Pathway to Japanese Literature

Dramatis Personae Tahara Yosaburō Yosaburō's wife, Oiyo Yosaburō's younger sister, Otae

Hunter Gengorō

Portuguese missionary Mouro

Mouro's disciple, Seikichi Villager, Zensuke Temple acolyte, Shōzen Village girls, Oasa and Otsugi

Act I I

The closing years of the Momoyama period, around the beginning of the Keichō era. As autumn drew to a close on a mid-September afternoon.

Kyushu, Hizen Province. A mountain village near the Shimabara Peninsula. Tahara Yosaburō's house. A two-storied house with a thatched roof; in the upper part of the front stood a Buddhist altar, below which was a wooden-door closet. Following next were weather-beaten shoji screens providing access to the rear. The lower part featured a weather-beaten wall that curved around and a low bamboo window. In front lay a bamboo-floored veranda with a step made from a tree stump. In the lower part, a hearth had been cut in a convenient spot to hang a kettle, with a firewood basket beside it. In the garden, autumn grasses bloomed, and in the upper part stood a large bamboo thicket. In the lower part stood low log pillars supporting a gate of mere form. Outside the gate stood a stone well and there was a large persimmon tree tinged with red. Behind lay fields separating them from towering mountains that loomed so near they seemed to press down upon the village.

(Yosaburō's younger sister Otae, seventeen or eighteen years old. She was practicing needlework with the village girls Oasa and Otsugi.)

The villager Zensuke, in his late fifties, sat on the veranda holding a hoe. (The sound of a fulling block could be heard.) Zensuke: “You’ve all been working diligently.” “After all, needlework is crucial for women.” “If you keep working diligently like this, you’ll make splendid brides wherever you go.” “Ha ha ha ha ha ha!”

(Yosaburō's wife Oiyo, a fair-skinned and refined woman of twenty-seven or twenty-eight, opened the rear shoji screen and entered.)

Oiyo: “Mr. Zensuke. The mornings and evenings have grown distinctly colder, haven’t they?” Zensuke: “Even though they say Kyushu is warm, once September comes, the autumn wind cuts right to the bone. When I hear the sound of fulling blocks being struck somewhere and see these girls sewing winter clothes, it feels as though winter is already pressing right up before our eyes.” Oiyo: “Truly, winter is already right before our eyes...” (Glancing back at the girls.) “Still, since everyone works so diligently, their parents must be fortunate.”

Zensuke: “That’s also because you’ve been attentive and trained them well—the whole neighborhood is pleased. Has Master not yet returned from the mountains?” Oiyo: “He went out as usual this morning, but with game being so scarce lately, he keeps ranging from place to place in search of prey—I worry he might venture too deep into the mountains.” Zensuke: “Could it be that lack of game is due to that damned wolf ravaging these parts?”

“Truly, these days a vicious wolf has been appearing around here, so once night falls, we can hardly ever go outside.”

Otsugi: “Seven people bitten throughout this village in barely three months—how utterly terrifying.” Otae: “Brother says he wants to hunt down that wolf as soon as possible, but since it never shows itself, there’s apparently nothing he can do.” Zensuke: “Never heard tell of such a fearsome wolf around these parts before—must’ve come slinking in along the mountain trails from somewhere. First it desecrated graves of the newly dead and dug up corpses to devour, but grew bold enough to attack travelers on the roads lately. The whole village is in an uproar—we organized two wolf hunts since this began, but couldn’t find hide nor hair of it. Just when you’d think it had left and let your guard down, back it’d come. Why, just the night before last, that temple acolyte from Chōfuku-ji got pounced on while coming back from a parishioner’s house.”

Oasa: “Even so, they say he luckily escaped unharmed.” Zensuke: “Hmm. That acolyte’s always been a troublemaker—apparently he threw down his torch and ran for dear life, barely getting away.” Otsugi: “But according to the acolyte’s story, didn’t he say the wolf looked almost human?” Zensuke laughed. “Ha! Since when do we trust children’s tales? Between the darkness and everyone panicking, no wonder it seemed that way. If wolves went around looking human, we’d all be done for.”

Oasa: “They say not only its form but even its face looked like that of a pure white woman...” Zensuke: “The wolf’s face looked like a woman’s...” (Laughs again.) “That’s getting out of hand!” “Of course wolves have males and females, but even a female wouldn’t have a face like a woman’s.” “At times like these, all sorts of rumors tend to arise.” “Ha ha ha ha ha ha!” (Oiyo remains silent throughout, listening.) Otae: “There was that time when they said a tengu had appeared in those mountains and caused quite an uproar.”

Otsugi: "And then there was also a time when a mountain man appeared and kidnapped a child." Zensuke: "Hmm." "There've been times when tengu showed themselves, times when mountain men appeared." "In a mountainous country like this, strange wonders never cease—makes life downright troublesome." "Ah, my apologies for rambling on at such length."

(He stood up.)

Oiyo: “Are you leaving already?” Zensuke: “Let’s hurry back before the wolf appears.” Oasa (exchanging glances with Otsugi): “I wonder if the wolf will come out already?” Zensuke: “Nonsense! They say wolves mostly come out late at night, so it’s safe before nightfall, perfectly safe.” (To Oiyo.) “Well then, if you’ll excuse me.” (Zensuke bows and departs toward the lower area.)

“Shouldn’t we be heading back soon?” Oasa suggested. “Let’s finish tidying up and go home,” Otsugi agreed. Oiyo urged them, “These days aren’t like usual—if you return late, those at home will fret. Hurry back before night falls.” “Yes, yes,” they chorused. The two girls hastily gathered their sewing materials.

Both: “Well then, we’ll return tomorrow for our lesson.” (They bowed politely to Oiyo and Otae before stepping down from the veranda.) Otae: “Take care on your way.” Oiyo: “While these wolf rumors continue, you must never walk at night.” Both: “Yes, yes.” (Oasa and Otsugi hurriedly departed toward the lower area.) Otae watched them leave. Otae: “These days, every conversation circles back to wolf rumors—how truly dreadful.” “Could Brother have ventured deep into the mountains searching for the wolf’s den?”

That might be the case. Though I may be a hunter now, I was once a samurai who lived on a warrior’s stipend. Having declared daily that this wolf had to by all means be slain by my own hands, today too I ventured deep into the mountains... (Looks into the distance.) Rushing aimlessly through peaks and valleys—if only he didn’t trip over a tree root or jagged rock, or slip into a mountain stream and end up with some dreadful injury…. Though he had grown accustomed to daily mountain work over eight years since coming here, she still worried until he returned.

(Otae tidied up the sewing work.)

The temple bell tolled the hour. (Leaves fell mournfully.)

Oiyo gazed at the sky. "Autumn days are short." Was today already ending? (The tolling of the bell continued.) Otae similarly looked upward. "When night falls...it feels somehow frightening." "You find nightfall so terrifying?" "Because they say...the Wolf appears..." "Because they say...the Wolf appears..." Oiyo sighed heavily. "When darkness comes...I too am utterly afraid." "No—not just nights." "Even daylight brings terror—when Wolf rumors reach my ears..." Her body shuddered violently. Could this mean...the Wolf had possessed her?

