Saigyōzakura

西行桜 Saigyō’s Cherry Tree

1 Source and/or Related Material

“Sankashū” etc

2 Author

Unknown, attr. Zeami, Zenchiku

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Komparu, Kongō, Kita

4 Synopsis

The old cherry tree at Monk Saigyō’s (waki) hermitage is in full bloom, so he orders his assistant (ai) not to receive any visitors today, because he plans to sit and contemplate the blossoms. Just then, however, a visitor (wakitsure) arrives with his entourage (wakitsure) to see the tree, and Saigyō cannot quite bring himself to turn them away. He composes a waka poem for them under the old tree. Eventually night falls, and the visitors leave. Saigyō stays beneath the tree, planning to spend the night looking at the flowers, but he falls asleep. The spirit (shite) of the old tree emerges from behind the trunk and asks Saigyō about the poem he composed earlier, and the old monk gives an explanation in his typical fashion, reconciling Buddhist renunciation with the aesthetic enjoyment of the cherry blossoms. The old tree thanks him with a graceful dance, then reluctantly disappears with the morning light.