Lost+in+the+Translations



Date late 12th century at the mountains, special passes required to get through government checkpoints. Here is the barrier god with his soldiers; he stops to declare identity

He hails for Kaga, names Togashi Following the recent civil wars, the most powerful man in the country is now the showgun giritomo, and now he has grown jealous of his brilliant younger brother Yoshitsune and has turned against him. Yoshitsune has been forced to escape from his brothers sources and thought to be heading northward disguised as a traveling mountain priest of the type called Yamagushi. Hearing of this, their master yorotomo have ordered that new road barriers be set up in order to intercept and interrogate all such traveling priest. Togashi has been placed in charge of this barrier. He asks his men if they understood his duties. According to their instructions, only recently they stopped some dubious Yamagushi, beheaded them and exposed their severed heads. They understand well what they must do, should they see any other Yamagushi in these parts, they will certainly drag them before Togashi. Any mountain ascetic will be immediately arrested and bound. He need have no doubt; they will be on their guard. They have spoken admirably. Should any further Yamagushi come this way, they should capture them and set his mind at rest. They must exercise their duties with strictest care. They humbly obey. Togashi walks to the right side of their stage to take up his position at the barrier. His wide sleeved costume with the trailing trousers and court cap abashi is based on that worn by feudal lords at court. Though inappropriate for this situation, it is worn by Togashi to suggest the nobility of his mind and to elevate him as a fitting adversary in the heroic scenes to follow.

Musicians play a short melody to show the approaching moment. Scene still in the mountains. Yoshitsune approaches the stage with his men. Benkei was the final to arrive and is one of the most celebrated characters in Kabuki.

Yoshitsune says that their path to in the north has been blocked by new road barriers. Rather than die a dishonorable death at the hand of some anonymous god, he has resolved to taken his own life yet instead agreeing to Benkei's suggestions he has disguised as a humble porter in attempt to pass through the barrier undetected. He asks the others whether they accept this plan. The retainer shows impatience with this idea, and asks what purpose they are wearing swords if not to use them at a time like this. It is their lord’s most dangerous hour. He also expresses his resolve, suggesting that they cut down the barrier soldiers and force their way through. Suruga insists that the time to repay their lords kindness is here. Only the 4th Bansotsu is prudent.

Benkei tells them to wait. This is indeed a serious and dangerous time. But were they to break down this barrier and past, reports of this would pass and reach other barriers ahead. It would only make their passage to the north more perilous. For that reason, Benkei has asked to take off the cap of Yamagushi priests and asked to pretend to be a lonely guide and porter. The talking, he says, should be left to him. The reality for their lord to been seen in this stage, yet he should remained concealed deepend within his traveling hat fainting exhaustion from their journey. He should walk some paces behind the others to not attract attention.

Yoshitsune approves of Benkei’s plan and instructs the others not to disobey. In that case, they must proceed to the barrier now and they agree to do as he commands. Benkei lowers his head respectfully, though it is within his lord’s consent, he’s about to assume a position far above his station an act which according to the strict warrior’s code of the day would have been unthinkable in normal circumstances.

Benkei walks ahead as leader of the group. They now arrive at the barrier.

He declares that he and his groups are Yamagushi priests and wish to pass through this barrier. The soldiers have heard and immediately alert Togashi. What’s that, there is Yamagushi who wish to pass very well he understands. He goes to warn the priests that this in an official road barrier. Benkei will comply, he explains that their purpose is to collect funds for rebuilding........temple in Nara and that they are one group of many dispatched throughout the country. As they have been ordered to go north, Benkei humbly requested that they be allowed to proceed. Their purpose is commendable. However, this barrier has been abrupted specifically to stop all Yamagushi. Benkei’s perplexed and asks the reason. Due to the disharmony between Lord Yorotami and his half brother Yoshitsune, the latter has fled from the capital and is traveling north to seek refuge with his ally Hilahira. Yoshitsune has said to been disguised as a Yamagushi and hearing of this Lord Yorotami has ordered strict barriers to be set up. All Yamagushi are to be closely investigated. He is in charge of this barrier.

The soldiers have instructions to interrogate all such priests. By the looks of it, they are all large group but not one of them may pass. Benkei has heard their reason but argues that their orders must refer to counterfeit Yamagushi; surely they were not meant to stop real priests. The soldiers disagree, why only yesterday they executed three Yamagushi. Even real priests will be shown no mercy. Benkei demands to know whether one of the heads was that of Yoshitsune. That is difficult to say any further questioning will be useless. There's not one of them who may pass. That is outrageous.

