Chikubushima

竹生島 Chikubu Isle

1 Source and/or Related Material

Story of Chibushima origins

2 Author

Unknown

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Komparu, Kongō, Kita

4 Synopsis

The story is set in the Engi era, in the early tenth century. A courtier (waki) and his two attendants (wakitsure) arrive at the shore of Lake Biwa on their way to the shrine of Chikubushima, on the island of the same name. They encounter an old ferryman (maeshite) accompanied by a young woman (maetsure), whom they ask to ferry them to the island. Reaching the island, they all get off the boat. The courtier is puzzled that the young woman was able to set foot on this island, since women were forbidden from visiting it in those days. The old man explains that Benzaiten, the goddess of music and learning, is enshrined on the island, and therefore women can come here after all. After this revelation, the old man and the young woman disappear. At the Chikubushima Myojin Shrine, the courtiers are welcomed by the head priest, who shows them the holy treasures of the shrine. The goddess Benzaiten appears from inside the shrine, and then the Dragon God himself rises from the sea. They reveal themselves before the officials singing a song in praise of the Engi era and promising to watch over the country. After the heavenly dance (tennyo no mai) performed by the goddess, both Gods disappear. One variant staging tradition features a minor guardian deity of the shrine appearing in the interlude and performing a dance.