Morihisa

盛久 Morihisa

1 Source and/or Related Material

Nagato version of the Tale of the Heike book 20

2 Author

Kanze Motomasa

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Komparu, Kongō, Kita

4 Synopsis

The Heike warrior Morihisa (shite) has been captured and is being taken from Kyoto to Kamakura to be executed. One of his captors, Tsuchiya Saburō (waki), allows him to visit the temple of Kiyomizudera on his way out of Kyoto out of consideration for Morihisa’s strong faith in Kannon. Accompanied by Tsuchiya Saburō, two palanquin bearers and a sword bearer (wakitsure), they finally leave the city and head East. After their arrival in Kamakura, Morihisa chants the Kannon Sutra and has a mysterious dream: it is the day of his execution, and the sword bearer raises his weapon, but it suddenly breaks in half. Hearing of this happy omen, the shogun Yoritomo summons Morihisa. On the instructions of Tsuchiya’s retainer (ai), Morihisa dresses impeccably for his meeting with the shogun and tells him of the vision he has seen. Yoritomo replies that he had the same dream and declares that he will spare Morihisa’s life. He asks him to dance, and Morihisa gratefully obliges.