Benkei however goes on to with their pretence a little longer to test Togashi reserve. He tells the other to gather around to prepare for their last rights and reminds them to die bravely. The others should approach. This will be their final act in this world. Said to have been founded by Ennocu in the 7th century, the real Yamagushi priesthood that is associated with esoteric Buddhism emphasizes pilgrimages to and the practice of severe austerities on mountains. Their protector is the fierce deity Foudour, the greatest of the five mantra kings. We hear that having gained special powers through religious austerities, Yamagushi are in a state of spiritual enlightenment and upon death will be reborn as Buddhist.

Benkei glances down as his own person. He makes a cutting action, miming the swords that will send them to the next world. He lowers his head respectfully as the singers speculate on how the deity Foudour will view this shameful deed that is about to take place. The executioner will surely be damned. We hear the words of prayer to the great son Buddha as the priests rub their prayer beads together with the distinctive sa ra sa ra sound. Perhaps taken aback by the priest’s server, Togashi praises them for their willingness to die. If he has not mistaken, they have said they were collecting funds for the Pordiagi Temple in that case they are bound to present their temple Conginco list of subscriptions and would like to hear it read out now. Benkei is momentarily thrown by this because of course these priests have no such scroll. However, Benkei decides to improvise the content of Conginco using a blank scroll for letter writing that they have inside the wicker box.

Benkei unrolls the fake scroll and with great formality holds it out and pretends to read. The suspicious Togashi edges towards Benkei to see if these words are really written on the scroll. The improvisation proper begins. In keeping with the fluorid language of the Buddhist text, Benkei says in these evil times since the death of the Buddha the automoon of enlightenment is hidden by clouds and from the long night's deluded dreams, there is no one to wake us. Benkei continues to correlate the origins of Pordiagi Temple from which this group is supposed to come. We hear that the Emperor Shomo in the 8th Century was unable to stem his grief with the loss of his beloved wife and tears fell violently from his eyes. Eventually his thoughts of grief turned to those of piety and he resolved to eruct a statue of the great son Buddha. It was he who built the temple. However, in the year 1180 the structure was destroyed by fire, yet momenting the loss of so holy a sight and receiving an imperial decree, the priest Chogun began its reconstruction in 1195.Contaplating the mutility of this world, he worked and promoted the project among his relatives. In order to raise funds, requests for subscriptions have been sent around the land. Those who give even a tiny amount will enjoy untold blessings in this world and in the next will be born sitting on a lotus in a Buddhist paradise. Upon completion of the reading from the script, Benkei poses and imitation of Foudour. We hear that his voice resounds through the heavens.

Togashi claims to be satisfied with Benkei’s reading of the scroll but he would still like to ask some further questions. The following highlight is another great for building its great height and tension. Though, indeed there are many kinds of priests in this world, Togashi asks why the Yamagushi looks so fierce and war like; their appearance does not seem very pious. That is easy to explain. According to the sacred laws of their sect, they must thread steep and dangerous paths. Their tasks are to subjugate evil beasts and poisonous snakes which do harm. Yet they must also show compassion to men and through religious austerities they gain enough merit to lead wicked souls to salvation. They pray for peace on earth. For this reason inertly they cultivate mercy and compassion but outwardly they appear fierce to threaten those who stubbornly adhere to evil. The 108 beads of their rosaries represent the merit blessing of the Buddha's holy way. Though the vestments they wear are of Buddhist priests, why do they wear pilgrim’s caps? For Yamagushi, the robes and cap are like armour to a soldier. With the sword of Amidare at their side and carrying staffs like Sakamuri in their hands, they make pilgrimages to the most distant lands and traverse the highest mountains. Temple priests also carry a staff but that of the Yamagushi is special, it is said that it protects them why is that? A foolish question; their staff known as the diamond stick Congoresaway and so named because it express the firmness of faith is modeled on that used by the Indian homemade sage Aarara. While Buddha was still a young novice with a surname Kudan, he went to Aarara to serve as a disciple gaining great virtue and merit. Feeling the power of his faith, Aarara gave him the new name of Sofou. How was it transmitted to the Yamagushi sect? From the sage Aarara, the staff was handed down to the Buddha and was later adopted by the founder of their sect Innosaku. He used it on pilgrimages around mountains and plains and from him it was transmitted.

