Jul -- Projects and Creations: Benkei II: Benkei's Honorable Revenge

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Since: 07-10-07

From: VA

Since last post: 9.5 years
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Posted on 05-13-08 02:13:20 AM

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I had to perform a 1 act play at school and my friends and I found this one called "Benkei on the Bridge." It seemed epic enough so we all did it and it turned out amazing. For those who have not heard of "Benkei on the Bridge," I suggest reading it before you read ahead. You can read it here: http://www.sacred-texts.com/shi/npj/npj14.htm

After my friends and I finished Benkei, my teacher told us he'd offer extra credit for anyone who wrote a seven page one act play. I decided to take on this challenge and figured, since Benkei never shows up again in the Japanese Noh plays, that I should make a sequel. This one is a bit foolish, but I tried my best to keep it true to the original Benkei idea. Honor. Honor. Fighting. And Honor.

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Benkei II
Benkei's Honorable Revenge
(Now with 2x the honor!)

*Follower switches to Chorus after Benkei sights Ushiwaka

Benkei: I am Mushai-bo Benkei, a priest, formerly of the western pagoda.
My tale is a sad one. I traveled many nights to a temple to worship.
On my final night, I was halted at Gojo Bridge by a young boy of twelve.
I did battle with that boy, lost, and became his servant.
This battle was not dishonorable for the boy was of a family of great lineage.
Today, I must do battle with the same boy, for now, he has dishonored me.
Hei! Is anyone there!

Follower: Here I am sir!

Benkei: It is time for me to leave this house. I can no longer stand its presence.
I must seek out the one called Ushiwaka and purge him from this world so that I may restore honor to my name.
If I cannot accomplish this, I will be ridiculed for the rest of my days.

Follower: Sir, I agree with you whole heartedly, but this cannot be done!
Ushiwaka has already demonstrated that his wit and power are far greater than anyone's of this land!
Facing him is certain death!

Benkei: Yes, but I cannot allow this to continue on. Rather death than dishonor.
As a priest, it is my duty to carry this battle through.

Follower: Yes sir... I shall then lead you on your way... Back to Gojo Bridge...

Benkei: Wait! First I must equip myself!

Follower: Yes sir, but there is little time. Please make haste for we may not make it in time.

Benkei: I race into my hut and firmly grasp my gear.
My sandals, armor, and trusty halberd. I am now ready to begin my journey.
I take a moment to equip myself.
When I finish, I hurry outside to find my follower ready to begin the hike.

Follower: The sun is fading slowly.
The horizon turns a dark red, as if to make a prophecy of an event to come.

Benkei: Silence yourself! I do no need to hear of your opinions right now.
For all we know it could be a curse!
I will not allow you to curse me for I am already in a horrid position as it is!

Follower: I am sorry to hear this sir. I will speak of the sky no more.
But mind you if I ask why you must meet with this boy, Ushiwaka?

Benkei: Mind, I do... but if it will keep you from speaking and cursing me, I shall tell but a part of it.
The boy dishonored me.

Follower: That is most terrible sir. Dare I ask how?

Benkei: Let us just say that did not fulfill his duty as a master.
I did as told and he did not accept what he had asked.
Now that my honor is gone, I must regain it in battle.

Follower: What a terrible master.
I will speak of this no more.
We should increase our speed.
We seem to be moving slower than I had thought.

Benkei: We must make Gojo Bridge before the sun sets!
It is most important to me.
Come! We shall run!

Follower: Sir! The sun is almost set!
We will just make it!

Benkei: I see the bridge! And beyond it, the temple!
What great emotions this sight brings forth from within me!
I feel as if I must not continue, yet something else urges me forward!
My own self-pride seems to be besting my fears!

Follower: There! I see the boy now!
I will depart from you now sir. May luck be on your side this battle!

Benkei: I think you. You have lead me well.
I wish to meet you again if it is meant to be.
Farewell sir.

Follower: Farewell...

Benkei: I lay my gear down and, one by one, attach the pieces to myself.
I brandish my faithful halberd and mutter a prayer to the goddess of luck and victory to be on my side.
I walk forward until I can see the boy clearly.
He is ready for combat.
His sword is unsheathed and is in a stance of preparation.
I slow my pace as I approach him to be sure that he cannot catch me off guard.

Ushiwaka: Why have you called for this gather?
I have committed no wrongs, nor have you.
Thus battle will be pointless if we follow through.
Can we not settle this in some other manner?

Benkei: You fool!
Do not think I do not know what you did to me!
I may have failed to teach you a lesson the first time, but this time, you shall taste my blade!