Otae (startled): “What?” Oiyo (changing her demeanor, forces a laugh): “Hoho, you’re as timid as ever. While we’re talking about such things, he will probably return soon. Well—perhaps I should light the hearth fire now while there’s time. You prepare the evening meal.”

Otae: “Yes, yes.”

(A faint wind sounded.) Oiyo added brushwood to the hearth. Otae put away the sewing work into the closet and entered the back room.

From the lower area appeared Shōzen, the young acolyte of Chōfuku-ji Temple, fourteen or fifteen years old. Stealthily, he sneaked out and peered inside from beyond the gate. Oiyo soon noticed and turned to look.) Oiyo: “The one there...”

(As Shōzen hesitated to respond, Oiyo stood and stepped out to the edge of the veranda.) Oiyo: “Aren’t you the young acolyte from Chōfuku-ji Temple? Why are you standing around there?”

Shōzen (after a moment's thought): "Actually..." (Points at the persimmon tree.) "I came to take persimmons." "Please forgive me." Oiyo: "If it's persimmons you want, doesn't your temple have plenty growing already?" (stares at him suspiciously) "Did you truly come here to steal persimmons?"

Shōzen: “I’ve done something truly inexcusable. Please forgive me.” (With those words, Shōzen retreated toward the lower area as if fleeing.) Oiyo continued to gaze fixedly at his retreating figure.

The sound of the wind.

From beyond appeared Tahara Yosaburō, thirty-four or thirty-five years old—once a samurai but now a ronin turned hunter, bearing his daisho swords at his side, shouldering a matchlock gun, and carrying two or three small birds.) Oiyo: “Oh—have you returned?” “How did it go today?”

Yosaburō: “No—another fruitless day. Even after combing through mountain after mountain all day, I couldn’t find so much as a wolf’s track.” (Pointing to the small birds he carried with a bitter smile.) “I couldn’t bear returning empty-handed, so I picked up two or three of these on my way back…” “I’d be ashamed if anyone saw me like this.” Oiyo: “Even so, it’s good you brought back some game.” “The weather was fair enough, but the mountain wind must have chilled you sorely.” “Please come warm yourself by the hearth.”

(The sound of a fulling block.

Oiyo took a bucket and went out to draw water at the wellside. Yosaburō sat down on the edge of the veranda, untied his straw leggings, and removed his straw sandals.

(Otae appeared from the rear.)

“Welcome back, Brother.”

(Otae first tidied the straw sandals, then took the bucket Oiyo had fetched and had Yosaburō’s feet washed.) Yosaburō: “Have the practice girls gone home?” Otae: “They left some time ago.”

Yosaburō: “It seems those girls are also frightened by the wolf rumors.” “That’s only natural.”

(In the midst of this conversation, Yosaburō finished washing his feet and sat down before the hearth.) The hearth fire gradually grew stronger. Otae went to the wellside to discard the water, while Oiyo poured hot water into a bowl and offered it to Yosaburō.

Oiyo: “Will you have your meal now?” Yosaburō: “No, wait. I must go out again immediately.” Oiyo: “Where are you going…?” Yosaburō: “When I met Hachizō from the village earlier, he told me to come straight to the village headman’s house for a meeting.” Oiyo: “Then this is another meeting about the wolf hunt?” Yosaburō (nodding): “Hmm—that meeting. We’ve organized two wolf hunts since then but still haven’t found any trace of it. That said, leaving things as they are would bring ruin upon the whole village. So we’re gathering once more to discuss plans—this time we’ll exterminate that damned wolf by any means necessary. In this village there are three other hunters besides me. But being a ronin—a former samurai—means they push me into command during such times. I must take charge of the strategy. It’s truly pitiful how everyone suffers because of one beast. I want to find some way to destroy it, but…”

Oiyo: "I can well imagine everyone has their various concerns." Yosaburō: "There’s another matter under discussion here." "Exterminating this phantom wolf through human means alone seems beyond our reach." "They propose we seek divine intervention instead." Oiyo: "Divine intervention…?" "What would that entail?" Yosaburō: "You know how that Portuguese Father came from Nagasaki through Amakusa—he’s been spreading Christian teachings here these past months." "I can’t say whether his doctrines hold merit or not." "But his followers have suggested commissioning him to perform Christian prayers against the wolf."

Oiyo: “I had long heard of Christian teachings’ nobility and that Father’s grace...” (Pausing.) “Do you consent to this?” Yosaburō: “Well, I wouldn’t call it consent, but I don’t intend to oppose it either. Let those who wish to rely on divine power do so. Let those who wish to rely on human power do so. Either way, it would be good if they could exterminate that wolf and relieve everyone’s suffering. But being a fallen samurai who still hunts for a living—I’ve no choice but work through bow and gun. At any rate, I’ll go see what discussion they’re having.” (To Otae.) “You there—bring my footwear.”

Otae: “Yes.” (Otae went into the back.) Oiyo opened the closet, took out a sleeveless haori coat, and helped Yosaburō into it. Otae brought the straw sandals and placed them on the step, and Yosaburō put them on and departed.

(The sound of wind.)

“The mountain valleys darken early,” Yosaburō observed. “It’s grown quite dim already. Don’t wait for me—all of you go ahead and eat your dinner.”

(Yosaburō exited stage left.) Oiyo saw him to the gate and watched him depart.

The sound of wind.

The stage gradually grew dim. Oiyo soon turned back and went inside.) Oiyo: “It really has grown dark already. Let’s light the lamp and quickly lock the back door.” Otae: “Truly, securing doors has become so crucial these days.”

(Otae followed Oiyo into the back rooms.)

The sound of wind.

From stage left, Shōzen, who had appeared earlier, emerged guiding Gengorō. Gengorō was a twenty-two or twenty-three-year-old hunter who carried a matchlock gun. Shōzen pointed toward the house and whispered something, whereupon Gengorō stood there deep in thought with an air of skepticism. Gengorō (In a low voice.) “You’re certain you saw it?”

(Shōzen nodded.) Gengorō (skeptical again): “But I need to think this through carefully.” “And what did the head priest say?” Shōzen (in a low voice): “The head priest said it’s a lie.” Gengorō: “Hmm.” “Anyone would call it a lie.” “Even I can’t believe it’s true.”

(While Gengorō was peering inside and pondering once more, Otae emerged from the rear chambers bearing a dimly lit andon lantern.)

Otae: “It feels like someone’s there.”

(She peered intently toward the front.)

“Oh, Miss Otae...” (In a low voice.) “It’s me—me.” “Come here a moment.”

(Otae spots Gengorō and, while glancing back toward the interior, steps down from the veranda.) Otae: “Is there something you need?” Gengorō: “Hmm.” “I can’t talk here.” “Come on, come over here.” (Gengorō and Shōzen proceed ahead.) Otae glances back toward the interior once more before slipping away quietly. The sound of wind. (Oiyo emerges from the interior.) Oiyo: “Gengorō came calling and Miss Otae seems to have gone out.” “Just in time... Now’s my chance...” (Resolves herself.) “Yes... Now’s the time...”

(Oiyo adjusts her appearance.) The sound of wind. (The lamp’s light goes out.)

Oiyo (In the darkness.) Oh, the light went out.

――Blackout――

II

The riverside of the same village. In a pleasant spot stood two or three large willow trees, while along the bank reed flowers bloomed white and wild in the twilight. Across the river stretched mountains visible in full view.