Though you are priests, you carry swords are they mainly for show or do you use them? Though they may seem as the weapons of the scarecrow, they are not worn just to fool people, the swords are used on those to persist on evil and harm the Buddha's law. They are used not only on beasts but also on men for with one death many lives may be saved. The swords may cut down which that may be seen but how do you tackle the shadowy demons without form that obstruct the Buddha's path. We recite the 9 magic Singons of the Singou's sect. There’s no difficulty whatsoever in that. What of your dress? It is patterned after the deity Foudours. The meaning of you cap? It is the crown of five wisdoms; it follows the 12 laws of karma. The color of your vestments, that of the Koimaldala? The color of those legging? The blackness of the womb? The eight laced sandals? They symbolize threading of the eight petaled lotuses. The air we breathe in and out, the Sanskrit are and Aum. What is the significance of the 9 magic syllables? What is it? Benkei replies that such religious mysteries are usually kept secret but he will explain now to expel Togashi's doubts. The 9 syllables are Ding, Pau, Tso, Tsa, Kia, Chin, Ztashi, Zin. When they are spoken stand upright and strike your teeth 36 times with the thumb of your right hand, trace vertical and 5 horizontal lines and the same time cue Kiou Kiou Neetsuryo and all forms of demon and evil ghosts craving beasts will disappear at once like frost on boiling water. The syllables will act as a sword to cut through earthly passion. There is no doubt that one will become invisible against all manner of enemy. Benkei offers to answer freely any question his interrogator may have. The virtues of his teachings are infinite. He swears that all the gods of Japan and holy Buddha's are his witnesses. Everything he has said has been true. This segment ends in one of the most famous poses tailed from the golden Kabuki age Gennoku Miea.

Togashi has been unable to fault Benkei’s knowledge and in a low subdued tone he says it was his mistake to doubt even a moment so exulted a group of priests. Now he too would like to make a small contribution to Taudigis' reconstruction. He orders the soldiers to bring it here. Togashi’s humbly requests that Benkei accept his contribution to the reconstruction of Taudigi in hopes that he too will receive the Buddha's blessings. Benkei is most grateful. Togashi need no doubt that good fortune will be his in this world and the next. He and his group will now proceed to nearby provinces to solicit further contributions. They will take the two bags of gold with them now but until they return in the middle of the 4th month, Benkei bids Togashi to look after the other bulkier gifts for them.

It is time to take their leave. They must continue their journey with all speed. One of Togashi's soldier points out the somewhat similar figure of the porter who lags behind. The porter must halt. Though alarmed, Benkei alerts to the other not to act aggressively. Why has this porter not passed through because he was ordered to stop. For what reason stopped? There was one who thought he resembled a certain person that is why he was stopped. It is not unusual for someone to look like someone else. Whom is he supposed to resemble. One of his men thought he resembled Yoshitsune. Togashi needs to make sure. What’s that, he resembles Yoshitsune? Benkei pretends to be furious at the porter. They had intended he says to travel up as the Northern Province while the sun was still high but this reached porter with only one piece of luggage has lagged behind and delayed them. To convince the soldiers that in fact the porter is not Yoshitsune, Benkei is forced to take drastic measures. He must beat him with his staff but he will hesitate because it’s a grave sin to raise a hand towards ones lord. He orders him to go. No matter how he tries to explain it, they may not pass. At last, Benkei accuses the soldiers to wanting to steal valuables from their bags and the two groups confront each other. Benkei tries desperately to stop his men from attacking for that would reveal their true identities. If Togashi has any further doubts, Benkei offers to strip the porter of his luggage and to prove the truth of his words; right here and now he will beat him to death. He begs him to stop but Togashi doubted his words, it was his soldiers, then he will beat them to death to dispel their doubt. He must not act rushly; his soldiers were mistaken to doubt the porter.

Secretly, Togashi now realizes that this group is indeed, Yoshitsune and his men. He is impressed by Benkei’s outstanding loyalty and sympathizes with his plight as he too lives by the same warrior code; he understands how hard it was for Benkei to strike his lord. He claims to have no further doubt and invites them to pass through the barrier. Togashi has been generous and the porter lucky to escape with his life. He warns him to take care in the future. Togashi will be more vigilant in his duties from now on. He orders his men to follow him away. Inwardly Togashi is resolved, out of respect for Benkei’s heroic efforts; he has decided to let the group through, even though he knows he must pay for it later with his own life.

