Ama

海士 The Diver

1 Source and/or Related Material

Story of Shidoji temple origins

2 Author

staged by Komparu Gonnokami, second half probably added by Zeami

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Komparu, Kongō, Kita

4 Synopsis

Minister Fujiwara no Fusazaki (kokata) goes to Shido Bay in the land Sanuki (Kagawa ), in order to pray for his late mother’s soul. A mysterious diver woman (maeshite) appears and tells him how the Dragon King once stole a magic jewel near here and took it down to the Dragon Palace at the bottom of the sea, and then a diver woman like her brought it back. Furthermore, she tells Fusazaki that he is a child conceived between the former Minister Fujiwara and the diver from the story. The woman explains that Fujiwara promised that Fusazaki would be his sole heir when the diver gave her life in order to get back the jewel. Having told this story, the diver reveals to Fusazaki that she is in fact his mother and dissolves in the ocean. The son prays for her soul, and then the woman, who has become a Dragon Princess (nochishite), appears and performs a dance to express her gratitude.