The Tale of the Heike is
the end for a beginning.
A story woven together by prayers to appease the souls of the dead.
The story of their lives, from their achievements before their death to the moment of their death
is passed down to the present day, transcending time.
Kiso Yoshinaka looks back
This is a story about Kiso Yoshinaka, who looked back at that time. It is a Heikyoku performance, in which the Heike Monogatari is told to the accompaniment of Heike biwa. *This performance has been given with fewer modern-language translations in order to preserve the atmosphere of the words.
Heikyoku: Kisosaigo (Tale of the Heike, Volume 9)
Kiso Yoshinaka is cornered down to the last five horsemen. Yoshinaka urges Tomoe, a female warrior, to escape quickly, but she does not leave. Then, OndahachirouMoroshige appears, and Tomoe puts up a final desperate fight. After that, the only one left by Yoshinaka’s side is Imai Shiro Kanehira. Yoshinaka tries to die with him, but Kanehira tearfully urges him to head for Matsubara. With Yoshinaka heading for Matsubara, Kanehira’s final battle begins. In order to buy Yoshinaka some time to kill himself, Kanehira is the only one to raise his name and release an arrow.
Synopsis of the Heike Monogatari (Tale of the Heike) “Kisosaigo” in modern Japanese, based on the Heike biwa narrative.
https://morinorijapan.com/tale-of-the-heike/kisosaigo
Kiso Yoshinaka looks back Special Feature Page
https://morinorijapan.com/kisoyoshinaka-lookback-heikebiwa
The Voice of Yoshitsune
The words of Kuro Hougan Yoshitsune (Minamoto Yoshitsune), who appears in the Tale of the Heike, are expressed with great emotion in various musical passages. Yoshitsune who is angry, Yoshitsune who laughs, Yoshitsune who is sad, Yoshitsune who threatens. Why not listen to the voice of Yoshitsune in The Tale of the Heike Listened to by Heike Biwa accompaniment? This is a concert that collects scenes from The Tale of the Heike where Yoshitsune is speaking.
Short performance version
Heikyoku: Sakaro, Tsuginobusaigo, NasunoYoichi, Yuminagashi(Tale of the Heike, Vol. 11)
Full performance version
Heikyoku: Sakaro, Tsuginobusaigo, NasunoYoichi, Yuminagashi, Houganmiyakoochi
(Heike Monogatari, Vol. 11: “Sakaro”, “Tsuginobusaigo”, “NasunoYoichi”, “Yuminagashi”; Vol. 12: “Houganmiyakoochi”)）
Songs of That Person
This is a small concert in which the parts of the song that symbolize the scene are recited (sung) to the accompaniment of Heike biwa.
Heikyoku: Ichimonmiyakoochi (Heike Monogatari, Vol. 7)
“The ephemeral master has parted with the clouds, and the smoke rises from the inn. Looking back on the hometown as a burnt field, the end is also a path of smoke.”
Heikyoku: Yokobue (Heike Monogatari, Vol. 10)
“Until I was shaved, I bore a grudge, but now I am on the true path of the Azusa bow, and I am happy. Even if I am shaved, I bear no grudge. If I do not have the heart to stop playing the Azusa bow, then I must not play it.”
Heikyoku: Kaidoukudari (Tale of the Heike, Vol. 10)
“How much do you long for your hometown, smothered in the smoke of the red clay huts you passed on your travels? “I do not long for my hometown. If my travels are to be my final home, then my travels are my final home.”
【The Tale of the Heike Listened to by Heike Biwa】
The Tale of the Heike Listened to by Heike Biwa is a small concert in which the strange stories and ghost stories that served as the inspiration for the Tale of the Heike are told with Heike biwa accompaniment. Don’t worry, it’s not scary if you listen to it in the daytime (this concert is held during the day).
Heikyoku: Nue (Tale of the Heike, Volume 4)
During the Nihyou era, there was an incident in which the Emperor Konoe was frightened at night. MinamotonoYorimasa was chosen from among the warriors of both the Minamoto and Taira clans to guard the Emperor, and he waited with his attendant Inosada. At the hour of the ox, a black cloud rose from the forest on the east side of the third street and drifted over the palace, and Yorimasa saw a strange shape in the cloud.
[Nice to meet you, The Tale of the Heike]
You may have studied it a long time ago, you think you saw the characters on the blackboard, it seems to have come up in a test. Why not encounter The Tale of the Heike again? This time, with sound! Let’s go into the world of The Tale of the Heike with Heikyoku (a recitation of The Tale of the Heike accompanied by Heike biwa).
