Chapter Text
The Tale of Doji Nanashi
~ A Courtly Tale from the time of Hantei XXXIX ~
Banned after the fall of the Hantei House, due to pressure from the Crane clan, the Tale was controversional even when written for its idealistic portrayal of the now-disgraced Scorpion Clan. Only fragments of the manuscript were recovered.
CAST
Shoshuro Kometsu - Scorpion Emissary to the Lion
Matsu Enko - Matsu Daimyo
Matsu Kitao - Daughter and Heir
Doji Yuri - Crane Emissary to the Lion
A Doji Samarai-ko - Crane Samurai-ko (Unknown)
Courtiers
ACT ONE: THE GARDEN.
[Enter CRANE SAMURAI-KO. Red Threads are tied to wrists and neck, indicating injuries.]
Samurai-ko:
With nowhere to turn,
I cannot escape my doubts
When I should have none
Bound by oath I could not act
Merely hear the traitor's vow
To do my duty
Is to betray my duty
The trap closes tight
Let none know what I witnessed
Let my blade, my honour clean.
[falls on sword]
[Enter SHOSHURO KOMETSU]
Shoshuro Kometsu:
As an unliked guest
Seeking refuge from insult
I heard a maiden's voice
I sought the speaker for words,
Heard those I wished I had not.
A Crane maiden dead,
And I the one to find her,
Such luck, Scorpion;
To be blamed for Clan, not guilt
Only Honour as my guard
[approaches body]
Truly fair, so young,
Doji mon, Crane robes, and blade
Yet I know her not.
[Noises from offstage. He looks up.]
Mistaken accusations
From the Matsu, mine to meet
[Enter MATSU KITAO, MATSU ENKO, and courtiers.]
My Lady Matsu,
I am surprised; in your grove
To find a Crane dead.
The rite perhaps Seppuku
And yet no second near
Matsu Enko:
Still your poison breath
An unknown Crane in these walls
Is not your concern,
[rounds on him]
Unless you caught her spying,
When death was her kindest fate.
Shoshuro Kometsu:
I know not her name
And laid no hand upon her
I caused not her death
[aside]
So sure you do not know her
When you saw not mon or face?
Matsu Kitao:
Even as a guest
Poison from a Scorpion
Is no great surprise
Did any here know her
Or did the Doji trespass?
Matsu Enko:
Since no one will speak,
Let the eta take the corpse
And let it be burned
No honour in her dying
Let there be none for her dead
A suicide
We know not her family
Lay her with heimin
And be honoured Scorpion
Know you are a welcome guest
[All offstage: KOMETSU lingers alone]
Shoshuro Kometsu:
I did not kill her,
Though I shall not be believed
And named Lion-Friend
For a deed I did not do
And a life she took herself
Wearing Doji robes
To spy within Matsu lands
Is a fool's action
She was a Samurai-ko
And the Crane are no such fools
A grave mystery
Which, although most intriguing,
Brings its own peril.
Only a fool would seek truth
Perhaps I am that fool.
[offstage]