The Water Station (Mizu no Eki)

Scenes1. A Girl2. Two Men3. A Woman with a Parasol4. A Married Couple5. An Old Woman6. A Caravan7. A Man and a Woman8. A Man with a Huge Load on His Back9. A Girl

CharactersGIRLMAN (a)MAN (b)WOMAN WITH A PARASOLHUSBANDWIFEMAN ON THE HEAP OF JUNKOLD WOMANDAUGHTER (a)DAUGHTER (b)DAUGHTER (c)CARAVAN HUSBANDCARAVAN WIFEYOUNG MAN (a)

YOUNG MAN (b)YOUNG WOMANMAN WOMANMAN WITH A HUGE LOAD ON HIS BACK

MAIN ACTION

Scene 1. A Girl

1. A girl2. Alone3. In the dim light4. Comes walking

5. On the way up the small incline6. The girl unexpectedly stops

7. The back of the walking girl

8. The back of the walking girl

9. The neck twists around10. Toward the way she came11. Toward the far expanse12. Her face turns

13. From the far expanse her gaze drops near her feet14. Then to the direction she is heading 15. The profile of the girl16. Walking

17. Fingers to the lips18. Of the profile walking

19. Stopping the face turns to the watering place

20. The finely running water21. The delicate sound of water22. The girl descends to the watering place

23. By the water24. She sits down basket on her knees

25. The girl watches the wind pass

26. In the girl’s hand a red cup from the basket

27. Toward the fine line of water28. The red cup

29. The transparent line30. Disappears into the red cup

31. In the gaze of her eyes32. The red cup fills

33. From the running water the red cup moves34. To the girl’s mouth

35. The girl drinking 36. The water flowing through her body37. The empty cup the sky in the girl's eyes

38. The hand stretching to the basket stops39. The girl’s eyes turn to the old road

Scene 2. Two Men

1. In the direction they came2. Looking far away the two men

3. Man (a)’s eyes4. Shift to the direction he’s heading

5. Reaching Man (a)’s ears the sound of water6. Man (b)’s eyes are cast far away

7. Drawn to the water Man (a)

8. On Man (a)’s fingertips the line of water9. Man (b) sees Man (a) sitting by the watering place

10. Man (b) goes to the watering place11. Into Man (a)’s hands the line of water

12. Down Man (a)’s throat the flowing water

13. Man (b)’s hand reaches out to the water

14. Mouth savors

15. Mouth to spout Man (b) sucks water16. In Man (a)’s ears the sound of water being sucked17. "ssssss"

18. The faucet is released

19. Man (b) brings his mouth near20. Man (a), thirst unquenched, nears the faucet21. Their mouths meet at the spout22. Locked in a kiss they fight for the slender stream of water

23. Their mouths leave the faucet24. Facing each other the two men

25. Their faces turn to the sky26. Man (b)’s finger stretches to the line of water the fingertip wets his cheek27. Man (a)’s finger stretches to the line of water the fingertip wets his cheek

