Storytelling Monk - Storytelling

Japanese: 物語僧 - ものがたりそう

A recluse with a keen eye who made a living telling stories in the Middle Ages (especially during the Muromachi period). Without accompanying musical instruments, he held a fan and recited military tales and other such tales in a sonorous tone. The storyteller monk who appears in the Kanmon Diary (1416 entry) was a master of eloquence, "spitting out jewels and scattering flowers," and recites a military tale that is reminiscent of the Meitokuki. Tona, who appears in the Daito Monogatari (early Muromachi period), was also a "talented eloquent," and the tale is said to have been a disciple of Furuyama Shia. Shia was a former samurai member of the Jishu, and a member of Yoshimitsu's Doboshu.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

中世(とくに室町期)において物語を語ることを業とした目明きの遁世者。伴奏楽器はなく，扇を持って朗々とした語り口調で軍記物語などを朗誦した。《看聞（かんもん）日記》(1416年条)にみえる物語僧は〈弁説玉ヲ吐キ，言詞花ヲ散ラス〉という名人で，《明徳記》らしい軍記を語っている。《大塔物語》(室町初期)にみえる頓阿（とんあ）も〈弁説宏才〉で，物語は古山珠阿（しあ）の弟子という。珠阿は武士くずれの時衆で，義満の同朋衆である。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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