This play is called a Noh drama which is also a theatrical kabuki play consisting of legends and folktales performed by dramatists in traditional attire kimono. It is a well-known tale in Japanese culture with references traced back 16th Century during the Tokugawa Shogunate’s rule.
The Heavenly Descent and the Stolen Robe
The tale unfolds in a serene setting Miho-No-Matsubara (a pine grove on the Miho river or beach) near a coastal village during the Edo period (1603-1868). Hakuryo, who is considered an honest fisherman, modestly lives by fishing.
In the document that is written after Zeami time (1526), it is said Hakuryo who took the robe out of curiosity and for its beauty returns back after the maiden performs her dance, assuring that deceits are of earthly qualities and she intends to keep her promise.
The Celestial Maiden's Plea
On a fateful evening, he stumbles upon a shimmering, feather robe of divine features reflecting the moon’s glow, draped over a pine bough. Hakuryo intends to keep the robe as a family heirloom due to its otherworldly and ethereal features. The celestial maiden or moon princess returns asking for her robe.
The swan maiden’s tranquil falls to the ground with a heart-wrenching cry for reason and sympathy as she is not an ordinary woman, but a Tennin in fact(a celestial being) descended for a bath to Earth. Woeful, the maiden, pleads to Hakuryo to return her heavenly adobe because it is her very being.
A Bargain Struck
Hakuryu, a meager fisherman, bound to earthly desires, upon stumbling over the glimmering feather robe, intends to keep in his possession and the maiden’s alluring otherworldliness, clouded with judgment. He agrees to return on the condition of the maiden’s ethereal dance.
The Enchanting Dance
The maiden with no other choice, demonstrates a performance unlike anything Hakuryo has ever witnessed. Her being carried mesmerizing movements, so elegant, no other human can mimic such celestial grace. Hakuryo concedes that she is indeed not a human and returns her robe.
The Celestial Maiden's Return
The dance comes to an end, leaving Hakuryo transfixed. He is perplexed by his greed for the celestial robe and the enticing beauty of her dance. Finally, his underlying decency within him prevails and he returns the Hagorom( celestial feather robe), allowing the maiden to ascend back to heaven.
Interpretations
In another version, Hakuryo greedily takes her feather robe and demands the maiden to be his wife while refusing to hand over her robe. And later he pities her predicament that she cannot return to her home, heaven, if she loses the robe and returns it upon witnessing her graceful dance
Legacy of Hagoromo
The legend of Hagoromo transcends beyond the tale and simple narrative. It inspired numerous art forms that include, Noh dramas, Traditional dance, and even Mangakas, the modern-day weaver of storytellers who create immersive Japanese novels with illustrations that capture a wide audience.
Hagoromo's Inspiration and Edo Period Japan
The Edo period witnessed a great change in flourishing Japanese literature and art, and Hagoromo was no exception. It found a vibrant life in the Edo period where lasting peace, a rich tapestry of traditional arts, occupation, culture, and entertainment prospered under Tokugawa Shogunate’s rule.
Kishimoto's Inspiration for Naruto Character
The legend of Hagoromo extends far beyond the terminus of Japan. Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of the globally renowned Japanese manga Naruto, hints at the inspiration for the character Kaguya Otutsuki which has a high probability of being taken from the classic play Hagoromo.
The striking resemblance in the epistemology of both characters draws parallels by depicting Kaguya Otutsuki, a powerful extra-terrestrial being who also descends from the heavens similar to the celestial maiden, highlighting the legend of Hagoromo. Ironically, Hagoromo is also the son of Kaguya in the Naruto series.
Final Thoughts
Hagoromo, a classical tale of a fisherman and celestial maiden, is a testimony to the might of compelling storytelling with morals and philosophy. It is a reminder that beauty can transcend beyond human restraints and earthly dogmas. The enchanting tale also inspires artists and writers to express their talents.
Written by V. Hari Shankar Raja
This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer. For further queries about the article or its content, you can contact this email address – harishankarwrk1@gmail.com
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