28. Turned to the sky29. Their faces

30. Man (b)’s face turns to Man (a)31. Man (b) sees the girl

32. The two men’s eyes33. Follow the girl

34. From the girl far away their gaze shifts35. Picking up their belongings they stand up36. The two men

37. In their eyes38. The far expanse

39. To the far expanse they strain their eyes40. The two men

41. Man (b) cranes his neck toward the road ahead42. Man (a) shifts his gaze to the running water

43. The two men depart

Scene 3. A Woman with a Parasol

1. The heavily bent neck2. The woman’s heavy eyes3. Turn from the way she has come suddenly to the sky

4. The woman walks the air

5. Wildly she walks the air the woman's hand6. Crawls up her body

7. From breast to neck from neck to lips

8. The woman’s steps 9. Stop with the opening of the parasol

10. Her wild bare feet11. Settle on the ground

12. The woman stops

13. Hugging the parasol the woman shrinks into a crouch

14. In the woman’s ear15. The sound of water

16. The woman, attracted to the water,17. Stoops down over it

18. At the trembling water surface19. At the dissolving face the woman peers

20. To the faucet the approaching mouth21. A fine line of water22. Water flows into the woman’s body

23. The woman’s eyes open

24. The woman’s neck twists around25. Her eyes turn toward peering eyes

26. The woman’s dark eyes dart toward the peering eyes

27. The woman pursues the peering eyes

28. The woman watches the peering face29. Her gaze relaxes

30. Looking away from the girl the woman sees31. Human figures

32. Looking at the approaching figures33. The woman smiles and grimaces

34. The woman’s face turns35. Suddenly to the sky

36. The woman steps to the road ahead

Scene 4. A Married Couple

1. A rope2. Connects3. The husband old baby carriage and wife

4. Stopping at the watering place5. The husband6. Looks back at his wife

7. Far away gazing on the water8. The wife’s eyes are motionless

9. The husband’s hand10. Pulls the rope

11. The wife’s body sways slightly12. Her eyes shift from water to husband

13. To the watering place the wife pushes the baby carriage14. The husband pulls in the rope

15. From the baby carriage16. The wife takes out a flask

17. The two go to the watering place

18. The wife holds the flask to the fine line of water19. The husband sitting down gazes far away

20. The wife’s lips to the flask21. Her face moves gently to the sky

22. The husband’s hand23. To the leg of the wife drinking water

24. The wife’s gaze25. From sky to earth

26. Next to the husband the wife sits27. Passes the flask to her husband28. The water flows29. Down his throat

30. The two look at the trickling water

31. Flask in hand the husband stands32. The wife continues to gaze at the water

33. The husband looks at the way ahead34. The wife stands at the watering place

35. The husband looks back at his wife36. The wife bends down

37. The wife’s hand reaches to the hem of her skirt

38. A white cloth drops39. From the skirt

40. Spreading the cloth on the ground41. The wife steps onto it barefoot

42. The husband watches

43. The wife sits in the white space44. The husband removes coat and shoes

45. On the white space46. Lie their two bodies

47. The husband touches his wife’s hand

48. The wife draws her husband’s hand to her49. With his hand50. The wife caresses her body51. Breasts stomach legs

52. On the white cloth53. Their bodies join

54. Their bodies loosen55. The husband draws his wife’s body close56. The wife places her hand on her husband’s body

57. Eyes gaze without meeting58. Out in their respective directions widening far

59. The husband and wife notice60. The eyes

61. On the creased white cloth the husband sits

62. The wife pulls up the cloth

63. Wife and old woman face each other64. The husband puts on his coat

65. A step at a time they approach nearer

66. The two women67. Face each other

68. Looking away from the old woman the wife approaches the baby carriage69. Husband and wife face each other

70. The husband pulls the rope71. The wife pushes the baby carriage

72. The husband baby carriage the wife

Scene 5. An Old Woman

1. The old woman squats at the watering place

2. Fingertips to the line of water

3. From the water4. To wet fingertips the old woman's gaze moves

5. The fingers6. Wet her lips

7. Sucking on fingertips the old woman's mouth

8. Swinging in front the basket on her back the old woman places it by her side

9. The old woman’s eyes move from the basket to the wider area10. To far away to the sky

11. The old woman stands below the sky

12. She removes13. The high-heeled shoe on one foot14. And puts it into the basket

15. The old woman submerges16. Her bent body

17. Inside the basket a small heap

18. After some time19. Inside the small heap20. The eyes of the old woman open

21. The single high-heeled shoe is thrown out

22. The motionless basket23. Inside a small heap

24. Within a small heap25. From the open mouth a sigh escapes

26. The open eyes look far away

27. The faraway eyes close28. The breath ends

29. The head30. Into the small heap sinks

Scene 6. A Caravan

1. In a file

2. Walking

3. Many figures appear

4. The girls carrying the wash sight the man5. Standing on the heap

6. Following the man’s gaze7. Eyes are cast toward the way they came

8. Looking even 9. Farther away the girls climb the heap

10. The married couple look back following the gaze of the girls11. On top of the heap

12. Following the common gaze the young men starting up the heap13. Look afar

14. At the end of their gaze far away15. A small town

16. The town at the far end of their gaze17. Trembles

18. As if reaching out as if screaming out19. The mouths of the people open and cry

20. Closing

21. Their mouths22. They see23. The old woman’s corpse

24. Two young men25. Raise the basket

26. To the foot of the heap 26b. From the top of the heap27. The basket is carried 27b. The girls watch the basket 27.5b. In their eyes28. To the far town 28b. Shines the water29. Her eyes move30. The wife’s mouth 30b. Raising the wash31. Again opens wide 31b. They approach the water

32. The mouth that will not close33. Against the cheek of her open mouth34. The flat of the husband’s palm 34.5b. At the faucet35. Open-mouthed 35b. Fightin

36. The wife looks at her husband 36b.The g

37. Locked in a stare38. Their eyes 38b. Touching 38.5b. Absorbing water

39. To the water 39b. They stretch out their bodies40. The husband holds out a cup 40b. Th

41.The husband carries the cup of water 41b.

