All the World's a Stage

Izumi bows and performs the gesture ‘Oh, Undeserved Praise’.

I told him that you combine nobility with delicacy of soul and heavenly beauty.

Izumi bows and performs the gesture ‘Pleasant Embarrassment’.

Now I am almost certain of his choice, but even so a vague disquiet troubles me. I know His Lordship. He is overly susceptible to the influence of others, credulous and passionate. The concubine who moves into our castle will win instant control of his heart and thoughts. The princess is no hindrance, she is dull of mind and year after year gives birth only to daughters. And if the concubine should bear the prince a son, nothing will shake her domination. It is appalling to consider what might happen if the prince should bring some shrewish vixen back from Edo.

Izumi performs the gesture ‘Delicate Commiseration’.

I have gathered all the finest geishas of the capital, but you alone are worthy to become the prince’s concubine.

Izumi bows and performs the gesture ‘Respectful Doubt’.

Are you afraid of life in foreign parts? I shall help you, and you will quickly settle in with us in Satsuma. As reliable allies, we shall be able to protect the prince from errors.

Izumi bows and performs the gesture ‘Oh, Your Wisdom is Boundless!’

But first we must make quite sure that no chance is left to your rivals. I have made a most thorough study of my good lord’s tastes. Remember what I tell now: the prince’s favourite dance is ‘The Babbling Brook’.

Izumi nods.

Wear something very simple, a kimono with no glamour. Lower the neckline and reveal your elbows. His Lordship has always been a great admirer of an elegant female neck and elbows that are white.

Izumi raises her arms and her sleeves slip down, revealing her elbows. Kubota nods his head in admiration.

I see you grasp advice at the first telling. I have no need to fear the outcome of this presentation.

He gets up and they exchange bows. Kubota puts on his hat and leaves. Izumi is left alone. She presses her hands to her temples and sways slightly, like a willow tree in the wind.

In the garden the Inaudible One appears, concealing himself from Izumi. He watches her.

STORYTELLER

The old man’s advice is truly priceless.
Of course, in following it, Izumi will win the prize.
But why is her lovely face so unhappy?
What thoughts have cast this shadow on her brow?

O-Bara walks into the garden, strolling under a parasol. She stops in front of the blossoming apple tree, as if in admiration of its beauty. The Inaudible One hides deeper in the shadow.

Izumi notices O-Bara and throws up her hands.

IZUMI Ah, my sweet sister. Please, come over here! I need to tell you something urgently!

O-Bara walks up into the pavilion and sits down facing Izumi. They start to talk. The words cannot be heard, but the gesturing is eloquent: Izumi speaks passionately. O-Bara listens agitatedly, every now and then bowing as a sign of gratitude.

STORYTELLER (commenting on their conversation)

Izumi does not wish to be a concubine.
She has betrayed Kubota’s trust in her.
But the honour of the house must not be sacrificed,
So let another geisha from Yanagi take the prize.
She has informed O-Bara of the cunning tricks:
About the dance, about the song and the modest kimono.
And about the open neck and whiteness of the elbows.

O-Bara tugs the neck of her kimono down excessively and pulls her sleeves almost right up to the shoulders. Izumi nods: Yes, yes, that is exactly right.

Izumi promises that she herself will perform poorly
And in her joy O-Bara is completely lost for words.
The two embrace each other firmly, overcome by emotion.

The geishas embrace elegantly, without allowing their cheeks to touch, in order not to spoil the layer of ceruse.

O-BARA Izumi, my dearest one! Oh, this is such a happy day! It is a bitter thing for me, competing with my sworn sister! Withdrawing before the battle, you have conquered me. Never could I have expected such nobility!

IZUMI No, this is not nobility. But I have realised that the lot of a concubine leaves my heart cold. You would be better suited to this destiny, and I prefer to keep my freedom.

The geishas embrace once again, and O-Bara cautiously removes a teardrop from her eye with a napkin. She bows and leaves, closing the shoji behind her. Stepping down into the garden, she stops in front of the apple tree and looks round at the pavilion.

O-BARA Thank you for passing on those hints. Now I know everything I need to be quite sure that I shall hook this golden fish. But I shall be even more certain of success if I compete alone from the Yanagi house of tea. The other rivals do not worry me at all, but you, my sweet Izumi, must now be on your way to the next world.

With a furious gesture, she breaks off the most beautiful branch of the apple tree and walks away, waving it in the air.

The Inaudible One emerges from the shadows at the other side of the stage and watches her as she leaves.

Darkness. Curtain.

The stage revolves.

ACT THREE

Scene one

O-Bara’s room. At one side a paper lantern is lit. At the centre the branch of the apple tree is displayed in a gilded porcelain vase. O-Bara is touching up her make-up. Yuba is sitting beside her, handing her mistress little jars, brushes and creams. They both start moving after a single drumbeat is heard. O-Bara is in a wonderful mood. She sings, every now and then glancing at the branch.

O-BARA (after a pause) And who is this rascal?

YUBA What do you mean, my lady?

O-BARA Who is your lover? Come on now, tell me.

YUBA Ah, what are you saying. I swear to you, no one…

O-BARA Oh, come on. I do not believe in oaths. But I can always tell from the eyes and a hundred different signs if someone has a lover, and if she does – whether he is good. I see that yours knows how to bring you joy. But I am curious about where he appeared from. Ah, you’re blushing, you fool. But what cause is there here to feel embarrassment?

YUBA There is no hiding anything from you. He… is just a man.

O-BARA Well, is he rich at least?

YUBA Not very.

O-BARA Oh, I just knew it. So it is amorous embraces that make you glow like this, not gold coins and rich gifts? You were always a fool, Yuba, and you will die a fool. But mind now, don’t you dare to bring me home a belly! Don’t get intoxicated with the follies of the flesh. Love is a heady potion, but it is not good for much.

YUBA But without it there is no joy in life, or so they say…

O-BARA The price of that joy can be very high.

YUBA I do not mind a high price, if the wares are good.

O-BARA (turning round in surprise) My, my, what news is this? Are you going to argue with me now? Earthly love is foulness. It will smear you with mud, abandoning you in a pool of filth. You will be left with nothing. You worthless girl! Ah, how stupid you are! I think that I shall go to Satsuma without you. As the court favourite, I need a she-fox for my confidante! A lynx! A she-wolf! A serpent! But not someone like you.