Koi no Omoni
There are only voice parts in this recording.
Script (English/Modern Japanese)
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Yamashina-no-Shōji (shite of act one), the old man taking care of the chrysanthemums in the Imperial Palace's garden, has fallen in love with one of the Emperor's consorts (tsure). Upon hearing the rumour, a court official (waki) serving the retired Emperor Shirakawa sends his servant (ai) to bring Shōji for interrogation. The court official delivers a message from the consort herself - if Shōji manages to lift a heavy parcel and keep walking around the garden with it on his back, then she will deign to grant him an audience. Excited, Shōji tries and tries to lift the heavy parcel, but ultimately fails. Heartbroken, Shōji perishes. Consumed with despair, he vows with his final breath to haunt the consort in the afterlife.
The servant recounts the story of Shoji's desperate love and subsequent death to the court official. The consort's plan had been to make Shōji give up on his feelings for her, so she beautifully decorated the immensely heavy parcel to make it look light.
Afraid of Shōji's curse, the court official advises the consort to pay her respects to the gardener's body, but the consort is unable to stand up, as if pressed down by a heavy boulder.
Just then, Shōji's terrifying ghost (shite of act two) appears before her. He explains his grudge against the consort who brought him only misery and despair after giving him false hope. However, in the end, Shōji manages to overcome his resentment for the consort and, after vowing to become her guardian spirit, disappears without a trace.
Sung by Kanze School
