Hatsuyuki

初雪 First Snow

1 Source and/or Related Material

Unknown

2 Author

Komparu Zempō

3 Repertoire

Komparu

4 Synopsis

Yūgiri (ai), a maidservant of the head priest of Izumo Shrine (Shimane), approaches the chicken coop to take care of a beautiful white hen called Hatsuyuki, which the priest’s daughter is raising, but she finds the animal dead. Learning the sad news, the lady (shite) laments and, together with other women (tsure) decides to chant Buddhist prayers for Hatsuyuki. When the ceremony begins, Hatsuyuki’s ghost (kokata) appears in the sky. The animal expresses her gratitude for the prayers and, full of joy that she has attained Buddhahood, disappears into nirvana.