(The sound of water. From stage left enter Gengorō and Otae; from behind comes Shōzen as well.) Gengorō: “As I’ve been saying all along—Shōzen insists that what pounced on him two nights ago was definitely your sister.”

Otae: “That my sister has become like a wolf and pounces on people in the streets... There’s no way such a thing could be true...” (Pauses.) “I just can’t believe it’s true.” Gengorō: “It’s all too preposterous—even I can’t believe it’s true... Yet this kid insists it’s definitely true.”

Shōzen (Steps forward.) “It’s true! It’s true! It’s definitely true! I saw it clear as day by the torchlight! Everyone says wolves fear fire—that’s why I shoved my torch at it and ran like hell!” Otae: “Did... did the wolf’s face look like my sister’s?” Shōzen: “Why would I lie? Its face and body were the spitting image of your sister!” Otae: “Oh...”

(Otae still looked puzzled, deep in thought.) Gengorō (同样困惑地。) “Even so, I can’t act rashly without seeing conclusive evidence with my own eyes. If that turns out wrong, there’ll be no undoing it. In any case, we must consult Lord Yosaburō first—but telling your brother his wife seems a wolf? No matter how you slice it, that’s not easily said. Why don’t you try quietly bringing it up with Brother yourself?”

Shōzen: Are you still doubting? “I saw it with my own two eyes, and yet…” Gengorō: Just you alone having seen it isn’t enough to count as real evidence.

“Can’t you recall anything that might fit?”

Otae: "Well..." (Thinks again.) Now that you mention it... The other morning, Sister was at the well out front... The sleeve of a kimono that seemed stained with blood... Gengorō: "A kimono sleeve that seemed stained with blood..." "Was she washing it at the well?"

Shōzen: “That—that’s the proof! Your sister sneaks out in the dead of night to go maul people in the streets! There! See? Wolf! Wolf!” Gengorō: “Now, now, quiet down. They say foxes and raccoon dogs take human form since ancient times—but a wolf disguising itself as someone’s wife? That’s unheard of. If you ask Brother yourself, he might recall something suspicious. Once it’s confirmed a wolf, even his own wife—Brother won’t hesitate to shoot.” (He shows his matchlock gun.) “I’ll back him up... With this, we’ll finish it in one shot.”

Otae (Trembles.) "Ah, how dreadful!" "What a terrible thing to claim!" I can’t help thinking this feels like a dream. Gengorō: "It does seem dreamlike—but hearing your account now only makes my doubts grow stronger."

Shōzen: “If you keep dawdling like this, even dear Otae-san will get eaten by the wolf!” Otae (exchanges glances with Gengorō): “What? That sort of...” Gengorō: “You little brat! If you keep blabbering needlessly, I won’t stand for it!” (Brandishes matchlock gun.)

Otae (interrupts.) “Oh, don’t take it out on the child…” Gengorō: “It’s ’cause this brat goes blabbin’ tales all over that I get mocked by everyone!” “You’re the one oughta get eaten by the wolf!”

Shōzen (Holding his head.) Oh! Terrifying! “Namu Amida Butsu, Namu Amida Butsu.” Gengorō (suddenly looks upward.) Oh! The one coming from over there seems to be your brother! Otae: Oh, Brother... Gengorō: Let's just hide. (to Shōzen.) You too—hurry up, come on!

(Gengorō urged Shōzen and hid with him in the reeds below.)

The sound of water. The hazy moon casts its faint glow.

From the upper area, Yosaburō appeared. While Otae was hesitating about what to do, Yosaburō spotted his sister. Yosaburō: “Oh, Otae?” “Where are you going at this hour?” “Did you come to meet me?” Otae: “No, um...” “I’m going shopping to the edge of the village.” Yosaburō: “It’s still dusk, so the wolf won’t be out yet—but take care on your way.”

Otae: “Yes.” (Starts to leave but turns back.) “Brother...”

Yosaburō: “What is it?” Otae: “Um...” (Starts to speak but hesitates.)

Yosaburō: “Is there something you need?” Otae (struggling to speak up.) “Um...” “You take care when you go out too.”

Yosaburō: “Ha ha, I’ll be fine.” (He knocked the hilt of his sword.) “Whatever comes out, this’ll split it clean in two…” “I’m waiting for that wolf to show itself.” “The village has finally decided to ask that Christian missionary Father Mouro to offer his precious prayers—but like I said earlier, prayers are prayers, and I am me.” “I’ll take down that wolf in grand fashion—with this matchlock gun or my sword—and prove it.”

Otae probed cautiously: “Have you discovered where the wolf is?” Yosaburō knocked his sword hilt. “Once we know its location, I’ll exterminate it immediately—but that’s precisely why I’m stuck now. We can’t figure out where it hides.” His voice grew competitive. “Haven’t seen Gengorō once today, but he must be out there doggedly searching too. Tonight I’ll take my matchlock gun and patrol every corner of the village.” A vein throbbed at his temple as he continued: “Hearing everyone fawn over that Christian nonsense makes my blood boil. We must take down that wolf with our own hands—show whether their foreign priest or our skills prevail!”

“Brother, given your temperament, it’s only natural—but haste will lead to mistakes. Once you’ve properly ascertained its true identity…”

Yosaburō: “What? Confirm its true identity, you say…?” Otae: “If by any chance you make a mistake and end up killing someone, that would be disastrous...” Yosaburō (Laughs.) “Don’t be stupid.” “No matter how rushed I am, I’m not so careless as to mistake a human for a beast.” “Now, go quickly and come back before it gets dark.”

(Yosaburō started to head off.) Otae hesitated again, trying to call him back, but Yosaburō departed. (Gengorō emerged from between the reeds.) Gengorō: “Brother intends to exterminate the wolf the moment he finds it.” Otae: “That’s precisely why I mustn’t speak carelessly... Oh, what should I do?” Gengorō: “If you’ve been paying attention—the village asked that Christian Father Mouro for prayers—but what could some foreign priest possibly achieve? I’ve always hated Christianity. As Brother says, now that things have come to this, we must take it down ourselves—even if it’s just stubborn pride. And make sure you tell Brother properly about that earlier incident.”

“Must I really tell after all?”

Gengorō (impatiently): "Won't you just agree even after I've said this much?" Otae (flustered): "That's not it, but..." Gengorō: "Then hurry up and tell me. Got it?"

Otae (resignedly): “Alright.”

(Shōzen hurriedly rushed out from between the reeds.)

Shōzen: “There—something’s coming— “Something’s coming…” (Hides behind Gengorō.) Gengorō: “Huh.” “Something’s coming…” (Gengorō shields Otae while peering intently downward.) Gengorō: “There’s nothing here at all! “This brat was trying to scare us.” Shōzen: “No! I heard reed leaves rustling somewhere.” Gengorō: “Reed leaves rustling isn’t anything strange. “Probably just the wind. “Ha! What a cowardly runt.” “Anyway, no point staying here forever.” “Come on—I’ll walk Miss Otae partway.”

Shōzen: “You’re gonna leave me behind and just escort Miss Otae? Some pal you are.” Gengorō: “Yeah, yeah—shut your trap. You can get lost on your own. Scram!” Shōzen: “Here I am tryin’ to let you take the credit, and this is the thanks I get? You’re the one who oughta get wolf-chow!”

