Daibutsu Kuyō

大仏供養 The Dedication of the Great Buddha /Pilgrimage to Nara (Komparu)

1 Source and/or Related Material

kōwaka(story- telling with a simple dance) “Kagekiyo”

2 Author

Unknown

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Komparu, Kongō, Kita

4 Synopsis

Hearing there is to be a dedication service for the new Great Buddha at Tōdaiji Temple (present-day Nara), the Heike warrior Akushichibyōe Kagekiyo (shite) mixes in with the pilgrimage crowds and goes to visit his mother, who lives in Nara. His mother (tsure) asks him if the rumors are true that he is on a vendetta against Yoritomo, who has destroyed the Heike and established a new shogunate. Kagekiyo replies that it is for the repose of the Heike dead and departs from his worried mother. A new Great Buddha Hall has just been completed to replace the one destroyed in the war, and people are busy preparing for the dedication. A temple servant (ai), in response to the rumor about a Heike vendetta against Yoritomo, is enhancing the security of the temple grounds. Yoritomo (kokata) and his entourage arrive and the dedication begins. Kagekiyo, disguised as a priest (shite) of Kasuga Shrine, approaches Yoritomo. Yoritomo’s retainer (waki) finds Kagekiyo suspicious and questions him; he also notices the sword Kagekiyo has been hiding. Kagekiyo quickly hides himself among the crowd. Thinking it shameful to escape without a confrontation, Kagekiyo announces himself. Facing down Yoritomo’s full security detail, Kagekiyo strikes and kills a young warrior. Declaring he will do the same to Yoritomo next time, he escapes. Some performances exclude the temple servant (ai).