Tsunemasa

経政・経正 Tsunemasa

1 Source and/or Related Material

Tale of the Heike book 7

2 Author

Unknown

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Komparu, Kongō, Kita

4 Synopsis

Gyōkei (waki), a monk at Ninnaji Temple (Kyoto), tells how the Heike warrior Tsunemasa was killed in battle, leaving only his beloved biwa lute Seizan, which has ended up here at Ninnaji. Gyōkei places Seizan on an altar and begins to conduct a memorial, when Tsunemasa (shite) appears, but only imperfectly: Gyōkei can hear him but not see him. Tsunemasa speaks of the lute Seizan and of his lingering attachment to the world of the living. Gyōkei organizes an orchestral service, and the invisible Tsunemasa joins in on the lute. Inspired by the beauty of the music, Tsunemasa dances. However, the torments of the Ashura warrior hell soon come upon him. Ashamed to reveal his form in the torchlight, Tsunemasa leaps into the fire, putting it out. All goes dark, and Tsunemasa disappears.