“What’s that?” “No—this is your own words thrown back at you!”

(Shōzen leaves quickly downward, laughing.)

“Truly, with that brat spreading all sorts of rumors everywhere, it seems nearly everyone knows about us now.”

“Once this wolf business is settled, why don’t we come clean to your brother and have him formally recognize us as husband and wife?”

“That would make me happy... but...” “Keeping up appearances for others forever grows tiresome.”

(The two converse affectionately as they depart into the distance.)

The sound of water.

(Parting the reeds below, Oiyo emerged stealthily and watched them depart.)

Oiyo: Well, it’s a relief they didn’t find me. Now that it's come to this—I can't delay another moment. (Oiyo picked up nearby pebbles and placed them into her sleeve.)

Meanwhile, from below came Father Mouro—the Portuguese missionary over forty years old—wearing a Catholic cassock with a cross around his neck. As he leaned against the shadow of a willow tree to observe, Oiyo soon clasped her hands and attempted to leap into the river. Mouro rushed over and caught hold of her. Mouro: “Please wait.” “What are you doing?” Oiyo (thrashing): “Let me go! Let me go!” Mouro: “Are you going to throw yourself in?” “You mustn’t! You mustn’t!”

Oiyo: “No—let me go…” “Kill me….” (As Oiyo tries to shake free and leap in, Mouro pulls her back again—but with such force that she collapses to the ground.) Mouro: “You must not kill.” “It is God’s will.”

(Mouro spread both hands and blocked Oiyo.) Oiyo, realizing the man was a foreigner, looked up at his face even as she collapsed. Pale moonlight. (The sound of water.)

―Curtain―

Act II

Scene 1

The same evening as Act I.

A solitary house on the outskirts of the village. Having long stood vacant, its entire interior showed signs of ruin—most of the space consisted of an earthen floor, with an aged plank door serving as the entrance at the front. The walls on both sides had crumbled, the bamboo window below had collapsed, and crimson leaves mingled with ivy that hung entwined from the window. In the earthen floor lay a dug-out hearth, while in the upper area stood a room with its torn paper sliding door shut. On the front wall hung a framed image of the Virgin Mary, before which a small shelf held an enshrined metal statue of Mary. In one suitable spot stood two roughly hewn wooden stools and a similarly square, table-like object. On the lower section of the wall sat a small shelf arrayed with assorted dishes; beneath it rested a bucket filled with water and bundled dead branches.

Outside the house stood trees, autumn grass grew tall and thick, and behind them rose mountains. A pale moonlit night.

(Seikichi, a boy of fifteen or sixteen, dimmed a candle on the table and was reading the Bible.) Outside, the sound of insects could be heard. (Parting the autumn grass from below, Father Mouro emerged, leading Oiyo by the hand.) Mouro (to Oiyo): “This is my home.” “Please come in.”

(Mouro knocked on the entrance door.) Seikichi immediately rose from the stool and opened the door, whereupon Mouro stepped inside. (Oiyo also followed hesitantly and entered.)

Mouro (to Seikichi): “We have a guest.” “Please light the fire.”

Seikichi: “Yes.” (Seikichi silently bowed to Oiyo and added dead branches to the hearth.) (Oiyo stood there.) Mouro (pointing to the stool): “Please have a seat.” “In this house, there are only that child and myself—no one else resides here.” “You need not hold back.” (Oiyo bowed politely and sat down before the table.) (Mouro also sat down facing her.) Mouro (with a kindly smile): “I recognize you.” “The other day at Mr. Village Headman’s house, I preached a sermon.” “At that time, you stood in the shadow of a large tree in the garden and listened from afar.” “Am I wrong?”

“Yes.” “It is as you say.”

“Did you understand my sermon?”

(Oiyo remained silent, bowing her head.)

Mouro (growing more open): “So why did you try to kill yourself tonight?”

(Oiyo remained silent.) Mouro: “Please tell me why.” (Pointing at Seikichi.) “That child is the son of a Nagasaki farmer—fatherless, motherless... Since he’s an orphan, I’ve been taking him with me and raising him. In other words, since my own child is in the same situation, there’s no need for reserve. Please tell me everything honestly.”

(Oiyo remains bowing her head.) (Seikichi stokes the fire and begins preparing to boil water.) Mouro (persistently): “Are you an unlucky person?” “Or are you someone who has sinned?” (Staring intently at Oiyo’s face.) “Have you committed some sin?” “As I mentioned the other day, those who have sinned…” (Points at the Virgin Mary.) “You must confess before God.”

Oiyo: “Yes.” Mouro: “Go on.” “Speak.” (He stood and held the crucifix hanging around his neck to his forehead.) “God is listening.” “I too am listening.”

Oiyo: “Y-yes.” (Oiyo left the stool and knelt on the earthen floor, her body trembling as if struck by terror.) Mouro: “Whatever you may tell me henceforth, I shall never disclose it to others. I swear this before God. Whatever secrets you hold, whatever dreadful things you’ve done—speak of them without concealment. Do you have any recollection of committing some sin?”

Oiyo: “Y-yes.” (Trembling once more.) “I... have committed a grave sin too dreadful to utter.” Mouro (quietly): “What is it?”

Oiyo: “I have killed a person.” Mouro: “Did you kill a person?” Oiyo (her voice trembling even more): “Yes.” “I killed people.” “I drank people’s fresh blood...” “I ate people’s flesh...” “I am not human.” “I am a beast.” “I am a wolf.” (Cries.) Mouro: “You killed people...” “Did you drink their blood like a wolf?” “Did you eat their flesh?” Oiyo: “Yes.” “Not just one—I killed and ate even up to seven people.” “A beast’s soul has possessed me.” “Though I retain the form of a woman, my heart has become that of a terrifying wolf.” (Oiyo collapses into uncontrollable weeping.)

(Mouro approached and lifted Oiyo up.) As Seikichi also approached, Mouro signaled with his eyes for him not to come near.

Mouro: “This is a grave confession. Calm your heart and speak clearly. Why did you come to have a wolf-like heart?” Oiyo: “To do that, I must first tell you about my circumstances. My husband is called Tahara Yosaburō—formerly a samurai who served the Akizuki family, but eight years ago he became a ronin due to certain circumstances—along with his sister Otae and me, his wife… I have not yet mentioned this, but my name is Iyo.”

(Mouro nodded, lifted Oiyo up and seated her back on the original stool, then returned to his own seat.)

Mouro: “Understood.” “Your name is Ms. Oiyo.” “You*, your husband*, and his sister*...” “So that’s three* in the family.” Oiyo*: “Yes*.” “After my husband* became a ronin*, we three*—husband* and wife* and sister*—secluded ourselves here; he became a hunter*, I taught local women* and children* calligraphy* and needlework*... Days passed uneventfully until...” “Ah*, what a karmic fate* this is*.” “A terrible demon* suddenly possessed me*...” (She began to speak*, then burst into tears again.)

Mouro: “Now, please wait.”

“Mr. Seikichi.” “Please fetch some water.”

