Mishima Yukio's drama "Chinsetsu Yumihari-zuki" was premiered in November 1969 at the National Theatre [more details]. Based on a long yomihon by Kyokutei Bakin, it had exiled warriors, imperial ghosts and plotting in exotic Okinawa. The play was a fusion of all the key themes of Mishima Yukio: politics, beauty and cruelty. "Tamasaburô, then just 19 years old, enchanted Mishima with his talent and ethereal beauty in performing the part of Princess Shiranui, Tametomo’s first wife" (Sasaguchi Rei). It was revived 3 times: in November 1987 at the National Theatre, in December 2002 at the Kabukiza and in May 2012 at the Shinbashi Enbujô.

"Chinsetsu Yumihari-zuki" is made up of 3 acts, divided into 8 scenes.

Introduction

Minamoto no Tametomo, famed for his remarkable arm strength in wielding a colossal bow and renowned for his courage, stands as the eighth son of Minamoto no Tameyoshi. At the age of 13, he earns the ire of his father, leading to his exile to Kyûshû. During his time in Kyûshû, he swiftly subdues the entire region, earning himself the title of Chinzei Hachirô Tametomo, the conqueror of Western Japan.

During the Hôgen Disturbance in 1156, he aligned with his father, rallying behind the forces supporting the retired Emperor Sutoku. However, Tametomo's proposal for a night attack remained unheeded. Instead, the enemy, led by the retired Emperor Goshirakawa, implemented his brother Yoshitomo's strategy for a nocturnal assault, resulting in Tametomo's forces suffering defeat. In the aftermath, his father Tameyoshi and five brothers meet a grim fate, being executed by Taira no Kiyomori. Left as the sole survivor, Tametomo becomes a solitary warrior, fleeing from the victorious enemy. Pursued relentlessly, he was eventually captured and exiled to Ôshima Island in Izu. The fate of his wife Princess Shiranui and son Sutemaru remained shrouded in mystery. While biding his time on Ôshima, Tametomo seized control by subduing the island's tyrannical ruler, Saburodayû, and took his daughter Sasarae as his wife. Assuming the role of regent, he worked to improve the lives of the islanders by implementing tax reductions and promoting their welfare.

Act I, scene 1: Izu no Kuni Ôshima
On Ôshima Island in Izu

Perched upon Ôshima is a vantage point offering views of a volcanic spectacle, billowing smoke into the sky. Over a decade has passed since Tametomo's exile to this island. Throughout this time, it becomes Tametomo's ritual to don resplendent armor and pay homage, offering solace to the departed soul of Emperor Sutoku on the anniversary of his passing. Today, on the 26th day of the 8th lunar month ^[1], marking the solemn occasion of Emperor Sutoku's death, Tametomo, accompanied by Hacchôtsubute no Kiheiji and Takama Tarô Motoakira, journeys to the newly erected temple dedicated to the revered Emperor. While Tametomo harbors a desire to end his own life at Emperor Sutoku's mausoleum in Shiromine, the grim reality denies him this option.

Tametomo's wife, Sasarae, and Takama's wife, Isohagi, eager to uplift the solemn occasion of Emperor Sutoku's death anniversary, devise a plan to present a dance performance by their son and daughter, Tameyori and Shimagimi, akin to dolls adorning a festival cart. Upon learning of this proposal, Tametomo erupts in fury, vehemently opposing the idea as contrary to the code of the samurai. He emphasizes that with Sutemaru missing, it falls upon Tameyori alone to uphold the memory of the bitterness of defeat Tametomo endured during the Hôgen Disturbance and to carry forth the determination to vanquish the rival Heike Clan.

Soon after, a man bearing a declaration of war aimed at annihilating Tametomo arrives, washed ashore on Ôshima Island. It seems his intention is to instruct village leaders to capture Tametomo. Leading the enemy forces is the former regent, Saburodayû. The convoy of ships ferrying Heike soldiers comprises a formidable fleet of 25 to 26 vessels.

Tametomo strides towards the beach, prepared to confront Saburodayû head-on. Meanwhile, Sasarae wrestles with the weight of her past transgressions, regretting deeply her decision to defy her parents' wishes and engage in a forbidden romance with Tametomo when he first arrived on the island as an exile. She silently resolves to end her life by drowning, alongside her father and their children. Despite being surrounded by enemy forces, Tameyori courageously follows his father's orders, engaging the enemy in battle. Witnessing her son's valor, Sasarae makes a fateful decision and plunges into the sea, accompanied by Shimagimi. Undeterred by the loss of his mother and sister, Tameyori presses on, driven by a fierce determination to avenge their deaths by pursuing the enemy soldiers relentlessly.

