Hachinoki

鉢木 The Potted Trees

1 Source and/or Related Material

medieval tales relating to Hōjō Tokiyori and his travels

2 Author

Unknown

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Komparu, Kongō, Kita

4 Synopsis

A traveling monk (maewaki) is caught in heavy snow in Kōzuke Province (modern Gunma) and seeks shelter at the house of Genzaemon Tsuneyo, the former local lord. Since the master is absent, his wife (tsure) first refuses to let the monk in. When Tsuneyo (shite) returns, he sends the monk away, feeling ashamed of the state of his house, but then he calls him back. As the night grows colder, Tsuneyo decides to sacrifice his precious potted bonsai trees of plum, cherry, and pine, to make a fire for the monk. He reveals that in fact he was the Lord of Sano before his lands were usurped, but then declares that if needed, he would gladly put on his armor to fight for his lord Hōjō Tokiyori, Regent of the Kamakura Shogunate. The priest expresses his sympathy and prepares to leave. One day sometime later, a messenger (ai) announces that all vassals have been summoned by Hōjō Tokiyori, Tsuneyo puts on his rusty armour and drives his weak horse toward Kamakura. There the Regent (nochiwaki), accompanied by a retainer (wakitsure) and a servant (ai), reveals himself as the traveling priest and rewards Tsuneyo. He not only returns him to his former estate but also gives him three more fiefs carrying the names of the potted trees. Tsuneyo returns home happy.