Pathway to Japanese Literature

Act I

Ono no Komachi was reading a book behind a screen.
Suddenly, the Messenger of Yomi appeared.
The Messenger of Yomi was a dark-skinned young man.
Moreover, his ears were rabbit ears.

“Who are you?” Komachi asked, startled.

Messenger: "I am the Messenger of Yomi."

Komachi: "Messenger of Yomi! Then must I die now? Must I leave this world now? Oh, please wait a moment! I am only twenty-one. I am still in the prime of my beauty. Please spare my life!"

Messenger: “That is not permissible.”
“I am a Messenger who shows no mercy—not even to the sovereign ruler of all under heaven.”

Komachi: “Do you know nothing of compassion?”
“Were I to die now—just see what would happen!”
“What would become of Lord Fukakusa?”
“I made a vow with Lord Fukakusa.”
“In heaven we are wing-to-wing birds; on earth we are intertwined branches—ah, even remembering that pledge makes my heart feel fit to burst.”
“If Lord Fukakusa were to hear of my death, he would surely perish from grief.”

“If one could die of grief, that would be fortunate,” said the Messenger disinterestedly. “In any case, you were loved at least once… But that hardly matters now. Come, let me escort you to Hell.”

Komachi: “You can’t!”
“You can’t!”
“Don’t you know yet?”
“I am not in an ordinary state.”
“I already carry Lord Fukakusa’s child.”
“If I were to die now, my child—my dear child—must die with me.”
(Through tears) “Do you still say this is acceptable?”
“Do you mean it matters not if you cast a child from darkness into darkness?”

Messenger (flinching): “That would be unfortunate for your child.”
“However, as this is King Enma’s command, I must ask you to come with me.”
“Oh, Hell isn’t as bad a place as you imagine.”
“Since ancient times, most renowned beauties and talented individuals have gone to Hell.”

Komachi: “You are a demon. You are a Rakshasa! If I die, Lord Fukakusa will die too. Lord Fukakusa’s child will die too. All three of us will die! No—that’s not all! My elderly father and mother will surely die along with us!” (While crying even louder) “I thought even the Messenger of Yomi would show some kindness!”

Messenger (looking troubled): “I would like to save you, but...”

Komachi (raising her face as if revived): “Then please save me! Even five years or ten years would be acceptable. Please extend my life. Merely five years, merely ten years—if only the child reaches adulthood, that would be acceptable. Are you saying even this is unacceptable?”

Messenger: “Well, I don’t mind the term of years—but if I don’t take you, a substitute must enter in your place. Someone of the same age as you…”

Komachi (excitedly): “Then take anyone you want! Among my maidservants, there are two or three women of the same age. Akogi or Komatsu—it doesn’t matter. Please take whichever one you like.”

“No—the substitute’s name must also be Komachi, like yours.”

“Komachi! Komachi! Was there someone named Komachi? Ah, there is one! There is!” (Bursting into sudden laughter) “There is a person called Tamatsukuri no Komachi. Please take that person instead.”

Messenger: “Is her age about the same as yours?”

Komachi: “Yes, exactly the same. She isn’t beautiful, but—her looks shouldn’t matter, should they?”

Messenger (amiably): “An uglier one is better.”
“That way I needn’t feel sympathy.”

Komachi (brightly): “Then please take that person instead.”
“She says she’d rather dwell in Hell than remain in this world.”
“Since there’s no one to meet her.”

Messenger: “Very well.”
“Let us take that person.”
“Now take good care of your child.”
(Smugly) “The Messenger of Yomi prides himself on understanding compassion.”

The Messenger of Yomi suddenly vanished once more.

Komachi: “Ah, I’m saved at last! This too must be the arrangement of the gods and buddhas I’ve devoted myself to daily.” (Clasping her hands) “Eight Million Deities, All Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions—do not let this lie be laid bare.”

II

The Messenger of Yomi, carrying Tamatsukuri no Komachi on his back, walked along the dark tunnel path.

