Yamamoto Noh Theatre
Japan
Atsumori
Performance by: Yamamoto Noh Theatre
Text by: Zeami Motokiyo
Cast: Yamamoto Akihiro, Sugiura Toyohiko, Moriya Yoshinori, Oonishi Fumihisa, Yoshii Motoharu, Yamamoto Yoshiaki
Performance presented in Japanese, with translation into Romanian and English.
Duration: 50min
Original title: Atsumori
Special effects: torches
This classical play, written by the patriarch of Noh - Zeami, is a true representative of the values and worldviews of the samurai society that established Noh as a dramatic genre. The story takes place in late 12th century, some time after the end of the bloody war between the Genji and Heike clans.
During his service as a warrior of the Genji clan, Kumagai Naozane had fought and killed Atsumori, a young and beautiful nobleman of the Heike clan. In repentance, Kumagai became a Buddhist monk and adopted a new name - Rensei. The play starts with Rensei's journey back to the old battlefield in order to pray for the salvation of Atsumori's soul. There he meets a passing group of grass-cutters playing flutes on their way home. One of them asks Rensei for a prayer. After his wish is fulfilled, he admits to be none other than the incarnation of Atsumori's ghost himself and disappears into thin air. Shocked, Rensei decides to spend the night in prayer for Atsumori's soul. Later that same night, during Rensei's devout prayer, the ghost of Atsumori appears in full battle armour. He re-enacts his final moments and prepares to take vengeance upon his murderer, but is eventually appeased by Rensei's prayer. The former enemies have now become friends through the Law of Buddha.