All the World's a Stage

Owner of the Yanagi tea house

KUBOTA

Counsellor to the Prince of Satsuma

O-BARA

The owner’s adopted daughter, a geisha of the first rank

YUBA

Her pupil

IZUMI

The owner’s adopted daughter, a geisha of the first rank

SEN-CHAN

Her pupil

KINJO

A thief

FIRST ASSASSIN

SOGA

Nicknamed ‘First Sword’, a Ronin who lives in the tea house

SECOND ASSASSIN

FUTOYA

A rich merchant

THE INVISIBLE ONE

The Jyonin of the Sinobi clan

THE INAUDIBLE ONE

A warrior of the Sinobi clan

ACT ONE

The stage is divided into two parts, alternated by rotating it. In one half the scenery is permanent – this is the garden of the tea house and Izumi’s room: in the other half the scenery changes. On the left a little platform or hanamichi is attached to the stage, running out into the hall to approximately the fifth row. Between the hanamichi and the hall there is an empty space. On the right, the Storyteller sits at the edge of the stage throughout the performance, wearing a severe black kimono with crests. He is gently lit by a paper lantern.

ACT ONE

Scene one

At the gates of the Yanagi tea house, which are flung open wide in welcome. Lying on a stand at the very centre is a shamisen, or lute, and at one edge there are two pillows: one larger and rather more luxurious, the other smaller and more modest. Quiet music is playing.

STORYTELLER (he strikes a drum lying in front of him with a wooden stick – the sound is a low, quiet rumbling)

This is the Yanagi tea house, throughout the capital
It is famed for the art of its exquisite feasts.
The respected owner, to secure her own success,
Adopted two peerless geishas as her foster-daughters,
Since when the house’s fame has multiplied most greatly,
And now the Yanagi is celebrated far and wide.
Today from distant Satsuma a noted visitor
Is honouring this refuge of refinement with his presence.
For an occasion such as this the main gates
Have been flung wide open, so that all might see
How celebrated is this house of tea today.
Since morning old and young have gathered at the stage,
For when else could they see the dancers and the singers
Who charm the ears and eyes of only noblemen and merchants?

Before uttering his final phrase, the Storyteller strikes the drum, and the public streams up onto the hanamichi. Trying to occupy places closer to the stage, the viewers sit down with their backs to the hall. At the front are the trainee geishas – the young woman Yuba and the teenage girl Sen-chan – behind them are the merchant Futoya and the First Assassin (he is dressed like a monk, with a large straw hat on his head) and then the thief Kinjo and the Ronin Soga (in a patched kimono, but with two swords in his belt).

STORYTELLER (he strikes the drum)

And here we see the owner – Okasan her name,
Which simply means ‘mama’ – for she is like a mother to all here –
Trembling in her joy, leading her dear guest along
To take the place of honour at the very finest spot.
Mr Kubota’s duties are exalted ones,
As counsellor and minister to the Prince of Satsuma.

Bowing repeatedly, Okasan seats the samurai in the place of honour, and sits down modestly beside him. At the appearance of the guest all the spectators on the hanamichi lean towards him. While a conversation takes place between Kubota and the owner, everyone remains respectfully motionless, with only Sen-chan fidgeting and squirming in her place.

OKASAN Oh, what happiness it is that you, Kubota-san, have not forgotten me, even after so very many years! Ah, of course, I have become ugly and old, but seeing you, I tremble once again in joy.

She covers her face elegantly with her hand, performing the gesture ‘Pleasant Embarrassment’.

KUBOTA Ah, but how could I forget you? Ah, those golden days! But weeping tears for spring is foolish on an autumn day. Yes, we are not as we once were. What once was is now past, and yet it would be strange to be offended at our fate. What a high grandee I have now become, and you are now the owner of the finest of all tea houses. But I have come to you today not in remembrance of the past. I have been sent here on an errand from my prince. His Lordship wishes to choose from among the geishas of the capital one who will be a concubine for his sweet delectation.

Okasan flutters her sleeves elegantly, performing the gesture ‘Great and Joyful Amazement’.

My prince is well accustomed to trusting my judgement. My instructions were to hasten to the capital. Before the prince arrives I must go round all the tea houses and select ten of the very finest geishas. During a presentation he will make his choice of one. For a geisha truly an enviable fate! Think how much money you would receive. And how greatly your establishment’s prestige would be enhanced!

OKASAN I do not dare to dream of such a matchless honour.

My best reward is simply to behold your face.

She performs the gesture ‘Most Profound Gratefulness’.

I shall show you forthwith what brings my house its fame. I shall reveal my treasure, holding nothing back. It was no accident that I ordered the gates to be flung open. My house and my heart are both alike open to you.

She performs the gesture ‘Boundless Sincerity’.

First my daughter O-Bara will demonstrate all her art for you. Do not be strict with her.

She claps her hands.

The owner’s adopted daughter O-Bara appears and walks up onto the stage. She is wearing a magnificent brocade kimono with a scarlet lining. Her tall hairstyle is decorated with slides in the form of butterflies. Her face, as befits a geisha, is thickly whitened. Her movements are precise and bold and every gesture is replete with sensuality.

Yuba gets up and minces to the stage. She bows, hands her mistress a little drum and goes back. The performance begins. O-Bara first dances to fast music, beating out the rhythm with blows on a drum. The geisha keeps her eyes fixed on the guest all the time, demonstrating in every way possible that she is performing only for him.

STORYTELLER (during the dance)

For good reason is she called O-Bara – ‘a rose’.
Her thorns instantly pierce any male heart.
O-Bara has no equals when she wishes to kindle
The flames of passion and awaken generosity.
It is no secret to O-Bara why this guest has come
(the rumour of it filled the tea house long ago).
She has in mind to captivate Kubota,
So he will help her to become the prince’s concubine.

The dance is over. The pupil takes the drum, the geisha sits down with the shamisen and sings in a beautiful, low, slightly hoarse voice, looking at the samurai.