The Traditional Kyogen Theater performed by Yamatoza Kyogen Troupe.
Mountain Hermit by Gen Andō
Farm Owner by Hoshirō Andō
A mountain hermit, a novice in supernatural power, is on his way back to hometown after completing his training. All of sudden he feels very thirsty. Looking around, he finds a big tree with ripe persimmons. He makes every effort to reach them, but to no avail. He finally climbs up the tree. While the hermit enjoys eating the persimmons, the owner finds the hermit stealing and eating his fruit.
Being annoyed, he decides to tease the hermit. The owner speaks loudly, "At first I thought it was a man hiding in the shadows of my tree, but it is not a man after all. Oh, it must be a crow. It will surely start cawing if it is indeed a crow." "If not," the owner says, "it must be a thief. I will aim an arrow at him." The hermit pretends to be a crow.
Being amused, the owner now asserts that it must be a monkey. "If it is a monkey," he says, "it should scratch itself and chatter. If it is a thief, however, I will throw a spear at him." The hermit now mocks the way a monkey chatters.
Roaring with laughter, this time the owner claims it must be a hawk. "A hawk should spread its wings, screech, and fly. If not, it must be a thief. I will shoot him with a gun." In his attempt to imitate a hawk, the hermit falls off the tree.
The hermit hurts himself badly. This time it is the hermit who is being annoyed. The hermit demands the farm owner to nurse him. The owner refuses to treat the injured hermit, reminding him of his act of stealing. The hermit insists that he deserves medical treatment. To show off his recently acquired supernatural power, the hermit starts chanting an incantation. However . . .
Comment: Unlike the experienced mountain hermit portrayed in the other Kyogen Play the Owl, the hermit in this play is a beginner in this profession. The highlight of the play is the protean nature of the heretical relationship between the gullible, arrogant hermit and the mischievous, obstinate farm owner in their interaction.
Recorded at Bridgewater State University.
Team TVS / TVSBSC
14 окт 2024