“The Fan Target”
Heikyoku: NasunoYoichi (Tale of the Heike, Volume 11)
During the Genpei War, as the battle was drawing to a close at dusk, a small boat belonging to the Taira appeared. A young woman appeared from the boat and beckoned to them, holding up an open fan at the edge of the boat. At this, the leader of the Genji forces, Kurohanko Yoshitsune, called on the excellent archer NasunoYoichi and ordered him to shoot down the fan. At first, Yoichi was hesitant about the important task, but he accepted the order from Yoshitsune. As the armies of the Minamoto and Taira clans watched on with bated breath, Yoichi prayed to the gods and drew back his bow with all his courage.
“Atsumori
Heikyoku: Atsumorisaigo (Tale of the Heike, Volume 9)
Genji warrior Kumagai Jiro Naozane, having been defeated in the battle of Ichinotani, pursues the fleeing Heike nobles to the coast. There, Kumagai encounters a young warrior wearing luxurious armor. Kumagai manages to capture him, but then realizes that the young warrior is about the same age as his own son. He feels pity for him and wants to spare his life, but the young warrior refuses. Kumagai struggles with his decision, but then grabs his sword, thinking that it would be better to die by the hands of his allies than to be killed by his enemies from behind.
The Kajiwara Clan in the Tale of the Heike
The Kajiwara clan appears in the Tale of the Heike. This is a performance that brings together the stories of the Kajiwara clan, which you can’t help but cheer for, such as “Nidonokake”, in which Kagetoki returns to the battlefield for his eldest son Kagetoki; “Ikezuki”, in which Kagetoki’s feelings overflow when he sees the raw meat that Sasaki has brought him; “Ujigawanosenjin”, in which he is tricked by Sasaki without realizing it; and “Sakaro”, in which he is on the verge of exploding with emotion.
Heikyoku: Ikezuki, Ujigawanosenjin, Nidonokake, Sakaro
(Heike Monogatari, Vol. 9: Ikezuki, Ujigawanosenjin, Nidonokake, Vol. 11: Sakaro)
The Tale of the Heike, listened to in one’s sleep by Heike biwa
The Tale of the Heike Listened to in One’s Sleep is a gathering where you can listen to The Tale of the Heike Listened to by Heike Biwa accompaniment while lying down in bed. Why not escape from your everyday life and enter the world of the Tale of the Heike? You may feel sleepy from the difficult words and the sound of the Heike biwa, but it’s okay if you fall asleep. The sound of the Heike biwa and the narrator’s voice are the stage setting. Please create the scenery of the story in your mind.
Heikyoku: Chikubushimamoude (Tale of the Heike, Volume 7)
Taira no Tsunemasa, who was skilled in poetry and music, was deeply moved by the beautiful nature of Chikubushima, which he visited on his way to war. Tsunemasa felt that the island was a sacred place, and he prayed to the gods and played the biwa. Then… As you listen, try to imagine the emotions in Tsunemasa’s heart, and at the end you may be able to see something that was previously invisible.
Special page for the 8th Yokohama Triennale Support Program
https://morinorijapan.com/support-program-8th-yokohama-triennale
【Off the Coast of Nachi】
The Tale of the Heike, Vol. 10: Yokobue and Koremorijusui, are narrated with the accompaniment of the Heike biwa. Each story depicts the liberation from the suffering of this world and spiritual sublimation. Tokiyori and Yokobue’s story achieves spiritual growth and liberation through the form of becoming a priest, and Koremori ends his own life, cutting off his lingering feelings for his family and companions and choosing the path to enlightenment.
Heikyoku: Yokobue (Tale of the Heike, Vol. 10)
Tairano Koremori, with thoughts of his family back in the capital on his mind, heads from Yashima to Koyasan, struggling with his emotions. There he meets Takiguchi Nyudo (Saito Takiguchi Tokiyori), a man who once loved a woman called Yokobue, but who, despite his family’s objections, went on to become a Buddhist priest. This is the story of Yokobue, who inspired Takiguchi Nyudo to turn to Buddhism after seeing the end of the life of Taira no Koremori.
Yokobue – Modern Japanese Translation Synopsis
https://morinorijapan.com/tale-of-the-heike/yokobue-nachinookinite
Heikyoku: Koremori Jyusui (Tale of the Heike, Vol. 10)
After visiting the three Kumano Shrines, Tairano Koremori and his followers head for the sea. When he sees Koremori agonizing over his family before committing suicide, Takiguchi Nyudo wipes away his tears and, feigning composure, tries to talk him out of it. The story depicts Koremori’s final moments, as he cuts off his lingering attachments and chooses the path of enlightenment.