(Seikichi took a metal cup from the shelf, filled it with water from the bucket, and brought it over; Mouro then took out powdered medicine wrapped in paper from his pocket.) Mouro: “You mustn’t lose heart.” “I have good medicine here.” “Now drink this, rest awhile, and then tell me everything slowly.”

(Mouro restrained Oiyo and made her drink the medicine.)

Oiyo: “Thank you.” “No—I shall not weaken anymore—I shall not cry.” “I too am striving with all my being.” (Wiping her tears.) “Please hear what followed.” “It was an evening I shall never forget—the second day of July.” “When I awoke suddenly in the dead of night—a voice that seemed to call my name sounded outside.” “Finding this strange—I opened the window to look—yet saw no trace of any human presence lurking in the darkness beyond.” (Her eyes gleaming as she recalled that moment—gaze sweeping about.) “Listening carefully—it was no human voice—but a wolf’s… A wolf’s cry.”

Mouro: “Wolf…” “You only heard that voice and did not see its form?” Oiyo: “I couldn’t see its form—in the darkness, only a voice could be heard…” “As I listened to it…” “Was it a demon that possessed me then, or a beast’s soul that took hold? In a dreamlike state, I opened the rain shutters and staggered outside.” (Stands up.) “The wolf’s voice continued to be heard somewhere…” “Because it sounded as if it was calling me…”

(As Oiyo staggers toward the exit, Mouro and Seikichi intercept her, pushing her back and forcing her to sit down.)

Mouro: “Now, you must calm yourself.” “Then what did you do?”

“By that time...” “My heart had become like a wolf’s, so it was.” “I wandered out aimlessly into the street and found myself at the nearby cemetery...” “The newly buried one from yesterday...” “I dug up that newly buried one’s grave...” “I can no longer speak of what happened next.”

(Oiyo collapsed in tears onto the table.) Mouro and Seikichi prayed in silence. (A brief moment.) Oiyo: (Catching her breath.) “Half of everything was like a dream... Even I myself do not clearly remember... But somehow I managed to return home without anyone noticing.” Mouro: “And after that—could you still hear the wolf’s voice?” Oiyo: “I hear it every night. Once night deepens, it calls me without fail—as if summoning me directly. I mustn’t answer... mustn’t be lured out... I desperately covered my ears, shut my eyes tight, silently chanted prayers to Kannon and Amida Buddha—tried every way to resist! But by the third day once... then the fifth day once... I couldn’t hold back anymore! Drawn out like a puppet on strings—I’d wander outside and keep desecrating graves until...” (Growing increasingly agitated.) “On a bright moonlit night during Obon... I met three young women walking together—laughing! When I saw them... I... suddenly lunged—”

(Oiyo, growing increasingly agitated, stands up again and tries to grab Seikichi’s arm as he stands nearby, but Mouro steps in to pull them apart.) Mouro: “Were all three of them killed by you?” Oiyo: “No, when I pounced on one person, the other two were startled and ran away. When I later heard, among those three people killed by me on their way back from the Bon dance was a girl named Oginn, sixteen years old this year… Moreover, she was a girl who came to my place every day for needlework lessons. Should I call it pitiful, or should I say despicable? That was the beginning of the karmic cycle…”

(Cries again.) Mouro: (Sighing.) I too had heard rumors of that wolf... "Then was it also you who attacked the temple acolyte two or three nights ago?" Oiyo: As I said before, everything feels half like a dream—I cannot say for certain whether I act of my own will or am compelled by others—but it seems I threw a torch at that acolyte. (Wiping her tears.) Father... "I cannot tell whether my current self remains human or has become a beast—my own flesh defies my understanding." "Be that as it may, during the day I am an ordinary human, comprehending both reason and human emotions—yet the moment night falls, my heart transforms into that of a wolf, devouring human flesh and sucking human blood..." "A karmic wretch such as I cannot possibly continue living in this world." "No matter how I think about it, there is no other way but to die."

Mouro: (Mournfully.) “I can imagine your suffering.” “It’s only natural you would contemplate death.” “In Europe too exist those mysterious beings—human by day, wolf by night.” “They say it’s like fox possession here in Japan, wolves attaching themselves to humans—but in truth, it must be demons invading human bodies to wreak havoc.” “That demon has taken hold of you.” (Changing his demeanor.) “But fear nothing, grieve nothing.” “Countless demon-possessed souls have found salvation.” “You must pray to God.” “Cling to Him with all your heart.” “Our Lord will surely cast out the demon and deliver you.”

Oiyo: “Um... Even someone like me...” (She knelt before Mouro.) “Will I truly be saved?” Mouro: “You will be saved.” Oiyo: (Clinging to Mouro’s hem.) “Will I surely be saved?” Mouro: (Resolutely.) “You will be saved. Believe in our God. You will surely be saved.” Oiyo: “Thank you very much.” (Her hands instinctively came together in prayer.) Mouro: “Now then—your husband... You said Mr. Tahara, did you not? Does he and your sister-in-law know nothing of your secret?”

“They do not know,” Oiyo answered humbly, her fingers twisting in her lap. “It appears no one is aware.” A shudder passed through her shoulders as she continued, “I even considered confessing to my husband and seeking his counsel somehow, but…” Her voice broke before she forced out the final admission: “Even between husband and wife—this one secret I could not bring myself to reveal. I have been suffering alone.” Father Mouro inclined his head, the candlelight deepening the furrows of compassion around his eyes. “You are quite right.” His cassock rustled like dried leaves as he leaned forward. “Rest assured—I too shall never reveal it to others.”

(Thinks.) Can you stay here long?

Oiyo: (Also considering this.) “Well… I left without notice tonight…” Mouro: (Nodded.) “Yes, yes.” “Your family would worry if you return late.” “Go home early tonight.” “There are many things I wish to teach you…” “Will you come again?” Oiyo: “If you promise salvation… I shall certainly return.” Mouro: “Then come tomorrow.” “In the afternoon…” Oiyo: “Understood.”

Oiyo: “Understood.”

(Mouro brought forth a statue of Mary and placed it on the table.) Mouro: “This shows the revered form of Santa Maria. Tonight I shall lend it to you—if you hear the wolf’s voice, pray with all your heart. Do you understand? You must call upon Santa Maria and pray.”

Oiyo (in a low voice): Santa Maria...

Mouro: “Yes, yes.” (Holding up a cross.) “Santa Maria.”

Seikichi: Santa Maria.

Oiyo (kneeling): "Santa Maria."

(The three join their hands in prayer.)

The sound of insects. (Outside, the moonlight grows brighter.)

II

The same grassland on the outskirts of the village. Across the expanse, silver grass and other autumn plants grew thickly. Ahead stretched mountains.

The pale moonlight. The sound of insects.

(Seikichi and Oiyo enter from above.)

Oiyo: I know the way well, so please return from here now. Seikichi: Even if you know the path, something might yet happen along it. Father Mouro instructed me to escort you to the vicinity of your home. Oiyo: How truly gracious Father Mouro is... To be able to stay by such a person's side must be your great blessing.

Seikichi: “I am truly fortunate. All of it is thanks to the Lord’s salvation—I’m profoundly grateful.” Oiyo: “If only I too could receive that salvation...” Seikichi: “There’s no need for doubt. God will surely save you. Will you come tomorrow?” Oiyo: “Not merely tomorrow—from now on I shall make time each day to receive your precious teachings. I humbly ask for your continued guidance.”

