by Boris Akunin
And for the devotee, that is enough …
SEN-CHAN (turning towards the auditorium) Did you all hear? Did you hear? Oh, how she sings! In all the world there is no one more beautiful than my Izumi-san!
Yuba nudges the girl in the side with her elbow, and she falls silent. During Izumi’s performance the thief carries on working. After cleaning out the merchant, he moves on to the ‘monk’. Here there is a surprise in store for him. Not having discovered anything in the sleeve, Kinjo lifts the hem of the robe – and sees the gleaming blade of a naked sword. The thief backs away fearfully and takes up a position behind Yuba. He tries to thrust his hand in behind her belt, but, unable to resist, lovingly strokes the firm, cloth-wrapped thigh.
Without turning round, Yuba slaps the unknown rascal on the hand. Kinjo calms down.
Izumi finishes singing. She bows again in three directions, lowers her eyes and walks away to take a seat beside O-Bara.
KUBOTA (loudly) If it were up to me, I would already halt the search! A concubine such as this is the very one we need! Modest, with excellent manners, and so comely! No stain would she inflict on my lord’s honour. And above all, in her one sees that genuine yugen, without which any beauty is but vulgar.
He bows to Okasan and says something to her fervently.
STORYTELLER
The samurai extols Izumi’s virtues at great length
He is a connoisseur of yugen, ‘the hidden beauty’.
Izumi’s gentle song enchanted the old man,
Naming all seven of the hidden beauty’s qualities.
And in conclusion, speaking from his heart,
Kubota gave his one-time lady friend a piece of good advice.
KUBOTA Although the prince is learned in the arts, he is still young. It would be good to embellish the performance, to enliven it. I shall let the Yanagi house perform last …
Okasan performs the gesture ‘Undeserved Offence’, but Kubota smiles at her cunningly.
The prince will have had time to grow weary of geishas and their songs and dances.
And then you will present your goods to him. First you bring out the rose (he nods towards O-Bara) in order to arouse him. And then do this: hire a jester or a juggler who is full of fancy twists and tricks. The prince loves acrobats. Let him laugh at some simple spectacle. But then Izumi will come out and he will be transfixed. The vulgar entertainment will provide a superb contrast for appreciating the exquisite pattern of yugen.
STORYTELLER
The exalted guest departs. As he is leaving
Okasan bows to him and she is moved to tears.
His goodwill and his cordial advice
Promise the owner of the house unprecedented profit.
Okasan, bowing repeatedly, sees the samurai on his way. Everyone there bows low, with their foreheads to the ground; only Soga, as befitting a man of noble rank, does not bow down as low as that.
This is why he is the first to see that as soon as Mr Kubota and the owner of the house are hidden in the wings, the ‘monk’ abruptly straightens up, jumps to his feet, pulling out his concealed weapon, and dashes forward.
All of this happens in an instant.
Sen-chan squeals and grabs the killer by his robe. He stumbles and pulls himself free, but in that second Soga also has had time to get up and bare his sword.
The killer rushes at Izumi with a furious scream, raising his sharp blade. She freezes in horror and puts her hands over her face.
O-Bara nimbly darts out of the way.
The viewers shout and mill around.
But the Ronin moves even faster than the ‘monk’, jumping up onto the hanamichi and shielding Izumi with his body.
A sword-duel ensues, the killer making guttural sounds, Soga remaining silent.
STORYTELLER (beating very rapidly on his drum and declaiming briskly)
Sharp is the killer’s blade, his movements swift!
Both from the front and from the side he makes his thrusts!
But Soga well deserves his title of ‘First Sword’,
And in the swordsman’s art he truly is the best of all.
Eventually, following a precisely aimed blow from Soga, the ‘monk’ falls dead. The Ronin freezes in the pose of his thrust. Everyone else also freezes motionless: some with their hands over their faces, some with their arms raised in the air.
The light dims. The curtain closes.
The stage revolves.
Scene two
The front section of the stage represents the garden of the Yanagi tea house. This is the basic stage set, which remains unchanged. There is a small, decorative bridge, a young apple tree and a large stone lantern. A little farther back there is a narrow, raised veranda, or engawa, running round a pavilion. At each end of the engawa there are oil lamps, which are lit or not, depending on the time of day. The shoji (the paper walls of the pavilion) can also either be parted or moved together. At the moment they are closed. A light is burning inside and we can see Izumi’s silhouette as she sits there, slowly strumming on the strings of the shamisen. A sad, faltering melody is heard.
Night. The garden is dark.
The Storyteller strikes his drum – Soga walks soundlessly along the engawa and disappears, holding the hilt of his sword in his hand.
STORYTELLER When mayhem broke out at Yanagi’s gates
Our thief was quick to seize this easy chance.
He gave his stolen booty to his partner
And in the noisy clamour crept into the tea house.
He hid until night came, but once the darkness fell,
The sly rogue went in search of further loot …
He beats on the drum.
Kinjo appears. He gazes all around and sees the geisha’s silhouette. He freezes, enchanted by the music.
