAN]: That’s too cruel; please show some mercy.
CHANTER: He pleads, stealthily moving close to Seno’o. He suddenly grabs Seno’o’s sword and like a flash of lightning thrusts at his left shoulder, leaving a cut of eight inches. Shunkan tries to finish him off, but the agile Seno’o unsheathes his short sword and stands up again to face Shunkan. He strikes back but is now weakened, bending like a flowing willow. Shunkan, too, is frail like a withered pine; neither has any strength as they battle on the sandy shore. Back and forth they parry blows until exhaustion overtakes them; each thrusts wildly, seeking the final blow. Those on board begin to clamor, but Tanzaemon stands on the landing plank.
Shunkan reaching out to Chidori. (Photograph courtesy of Barbara Curtis Adachi Collection, C. V. Starr East Asian Library, Columbia University)
[TANZAEMON]: In this fight between the exile and the messenger, everyone shall stand back and let the fight take its course. No one shall interfere or help. Let no one approach.
CHANTER: He strikes a fierce pose, eyes glaring. Chidori, unable to stand back any longer, grabs a bamboo pole and thrusts it at Seno’o, but Shunkan calls out.
[SHUNKAN]: Don’t come near! If you enter the brawl, you won’t escape blame. If you strike him, I’ll hate you for it.
CHANTER: At his anger, Chidori restrains herself; only her heart continues to fight. The bleeding Seno’o fends off the starved and exhausted Shunkan. Blows fly back and forth, back and forth, each time the arms growing weaker, locked in battle. Unable to beat the other, they fall back away from each other into the sand, panting with exhaustion. Seno’o, fearless as an eagle, tries to grab Shunkan, but Shunkan manages to trip him with his skinny, birdlike legs. Seno’o falls flat; Shunkan crawls over on top of him and raises his sword to give the final thrust. But Tanzaemon calls out from the boat to stop Shunkan from killing Seno’o.
Shunkan, on top of a hill, taking a last look at the disappearing boat. (Photograph courtesy of Barbara Curtis Adachi Collection, C. V. Starr East Asian Library, Columbia University)
[TANZAEMON]: I have seen clearly who the victor is. If you deliver the final thrust, your guilt will pile up on past crimes. It is useless to kill him.
[SHUNKAN]: Let my guilt pile higher and tie me to this island.
[TANZAEMON]: No, if you are left behind, all the concern that Lord Shigemori and Lord Nōto have shown will be wasted. If you go against orders, it will be blamed on me. Particularly, if we have fewer than the three exiles, it will be impossible to get past the barrier stations.
[SHUNKAN]: Then you can add this woman to Yasuyori and Naritsune to make three, and no one will give you trouble. Lord Shigemori’s mercy has granted me freedom, but by killing the messenger, I am once again sentenced to exile on Devil’s Island. The mercy is received with gratitude; the officials are not at fault. It is all my choice. Seno’o, prepare to receive your deathblow.
CHANTER: With his angry sword, once, twice, three times, again and again he strikes, finally cutting off Seno’o’s head. All on board the ship cry out in tears. Naritsune and Yasuyori can only fold their hands in pr
ayer. No words, all weep in silence. Witness to all this, Chidori alone feels lost.
[CHIDORI]: Husband and wife are married for two lives. Greed alone kept me from accepting my fate. I am the cause of this tragedy. How could I just board this boat as if nothing happened! You all are too good for me. Farewell.
CHANTER: She turns to leave, but Shunkan pulls her back.
[SHUNKAN]: Listen, since I shall stay on this island, I shall experience—in this life—the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, here where no grains grow. I have just lived in the Shura realm of never-ending fighting. On this smoldering volcano I live in hell. Do you think I won’t be saved in my next life after experiencing the terrors of the three lower realms in this life? The ship I board will be the saving boat of Buddha. I have no desire for a boat to take me through this floating world. Now, hurry aboard!
CHANTER: He tugs and pulls at her sleeves until she is taken aboard. Ready to sail, the ropes are untied, the oars begin their task, pulling the boat out into the waves. Naritsune, Chidori, and Yasuyori call out their tearful farewell, pained to leave Shunkan behind. From the boat a fan waves; from the sand a hand is raised. “Again in the future, again we’ll meet.” The cruel winds carry the ship away. Faint grows the ship, blocked from view by the waves and islands, finally lost in the mist of the sea. Though determined in his path, Shunkan’s heart is still human. He climbs up a hill to get a last look. On the tips of his toes he waves, only to stumble and fall onto the sand. No matter how his heart burns, how much he screams, no one shares his grief. All that is left are the gulls along the shore and the geese in the sky. His friends have flown like birds, leaving him alone; off they go to sea, traveling among the waves. Tears wet the many folds of his tattered robe.
[Chikamatsu jōruri shū ge, NKBT 50: 310–319, introduction and translation by C. Andrew Gerstle]
Early Modern Japanese Literature: An Anthology, 1600–1900 Page 45