Shirabyoshi Hanako

The play

Musume Dojo-ji (The girl at Dojo-ji Temple) is the oldest dance drama based on a Nò play that was created in 1723 in Edo. The current play is a kabuki adaptation dated 1753 which was very popular. It is the story of a "Shirabyoshi", traditional entertainers which appeared in the 12th century and became popular at the Japanese imperial court. They danced exclusively for the nobility and high-ranking samourai. Shirabyoshi were always dressed as men and dedicated their dance to the gods. The name "shirabyoshi" means "white beat or simple rythm" referring to the slow and rythmic pace of their dance and their white make-up. They always wore Shinto-inspired masculine attire, which featured a hat, a samourai's sword, a red trouser (hakama), male priest white or red blouses (suikan) and a man fan.

Main characters

• Shirabyoshi Hanako: A girl

• Anchin: Former priest at the temple

• Kyo-hime: Princess Kyo, in love with Anchin

The plot

The play takes place within the precinct of Dojo-ji Temple where a new bell has recently been dedicated. There has not been a bell at the temple for a long time due to a terrible story. Anchin, a priest at the temple was very handsome. Young princess Kyo-hime fell in love, but Anchin being a priest refused her advances. She continued to pursue him with great persistence. Finally after all these attempts had been thwarted, her passionate love for him turned into a deep hatred; and she turned into a fierce, fire-breathing serpent. The terrified priest ran and hid beneath its huge bell. In frustration the serpent coiled itself around the bell and poured fire out from its mouth until the bell melted and the priest burned to death. Since then, women have been forbidden to enter the temple.

Today, Hanako, a pretty young girl arrives and introduce herself as Hanako. She has heard about he new bell and asks to see it. The priests refuse at first, but they relent when she promises to dance in the bell's honor. She comes in and start a series of nine dances.