Chikubushima

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Chikubushima
竹生島
English titleChikubu Island
Written byunknown
Category1st — kami mono
Characterswaki official
wakizure two companions
maeshite old man
maetsure young woman
aikyogen shrine attendant
nochishite dragon-god
nochitsure Benzaiten
PlaceChikubu-shima, Lake Biwa
Time10th century
Schoolsall
Chikubushima, Sakurama Kintaro II(櫻間金太郎)

Chikubushima is an anonymous Noh play of the first category, celebrating the sacred volcanic[citation needed] island of that name in Lake Biwa.

Plot

During the reign of Emperor Daigo, a courtier goes to the island in the center of Lake Biwa: Chikubu Island.

When he arrives at the lake shore, an old fisherman and a young woman are setting out in a fishing boat. He calls out and asks if he can go with them. After the boat arrives at

Sarasvati
) is a woman herself, she does not discriminate.

They tell the tale of the formation of Chikubu Island's shrine. It becomes apparent that these two are not human. The old man dives into the ocean and the young woman disappears behind a door into the shrine. After a short while, Benzaiten appears and dances. Before long, the Dragon King of the Sea also appears and dances. Afterwards, Benzaiten returns to her shrine and the Dragon King returns to the waters.

References