Shizuka Gozen

Shizuka Gozen ( Japanese 静御前 ; lived in the 12th century) was a dancer in Kyoto and lover of Minamoto no Yoshitsune .

Overview

Shizuka lived in Kyōto, was the daughter of Iso no Zenshi (磯禅師) and was like this a dancer / entertainer (白拍子, Shirabyōshi) and lover of Yoshitsune.

When Minamoto no Yoritomo planned to kill his brother in 1185 in collaboration with priest Tosa-no-bō Shōshin (土佐坊昌俊; 1141–1185), Shizuka informed her lover, who was able to save himself and kill the attacker . Since Yoshitsune had to flee, he sent Shizuka back to Kyoto. From there Yoritome took her to Kamakura and tried in vain to find out from her where his brother was staying. Masako, Yoritomo's wife, who knew Shizuka's abilities, asked her to dance in front of her at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū shrine , but Shizuka refused.

Yoritomo then forced Shizuka to dance, musically accompanied by Hatakeyama Shigetada (畠山重忠; 1164–1205) with metal bells and Kudō Suketsune (工藤祐経; 1147–1193) with the drum. During the dance Shizuka improvised sad songs concerning her lover on the run. Yoritomo, upset about this, was calmed down by Masako. But he had her child, who was born soon after, killed by Adachi Kiyotsune on Yuigahama Beach. He sent Shizuka back to Kyoto.

Shizuka's songs "Yoshino - Shizuka" (吉野静) and "For two - Shizuka" (二人静) have been handed down. There is also a bunraku piece "Yoshitsune and a thousand cherry trees" (義経千本桜, Yoshitsune sembon sakura).

Remarks

↑ Drawing by Kikuchi Yōsai , 19th century.

literature

Suzuki, Kunihiro: Shizuka Gozen In: Suzuki, Toshihiko (ed.): Nihon daihyakka zensho (Denshibukku-han), Shogakukan, 1996.
Papinot, Edmond: Historical and Geographical Dictionary of Japan. Reprinted by Tuttle, 1972 edition of 1910 edition. ISBN 0-8048-0996-8 .

Web links

Commons : Shizuka Gozen - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

personal data
SURNAME	Gozen, Shizuka
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	静御前 (Japanese)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Dancer in Kyoto and lover of Minamoto no Yoshitsune
DATE OF BIRTH	12th Century
DATE OF DEATH	12th century or 13th century

[1] Drawing by Kikuchi Yōsai , 19th century.