It is discussed at considerable length in the Later Kwadensho, which was printed c. 1600. The writer of that book must therefore have regarded the play as a work of Seami’s period. It should be mentioned that the geography of the play is absurd. Though both his starting-point and goal lie in the south-western province of Ssechuan, he passes through Hantan,[146] which lay in the northern province of Chih-li.
KANTAN
PERSONS
- HOSTESS.
- ROSEI.
- ENVOY.
- TWO LITTER BEARERS.
- BOY DANCER.
- TWO COURTIERS.
- CHORUS.
HOSTESS
I who now stand before you am a woman of the village of Kantan in China. A long while ago I gave lodging to one who practised the arts of wizardry; and as payment he left here a famous pillow, called the Pillow of Kantan. He who sleeps on this pillow sees in a moment’s dream the past or future spread out before him, and so awakes illumined. If it should chance that any worshipful travellers arrive to-day, pray send for me.
(She takes the pillow and lays it on the covered “daïs” which represents at first the bed and afterwards the palace.)
ROSEI (enters).
Lost on the journey of life, shall I learn at last
That I trod but a path of dreams?