Dance
Background Information This play was written by Kawatake Mokuami, and was first performed in 1883. It was based to an old legend about a ferocious demon called Ibaraki. Some Kabuki plays are from Noh, and they are performed on the stage that is made like a Noh stage. They are called 'Matsubame-mono'. 'Ibaraki' is performed as Matsubame-mono, but there isn't its original Noh play. Minamoto-no Raiko (or Yorimitsu) was a commander of the Genji clan had the big four, Watanabe-no Tsuna, Sakata-no Kintoki, Urabe-no Suetake and Usui Sadamitsu. It has been told as a legend for a long time that they had exterminated demons. Tsuna was the most famous warrior of them. Cast
Story At Heian period, there was a rumor that demons often appeared near Rasho-mon gate in Kyoto. Watanabe-no Tsuna went there and fought against a demon Ibaraki. Although Tsuna couldn't kill Ibaraki, he managed to cut off Ibaraki's left arm then. Tsuna brought the left arm to his home, and put it into a wooden chest A famous exorcist, Abe-no Seimei thought the demon Ibaraki would come to take his arm back. He made Tsuna take fasting and purification for seven days in order to avoid the attack of the evil spirit. It meant that Tsuna couldn't meet anyone. The sixth day, Tsuna's aunt Mashiba visits his house. She is an elder woman. Ugenta who is a retainer of Tsuna refuses to open the door, because the seven days haven't finished yet. Mashiba gets angry with Ugenta, and shouts Tsuna's name from outside the gate. Tsuna doesn't answer of it, and Mashiba is disappointed very much. When Mashiba is leaving there, Tsuna repents very much. Then Tsuna calls her name to get her back. Tsuna invites Mashiba into his house. Mashiba asks why Tsuna has closed the door. Tsuna talks about the situation, and he orders Ugenta and his sword bearer Otowaka to bring the wooden chest that Ibaraki's left arm is into. Mahiba seems to be interested in it very much. Then Tsuna treats Mashiba with food and wine. Tsuna orders Otowaka to dance. After that, Tsuna asks Mashiba to dance. Mashiba dances very well, but she doesn't use her left hand. After Mashiba finishd dancing, she asks Tsuna to talk about the detail his fight against the demon Ibaraki. And she asks to show the left arm of Ibaraki to her. The wooden chest has been opened. Mashiba takes the left arm up, and shows her true character as the demon Ibaraki. Tsuna and others are surprised very much. Tsuna fights against Ibaraki, but Ibaraki runs away with his left arm. (2001,11,11)
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