“Where are you going?” Tamatsukuri no Komachi demanded in a piercing voice. “Where are you going?”

“We are going to Hell.”

“To Hell!”
“That can’t be true!”
“Just yesterday Abe no Seimei said his lifespan would be eighty-six.”

“That must be the onmyōji’s lie.”

“No, it’s not a lie.”
“Everything Abe no Seimei says comes true.”
“You’re the one lying, aren’t you?”
“See? You’ve got nothing to say!”

Messenger (to himself): “I must be too honest for my own good.”

Komachi: “Are you still going to keep up this stubbornness? Come now—confess everything honestly.”

“To tell the truth, this is unfortunate for you, but…”

“I thought it would come to this.”
“I’m afraid this is unfortunate for you, but—”
“What’s wrong?”

“You must descend to Hell in Ono no Komachi’s place.”

Komachi: “In place of Ono no Komachi! What on earth is this about now?”

Messenger: “It seems that person is now with child. Something about Lord Fukakusa’s offspring…”

Komachi (indignantly): “Did you really think that was true? It’s a lie! You! Lord Fukakusa still makes his Hundred Nights Visits to that woman even now. To say nothing of carrying Lord Fukakusa’s offspring, she hasn’t even met him once. Lie! Lie! It’s an utter lie!”

Messenger: “An utter lie? That can’t possibly be true!”

“Then go ask anyone!” Tamatsukuri no Komachi shrilled. “Even a lowborn child knows of Lord Fukakusa’s Hundred Nights Visits! Yet you believed that lie without question—snatched my life in her place—how cruel! How cruel! How cruel!” She began to weep.

“Stop crying,” said the Messenger. “There’s nothing worth tears.” He lowered her from his back onto the tunnel floor. “Haven’t you always preferred Hell to this world? If you think on it—my being fooled works to your advantage, doesn’t it?”

Komachi (snarling): “Who said such a thing?”

Messenger (timidly): “Well, earlier Ono no Komachi was...”

Komachi: “Well, what an impudent person you are! Liar! Nine-Tailed Fox! Philanderer! Fraud! She-devil! Leech! Enough, enough, enough! The next time we meet will be the last—I’ll sink my teeth into your throat for sure.” How vexing! How vexing! How vexing! (Manhandling the Messenger of Yomi)

“Wait, please,” said the Messenger. “I knew nothing about it—ah, please loosen your grip.”

“Aren’t you just a fool through and through?” retorted Komachi. “To take such a lie seriously…”

“But anyone would believe it.” The Messenger hesitated. “…Do you harbor resentment toward Ono no Komachi?”

Komachi smiled enigmatically. “Like there is, like there isn’t… Well, perhaps there is.”

“Then what exactly,” pressed the Messenger, “is this reason for being resented?”

Komachi (contemptuously): "Aren’t we both women?"

Messenger: "Ah, so you were fellow beauties, were you?"

Komachi: “Oh, spare me your flattery.”

Messenger: “It’s not flattery.”
“I truly think you’re beautiful.”
“No—beautiful beyond what words can express.”

“My, nothing but such flattery! Aren’t you yourself the one who doesn’t belong in Yomi—aren’t you a beautiful one?”

“A dark man like me?”

“Your darkness suits you splendidly. It makes you seem so manly, I must say.”

“But my ears must be unsettling, don’t you think?”

Komachi: Oh, aren’t they adorable?
“Let me touch you for a moment.”
“Because I simply adore rabbits.”
(Playfully fondling the Messenger’s rabbit ears) “Come closer over here.”
“Somehow, I feel like I’d even die for your sake.”

Messenger (while holding you): "Is that true?"

“If it were true…?” Komachi murmured, her eyes half-closed.

“Like this,” the Messenger replied.
(He moved to kiss her)

“Don’t!” She thrust him away violently.

“Then… Then it was all lies?”

Komachi: “No, it’s not a lie.”
“All I need is to know whether you’re truly sincere.”