STORYTELLER
Since the attack this afternoon a mere six hours have passed.
Izumi is not sleeping, she cannot overcome her trepidation.
Yuba enters the garden, walking backwards. Bent over double, she is sweeping the path with a broom.
She bumps into Kinjo with her backside. Both of them cry out in fright and turn to face each other.
YUBA Who are you? And how could you have got in here?
KINJO (keeping his presence of mind) Ah, what rare good fortune! Oh, what a lucky man I am!
YUBA (suspiciously) What is it, my good sir, that makes you so delighted! Upon my word, I’ll call the guard this very moment!
KINJO (taking hold of her sleeve) There is no need call the guard. I made my way in here with only one intention – to meet you once again! Today I saw you there beside the stage, close to the gates, and my poor reason was stunned by an insane love. I crept into the garden here by stealth and I am wandering about, bewildered and bemused. I did not think or dare to hope to meet you at this hour!
YUBA (relenting, but still on her guard) My mistress is out of sorts today, she keeps shouting. She has sent me out to sweep the paths in the middle of the night …
KINJO (trying to keep her talking) Did you see that sword fight here today? What a performance! I was absolutely fascinated. I thought at first that it was all in earnest, that at any moment blood would spurt out in a fountain. Hey, hey, a classy trick. It was only a pity that the noble guest left without seeing it, the actors played the deadly fight so deftly.
YUBA What actors? I’m still shaking even now. It was our enemies who tried to kill Izumi yet again!
KINJO Your enemies have tried again? What do you mean, I do not understand …
YUBA Probably you’re not from hereabouts. Why, it’s the talk of all the town that our Izumi has a secret enemy. This is the third time he has sent a man to kill her. But every time she is saved by Soga-san. He is a homeless samurai, with no wealth but his sword, and he is boundlessly devoted to her, like a faithful guard dog. Being a famous geisha is no easy fate. The love of men can sometimes be quite dangerous. Some admirer, spurned by Izumi, must be seeking his revenge for the insult that he has suffered.
YUBA Well, I am not a geisha yet. I’m only learning to be one, although my mistress thinks I do not have an ounce of promise.
My lady O-Bara knows all about men, and no one could call her a touch-me-not. She tells me that lady Izumi arranges everything herself. That in this way she wishes to acquire scandalous fame, to be on everybody’s lips. That her faithful Ronin, the fearsome Soga-san, deliberately hires tramps and vagabonds, and then he kills them, the unfortunate fools. For after all, he knows them all by sight. And with his skill, why it’s nothing at all to slice some blockhead hireling into shreds. And all this means a double profit for the mistress: the geisha’s fame increases, and the bold warrior’s fame spreads far and wide.
KINJO Oh, but that monk did not look like a simpleton. His swordplay was quite glorious, he was clearly a master.
YUBA All that’s none of our business. But why don’t you tell me where you are from and what your name is?
KINJO Call me Kinjo. I dare not reveal my family name to you until I know that our feelings are mutual, that your response to my passion is love and we have become one. I am the young heir to a trading house and it would be indecorous for me to blacken the honour of my father’s firm.
STORYTELLER
When she heard that, the lovely girl thought this:
‘Perhaps I will “become one” with him then.
He has good looks and his manners are bold.
And in addition he is rich, so what else could I want?’
Kinjo starts embracing Yuba. She does not resist very strongly. They put their arms around each other passionately.
Once a thief, always a thief. In that ardent moment
Kinjo looks to see what he can filch.
Kinjo feels inside Yuba’s belt, glancing over her shoulder. He hides a tortoiseshell comb and little mirror in his sleeve and then cautiously removes a beautiful slide from her hair.
But Yuba also is no fool. She wishes to discover
Whether her gallant wooer is truly rich.
At the same time Yuba feels behind the belt of her passionate admirer. She discovers a thin purse and rummages in it.
But what bad luck is this! The purse is almost empty!
His embraces have lost all their sweetness for her now.
The young woman stamps her foot angrily and tries to free herself.
Suddenly Soga appears at the end of the engawa. He jumps down without making a sound, runs over to Kinjo and grabs him by the collar.
SOGA Who is this here with you, girl, answer me! Do you dare to bring your lovers here to the Yanagi?
YUBA (embarrassed) Why, no indeed, my lord! This is my own dear brother, who has come to visit me. We have not seen each other for so long …
The Ronin brusquely searches the frightened Kinjo, taking the stolen items out of his sleeve: the little mirror, the slide, the comb. Yuba throws up her hands in outrage but says nothing. Failing to find a weapon, Soga loses interest in Kinjo.
SOGA Well, so he is your brother. I couldn’t give a damn. But just mind now, you fidget: keep quiet here, do not disturb the peace!
He disappears as silently as he appeared.
YUBA You villain! You rogue! You’re a thief and a scoundrel. Some fine merchant you are, when all your wealth is a mere two farthings!
She pounds him on the chest with her fists. Kinjo chuckles.
KINJO Well look at that! The she-devil has rummaged in my purse! And I didn’t even notice! What skilful hands!
