Sotoba Komachi (Mishima)

Sotoba Komachi is a one-act play written by Yukio Mishima, first performed in 1952. It is a modern Noh play, taking its inspiration from the classical Noh drama of the same name, Sotoba Komachi, attributed to Kan'ami or Zeami. Mishima's version dramatically reimagines the aged and impoverished Komachi, a once celebrated and beautiful poetess of the Heian period, as a modern, psychologically complex character.

The play is set in a public park and focuses on a conversation between Komachi, now a frail and seemingly senile woman, and two young men – a poet and a soldier. The encounter triggers a series of flashbacks and psychological explorations into Komachi’s past, her lost beauty, and the nature of desire and memory. Through these fragmented memories and interactions, Mishima delves into themes of aging, beauty, death, the impermanence of life, and the torment of unfulfilled desires.

Unlike the original Noh play, which portrays Komachi’s enlightenment and salvation, Mishima’s version presents a more ambiguous and unsettling conclusion. Komachi remains trapped in her past, haunted by the ghosts of her former lovers and the fading echoes of her own poetic genius. The play is characterized by Mishima's signature blend of classical Japanese aesthetics and modern psychological realism. It is considered a significant work in his oeuvre, showcasing his ability to reinterpret traditional themes and forms for a contemporary audience. Sotoba Komachi is often performed and studied for its complex characters, lyrical language, and exploration of profound existential questions.