YOUNG MAN’S MASK
BENKEI ON THE BRIDGE
(HASHI-BENKEI)
By HIYOSHI SA-AMI YASUKIYO
(Date unknown, probably first half of the fifteenth century.)
PERSONS
- BENKEI.
- USHIWAKA.
- FOLLOWER.
- CHORUS.
BENKEI.
I am one who lives near the Western Pagoda. My name is Musashi-bō Benkei. In fulfillment of a certain vow I have been going lately by night at the hour of the Ox[61] to worship at the Gojō Temple. To-night is the last time; I ought soon to be starting.