Seikichi: “By all means，please come.” “I will be waiting.” (About to leave，he looks up at the sky.) Oh，the moon grows dim again.

Oiyo: (Looking at the sky.) Lately it's been clouding over at night quite often. Seikichi: "You haven't heard the wolf's voice yet tonight?" Oiyo: (Listening intently.) "No, I don't hear it." "It's still early evening..."

(A faint sound of wind.) The moon grew ever darker. From below, Tahara Yosaburō parted the silver grass and emerged holding a matchlock gun; encountering Oiyo and the others, he peered through. Oiyo hid her face and slipped past as she headed toward the hanamichi. From above, Gengorō the hunter also emerged carrying a matchlock gun, watched Oiyo and the others depart as he came out. Yosaburō, while looking back along the hanamichi, began heading toward the upper direction and inadvertently collided with Gengorō; the two stared at each other in surprise.

Yosaburō: “Oh, Gengorō.” Hearing that voice, Oiyo fled off in the opposite direction. Seikichi hurried after her without understanding why. The sound of wind. (The sound of insects.)

――CURTAIN――

Act III

I

The same night as Act II. The Tahara Yosaburō household from Act I. A paper lantern is lit in its proper place. In the upper part of the garden where a straw mat is spread out, Otae faces the fulling block and beats white cloth.

The pale moonlight. The sound of the fulling block. From below emerge hunters Gohei and Torazō, both carrying matchlock guns.

Gohei: “Is Mr. Yosaburō home?”

Otae turned around. “Oh, everyone. Brother left some time ago.” Gohei said, “After eating dinner, I got carried away chatting and ended up late—but which direction did Brother head off tonight?” Otae replied, “He said he would patrol the entire village all night through, but...”

Torazō: “Didn’t see Gengorō around, did you?” Otae (hesitating slightly): “No.” Gohei: “I’d thought to consult Mr. Yosaburō tonight about splitting up to hunt, but since things stand thus, we’ll each go our own way.”

Torazō: “Hmm. Achievements come easily—once we spot that wolf，a single shot will finish it.” Gohei: “If only things would go smoothly，but the problem is the target won’t show itself.” (He took a whistle from his breast.) “Anyone who spots the wolf must blow this signal whistle，so come running when you hear its sound.” Torazō: “Then let’s head out as planned.” (The two began leaving.) Otae: “Ah，excuse me—did you happen to meet your sister around here?”

Gohei: “Your sister isn’t home?” Otae: “She left at evening and still hasn’t returned—I’m so worried about what might have happened.”

Torazō: "That’s strange." "Surely she hasn’t encountered the wolf…" Otae: "Still, I can’t help feeling uneasy." Gohei: "It’s unusual for the mistress of this house to be walking about at night."

“In any case, if we meet her around here, let’s tell her to return quickly.”

“I beg of you.” “Aye, aye.”

(Gohei and Torazō exit below.)

Otae wondered to herself what had become of Sister.

(Otae continues beating the fulling block.)

Before long, Oiyo and Seikichi emerged walking briskly from the opposite direction.) Oiyo (pointing to her house): “That is my home.” Seikichi: “Then I shall take my leave here.” Oiyo: “You’ve worked hard. Please give my regards to Father Mouro as well.”

Seikichi: “Understood.” “Then, tomorrow…” Oiyo: “Yes.” “I will certainly come.”

(Seikichi bowed politely, turned back, and left.) Oiyo came to the entrance, peered inside, then opened the gate and entered. Otae: "Oh, Sister..." (Stopping her fulling block work, she approached.) "You were so late coming back—I was worried something might have happened." Oiyo: "I had a feeling you might be worried, so I hurried here as fast as I could—but even so, I'm sorry for being late." "And Brother...?"

Otae: “He finished preparing and left earlier.” Oiyo: “He just finished preparing...” Otae: “Mr. Gohei and Mr. Torazō came by just now to invite him.” Oiyo: “Another full-scale wolf hunt tonight.” “Then he won’t return until dawn.” Otae (apprehensively watching Oiyo’s demeanor): “Sister, your dinner—”

“Oiyo—have you not eaten yet either?” “Since you returned so late, I went ahead and ate first.” Oiyo nodded. “I no longer wish to eat…” “Are you feeling unwell?”

Oiyo: “No.” “It’s nothing…” (Thinking.) “Well, I suppose I’ll eat something after all.”

(Oiyo enters the inner room.) Otae watched her retreat with lingering unease, her demeanor half-convinced and half-doubting. Stealthily tiptoeing to peer into the inner room, she descended to the garden again and began beating the fulling block—only to stop abruptly. Holding the mallet in one hand, she quietly stepped up to the veranda once more to spy inside. Just as she tried to look, Oiyo slid open the shoji screen and emerged face-to-face with her.

Otae (startled, stepped back.) "Have you already finished?" Oiyo: "I simply had no appetite left, so I stopped." Otae: "Then you must be unwell after all..." (Looking at Oiyo's face.) "Your complexion seems rather pale." "Perhaps you caught a chill from the night wind?" Oiyo: "Lately, everyone I meet remarks on my pallor..." "But I don't feel unwell in the slightest." "If we're speaking of chills—you're the one who's been lingering in the garden. You'll catch cold." "The night grows deeper still." "Why don't you come inside now?"

Otae: "Yes." Oiyo: "As I said before, Brother probably won’t return until dawnbreak, so don’t worry about waiting—go ahead and sleep first." Otae: "Yes." (Hesitating.) Oiyo (laughing): "Or are you waiting for someone?"

Otae (flustered). “No... It’s not like that...” “Then let us begin tidying up.”

(Otae descended to the garden and began tidying the fulling block.)

“No, leave it as it is.” “Unlike someone young like you, it’s still too early for me to sleep.” “I’ll beat it a little instead.”

(She descended into the garden and looked up at the sky.) (Insect sounds.) Oh—the moon had brightened again. Otae (also looking at the sky): “There had been clouds at times in the evening, but now it’s become a fine moon.” Oiyo: “The sound of fulling blocks from other houses seems to have already stopped.” Otae: “With these wolf rumors lately，everywhere people seem to be going to bed early.”

Oiyo (listened attentively.) “The sound of fulling blocks has ceased… All that remains is the chirping of insects…” “There is nothing else to be heard.” (Listened again.) “Can you hear anything?” Otae (tilted her ear.) “No… Nothing but the sound of insects…” Oiyo: “Can’t you hear anything?”

“Yes.”

(The two remained silent for a time.) (An owl’s cry echoed.) Otae: “Oh—the owl...” Oiyo: “Huh?” (She tilted her ear again.) “Truly...the owl cries...” “What a desolate night.” (Shifting tone.) “Well then—good night.” “You must rise early.” “Tomorrow morning too—please light the fire and boil water before Brother returns.”

Otae: “Yes, yes.” “Then I’ll retire first.” Oiyo: “Good night.” (Otae bowed politely, yet still eyed Oiyo with unease as she retreated into the inner room.) The time bell tolled.

Oiyo went to the gate and securely locked the latch.) Oiyo: Tonight had fallen unexpectedly early.

