the background of the story of Atsumori, Kumagai and the battle of Ichi-no-tani. The second act begins as the first one ended, with Renshō reciting prayers for Atsumori, who now makes his appearance. The actor who played the youth in the first act has now changed costume and plays Atsumori; this is a very common device in the most standard Noh plays, and it is implied that the youth earlier was Atsumori's ghost in disguise. Atsumori (along with the chorus chanting for him) relates his tragic story from his perspective, re-enacting it in dance form. The play then ends with Renshō refusing to re-enact his role in Atsumori's death; the ghost declares that Renshō is not his enemy, and asks that the monk pray for his release. (Tied to the mortal realm by the emotional power of his death, Atsumori's ghost has been unable to move on.) Famous verse The Noh play contains the following verse: It is a very famous verse known to be often sung by Oda Nobunaga. Geten (, Gerakuten , or Nirmaannarati) is an imaginary world of greed and desire in Buddhism. According to scriptures, a day in Geten is equal to a year in our world and an inhabitant of Geten lives 8,000 years. See also Ikuta Atsumori (also known as Ikuta) – a related Noh play centering on Atsumori. Tadanori – a related Noh play centering on another Taira killed in the same battle. Ichinotani Futaba Gunki – a jōruri and kabuki play which relates much the same events. References Tyler, Royall (ed. & trans.)(1992). "Japanese Nō Dramas." London: Penguin Books. Noh plays 15th-century plays Buddhist plays Plays set in the 12th century