Tsukimi Zatō

The title of a Kyogen piece. Zatō Kyogen. On the night of the harvest moon in mid-autumn, a zatō (shite) goes out into the fields to watch the moon and the sounds of insects gathering on the grass, when a man passes by and calls out to him. The two hit it off and enjoy a banquet, reciting old songs and dancing. After a heartwarming banquet, the two part ways, but the man suddenly turns back, pretending to be someone else with a fake voice, knocks the zatō down and enters the act. Left alone, the zatō remarks that the man now is different from the man at the front and is a pathetic fellow, then sneezes loudly, bringing the piece to a close. During the zatō's monologue, the sounds of insects can be heard and the harvest moon comes to mind, making this a lyrical, poetic piece. The abrupt ending, which tears apart the poetic sentiment of the entire story, has been the subject of much discussion, with some saying it symbolizes the dual nature of human beings, between good and evil, and others saying that the cracks in the world of the drama seem to look into the depths of human existence.

[Mitsuo Yuya]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

狂言の曲名。座頭狂言。仲秋の名月の夜、座頭（シテ）が野辺に出て千草に集(すだ)く虫の音に月を見ているところに、男が通りかかり声をかける。意気投合した2人は、古歌を吟じ舞をまって酒宴を楽しむ。しみじみとした酒宴ののち、2人は別れるが、男は突然引き返し、作り声をして別人を装い、座頭を突き倒して幕に入る。1人残された座頭は、いまの男は最前の人とは違い情けもない奴(やつ)だと述懐し、一つ大きくくしゃみして終曲となる。座頭の独白のうちに、虫の音が聞こえ名月が浮かぶ、叙情味あふれる詩的作品。全編の詩情を引き裂く唐突な結末は、人間のもつ善悪の二面性を象徴するとか、ドラマ世界の亀裂(きれつ)がそのまま人間存在の深淵(しんえん)をのぞくようだとか、従来いろいろ議論をよぶところである。

［油谷光雄］

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