(Oiyo strains her ears as if catching some sound, turns back, and sits on the straw mat.) (An owl cries.) Oiyo (looks back fearfully.) No... no—that’s still just an owl... There’s nothing else. I can’t hear it.

(Oiyo faced the fulling block and began to beat it.) The moon grew dim again.

Oiyo suddenly tilted her ear and looked toward the front.

Oiyo: Ah, I can hear it... (Listened again.) I can hear it... I can hear it... (Put down the mallet and stood up.) Oh, tonight I can hear it too... That’s not an owl—it’s definitely the usual... wolf... the wolf's cry... (She grew increasingly afraid.) Oh, oh—it’s getting closer... (Went to the gate and peered outside.) Oh, it's coming, it's coming. Has it come to summon me again? (Covered her ears with both hands.) Now... now is the critical moment... Tonight, I must finally follow Father Mouro’s teachings… Cling to God's divine power...

(Oiyo hurriedly climbed onto the veranda, took out his Marian statue from her pocket, and examined it in the lamp’s light.) Oiyo (pressed the Marian statue to her forehead.) Santa Maria... Santa Maria... (Eventually turned to face outward again.) Yes... I can still hear it. I can still hear it. (Silently now, pressing the statue to her forehead as she prayed.) I can still hear it... Still... I can hear it... Is my faith insufficient? Was Father Mouro’s teaching a lie? No—don’t let me hear it! Don’t let me hear it! No—what should I do now? (Placed down the statue and prostrated herself while covering her ears.) No—even now I can still hear it...

(Oiyo takes the Marian statue once more and descends from the veranda as if pulled by some force.) Oiyo: No... Tonight too, after all... No, I must not go. I must not go out. Even after entreating Santa Maria this desperately... Won't God grant me salvation? Is my transgression so profound? (She hurls the statue to the ground and strides to the fulling block to seize the mallet.) You persistent wolf! Demon! Devil! Cur! Cease your howling. Cease your howling—stop calling me!

(Oiyo swung her mallet as if driving away invisible things, her hair disheveled and appearance disordered, collapsing wildly upon the straw mat.)

(Otae exits from the inner room.) Otae (looks around in surprise.) “Huh? Sister...” (Descends from the veranda.) “Hey, what’s wrong?” “Hey, Sister…”

(Oiyo lay collapsed without answering.) (Otae glanced around anxiously.) Otae: “If I’d been listening all along... Sister seems to be going mad on her own over something...” “My ears hear nothing—what do you hear, Sister?” “Hey, Sister.” “What’s wrong with you?” (Otae approached uneasily and tried to lift Oiyo up, but Oiyo shook her off and sat up abruptly, their faces now confronting each other.) At that terrifying visage, Otae recoiled in shock.

“What the…?”

(Otae tried to flee, but her body froze and she couldn’t move.) (Oiyo planted both hands on the ground and stared fixedly at Otae like a wolf stalking its prey.) Otae (voice trembling): “Sister...” “It’s me… Otae…” “You’ve changed so suddenly...” “What in the world has happened to you?” “Sister...” (Oiyo didn’t answer, growling lowly as she crawled closer to Otae inch by inch.) Otae: “So it’s true what I heard tonight—that terrible wolf has possessed you?” “I thought it couldn’t be real... but it really was true?” “Even so... to come after me, your own sister...” “Please... I beg you.” “Help me.”

(Otae managed to stand up and tried to flee toward the front, but the gate was locked and wouldn’t open immediately.) Meanwhile, Oiyo glared wide-eyed and closed in as if about to pounce at any moment. Otae, at a loss, turned back and began retreating cautiously toward the upper area. As she did so, Oiyo circled around from below and once again closed in on her inch by inch toward the upper direction. Otae desperately shouted: “Someone! Please come!” “Please help me!” “Sister’s become a wolf…!” “Someone, please come quickly!” “Please help me!”

(As Otae called for help, striking whatever fulling block mallets and cloth were at hand while clambering up onto the veranda, Oiyo sprang up after her.) As Otae, in her panic, leapt back down into the garden once more, Oiyo followed suit and plunged down after her. Otae: “Sister! Sister! Please help me!” “Have mercy on me!” “Look at me!” “I implore you!” (Otae, pressing her palms together in prayer, lurched to her feet only to stumble again as she fled—desperately scrambling into the upper bamboo grove—whereupon Oiyo pursued her and dove in after.)

The moon grew dim again; the bamboo grove swayed with a rustling sound.

From within the thicket came Otae’s voice crying out: “Ah! Ah!”

As the screams subsided, Zensuke, the villager from Act One, emerged from below.

Zensuke: “I thought I heard someone crying for help from this house...” “What happened?” (calling inward) “Is there no one here...?” “Hello? Hello...” (Zensuke shakes the gate.)

Otae emerged from the upper bamboo grove with disheveled hair and a body that had been bitten somewhere, staggered out, and collapsed with a thud in the front garden.

Zensuke (calls from outside.) “Hey, Miss Otae.” “What’s happened?”

(Otae wordlessly points upward. Before long, Oiyo emerges from the bamboo grove with blood staining around her mouth. When she fixes her glare on Zensuke in the moonlight, he lets out a startled cry and flees headlong downward. Otae attempts to crawl up but collapses again, breathing her last. Oiyo nimbly leaps up onto the veranda and peers down at the collapsed Otae. (Moonlight, the sound of the wind.))

At this, the black curtain was lowered, and immediately it was raised once more.

II

Act II: The Single House.

Outside, moonlight.

(Mouro and Seikichi sat facing each other at a table with a lit candle, reading the Bible. (The sound of a signal whistle was heard.)

Seikichi (raises his head.) “Ah, I can hear the whistle.”

Mouro (listened attentively.) “The sound of a whistle…” “What is that?” Seikichi: “That’s a signal whistle.” (Stood up.) “The hunters may have spotted the wolf and blown it as a signal.” Mouro: “Wolf…” “Oh…Ms. Oiyo…” (Stood up apprehensively.) Seikichi: “Ms. Oiyo did return home…” (Anxiously.) “Could she have slipped out again?”

(The sound of a whistle was heard again.) Seikichi: “Huh? Huh? The whistle sounds keep coming.” “I’ll go take a look for a moment.” (As Seikichi was about to go outside, the report of a matchlock gun rang out.) (The two exchanged glances.)

“The sound of a matchlock gun was heard.”

Father Mouro: “Oh, the matchlock gun…” “The sound of a gunshot…”

(As if the two had grown increasingly anxious, Seikichi peered outside through the window.) Pushing through the autumn grass below, Oiyo stumbled out and collapsed outside the window.

Seikichi: “Ah, a wolf…” (peering through the window) “No—it’s a person! A person!” “A person has collapsed!”

(Seikichi hurriedly headed out to the front.) Mouro also exited following after.) Seikichi (peering through the moonlight, cried out.) “It’s Oiyo-san! It’s Oiyo-san!” Father Mouro: “Oh, Oiyo-san...” “Let’s get her inside first.”

(Mouro and Seikichi lifted Oiyo up, carried her into the house, and laid her down facing away from the hearth.) Seikichi: "Could she have been shot with a matchlock gun?" (Mouro picked up Oiyo and tended to her.)

Mouro: What happened to you?