Messenger: “Then tell me whatever you wish.”
“What do you desire?”
“The Robe of the Fire-Rat? The Jeweled Branch of Horai? Or perhaps the Swallow’s Cowry Shell?”

Komachi: “Oh, wait a moment.”
“My request is simply this.”
“――Spare my life.”
“In exchange, take Ono no Komachi—that loathsome Ono no Komachi—in my place.”

“Is that all you require?”
“Very well.”
“I will do as you say.”

“You’ll definitely keep your promise?”
“Oh, how delightful!”
“If you’re truly certain…” (pulling the Messenger closer)

“Ah, I feel like I’m the one who might die.”

Three

A host of divine generals—some gripping halberds, others brandishing swords—stood guard over Ono no Komachi’s roof.
There, the Messenger of Yomi staggered into view in the sky.

“Divine General: Who are you?”

Messenger: “I am the Messenger of Yomi. Please let me pass through here.”

Divine General: “We cannot let you pass.”

Messenger: “I came to take Ono no Komachi.”

Divine General: “Handing over Ono no Komachi is even more unthinkable.”

Messenger: “Even more unthinkable? What in blazes are you?”

Divine General: “We are the Thirty Guardian Deities who protect Ono no Komachi through the rituals of Abe no Seimei, the realm’s onmyōji.”

Messenger: “Thirty Guardian Deities! Do you protect that liar—that seductress?”

Divine General: Silence!
“Not only do you torment a defenseless woman, but you lay infamy upon her? Outrageous wretch!”

Messenger: “What infamy? Is Ono no Komachi not truly a lying seductress?”

Divine General: “Hold your tongue! Go ahead then—say it if you dare! We’ll slice off both those ears of yours.”

Messenger: “But Ono no Komachi actually did me…”

Divine General (indignantly): “Perish by this halberd!”
(They pounced on the Messenger.)

Messenger: Help me!
(He vanishes.)

Four

Decades later, two elderly female beggars were talking in a withered pampas grass field.
One was Ono no Komachi; the other was Tamatsukuri no Komachi.

Ono no Komachi: "Nothing but days of suffering keep following one after another."

Tamatsukuri no Komachi: "Perhaps dying would be preferable to enduring such misery."

Ono no Komachi (as if to herself): “It would have been better had I died then. When I met the Messenger of Yomi...”

Tamatsukuri no Komachi: “Oh? You met him too?”

Ono no Komachi (suspiciously): “Are you saying ‘you also’? Then you’re the one who met him?”

Tamatsukuri no Komachi (coolly): “No, I did not meet him.”

Ono no Komachi: “The one I met was also the messenger from Tang.”

A moment of silence.
The Messenger of Yomi passed by busily.

Tamatsukuri no Komachi ┐

Ono no Komachi ┘ “Messenger of Yomi!”
“Messenger of Yomi!”

Messenger of Yomi: “Who is it? The one who called me?”

Tamatsukuri no Komachi (to Ono no Komachi): “Are you not acquainted with the Messenger of Yomi?”

Ono no Komachi (to Tamatsukuri no Komachi): “You can’t possibly claim not to know either.”
(To the Messenger of Yomi) “This lady is Tamatsukuri no Komachi.”
“You must have known already.”

Tamatsukuri no Komachi: “This lady is Ono no Komachi. She must be your acquaintance.”

Messenger: “What? Tamatsukuri no Komachi and Ono no Komachi! You—you’re nothing but skin-and-bone beggars!”

“After all, we’re nothing but skin-and-bone beggars,” said Ono no Komachi.

“Have you forgotten clinging to me?” retorted Tamatsukuri no Komachi.

The Messenger raised his hands placatingly. “Now, now—don’t be angry. You were so changed, I couldn’t help letting it slip.” His tone shifted to bureaucratic curiosity. “By the way… Did you stop me for some business?”

Ono no Komachi: “We certainly do.”
“We certainly do.”
“Please take us to Yomi.”

