Obasute

姨捨・伯母捨 The Abandoned Crone

1 Source and/or Related Material

Yamato Monogatari, Toshiyori Zuinō

2 Author

Unknown, attr. Zeami, Zenchiku

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Komparu, Kongō, Kita

4 Synopsis

A man from the capital (waki) and his staff (wakitsure) visit Mt. Obasute (“Crone Abandonment”) in Shinano Province (Nagano) for mid-autumn moon-viewing. On the mountainside, they meet a strange woman (maeshite), who explains how an elderly mother-in-law was once abandoned on this mountain, and how she composed a poem lamenting her plight. Then she reveals that she herself is that woman and vanishes into thin air. A local (ai) comes and repeats the story in plain speech. That night, under the full moon, the ghost of the abandoned woman (nochishite) appears. The ghost praises the beauty of the full moon and dances calmly while reminiscing about her life. Morning breaks, and the ghost sees the man off as he climbs down the mountain.