Scene 2 Tears Moisten the Rock

Aware of Zennichimaro's eagerness for knowledge and his particular interest in the humanities, his parents arranged to have him admitted to the monastery on nearby Mt. Kiyosumi. The boy was eleven years old and a temple was one of the few educational institution available at that time. It should be noted that a commoner of that period was not eligible for formal schooling. It is therefore conjectured that Shigetada Nukina's semi-aristocratic warrior background paved the way for acceptance of his son. On 5/12/1233, Zennichimaro ascended Mt. Kiyosumi where he became a disciple of Master Dozen. At that time the lay novitiate name of Yaku-o-maro was conferred upon him.

In the scene above, Yaku-o-maro's mother, Umegiku, is pictured visiting her son and shedding tears of joy at his maturity.

Scene 3 Ordination

Yaku-o-maro studied the fundamentals of Buddhism and Confucianism over a four year period. On October 8^th, 1237, he was ordained and the priestly name of Zesho-bo Rencho was conferred upon him. As he changed into a priestly robe, Rencho is said to have intensified his desire for learning of the basics of Buddhism because faith can not be fully grasped made one's own unless the particulars of Buddhism are understood. He thus resolved to study the entire Buddhist canon which was kept in the Mt. Kiyosumi library.