Tamatsukuri no Komachi: “Please take me along too.”

Messenger of Yomi: “Take you to Yomi? You mustn’t joke about such things. You’re going to deceive me again, aren’t you?”

Tamatsukuri no Komachi: “Oh! As if I would ever deceive you!”

Ono no Komachi: “Please—truly—take us there.”

Messenger of Yomi: “You—!” (Shaking his head) “I just can’t take responsibility for this. Since I don’t want to suffer another terrible ordeal, ask someone else.”

“Please have pity on me.”
“You must know compassion.”

Tamatsukuri no Komachi: “Please don’t say such things—take us with you. I’ll surely become your wife.”

Messenger of Yomi: “No. No. If I get involved with you all—no, not just you all—if anyone gets involved with women, there’s no telling what horrors await. You’re stronger than tigers. Inwardly, you’re exactly like yaksha demonesses. First, before your tears, anyone would lose their nerve.” (To Ono no Komachi) “Your tears alone are fearsome.”

“That’s a lie.”
“That’s a lie.”
“You’ve never once been swayed by my tears or anything of the sort.”

(Not even listening) “Second—if you women would but offer up your very flesh, there’s nothing you couldn’t accomplish.”
(To Tamatsukuri no Komachi) “You used that method yourself.”

Tamatsukuri no Komachi: “Stop uttering such vulgarities. You’re the one ignorant of love!”

Messenger of Yomi: (still impassive) “Thirdly—and most dreadfully—thirdly, since time immemorial, this world has been thoroughly beguiled by women. People cling to their delusions—that women are frail, tender creatures. They insist men always deal suffering, women always endure it—as if no other truth exists. Yet in reality,” (to Ono no Komachi) “behold these Thirty Guardian Deities! You’ve ceaselessly cast me as the villain, have you not?”

“Stop speaking ill of the gods and buddhas.”

“No—to me, you all are more terrifying than any gods or buddhas.”
“You can manipulate men’s hearts and bodies as you please.”
“And if by some chance that isn’t enough, you can even borrow reinforcements from the world at large.”
“You must be the strongest there are.”
“Moreover, you have truly scattered the corpses of men who have fallen prey to you all across Japan.”
“I must first and foremost take care not to fall into your clutches.”

Ono no Komachi (to Tamatsukuri no Komachi): “My, what outrageous self-serving sophistry this is!”

Tamatsukuri no Komachi (to Ono no Komachi): “I’m utterly disgusted by men’s selfishness.”
(To the Messenger of Yomi) “Women are men’s prey.”
“No—no matter what you claim—they remain men’s prey through and through.”
“They were men’s prey in the past.”
“They remain men’s prey now.”
“In the future too, men will—”

Messenger of Yomi: (suddenly brightening) “The future favors men!”
“Female Grand Ministers, female Imperial Enforcers, female Kings of Hell, female Thirty Guardian Deities—should such things emerge, men might finally breathe easier.”
“First: women could pursue respectable careers beyond man-hunting.”
“Second: a woman-ruled world wouldn’t coddle women like this man-ruled one does.”

“Do you truly hate us this much?”

Tamatsukuri no Komachi: “Go on and hate us.”
“Go on and hate us.”
“Hate us resolutely.”

Messenger of Yomi: (gloomily) “But I cannot bring myself to hate you completely.”
“If I could hate you completely, I would be far happier.”
(suddenly raising a victory cry) “But now I’m safe!”
“You are no longer your former selves.”
“You are nothing but skin-and-bone female beggars.”
“I won’t fall into your clutches.”

Tamatsukuri no Komachi: “Oh, just go away and disappear!”

Ono no Komachi: “Oh, don’t say such things… Here, I’ll bow in supplication.”

Messenger of Yomi: “No.”
“Well then, goodbye.”
(He disappeared into the withered pampas grass.)

Ono no Komachi: “What should we do?”

Tamatsukuri no Komachi: “What should we do?”

The two of them collapsed there in tears.

(February 1923)