42. The cup of water 42.5b. The girls look at each other43. The wife accepts44. She drinks 44b. Holding up the 45. The husband watches 45b. Swaying

46b. They continue on the way47. The wife turns to her husband48. Eyes calm

49. The husband returns to the watering place50. The wife finishes drinking

51. The husband sits down by the watering place

52. At the trickling water53. The husband stares

54. Wetting his face55. Sighing56. In the husband's eyes the far sky

57. The wife stands up

58. The wife looks59. At her husband drying his face

60. The husband stands61. By the watering place

62. The couple63. Follow the file

Scene 7. A Man and a Woman

1. Two persons2. Bodies close together3. Come by

4. In the man’s ear the sound of water5. The woman continues to walk on

6. From a distance7. The man gazes at the water

8. The woman continues to walk

9. The woman turning around sees the man at a distance

10. The woman approaches the water11. The man approaches the woman

12. Sitting down by the watering place13. To the fine line of water and its sound14. The man and woman turn their gaze

15. Standing up16. Her fingers to the line of water the woman stretches

17. The past of the water18. Flashes through their eyes

19. Close to the man20. The woman brings her body

21. The woman’s back against the chest of the sitting man

22. Bodies touching, they sit

23. The woman’s fingers touch the man behind her24. Tracing the contours of his face the toughness of skin the line of the nose

25. Stretched out to the water26. The man’s hand moves now to the buttons of his coat27. The naked man moves to the catchment and into the water28. The woman by the water lets her skirt fall

29. The woman in undergarments slips her feet in the catchment30. The water flows over the man’s face

31. The man and the woman32. Change positions in the water

33. Water flows over the woman’s face

34. From behind the woman35. The man’s body touches the woman36. The woman’s hand and cheeks

caress his chest37. The man’s hands caress her body

38. In the water39. Their bodies join39.5. In the catchment40. Their movements stop41. The woman42. Climbing out of the catchment

44. Her face contorts

45. From the catchment the man looks at the woman

46. To afar the woman opens her mouth47. The man’s hand covers her mouth48. Breaking away49. The woman opens her mouth

50. The man looks on from behind

51. The woman clings to the man behind52. The face of the man holding her contorts53. Water drips from their bodies

54. The clinging woman’s body55. Is set down on the ground56. The woman squats down on the ground57. The man embraces the woman

58. The two59. Their wet bodies gently join

60. The man’s head is twisted to the water61. The woman’s head is raised to the sky

62. The man’s body63. Separates from the woman’s

64. The woman stands below the sky

65. The man dresses66. The woman reaches out for her skirt

67. Their eyes meet and shift to the baggage

68. Luggage in hand69. The two depart

Scene 8. A Man with a Huge Load on His Back

1. With a huge load on his back2. The man sits down

3. Taking off his right shoe4. He throws it away

5. Changing it for a shoe from the heap6. His eyes are cast far away

7. Suddenly his eyes move back8. And see the cassette recorder

9. Music from the cassette recorder

10. Regaining strength from the music he walks11. To the watering place

12. With the huge load13. The man squats down by the watering place

14. Groping behind he pulls out from the huge load15. Toothbrush and toothpaste

16. Gaining strength from the music17. The man brushes his teeth and washes his face

18. The music from the tape ends in silent air19. With the huge load20. Squats the man

21. Looking away from the water22. He stands up

23. His face turned toward the way ahead24. Looks back unexpectedly

25. A lone figure

26. With the huge load27. The man departs

Scene 9. A Girl

1. On the way up the small slope2. The girl unexpectedly stops

3. Her neck twists around4. Toward the way she came5. To the far expanse her face turns

6. From the far expanse her eyes shift to near her feet7. And then to the direction in which she is heading

8. The profile of the girl9. Walking

10. Fingers to the lips11. Of the profile walking

12. The girl stops the face turns to the watering place

13. The finely running water14. The delicate sound of water15. To the watering place the girl descends

Mari Boyd. The Aesthetics of Quietude: Ota Shogo and the Theatre of Divestiture (Tokyo, Sophia U.P. 2006) pp. 169-205.

