Fujidaiko

富士太鼓 Fuji’s Drum

1 Source and/or Related Material

Later Collection of Japanese Poems, New Collection of Ancient and Modern Poems

2 Author

Unknown

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Komparu, Kongō, Kita

4 Synopsis

Asama, a master drum player, is invited to play at a seven-day musical performance at the imperial court. However, Fuji, another highly skilled drum player, arrives at the court uninvited, also hoping to participate in the performance. Enraged, Asama kills him. A courtier (waki), feeling pity for the family of the murdered musician, orders his attendant (ai) to collect a memento of Fuji’s to be given to relatives who may come looking for him. Soon afterwards, Fuji’s wife (shite), who has had an inauspicious dream and become anxious about her husband, arrives in the capital with their daughter (kokata). Hearing that Fuji has been killed, the two receive Fuji’s dancing costume from the courtier and weep despondently. Blaming the drum for Fuji’s death, the wife puts on the dancing costume, and she and her daughter beat it angrily. Seemingly possessed by Fuji’s spirit, the woman performs the dance of a court musician. Gradually, her resentment fades, and she departs, leaving the costume behind.