YUBA Well, I may be a she-devil, but I am not a thief! I did not take your things, but you have stolen mine.
KINJO A fine reason that is for pride! If you would like to know the truth, the thief’s lot has no equal in this world. I am freer than the wind. No one can order me around. The whole world is my booty. I am a true king among men!
But there is still one thing that vexes me: I live all alone in the world.
I am a king, but with no queen my rule is wearisome. Come and be my companion. The two of us will go away together!
There is no guile in what I’m saying to you now. You are astute and nimble, and you have a pretty face. Together as a couple we would do great things …
He leans down to her and whispers in her ear. She turns away again, but then starts listening. His arms embrace her once again.
STORYTELLER
Sweet-tongued Kinjo calls her to follow him.
He promises a life of freedom with all the sweetness of love.
But they must set off laden with booty, not travel light.
The girl must give him some serious help now –
In this rich house they could make a fine haul.
Let Yuba sniff out where the valuables lie.
She is inclined to yield to his persuasion,
She feels the lure of wanderlust, karma’s imperious call …
The lovers merge into a kiss. And then Kinjo takes Yuba by the hand and leads her into the depths of the garden. The moment they disappear from the stage, a black figure emerges from behind a stone lantern. This is the Second Assassin, who was hiding there. He takes a small crossbow out from behind his back, sets a bolt on the string and aims at the silhouette of Izumi playing on the shamisen.
But as suddenly as the previous afternoon, Soga appears on the engawa. He leaps down and runs the Second Assassin through with a single thrust. The assassin screams and falls.
The sound of music breaks off. We see Izumi get to her feet.
Soga puts his sword back in its scabbard and drags the body under the veranda.
STORYTELLER
The loyal bodyguard has turned a blow aside once more.
Ever-vigilant is bold Soga, the staunch First Sword.
Now he is agitated and alarmed. Yet another attack!
He hurries to conceal the body out of sight,
Wishing to spare Izumi’s peace of mind.
The poor soul need not know that death was hovering here.
Izumi opens the partitions: seeing Soga, she relaxes and moves the shoji wide apart. We can see the inside of her room. It is carpeted with straw mats and decorated with flowers. At the centre there are two low tables. The shamisen is lying on one and a large lacquered casket with drawers is standing on the other.
IZUMI Ah, it is you, my glorious, my priceless guard. I thought I heard a shout.
SOGA It was a night bird. Everything here is calm. Lie down and take some rest. I shall be here on watch.
IZUMI (shivering) I cannot think of sleep tonight! Who is this savage enemy whose sole wish is to see Izumi killed?
SOGA I have asked you, I have questioned you: try to recall the men whom you have spurned.
IZUMI But how can one recall them all? They are just like a swarm of flies. They buzz and pester: ‘Be mine, be mine!’ They do not understand that true yugen entices but then slips away, that it cannot be clutched. I have no need of men’s embraces or of oaths. There is no man in all the world whom I shall love.
Soga listens, hanging his head. Izumi’s voice softens.
Only you, dear friend, have proved able to understand me. And yet at the beginning you too begged for love. But you are noble-hearted and for you it is enough that I value your true nobility and devotion.
She gestures to invite the Ronin up into the house. As he enters, he parts the shoji even wider and leaves them open. They sit down: Izumi in front of the casket, in profile to the hall, Soga facing her.
SOGA I behaved absurdly, as if I wished to crumple and pick the flower, not to admire it. I look at you and I am happy. When you are here, my life is full. I would serve such perfection for an entire lifetime.
Izumi raises the lid of the casket – there is a mirror in it. The geisha looks sadly at her whitened face.
IZUMI ‘An entire lifetime’ is short for a geisha. When
beauty fades, there is no more perfection, merely a dried-up leaf … When a net of wrinkles creeps across this skin, I shall not wait for long – I have sworn to myself. What good is life when all the Beauty in it fades away? For that, here in my casket, I keep this (she takes out a sharp stiletto and looks at it). A quick blow, a little pain, and my flower will be cut. I will not let it wither, I will not betray yugen!
SOGA What kind of talk is this! You are only twenty years old. Believe me, there is another beauty in this world. It comes in place of corporeal beauty, if you have walked your path through life beautifully …
IZUMI (in a frivolous tone, putting the stiletto back) Yes, you are right, it will not soon be thus. Youth will continue for another five or seven years.
The Storyteller strikes his drum.
The geisha’s expression changes, her voice trembles.
Ah, how could I forget? It slipped my mind completely: some other person’s hand wishes to cut my flower …
She turns in fright towards the garden, as if it conceals some invisible danger. Soga also turns, setting his hand on his sword. They both freeze motionless.
The light slowly fades, the curtain closes.
The stage revolves.
Scene three
A deserted temple. Night. In the background there is the vague form of a large statue of the Buddha.
The Storyteller strikes his drum. Futoya enters, looking round nervously. He is holding a small but heavy sack in which something is jingling.
He waits, glancing around and shuddering at every rustle. Every now and then there is a peal of thunder and a flash of lightning.