Maple Viewing

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Evening maples

The maples glisten in the evening light on Mt. Togakushi. Taira Koremochi, the shogun designate, comes to enjoy the maple leaves with his servants. He encounters a high-ranking princess who is having a party with her servants. She invites Koremochi to join them. He is reluctant at first, but eventually agrees to join.

Beautiful woman and drink

Koremochi is entertained with alcohol and food, and drinks heavily. His servants perform comical dances to entertain the crowd.

Koremochi asks the princess to dance. She is embarrassed but, urged on by her senior chambermaid, eventually performs a dance with two fans. When she notices that the tipsy Koremochi has fallen asleep, her face changes. She disappears into the mountain with her party, leaving Koremochi and his servants alone.

Warning by mountain god

A mountain god appears before Koremochi, who is still fast asleep. He warns that a man-eating demon lives in these mountains and that Koremochi is in danger. He tries to wake the group up, poking Koremochi with a stick, shaking him and stomping loudly, but nothing works. He finally gives up and leaves.

Appearance of demon woman

The party finally awakens to the evening breeze. Finding themselves alone, Koremochi goes into the mountains to learn more about the princess. The servants, left by themselves, become frightened and escape frantically down the mountain. The “princess” emerges, now transformed into a terrifying demon. Even the brave Koremochi is intimidated, but fends her off with the power of a legendary sword.