Kurumazō

車僧 The Handcart Priest

1 Source and/or Related Material

Tale of the Handcart Priest (trans. Kimbrough et al. 2018)

2 Author

Unknown

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Komparu, Kongō, Kita

4 Synopsis

There once was an ascetic (waki) who lived on a handcart. One day he travels to Sagano (Kyoto), and while he is mesmerized by the scenery, the tengu devil Tarōbō from Mount Atago appears before him disguised as a mountain ascetic (maeshite). The tengu questions the priest on religious matters, hoping to lead him into heresy and religious pride, but the handcart priest outwits him. The tengu then reveals his true identity and invites the priest to visit his enclave before departing. The tengu Mizogoe or “Ditch-Crosser” (ai) appears and tickles the priest in an attempt to distract him from his spiritual concentration, but the monk keeps his focus. Amazed by the strength of his faith, Mizogoe calls for Tarōbō and runs away. In his true form as a great tengu, Tarōbō (nochishite) arrives and tries to tempt the monk but is once again defeated. He bows in grudging respect and disappears.