Summary of the Modern Translation of “Koremorijusui”
https://morinorijapan.com/tale-of-the-heike/koremorijusui-nachinookinite
The Final Sea, Dannoura.
The scenery of that day. The voices of that time. I will gather the murmurs that cannot be seen now and tell you about them. The Final Sea, Dannoura.
This is a concert where you can listen to the Tale of the Heike Listened to by Heikyoku (The Tale of the Heike told with Heike biwa accompaniment) related to the Dannoura battle.
Heikyoku: Dannoura Kassen (Heike Monogatari, Vol. 11)
At Dannoura, the Genji and Heike raised battle cries that echoed through heaven and earth. Tairano Tomomori stood on the deck of his ship and encouraged his men, saying, “Even the greatest generals and warriors in Japan, China and India are powerless when their time has come. But their names are precious. Why should we spare our lives? This is the last day for the army.” He encouraged his soldiers.
Summary of the modern translation of ‘The Battle of Dannoura’
https://morinorijapan.com/tale-of-the-heike/dannourakassen
Heikyoku: Touya (Tale of the Heike, Volume 11)
Wadanokotarou Yoshimori of the Genji fires arrow after arrow at the forces of the Heike. Niinokishirou Chikakiyo of the Heike fires back at the Genji, hitting a ship. The soldiers of the Genji and Heike fight each other without sparing their lives, but the Genji cannot lay a hand on them because they have the Emperor Antoku and the three sacred treasures. Then, something like a white cloud drifts through the sky.
‘Touya’ Modern Translation Synopsis
https://morinorijapan.com/tale-of-the-heike/touya
Heikyoku: Senteigojyusui (Tale of the Heike, Volume 11)
The Genji clan one after another suppress the Heike clan’s boats. Tairano Tomomori senses his end and begins to clean the imperial boat. Niinoama says, “Even though I am a woman, I will not fall into the hands of the enemy. I will go with the emperor,” and she proceeds to the sea with the Antoku Emperor in her arms.
Summary of “Senteigojyusui” in modern Japanese
https://morinorijapan.com/tale-of-the-heike/senteigojyusui
Heikyoku: Notodonosaigo (The Tale of the Heike, Volume 11)
As Noritsune did not recognize Yoshitsune’s face, he attacked the warrior, who was wearing splendid armor, one after another. He managed to get on Yoshitsune’s boat, but Yoshitsune jumped to the boat of his allies. Noritsune was unable to pursue him, and threw his weapons and helmet into the sea, spreading his arms out and saying, “Anyone who thinks they can take me on, come and fight me and take me alive.”
Modern translation of the story of “Notodonosaigo”
https://morinorijapan.com/tale-of-the-heike/notodonosaigo
Heikyoku: Naishidokoromiyakoiri (Tale of the Heike, Volume 11)
The end of the army. On the sea, red flags and red seals are cut down, as if the maple leaves of the Tatsuta River were blown about in the storm. The white waves are tinged with light pink.
The Tale of the Heike: A curse in the form of a prayer.
The Tale of the Heike is a complex mixture of historical fact and creative writing. The characters in the story are exaggerated and portrayed as unique individuals, as if they are being sewn into the larger flow of the Tale of the Heike. The characters may still be living in a curse in the form of a prayer that will never be undone. The narrator will perform an episode from the Tale of the Heike and Heikyoku (a recitation of the Tale of the Heike accompanied by the Heike biwa).
Heikyoku: Nyuudouseikyo (The Tale of the Heike, Volume 6)
Kiyomori’s condition worsens day by day, and his body is tormented by a high fever, burning like fire. In a dream, Kiyomori’s wife, the Lady of the North, is told that he will be cast into the Avici hell. On his deathbed, Kiyomori said, “There is nothing I regret in this life,” and then continued with his final words, “However, the thing I regret is that the priest did not see Yoritomo’s head during his lifetime.”
【The Tale of the Earless Hōichi: A Continuation of the Story Told by the Heike Biwa】
This is my story. The ghost story “The Tale of the Earless Hōichi” is said to be based on a Heike biwa minstrel. What if Hōichi had made a different decision that night? This is a one-man show in which the “Battle of Dannoura” depicted in the story is actually narrated on the Heike biwa.
The performance on this page is based on the following sources and has been produced with the following structure and direction.
[Source]
Kanedaichi Haruhiko (1998) “Seishu Bunko Hon Heike Masafusa”, Sanseido Shuppan
[Composition/Direction]
MORINORI, BRIGADE Co.
[Miminashi Yoichi]
Original Story: Miminashi Yoichi, Lafcadio Hearn
Script/Direction: MORINORI