It is the Heian era. A retainer of Engi no Mikado plans to visit the shrine of Benzaiten on Chikubu-shima Island. On the shore of Lake Biwa, he comes across an old fisherman and a young woman on a fishing boat. 桜間辰之 The retainer asks if he can ride the boat to Chikubu-shima Island. After hearing that he is a worshipper, the pair decide to accept the will of the gods. The retainer joins them on the boat. 宝生閑、横路朝陽、内田芳子 From the lake, the spring flowers in bloom on the mountain look like white snow. In an unseasonable cool wind, the boat soon reaches Chikubu-shima Island. Fish play in the lake, whose green waters mirror the trees. 坂真次郎 The retainer sees that the woman is coming to the shrine and wonders whether females are prohibited. He is told that Benzaiten embodies femininity and doesn’t distinguish between men and women. The woman heads off to the shrine and the old man to the lake. 中森貫太 A priest from the shrine comes out. He offers to show the retainer a secret art called “stepping stones” and leaps in the air. 野村萬斎、石田達雄、他 Before long, the hall of the shrine rumbles. The celestial maiden Benzaiten appears, shining like the sun and moon rising from the mountain shadows. 香川靖嗣 Music fills the empty skies. As flowers fall from above, the celestial maiden starts an enchanting dance. 喜多六平太 The glittering sleeve of the celestial maiden flutters in the moonlight as she enjoys the evening dance. 鈴木啓吾 Time passes. With the moon shining clearly on the surface of the lake, the dragon deity appears from the water. He offers golden and silver balls to the retainer. 粟谷明生、森常好、他 Every part of the body of the dragon deity expresses good fortune. With the celestial maiden, it forms two sides of a single whole to rescue all living creatures. 粟谷明生、粟谷菊生、他 Today, the ancient shrine precincts of Chikubu-shima Island are covered with greenery. [ Paused. To restart, please click on the photo. ]
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Photo: TOSHIRO MORITA
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