1899, Tsukioka Kōgyo, Akogi, from the series Nōgaku zue -- National Museum of Asian Art (Washington)
From the museum label: A group of monks meets the specter of Akogi, who fished in sacred waters and committed the cardinal sin of killing in a holy place. For this sin, Akogi was wrapped in a straw blanket weighted with rocks and drowned in the sea. His spirit descended to hell. The play takes a disturbing turn as Akogi recounts in detail his torments in hell. The actor's voice is slow and pained, conveying his agony through haunting enunciation that makes this one of the most distressing plays in the noh repertoire. Eventually, the spirit is swallowed again by the waves, shouting these final lines: "Save me, traveler! Save me, traveler! I am drowning again in the waves! I am drowning again in the waves!"
1899, Tsukioka Kōgyo, Akogi, from the series Nōgaku zue -- National Museum of Asian Art (Washington)
From the museum label: A group of monks meets the specter of Akogi, who fished in sacred waters and committed the cardinal sin of killing in a holy place. For this sin, Akogi was wrapped in a straw blanket weighted with rocks and drowned in the sea. His spirit descended to hell. The play takes a disturbing turn as Akogi recounts in detail his torments in hell. The actor's voice is slow and pained, conveying his agony through haunting enunciation that makes this one of the most distressing plays in the noh repertoire. Eventually, the spirit is swallowed again by the waves, shouting these final lines: "Save me, traveler! Save me, traveler! I am drowning again in the waves! I am drowning again in the waves!"