Kōya Monogurui

高野物狂 The Mt. Kōya Madman

1 Source and/or Related Material

Gempei Jōsuiki

2 Author

Zeami

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Kongō, Kita

4 Synopsis

In Hitachi Province (Ibaraki), Takashi no Shirō (maeshite) has become the devoted guardian of the late Lord Hiramatsu’s son, Shunmitsu (kokata). On the anniversary of the lord’s death, when Shirō goes to the family temple to pay respects, his attendant (ai) reports that Shunmitsu has disappeared, leaving behind only a letter. Knowing Shunmitsu’s desire to become a monk, Shirō sets out to find the boy. Mad with grief, Shirō (nochishite) arrives at Mount Kōya (present-day Wakayama), where Shunmitsu is being cared for by monks (waki, wakitsure). Despite the monks’ disapproval, Shirō praises the holy mountain and dances. Seeing this, Shunmitsu calls out to Shirō, and they return home, reconciled.