Characters
Ono no Komachi
Intelligent and beautiful, known throughout the land. Men try to win her heart, but she does not accept anyone. Her poem is the ninth in the 100 Famous Poems.
Sojo Henjo
High-ranking monk who also appears as Munesada in Seki no To. He tries to win Komachi, lured by her sexiness, but is rapped by her for forgetting his station and exits sadly. His poem is the 12th in the 100 Famous Poems.
Bunya Yasuhide
A nobleman and playboy. He comes to see Komachi but is allowed only to lift the screen and view her figure in a comical exchange with her maids. His poem is the 22nd in the 100 Famous Poems.
Ariwara Narihira
Nobleman known for his unrivaled good looks. He seems a good match for Komachi, but his love is rejected and he leaves disappointedly. His poem is the 17th in the 100 Famous Poems.
Kisen Hoshi
A monk but secular in personality. In this scene, he is slightly tipsy. He tries to woo Okaji, a beauty he encounters under a full-blooming cherry tree, but she gets away. His is the eighth in the 100 Famous Poems.
Okaji
Appears in place of Komachi in the “Kisen” scene since that is a modern setting. She is a tea-serving lady whose beauty rivals Komachi.
Otomo Kuronushi
Evil nobleman hoping to take control of the nation. He tries to marry Komachi and carry out a coup, but she becomes aware of his scheme when she washes his poem book. This is also the subject of a Noh drama. He is the only one of the Six Poets whose poem was not chosen for the 100 Famous Poems.
