[Contents] [Back] [Next] [Section I: Iwami Kagura] Nô Dances
Tsuchi-gumo (also known as Mt. Katsuragi)
The spirit of an earth spider, living on Mt. Katsuragi in Yamato-no-kuni (modern Nara Prefecture), changes himself into a beautiful lady-in-waiting named Kochô. Claiming to be the assistant court physician's messenger, he puts poison into the ailing Minamoto no Raikô's medicine. At last the spider is able to attack Raikô but Raikô fights back with his family's sword, Hiza-maru. The spider's true nature is revealed, and he flees back to Mt. Katsuragi. Raikô renames the sword Kumo-ki-maru, "the Spider-cutting Sword." He gives the sword to his four strongest men and orders them to go after the spider. The four men fight a fierce battle against the spider's magic and eventually conquer him. 
NPO Hiroshima kagura Art Laboratory |