Tanikō

谷行 The Valley Rite

1 Source and/or Related Material

Unknown

2 Author

Unknown, possibly Komparu Zenchiku

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Komparu, Kongō

4 Synopsis

A mountain ascetic named Sotsu no Ajari (waki) is practicing austerities in the mountains, and he stops by the home of his young disciple Matsuwaka (kokata) and his mother (maeshite), who is ill. Matsuwaka joins Sotsu no Ajari on his journey in order to pray for his mother’s recovery. A servant of Matsuwaka’s family (ai) appears and tells the story in plain speech. Sotsu no Ajari, Matsuwaka, and some other disciples (wakitsure) head to Mt. Kazuraki. Along the way, however, Matsuwaka falls ill, and the rules of mountain austerities dictate that anyone who falls ill must be hurled off a cliff, so they duly comply. Lamenting Matsuwaka’s death, Sotsu no Ajari and the other mountain priests pray to Acalanatha (Fudō Myōō) to resurrect the boy. The demon God Gigaku Kijin (nochishite) appears and brings Matsuwaka back to life.