SCENE
TWELVE FROM NARROW ROADS TO INNER LANDS
In
this scene an adventurous episode is given to us through the medium
of narration. Fundamentally the travel dairy is a form of narration
but the narration has symbolic and artistic overtones. In turning it
into a play I am aware of the "lack" of direct action,
however, I feel this makes a contemplative contrast to the endless
"action" of most dramatic entertainment.
SCENE
TWELVE
A
room in Seifū's house in Obanazawa. Night. As a pale light comes
up, we find Bashō, Seifū and Sora seated on cushions on the floor,
their faces illumined by a lamp on the floor. To one side there is a
large, black silk screen.
SEIFŪ
Now
sirs, may I ask humbly how you managed
With
those most high and hard-tracked mountain passes
That
mass upon our Dewa province borders?
I
know of something of the wanderer's
Rough
hardships and harsh struggle to go on,
For
I have often faced long journeying
To
reach the capital for business matters.
SORA
Great
thanks for your inquiry, good sir.
To
start we were delayed by some suspicions-
Gatekeepers
on the pass put doubts that such
Attempting
of hard roads was wise of us.
And
thus the dark of night hours overtook
Our
struggling steps while on steep mountainside.
BASHŌ
Still
fortune found us shelter - there we chanced
Upon
the house of one good gatekeeper, such
A
comfort truly in that lonely spot.
Wild
storm descended on us, holding us,
Delayed,
in his rough dwelling, for three days.
SEIFŪ
Such
useful shelter was a gift of time.
(As
Bashō speaks, three silhouettes are seen on the screen- one large
with sword and stick, the other two representing Bashō and Sora.
They mime the progress of the walk note-this could also be a filmed
projection)
BASHŌ
The
mountains grown so mantled with thick growth,
The
air beneath that foliage so hushed,
Made
us just feel as though groped through night.
Not
one bird's cry was heard. The wind above
Seemed
breathing blackness from each rift in dark,
Oppressive
cloud. We pushed on through a path
Of
miles of snatching bamboo undergrowth
And
stumbled over unseen rocks and stones.
At
last we reached the small, safe village of
Mogami,
after shedding much cold sweat.
Our
guide was pleased by our safe passage, for
A
range of accidents had ever added
More forms of hazard on past trips. Relieved,
And from a deepest honesty I thanked him
And
so we parted. Yet a phantom fear
Still
lingered in my mind for some time after.
(By
this time the light behind the screen has faded and the room light
has returned to normal.)
SEIFŪ
Well,
after such a challenging ordeal,
I
must insist you stay a few days here
To
gather bone-good strength for future journeys.
BASHŌ
That
is most fine and generous of you.
I’m
sure we'd benefit from some days’ rest.
So
I shall not refuse your kind request.
(Seifū
picks up the lamp and they all exit.)
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