The following scene takes place short steps away from the barrier. Now that they have successfully passed and there's no one to see them, Yoshitsune resumes his rightful position as lord over the others. In contrast to the heroic actions that have just taken place, this section is famous as a moving display of affection between a lord and his loyal retainer. To emphasize his refinement and Nobel liniage, the role of Yoshitsune is often given to a Onnagata. The four retainers line up along the back of the stage. These four are known as Stainou. They were always four faithful samurai as the lord’s bodyguard. They fought for him and frequently died with him. Slowly Benkei presents himself revertly in front of lord Yatsuna. The sin of striking his lord weighs heavily upon him and he cannot yet be sure of Yatsuna's reaction. Yatsuna praises his retainer for the ready wit he showed today; it was not the feat of any ordinary man. Pushed into desperate straits, Benkei beat him mercilessly as though he were no more than a common servant, yet by beating him he was saved from certain death. He must have the protection of Heaven or Hachimon God of War. He is grateful, the retainer Schicbua, says the moment the soldier called for them to stop was surely their lords most dangerous. Schwantau agrees that the patron god of their Yangi clan Hachimon must be watching over their lord, the remainder of their journey to the north will doubtlessly be safe and speedy. Katuatika is also grateful to Benkei without whose intervention; they surely would've been lost. Finally Kamee adds his praise. They are all surprised at Benkei’s great abilities. Though this is said to be the degenerate age, the sun and the moon have yet to have crashed down on the earth and while life continues good fortune can still be held. Benkei is grateful for theirs. Though he acted only according to their plan, when he recalls beating his own lord with the wooden staff, he is filled with terror with the thought of divine punishment. He normally has the strength to life heavy weights with ease but when he raised the staff to strike his lord, his arms became numb. It was a sect religious act, the gravest of sins. Bagged with guilt, Benkei approaches his lord with only desire for forgiveness.

In a famous gesture, Yoshitsune will extend his hand for he does forgive. He was born he says into a house of warriors and subject to war. Giving up his life to his older brother Yaritumo, his remains are destined to sink below the waves of the western sea. They belong to the faith of a warrior, his life spent among mountains and open plains or on the rugged coasts. Benkei now begins a dance describing a great sea battle at Itnosani where they fought side by side. He mimes putting on armour, he rests on his chin to remind of little sleep they had. His life at the mercy at the sea. He shoots an arrow and performs the stone throwing act. He counts on his fingers the 3 years of glory before their fortunes turned. How pitiful we hear they recent stage. The idea of dew represents tears. They prepare to go home together when at that moment a voice is heard calling them from far. They move quickly to shield Yoshitsune. It was Togashi who called for them to wait.

He fears he treated them badly at the barrier and has come to apologize. He brings Saki and hopes he will join them before they depart. One soldier brings a small wooden Saki cup in a ceremonial custom. As was the custom, they host will take the first sip. Benkei thanks Togashi for this is a fine treat. He great fully accepts. In fact, Benkei is a great lover of Saki, and in keeping with his generous and larger than life character, he's accustomed to drinking very large amounts, for now though, he must remain on his best behavior. They offer more but Benkei finds the cup too small for his taste. He signals for a box top to be brought as a more suitable vessel. He blows away the fume of alcohol. The music suggests Benkei’s recalling to the past and his romance. He tells the soldiers his story counting one on his hand for the one woman. Having fun with the soldier, he points as if that woman went by. Now that he has tasted the drink, Benkei would like more. Though the soldiers think he's had enough, he will not be refused. Now quite tipsy, Benkei remembers a famous game requiring Saki in which they would gather at the stream and send wine cups down. When the cup passed one of them, they had to drink its contents. Benkei offers to serve more Saki to Togashi. But Togashi requests instead that he dance for them. He begins to chant the words to a scared song describing a mythical tortoise symbol of longevity which lived in Rockpur for 10,000 years. What follows is a dance of longevity called Enmen Meia. The sliding steps known as sudiyashi, in which the heals are kept fairly close to the floor and the broad imitations that are in similarity to Noh.

We hear that before entering Yoshitsune service, Benkei trained as a real priest on the holy mountain Heasian and that he would perform this dance many times as a youth. He describes a pure mountain stream gliding through the rocks below without a sound. He looks up at a waterfall that crashes down without an end representing the force of nature. The fan behind his back represents the hard shell of a tortoise that lives nearby. He signals to the other to leave now, while Togashi's off his guard and signals to their speed departure like an arrow shot from an bow. Feeling like he's just trotting a tiger’s tail and escaping from serpent’s jaws, the great warrior priest follows after his lord. On what they will make their way to the northern province of Muttsu. Before he leaves however, his final thoughts like with Togashi, whom Benkei knows now must forfeit his own life to pay for his compassion for an enemy. Benkei looks ahead to make sure the other are safely gone and then turns once more to bow in Togashi's direction. Now feeling elated, he will hurry forward to follow his lord. The actor performs a famous exit called Augpore. Literally meaning six directions, the term refers to the violent swinging of the arms and body emphasing the heroic strength as he bounds down the Hanamichi pathway.

This translation and commentary was written by Paul Griffith.