TAKE NO YUKI
(SNOW ON THE BAMBOOS)
By SEAMI
PERSONS
- TONO-I.
- HIS FIRST WIFE.
- HIS SECOND WIFE.
- TSUKIWAKA (his son by the first wife).
- TSUKIWAKA’S SISTER.
- A SERVANT.
- CHORUS.
TONO-I.
My name is Tono-i. I live in the land of Echigo. I had a wife; but for a trifling reason I parted from her and put her to live in the House of the Tall Pines, which is not far distant from here. We had two children; and the girl I sent to live with her mother at the House of the Tall Pines, but the boy, Tsukiwaka, I have here with me, to be the heir of all my fortune.
And this being done, I brought a new wife to my home. Now it happens that in pursuance of a binding vow I must be absent for a while on pilgrimage to a place not far away. I will now give orders for the care of Tsukiwaka, my son. Is my wife there?
SECOND WIFE.
What is it?
TONO-I.