Heron Maiden

Heron Maiden refers to a theatrical role and dance first performed on the kabuki stage in 1762. The main character is the spirit of a heron, which had been a young woman in a previous life. After being rejected by her lover, she is consumed with rage, condemning herself to hell. Towards the end of the piece, the heron is mortally wounded. She staggers and spins, dancing out the throes of death. Kitano Tsunetomi depicted the Heron Maiden as she moves slowly about the stage at the beginning of the dance. Heavy splotches of white pigment and the silver background convey the winter setting in which the sequence begins. The performance continues through spring, summer, autumn, and returns to winter when she dies. The red pigment on her sleeves alludes to her bitterness and violent end.