Chikubushima
Encyclopedia
Chikubushima is an anonymous Noh play of the first category, celebrating the sacred volcanic island of that name
in Lake Biwa
.
During the reign of Emperor Daigo
a courtier went to the island in the center of Lake Biwa
, Chikubu Island
. When he arrives at the lake shore, an old fisherman and a young woman are just setting out in a fishing boat, he calls out to them and asks if he can go with them. After the boat arrives at Chikubu Island
the old man gives the courtier directions to the shrine. As the young woman is going the same way, the courtier asks if there is a prohibition against women like many other shrines. The old man and young woman reply that, as Benzaiten
(Sarasvati) is a woman herself, she does not discriminate. They tell the tale of the formation of Chikubu Island
's Shrine and it becomes apparent that these two are not human, the old man dives into the ocean and the young woman disappears behind a door into the shrine. After a short while, Benzaiten
appears and dances. Before long, the Dragon King of the Sea also appears and dances. Afterwards, Benzaiten
returns to her shrine and the Dragon King returns to the waters.
Chikubu Island
is an island in Lake Biwa in Japan. The national government has designated it a special historic site.The island's geographic coordinates are 35°25′24″ N, 136°8′37″ E. Its area is 0.14 km² and its coastline measures 2 km. The highest point has an elevation of 197 m...
in Lake Biwa
Lake Biwa
is the largest freshwater lake in Japan, located in Shiga Prefecture , northeast of the former capital city of Kyoto. Because of its proximity to the ancient capital, references to Lake Biwa appear frequently in Japanese literature, particularly in poetry and in historical accounts of battles.-...
.
During the reign of Emperor Daigo
Emperor Daigo
was the 60th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Daigo's reign spanned the years from 897 through 930. He is named after his place of burial.-Traditional narrative:...
a courtier went to the island in the center of Lake Biwa
Lake Biwa
is the largest freshwater lake in Japan, located in Shiga Prefecture , northeast of the former capital city of Kyoto. Because of its proximity to the ancient capital, references to Lake Biwa appear frequently in Japanese literature, particularly in poetry and in historical accounts of battles.-...
, Chikubu Island
Chikubu Island
is an island in Lake Biwa in Japan. The national government has designated it a special historic site.The island's geographic coordinates are 35°25′24″ N, 136°8′37″ E. Its area is 0.14 km² and its coastline measures 2 km. The highest point has an elevation of 197 m...
. When he arrives at the lake shore, an old fisherman and a young woman are just setting out in a fishing boat, he calls out to them and asks if he can go with them. After the boat arrives at Chikubu Island
Chikubu Island
is an island in Lake Biwa in Japan. The national government has designated it a special historic site.The island's geographic coordinates are 35°25′24″ N, 136°8′37″ E. Its area is 0.14 km² and its coastline measures 2 km. The highest point has an elevation of 197 m...
the old man gives the courtier directions to the shrine. As the young woman is going the same way, the courtier asks if there is a prohibition against women like many other shrines. The old man and young woman reply that, as Benzaiten
Benzaiten
Benzaiten is the Japanese name for the Hindu goddess Saraswati. Worship of Benzaiten arrived in Japan during the 6th through 8th centuries, mainly via the Chinese translations of the Sutra of Golden Light, which has a section devoted to her...
(Sarasvati) is a woman herself, she does not discriminate. They tell the tale of the formation of Chikubu Island
Chikubu Island
is an island in Lake Biwa in Japan. The national government has designated it a special historic site.The island's geographic coordinates are 35°25′24″ N, 136°8′37″ E. Its area is 0.14 km² and its coastline measures 2 km. The highest point has an elevation of 197 m...
's Shrine and it becomes apparent that these two are not human, the old man dives into the ocean and the young woman disappears behind a door into the shrine. After a short while, Benzaiten
Benzaiten
Benzaiten is the Japanese name for the Hindu goddess Saraswati. Worship of Benzaiten arrived in Japan during the 6th through 8th centuries, mainly via the Chinese translations of the Sutra of Golden Light, which has a section devoted to her...
appears and dances. Before long, the Dragon King of the Sea also appears and dances. Afterwards, Benzaiten
Benzaiten
Benzaiten is the Japanese name for the Hindu goddess Saraswati. Worship of Benzaiten arrived in Japan during the 6th through 8th centuries, mainly via the Chinese translations of the Sutra of Golden Light, which has a section devoted to her...
returns to her shrine and the Dragon King returns to the waters.