Direction Chief
The next performance will be 'Benkei on the Bridge'.
Lilja
Benkei on the Bridge...?
Gingaza Troupe Members
Hey, do you know it?
Gingaza Troupe Members
No. I've never heard of it in my country.
Koyomi
It may be an unfamiliar work to those from overseas.
Xue
I'm hearing this title for the first time too. What kind of story is this 'Benkei on the Bridge'?
Koyomi
It's one of the programs in classical performing arts, based on a legend long beloved in Japan.
Koyomi
The name of the central figure in the story is Musashibō Benkei-
Hikari
Ah! Benkei, that Benkei! Benkei's weak spot!
Ramona
Hehe, that refers to the shin, right?
Hikari
That's right! The shin on the leg! When it comes to Benkei, that being his weak point is famous, right!
Koyomi
Well, it's merely a metaphor. The origin is that even the strongest hero has weaknesses and vital points.
Ramona
Come to think of it, the Benkei I saw in Japanese history books was a rough warrior monk who would strike down people, steal their swords, and collect them.
Ramona
Aiming to kill a thousand people, he would attack those crossing the Gojō Bridge in Kyoto, Japan.
Hikari
You know a lot, Ramo-san!
Ramona
When I was scouted by Gingaza, I researched past performances. 'Benkei on the Bridge' was also a traditional program, so I looked into it a bit.
Lilja
...That's very like Ramo.
Xue
So Gingaza is doing a story about such a rough guy? And what about the ending?
Ramona
In the story I read, Benkei was defeated by someone called Ushiwakamaru who came after hearing rumours of the killer, and became his retainer.
Koyomi
That's the commonly known image of Musashibō Benkei and Ushiwakamaru. However...'Benkei on the Bridge' is somewhat different from that.
Xue
Hmm, is that so? And who is this Ushiwakamaru guy who appeared partway through?
Koyomi
His childhood name was Ushiwakamaru...his real name was Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a Japanese military commander.
Koyomi
Since not many records remain about him, most of what is known is embellished fiction.
Ramona
So what I read was also that embellished story of Benkei and Ushiwakamaru.
Koyomi
That version is generally more famous, but in 'Benkei on the Bridge' known as a Noh drama program, it's Ushiwakamaru who is said to have been attacking people at Gojō Bridge.
Ramona
I see. So in the commonly known story, the positions of Benkei and Ushiwakamaru are reversed.
Koyomi
That's how it is. Furthermore, Gingaza's 'Benkei on the Bridge' also includes elements of youkai extermination.
Xue
Hmm...? What does that mean exactly? Sorry, but Koyomi-san, can you summarize the plot of Gingaza's 'Benkei on the Bridge' in an easy to understand way!
Hikari
I'm getting confused too...! In 'Benkei on the Bridge', Ushiwakamaru was the one rampaging, and in Gingaza's program, youkai also appear...?
Koyomi
Ahem. Then I'll explain as concisely as possible.
Koyomi
-Musashibou Benkei, a monk from Mount Hiei, hears that a skilled killer appears at Gojou Bridge. Curious, he heads to the bridge, meets someone who was attacked, and hears a story about a monster.
Koyomi
After that, Benkei meets Ushiwakamaru, who had been challenging those crossing the bridge to test his martial arts skills, and they cross swords-
Koyomi
As a result, Benkei is defeated and becomes his retainer. Just as their bond is formed, an oni called Hashihime appears.
Koyomi
The true identity of the one attacking people was that Hashihime, and Ushiwakamaru and Benkei, having formed a master-retainer relationship, join forces to defeat the oni Hashihime lurking behind the incidents, and the curtain falls.
Ramona
I see. So they prepared a highlight for both parties as the final climax. But that's quite a sudden change in tone.
Koyomi
Such anecdotes about Benkei also remain. That one is known as 'Oniwakamaru's Carp Extermination'.
Koyomi
The deeply emotional human drama of Benkei and Ushiwakamaru and the powerful sword fighting.
Koyomi
'Benkei on the Bridge' is one of the traditional programs at Gingaza that has gained popularity for these elements.
Direction Chief
As you heard from Senju, 'Benkei on the Bridge' is an important program that simultaneously requires the dynamism of sword fighting and delicate emotional expression from the characters.
Direction Chief
Casting is currently under discussion. Everyone, work on understanding the script and rehearsing until the announcement.
Gingaza Troupe Members
Yes!
Hikari
(The dynamism of sword fighting...! With the 'Benkei on the Bridge' program, maybe I have a chance too...)
Xue
(Energetic gestures and acting are my strong suit. In this 'Benkei on the Bridge' too, I'll definitely get chosen for a major role!)