MINOR ACTION

40. Two men approach

1. The girl observes the two

3. From the water4. The girl retreats

5. Hiding in the heap of junk

6. The girl watches the two men

15. The girl pays attention

16. To the actions of the two

21. The girl stands up

23. Watching them she approaches

26. Man (b)’s finger stretches to the line of water

27. Man (a)’s finger stretches to the line of water

28. From behind, she tries to peer into their faces29. Her head cocked to one side

30. Meeting Man (b)'s eyes31. The girl draws back

32. The girl is pushed back33. By their gaze

34. From the girl far away their gaze shifts35. Picking up their belongings they stand up

37. The girl follows their gaze38. From afar

39. To the far expanse they strain their eyes

41. Man (b) cranes his neck toward the road ahead42. Man (a) shifts his gaze to the running water

43. The girl watches them leave

3. Having watched the men leave

4. The girl surveys the area

5. The woman enters her range of vision

8. The girl trying to look away from the woman9. Cannot

19. At the dissolving face the woman peers

25. Pressured by the woman's dark eyes

26. The girl crawls up the heap

28. The girl cries out29. Her open mouth her wide open eyes

30. Looking away from the girl the woman sees31. A couple with a baby carriage approaches

32. The girl’s mouth33. Closes slowly

34. Avoiding the woman the girl steps35. Toward the way ahead

3. The husband old baby carriage and wife

11. From the heap of junk a man's hand appears12. And grabs a toothbrush

15. From the junk crawls out16. A man with a straw hat

17. Brushing his teeth17.5. He looks around

19. The husband sitting down gazes far away19.5. From far behind20. The man’s gaze21. Is directed at them

32.5. On top of the heap33. The man opens a newspaper

37. The wife’s hand reaches to the hem of her skirt

38. Skimming through the newspaper39. The man watches the two

43. The man turns away44. From the newspaper

45. The man watches46. The two from the top of the heap

48. With chin cupped in hands

49. The man looks at the two

52. The man glances 52b. An old woman enters53. At the old woman

54b. The old woman sees the two bodies

56. The wife places her hand on her husband’s body

57b. The old woman is stared at by the two58. Out in their respective directions widening far

61. On the creased white cloth the husband sits

63. From the top of the heap64. The man looks at the two women

66b. The old woman 67b. Moves toward the water

68. Looking away from the old woman the wife

72. From the top of the heap of junk

73. The man watches the two leave

1. The gaze of the watching man

1.5. Moves from the couple to the old woman

4. To wet fingertips the old woman's gaze moves

5. In his hands a telescope

7. Putting the telescope to his eye

7.5. The man looks far and wide8. Swinging in front the basket on her back

9. The old woman’s eyes move from the basket

16. Putting down the telescope16.5. The man looks at the old woman

21. The single high-heeled shoe is thrown out21.5. The man22. From afar peering at the old woman

28. The man draws away his gaze28.5. From the old woman

1. Looking far away the man on the heap sees 2. Many figures

3. And beyond them3.5. A small town

4. The girls carrying the wash sight the man

7. Eyes are cast toward the way they came

17. The man calm17.5. His eyes are cast at the town far away

18. As if reaching out as if screaming out

23.5. The man watches intently

25.5. The young woman heads to the water

26. To the foot of the heap 26b. From the top of the heap27. The basket is carried 27b. The girls watch the basket 27.5b. In their eyes28. To the far town 28b. Shines the water

29. The water flows down her legs30. The young woman steps into the catchment

wash31. And sighs

the water 31.5 Burying the basket 32. Their thoughts return to the town 32b. The two men look on33. The woman gets out of the water 33b.At the people moving about

34.5b. At the faucet35. Her eyes looking back at the town

35.5b. Man (b) approaches the water36. The young woman dries her legs 36b. Man (a) continues to stand

36.5b. Near the girls37. Her eyes reject the town 37b. Man (b) sticks his face38. The young woman departs 38b. In the catchment

38.5b. Absorbing water

39. To the water 39b. They stretch out their bodies 40b. Man (b) raises his face from the water

41b. Man (a) approaches the water

42. The actions and pace 42b. To the water in the catchment 42.5b. The girls look at each other

43. Of each44. Of the many people 44b. Man (a) brings his face45. Are observed by the man 45b. Man (b) puts his face again into the water46. On the top of the heap

47b. Grabbing Man (b)’s hair

48.5b. Man (a) pulls his face out of the water

50b. Into the water50.5b. Man (a) sticks his face

51. The husband sits down by the watering place 51.5b. Man (a) relinquishes the watering place to the husband

54b. Drying his face55b. Man (b) sighs

56b. Man (b) departs

57b. Man (a) looks at the married couple

60b. Man (a) walks toward the way ahead61. On the top of the heap of junk61.5. The man watches62. The many people leave

