Sumiyoshimōde

住吉詣 Genji’s Pilgrimage to Sumiyoshi

1 Source and/or Related Material

“Pilgrimage to Sumiyoshi,” Tale of Genji

2 Author

Unknown

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Kongō, Kita

4 Synopsis

A priest (waki) of Sumiyoshi Shrine calls a shrine servant (ai) and orders him to prepare for the imminent arrival of Prince Genji. Genji (tsure) enters with a young boy (kokata), his attendant Koremitsu (tsure), and pages (kokata). The priest offers prayers for Genji, and his entourage puts on a banquet, at which the young boy performs a dance. Just then, the Akashi Lady (shite) and her attendants (tsure) arrive by boat at a nearby inlet, where they perform a purification ceremony. Hearing that Genji is at the shrine, the Akashi Lady goes to join him. At the banquet, she and Genji exchange poems, and she dances while reminiscing on their days together. Finally, the two part ways again, Genji on an oxcart and the Akashi Lady on her boat.