Chorus: And so Benkei rushed at Ushiwaka who dodged to the right and in turn threw himself forward.
Benkei saw this and knocked the boy's blade away with the tip of his halberd.
Ushiwaka, unfazed by the parry, carried through with another hit, only to again be knocked away by Benkei and his mighty halberd.
“Foolish boy!” Benkei screamed, “You have grown weak! I shall best you this time!”
Ushiwaka, hearing these words, was angered and cried out “I see no reason to fight this battle, that is why I put no heart into it! But if you so insist, I shall battle you with all my might!”
Ushiwaka charged forward, dodging Benkei's slashes, and dealt a blow at Benkei's chest.
Benkei remained unharmed since it was direct hit upon his armor.
Ushiwaka, seeing that he failed to harm Benkei stepped back hoping to gain enough time to think of a new strategy.
Benkei did not allow Ushiwaka the time and, while remaining in position, thrust his halberd forward at the young boy.
Ushiwaka ducked, barely escaping a fatal blow, threw his body at Benkei.
Benkei received the hit from Ushiwaka and fell over backwards.

Ushiwaka: You see old priest!
You cannot match me!
Now are you ready to settle this peacefully, or are you not capable of that kind of settlement!
I am willing to negotiate and put this pointless feud behind us!

Benkei: A peaceful settlement is no way to solve a matter of dishonor!
You know me well enough boy to know that I would never resort to this unless I was forced to!

Ushiwaka: BAH!
You and your spouting of dishonor!
Just hearing it makes me think of how dishonorable you're being at this very moment!
You were always one to jump to conclusions old man!

Benkei: May I remind you boy that you were the one who attacked me first the last encounter!
That battle was foolish and pointless and was a fault we both shared, but now you seem to not want to be honorable and admit that you have hurt me!

Ushiwaka: I have done no such things to you old man!

Benkei: You lie!

Chorus: So Benkei again charged Ushiwaka. This time striking him in the gut with the center of his halberd's shaft.
Ushiwaka fell upon the ground and rolled in pain for a moment.
Benekei, seeing the perfect opportunity, stabbed at the boy.
Ushiwaka rolled from side to side dodging Benkei's stabs and managed to kick Benkei in his chest.
This gave Ushiwaka just enough time to get away.
Both warriors stared at each other for a moment.
Everything was silent.
All that could be heard was the breeze and even that was a faint whisper upon the trees.
Then both, at the same moment, leaped forward with weapons fully extended.
Benkei parried Ushiwaka's sword with such force that it broke the blade.
Unable to control his speed, Benkei tripped over himself and snapped his halberd's shaft in such a way that rendered it useless.
Both warriors were now weaponless and wearied from battle.

Benkei: So it seems luck has taken a neutral stance today.
Neither of us have an advantage.
I am weakened, but not done yet. I will fight for my honor!

Ushiwaka: Wait! Old man!
In what way have I brought dishonor upon you?

Benkei: Do not play dumb with me boy!
I will strangle you for what you have done to me!

Chorus: With what little strength he had left, Benkei reached for Ushiwaka's throat. Ushiwaka easily sidestepped out of Benkei's range, sending his foe to the hard dirt ground.

Ushiwaka: Again, I ask, what have I done to bring dishonor upon you old man!
I have seen no purpose in this skirmish, yet you have put your whole heart into it to see me dead!
I am clueless. Please enlighten me!

Chorus: Benkei ignored the boy and again attempted to grasp Ushiwaka's throat.
Again, Benkei missed and landed on the road.

Benkei: Why do you not fight me!

Ushiwaka: I have already put forth my question old man.
Why do you fight me!?

Benekei: You honestly do not know!?
I do not know whether to be angered or intrigued by this.
Since you will not continue unless I explain, then I shall divulge your wrong doings.
I had gone to the Gojo Temple three days ago to offer sacrifice to the goddess of the harvest for you and your family.
You we swore on our honors that I would complete the sacrifice if you provided a worthy animal.
You said you would leave the worthy animal outside of my hut.
The morning after we swore, I woke up to find a monkey leashed to a post outside of my hut.
You and I both know that a monkey cannot be sacrificed without cursing the one who offers it, but out of obedience I offered up the animal.
Now I am cursed and my name is now dishonorable.
I cannot continue to live unless I regain my honor.

Ushiwaka: That is no fault of mine old man.
I did follow through with our pact.
I brought to you a young goat for the sacrifice.
Where this monkey came from, I do not know, but I cannot take blame for this.

Benkei: Ushiwaka, son of Yoshimtomo... You speak words of sincerity, but I have trouble trusting them.

Ushiwaka: I swear upon my father's grave that this atrocity is not of my doing but of some local fool or trickster.
I would never lower myself to such a level to consider the likes of a monkey a worthy offering.
I am not that daft!

Benkei: You swear upon your father's grave...
He was a very honorable man while I knew him.
On your father's honor, I will withdraw my anger and disgust from you.
It is impossible for me to truly know who it was that fooled me, but at least my honor has been restored.
Unfortunately, the curse remains upon me.

Ushiwaka: Do not fear old man for I am sure the goddess will look upon us today and see that we have cleansed ourselves through the heat of battle.
May we journey homeward in hopes that this curse will vanish.

Benkei: Yes my son... Homeward...
Let us pray as we journey back that we may find peace amongst ourselves in the near future for there is much honor in living a peaceful life.

Chorus: Then Benkei and Ushiwaka gathered the broken remains of their weapons and headed back upon the road. A new road that would take them to a new peaceful life. A road that would lead them to an honorable death.

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