0.5. From the heap of junk

1. Stretching his body out toward the water afar2. The man sees in the corner of his eye3. Two figures

6. The man buries7. Himself again7.5. In the junk

9. The woman turning around sees the man at a distance

13. To the fine line of water and its sound

16. Her fingers to the line of water the woman stretches

19. The man looks down20. On the two afar

21. The woman’s back against the chest of the sitting man

23. The woman’s fingers touch the man behind her

26. The sharp eyes of the man on top of the heap

27. Follow the movement of the two

28. The woman by the water lets her skirt fall

29. The woman in undergarments slips her feet in the catchment

34b. A man with a huge load35. The man watching the two 35b. Comes along36. Sees the man with a huge load 36b. He sees

37b. The bodies of the man and woman

38b. Looking at the two 39b. The man goes toward the heap39.5. He buries himself40. In the heap of junk41. Hiding from the man 41b. He climbs the heap of junk42. Who approaches 42b. And digs about

45. From the catchment the man looks at the woman

51b. Climbing down the heap

52b. The man looks at them

60. The man’s head is twisted to the water

65. The two men descend from the heap of junk66. And depart66.5. The man watches from afar67. In his hand an old shoe

10. Regaining strength from the music he walks

14. Groping behind he pulls out from the huge load

17. The man brushes his teeth and washes his face

18. The music from the tape ends in silent air19. The girl’s figure20. In the faded light

25.5. Alone26. The back of the girl waiting

6. From the far expanse her eyes shift to near her feet7. And then to the direction in which she is heading

12. The girl stops the face turns to the watering place

15. To the watering place the girl descends

STAGE DIRECTIONS

sound Still brightly lit theatre. of waterThe audience notices the girl.

7. Audience lights dim. Onstage, the girl and the slender shadow of the faucet standing in the distance.

9. The incline lies halfway from downstage left to upstage. A path stretches from upstage left in front of the heap of junk to stage right.

17. Lights brighten gradually; the stage transforms from a “long road” to “here and now.”

30. The sound of water, present from before the beginning of the play, dies out; no sound. music 32. Music: Erik Satie's “Trois Gymnopedies” No. 1. Low, as if gushing from the cup.

1. Wearing an old suit, Man (a) carries a futon on his back; Man (b) carries a traveling case in his hand.

4.5. Man (a) moves toward upstage left.

7. Man (a) cuts across from stage left to the water.

32. The men remain seated by the watering place.

34. The girl moves upstage left to the edge of the junk heap.

43. Music: Low, like the slow pace of the departing men.

4. The woman, downstage, crosses from stage left to right.

9. The woman moves to far right.

11. The woman, downstage, moves toward the center. 12. The woman, downstage, at center.

29. The girl is on the heap.29.5. Music: Same as before. Loud enough to smother the (silent) cry.

31. Music: Low.

34. The woman crosses the stage from upstage left to downstage right.

36. The woman moves to upstage right.

1. A baby carriage holding luggage is moved to upstage right.

7. The wife is at the foot of the heap.

40. Centerstage

51. Music: Same as before.

54b. The old woman sees the two bodies

57b. The old woman is stared at by the two58. Music: Low.

67b. Moves toward the water

1. She uses the umbrella as a stick. On one of her feet is a high-heeled shoe and on her back a basket just the right size for a baby.

29. Music: Albinoni’s “Oboe Concerto,” low.

Each figure carries traveling gear. Three daughters carry a clothesline with the wash hanging from it, trying to get the clothes dry while they walk.

1. Music: Becomes louder as the number of characters increases.

17. Music: Loud enough to erase the characters' (silent) voices.

26. The wife moves downstage.

31.5 Burying the basket

33. The woman gets out of the water 33b.At the people moving about

35. Music: Loud.

36. The young woman dries her legs 36b. Man (a) continues to stand

40b. Man (b) raises his face from the water

42. The actions and pace 42b. To the water in the catchment

45. Are observed by the man 45b. Man (b) puts his face again into the water

48.5b. Man (a) pulls his face out of the water

51.5b. Man (a) relinquishes the watering place to the husband

53.5. Music: Lowered as characters leave.

60b. Man (a) walks toward the way ahead

34b. A man with a huge load

45. From the water to downstage

46. Music: “Trois Gymnopedies,” loud enough to erase the voices.

61.5. Music: Low.

1. The load is about twice his size.2. In the darkening space, the shadow of the watering place and the man with the huge load. The heap of junk.

25. Music: Albinoni’s “Oboe Concerto.” Low, like the girl’s steps.

13. The girl fades into the darkness. The sound of water remains.