Butôta, once a loyal follower of Tametomo, receives orders to assassinate Tametomo's wife, Princess Shiranui. However, the woman who is reported to have passed away is not Princess Shiranui. Upon learning that Princess Shiranui is alive, Takama and his wife decide to embark on a search for her. Along their journey, they encounter Tametomo and deliver the heartbreaking news of Sasarae's death. In his final moments, Tameyori, gravely wounded, implores his father to end his suffering. Tametomo, shattered by the loss of his son, resolves to leave the island to gather reinforcements, partly influenced by Kiheiji's counsel. Departing separately from Takama and his wife, who continue their quest for Princess Shiranui, Tametomo finds himself without arrows to exact vengeance upon the traitor Butôta. However, thanks to Kiheiji's frantic rowing, the ship carrying Butôta swiftly departs the island, eluding Tametomo's pursuit.

Act II, scene 1: Sanuki no Kuni Shiromine
At the Shiromine Shrine in the Province of Sanuki

The retired Emperor Sutoku, who suffered defeat in the Hôgen Disturbance, was banished to Shiromine in Sanuki and breathed his last eight years later, carrying a deep-seated grudge against the Heike, his adversaries.

Having fled from Ôshima Island, Tametomo arrives in Sanuki with the sole purpose of fulfilling his long-held desire to pay homage at the mausoleum of Emperor Sutoku in Shiromine. Facing dire circumstances, Tametomo contemplates ending his life at the sacred site. However, as he slips into unconsciousness, the apparition of Emperor Sutoku materializes, riding upon an ethereal melody, accompanied by Minamoto no Tameyoshi, Fujiwara Yorinaga, and a host of peculiar karasu tengu creatures. Though seemingly unaware of Tametomo's presence, the ghostly Emperor Sutoku proceeds to impart prophetic words concerning Tametomo's fate, delivering a solemn message:

"Taira no Shigemori, who currently enjoys widespread popularity, is destined to pass away within the next decade. His demise will present a prime opportunity for Tametomo and his Genji forces to decisively defeat the Heike Clan. They should lure the Heike forces out into the waters of Yashima and sink them to the depths of the sea. It would be sheer folly for Tametomo, the lone survivor of the Hôgen Disturbance, to contemplate suicide. Instead, if Tametomo ventures to the Province of Higo amidst the winter of this year, he will encounter old acquaintances who will offer invaluable assistance and solace. I pledge to ensure the prosperity of your descendants."

Tametomo expresses deep gratitude for the guidance bestowed upon him by Emperor Sutoku's oracle. In a solemn ritual, the spirits of Emperor Sutoku and his retinue share cups of sake, offering prayers for the realization of Tametomo's enduring aspiration to rally forces and restore the fortune of the Genji Clan. As dawn breaks with the crowing of a cock, the spectral figures vanish into the ether.

This entire sequence unfolds within Tametomo's dream. Upon awakening, he discovers the emperor's sake cup left behind, interpreting it as a sign from Emperor Sutoku, urging him to abandon thoughts of suicide. Encountering Kiheiji once again fills Tametomo with resolve, prompting him to swiftly make his way towards the province of Higo, wasting no time in his pursuit.

Act II, scene 2: Higo no Kuni Kihara Sanchû
In the Moutains of Kihara in the Province of Higo

Tametomo and Kiheiji have finally arrived in the Province of Higo, spurred on by a prophecy promising reunions with old acquaintances. Unbeknownst to them, Butôta, the traitor who betrayed Tametomo a decade ago, now masquerades as a traveling medicine peddler in search of Princess Shiranui.

Upon their arrival, Tametomo's legendary strength is showcased as he single-handedly subdues a massive man-eating boar that charges at him in the snow. Impressed by this feat, the local hunters (ryôshi) extend an invitation to a celebratory feast, featuring the freshly slain boar's meat, and the customary exchange of sake cups. However, the sake served to Tametomo and Kiheiji contains a potent concoction that numbs their limbs, rendering them helpless. Before they can react, they find themselves bound and captured by their hosts, falling victim to a treacherous ambush.

Act II, scene 3: Higo no Kuni Kihara Sanchû Sansai
At a Moutain Fortress in the Moutains of Kihara in the Province of Higo

In the heart of the Kihara mountains in the province of Higo, Princess Shiranui, the formidable mistress of a moutain fortress (sansai), quietly marshals courageous soldiers, anticipating the moment when Tametomo will summon his forces. Butôta, ensnared by a deceitful hunter named Koshiya Genta, now stands before Princess Shiranui, undergoing scrutiny to determine his worthiness to join Tametomo's ranks. As Princess Shiranui conducts her assessment, she unveils Butôta's treachery-a betrayal that led to Tametomo's exile to Ôshima. With steely resolve, Princess Shiranui commands her attendants to administer a fatal punishment upon Butôta, all while she serenades the air with Tametomo's cherished melody on her koto. His life extinguished, Butôta's remains are consigned to the wilderness, destined to be devoured by the ravenous wolves that roam the land.

