Yoshino Shizuka

吉野静 Shizuka in Yoshino

1 Source and/or Related Material

Arts and literature relating to the figure of Minamoto no Yoshitsune

2 Author

Possibly Kannami, revised by Seiami

3 Repertoire

Kanze, Hōshō, Komparu, Kongō, studied but not currently performed in the Kita

4 Synopsis

The renegade warrior poet Yoshitsune has fallen under the suspicion of his elder brother, the first shogun Yoritomo, so he goes to hide out on Mt. Yoshino in Yamato Province (Nara). However, the warrior monks of Yoshino have just decided to win favor with Yoritomo by betraying him, so Yoshitsune must escape with all speed. His retainer Satō Tadanobu (waki) is tasked with creating a diversion, so in the guise of a worshipper from the capital, he gains access to the warrior monks’ council and listens in on their deliberations. On a mountain path leading to the great hall, Tadanobu encounters Yoshitsune’s mistress Lady Shizuka (shite), and they plot to pin down the warrior monks at the temple. Still disguised as a pilgrim, Tadanobu makes his way into the temple hall, where he confuses the warrior monks by fabricating stories about how Yoshitsune and Yoritomo have made a settlement, and how Yoshitsune has more fighters with him than they realized. When they finally come out of the hall to look for Yoshitsune, they find Shizuna in full dancing regalia in front of Katte Shrine, and they are spellbound as she performs a song and dance about the pleasures of a pious life dedicated to the God, trying to persuade the warrior monks of Yoshitsune’s uprightness. They stand transfixed, and Yoshitsune and his men escape to the valley below.