arashiyama : PhotoStory

An emissary of the Emperor is visiting Arashiyama to view the cherry blossoms. He meets an elderly couple who are taking care of the cherry trees.

The elderly couple visiting the cherry blossoms of Arashiyama, which have been transplanted from the sacred trees of Yoshino, are the Deity of Komori and the Deity of Katsute. They disappear into sky.

Monkeys of Yoshino appear and enjoy a boisterous banquet in Arashiyama for the arrival of the groom. (Saru-muko. or monkey groom, is a special staging feature.)

Evening falls and the deities of Komori and Katsute appear. They dance.

The air is filled with a wonderful fragrance and a golden light. Zaō Gongen appears, vowing to help save people from wickedness.

It is shown that Zaō Gongen and the deities of Komori and Katsute are one, only called by different names.

Zaō Gongen plays with the blossoms and runs over the tree tops, wishing for a prosperous spring.