Tametomo and Kiheiji are ushered into the presence of Princess Shiranui. Recognizing the familiar strains of koto music, a nightly ritual from his days in Dazaifu, Tametomo speculates that Princess Shiranui dwells within this very fortress. His conjecture proves true as Princess Shiranui emerges before him. Joyous disbelief fills both Tametomo and Princess Shiranui as they unexpectedly reunite, and in her elation, Princess Shiranui orders the removal of Tametomo's bindings, setting him free.

Tametomo attentively listens to Princess Shiranui's plan for his resurgence, empathizing with the trials she endured to gather valiant warriors for him. His heart swells with happiness upon seeing his son Sutemaru safe and healthy. Gratitude fills him as he acknowledges Emperor Sutoku's kindness in reuniting him with Takama and his wife, who now care for Sutemaru.

Amidst the celebration of their reunion, Tametomo raises a toast with the emperor's sake cup, a cherished memento retrieved from Emperor Sutoku's mausoleum, shared with Princess Shiranui, his son Sutemaru, and the Takamas. As per Takama's account, Princess Shiranui has garnered over a hundred allies, among them Koshiya, who once served Tametomo in Dazaifu, along with numerous mounted soldiers from Kyûshû. With Tametomo now in Higo, the moment for his resurgence with Dazaifu as his stronghold draws near. Tametomo envisages making meticulous preparations for war, constructing warships, and orchestrating assaults on the capital city of Kyôto.

Summer has arrived, and with it, the ranks of allies have swelled to several hundred strong. Under Tametomo's leadership, they stand poised to rival over a million mounted soldiers in strength. Securing two sizable ships crafted by Urato of Minamata, Tametomo is primed for action. Preparations progress seamlessly under the guidance of Koshiya and his loyal followers. The moment for Tametomo's resurgence is at hand, ripe and ready.

Act II, scene 4: Satsunan Kaijô
On the Sea near Satsunan Islands

Having rallied troops with the aim of crushing the Heike forces, Tametomo, fueled by visions of avenging Emperor Sutoku's vendetta against the Heike Clan by slaying Kiyomori, sets sail for the capital of Kyôto. The sea surface is adorned with myriad jellyfish, while flocks of flying fish fill the sky-a harbinger of an impending storm. As the command to swiftly lower the sails echoes across the ships to evade the tempest, a fierce gale descends, accompanied by torrential rain. Buffeted by tumultuous waves, the vessels carrying Isohagi, Takama, and Sutemaru succumb to the depths of the sea.

In a desperate bid to rescue them, Kiheiji plunges into the unforgiving waters. The anguish felt by Princess Shiranui, who eagerly anticipated witnessing her son's inaugural battle, is indescribably profound. Tametomo laments his own misfortune juxtaposed with Kiyomori's seemingly unassailable luck.

Crushed by the grief of losing her son, Princess Shiranui resolves to offer herself as a sacrifice to appease the sea god, drawing inspiration from the legendary tale of Princess Ototachibana's self-sacrifice to save Yamato Takeru. Despite Tametomo's attempts to intervene, Princess Shiranui's determination remains unyielding, and she plunges into the sea clutching the emperor's sake cup, beseeching for safe passage. In that moment, a black butterfly emerges from the depths, engulfed by the raging storm.

As Princess Shiranui embraces the sea, the spirit of the departed emperor empathizes with her plight, and the tempest begins to abate. Guided by a sacred oracle proclaiming, "Good fortune shall accompany your descendants," Tametomo finds solace in the belief that Sutemaru yet lives.

Where has the ship, originally bound for the east, been carried by the currents? Tametomo's fervent wish has been granted-Sutemaru has been rescued by Kiheiji, a skilled swimmer, and now bobs amidst the undulating waves, clinging to a sizable wooden plank, salvaged from the wreckage, serving as makeshift flotation.

Meanwhile, the Takamas, cast ashore onto a rugged boulder, narrowly evade a fatal fate. However, upon spotting the young heir and Princess Shiranui leaping into the sea, they follow suit without hesitation. Strange fish soar overhead, launching assaults on Sutemaru and Kiheiji. Yet, as the black butterfly, Princess Shiranui's ethereal form, flutters into view, a miraculous calm descends upon the agitated creatures.

[1] Emperor Sutoku died the 26th day of the 8th lunar month of the 2nd year of the Chôkan era, which was the 14th of September 1164 in the western calendar.

The poster of the revival of "Chinsetsu Yumihari-zuki", which was staged in November 1987 at the National Theatre