Seikichi (calls out.) “Ms. Oiyo…” “Ms. Oiyo…” (Oiyo did not respond.) When Seikichi held up the candle and looked at Mouro’s face, Mouro shook his head sorrowfully and said it was no use. Seikichi picked up the fallen Marian statue from the ground and showed it.

“There’s blood on the Virgin Mary’s statue.” “Did Ms. Oiyo bring it here?”

(Mouro silently took hold of the statue and gazed at it.)

(From below, Tahara Yosaburō emerges holding a gun.)

Yosaburō: “It should have come this way…” “Strange.” (He looked around the area.) (Seikichi, noticing, called out from the window.) Seikichi: “Hey, what are you looking for?” Yosaburō: “I shot the wolf and definitely hit it, but…” “Must’ve missed the vital spot… Maybe it got away.”

(Yosaburō was still looking around the area.) (Father Mouro also came out to the window and called out.) Father Mouro: “The person you shot is here.” Yosaburō: “What? I shot a person...” (Yosaburō, startled, dashed into the house and, upon seeing Oiyo collapsed there, was shocked anew.) Yosaburō: “Ah! This is my wife! My wife!” Father Mouro: “Then... you are... “Are you Mr. Tahara?” Yosaburō: “Yes. Yes.” (frantically calling out and trying to revive her) “Hey! Stay with me!” “Oiyo... Oiyo...” Ah... So it had struck a vital spot after all.

Father Mouro: “What a pitiable thing this was.”

Yosaburō (examining Oiyo’s corpse): “Hmm… This is truly strange.” “It definitely appeared as a wolf to me, but…”

Mouro: “Did your eyes perceive it as a wolf?” Yosaburō: “The figure fleeing across that grassland appeared unmistakably lupine in the moonlight—that’s why I fired without hesitation...” (His brow furrows with suspicion.) Though they say darkness and distance beguile vision, after decades in this trade, I shouldn’t confuse man and beast. And yet tonight’s moon shone bright—how could such error occur? To my own mind, it feels dreamlike—nothing makes sense anymore.

(Yosaburō, shackled by doubt, heaved a futile sigh.)

(From below, Gengorō leading, Gohei and Torazō emerge.)

Gengorō: "I heard the signal whistle, but..."

“I heard the sound of a matchlock gun too!”

Torazō: "It was definitely in this direction." Yosaburō (calling from inside): "Hey! Here! Over here!"

(Hearing his voice, the three noisily rushed inside.) Gengorō: "Did you find the wolf?"

Yosaburō: “The wolf… lies here before you.” (The three peered inside and recoiled in shock.) Gengorō: “Isn’t this your wife?”

Gohei: “Hmm.” “It’s Ms. Oiyo.” “It’s Ms. Oiyo.” Torazō: “Did you shoot Ms. Oiyo?” Gengorō: “How on earth did you make such a mistake?” Yosaburō: “I don’t understand it myself—it truly looked like a wolf, so I fired...” “When I rushed over and looked, this is what had happened.” “No matter how flustered I was, how could there be any possibility that I mistook my own wife for a wolf and shot her?” “It’s like I’ve been bewitched by a fox or something.”

(Meanwhile, Gengorō pondered as if something had occurred to him.) Gohei: “Indeed, as Mr. Yosaburō says, there should be no mistaking a human for a wolf.” Torazō: “However, it’s strange that Ms. Oiyo appeared as a wolf.” Gengorō (dismissively): “Strange as it may be, I can’t say such a mistake was impossible. After all, it was nighttime.” Yosaburō: “Even if it’s nighttime, it’s a moonlit night like this.”

Gengorō: “A moonlit night or not—it’s different from daytime. Especially since this isn’t an ordinary situation—it’s different from usual circumstances. Because you’re so worked up trying to find the wolf—trying to find it—even a human figure ended up looking like one.” Yosaburō: “Is that so?” (He continued to think skeptically.)

Gengorō (pressing on): “Exactly! Absolutely right. Think about it—how could your wife become a wolf?” Mouro (stepping forward): “He speaks truth. Your mind races so fiercely to find the wolf that your eyes deceived you into mistaking person for beast. Such errors are known to happen.” Yosaburō: “Be that as it may...” (To Gengorō.) “Why would my wife be running here at this hour? That logic escapes me.”

Gengorō: “Hmm.” (When Gengorō also hesitated slightly in his response, Mouro showed the Marian statue.) Mouro: “Your wife brought this. She came to return it to me.”

Yosaburō (receiving and examining the statue): “This isn’t an ordinary Buddhist statue... seems foreign.” “If she had something like this—does that mean she’d been here before?” Mouro: “Yes. She had come here.” “It was I who lent it to her.”

Gengorō: "So tonight—when she came to return it—you mistook her for a wolf from afar. There! Now everything makes sense." Gohei: "Hearing it laid out like that, there's nothing particularly strange about it after all."

Torazō: “Now that it’s come to this—Ms. Oiyo suffered an unforeseen calamity. Truly pitiable.” Gohei: “Though she’d always been so well-regarded in the neighborhood… You’ve done a terrible thing.”

Torazō: “It’s truly a regrettable thing you’ve done, but since she didn’t fall by another’s hand, there’s some resignation to be had.” Gohei: “There may be no such thing as good resignation, but well—there’s nothing to do but force yourself to accept it.” Gengorō: “Ms. Oiyo was a chaste woman through and through. If she knew it was a mistake, why would she resent her husband?” Yosaburō: “No—even if she resents me, there’s nothing to be done.” (To the corpse.) “Forgive me for this.” “For nearly ten years as husband and wife, I made you endure a ronin’s hardships—and never meant to kill you over such a thing.” “No matter how I say it—I was certain I’d shot the wolf…” How had it come to this?

Gengorō: “You shouldn’t doubt yourself so much.” “Now then—everyone—lend a hand and let’s carry out this corpse.”

Gohei: “That’s right, that’s right.”

(Gohei and Torazō also helped lift up Oiyo’s corpse.) Mouro instructed Seikichi to bring a blanket from the inner room and wrapped the corpse. Yosaburō: (Sighing.) If I showed her this state, Otae would surely be shocked.

Gengorō: "Hmm. Ms. Otae will be shocked too. They'd always been as close as true sisters." Yosaburō: (Through gritted teeth.) "This was all that damned wolf's doing! I'll slaughter the beast and avenge my wife—mark my words!" Gengorō: "Enough about wolves. The Buddhist rites come first now. Go home and perform the memorial services."

(Gohei and Torazō lifted the corpse wrapped in a blanket, and Gengorō also accompanied them as they left.) Yosaburō (to Father Mouro): “Thank you for all your trouble.” “I will come again another time to properly express my gratitude.” (Yosaburō bowed courteously and exited listlessly.) Mouro (takes the Marian statue.): “The demon has smeared blood on her pure form.” Seikichi: “Shall I wash it immediately?”

Mouro: “No.” “We must continue praying until this blood fades naturally.” “Tonight we must keep vigil...” Seikichi: “Yes.”

(Mouro reverently placed the statue back on its original shelf, faced Seikichi across the table, and once more opened the Bible.)

Moonlight. (Owl’s cry.)

――CURTAIN――

(“Stage” Published in the March 1931 issue / First performed at Meiji-za in March 1931)