Akogi Moshu Shura no Kibori Makura Toki Ju Kankokukan Niwatori Keikoku

Inspired by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, "Kasuga Busshi: The Pillow-Time Rooster" (1704)
A period piece by Chikamatsu Monzaemon.

This story combines the legendary master sculptor Kasuga Busshi with the Chinese tale of "The Rooster at Hangu Pass (Imitating the Rooster Crowing to Tell the Hour)."

What is a "Pillow-Time Rooster"?
It refers to a device similar to an alarm clock placed next to one's pillow, or a "rooster painting/sculpture crowing."
While originally meant to herald the dawn, in this story it functions as a device that heralds a "false hour" and disrupts one's destiny.
The Buddha statues and roosters, carved with soul, interfere with reality, and lies destroy the truth.

2. Synopsis
Kasuga, a genius Buddhist sculptor, secludes himself in his workshop, constantly carving a "secret Buddha" and a "wooden rooster." His beloved Akogi stands by him, but a political conspiracy is lurking. Kasuga says, "Once this chicken is completed, I will be able to control time." Clang, clang, clang. The dry sound of a snare drum synchronizes with the clicking of a chisel.
A rival force, without Kasuga's knowledge, tampers with the unfinished "Makuratoki Chicken." Or someone imitates the sound of a rooster crowing to falsely represent the arrival of dawn. "It's not dawn yet," he says. But the rooster crows. Clop, cluck. Time goes awry, and the rhythm begins to slip (introduce an odd time signature).
The false crowing either interrupts their tryst, or forces Kasuga to stop working. "It's time, it's time, it's time." The sound of a rooster crowing echoes in his head like rapid succession of hi-hats. Kasuga realizes, "This isn't the chicken I carved. It's a demon."
The half-carved Buddha statue and chicken begin to shudder and move (or so it seems). Everything scatters like wood chips, and Kasuga continues to wield his chisel in madness.

Ako Wood Carving: A Warning for Pillow and Chicken

Excerpt from the actual script
Open your eyes, wooden chicken!
This chicken is no ordinary wooden puppet.
"The pillow mechanism that governs time."
"Namu Amida Butsu, surrender, and bow."
"One stroke, three bows."
"Cause and effect go around in circles, even to the very tip of the wood."

"Wooden "The scraps are like flowers."
"The sound of the chisel is clear and crisp."
"Open your eyes, wooden chicken!
"This chicken is no ordinary wooden puppet."
"The pillow mechanism controls time."

"Akogi's love is also a dream within a dream."
"I've been deceived in the maze of time."
"Shura! "Shura! Delusional!"
"A soul is being put into each limb."
"Open your eyes, wooden rooster."

"Don't go out of time, don't go out of time."

"Shura! Shura! Delusional!"
"Cause and effect go round, even to the very edge of the tree."

"Cock-a-doodle-doo, cock-a-doodle-doo."
"Cock-a-doodle-doo, cock-a-doodle-doo."
"Cock-a-doodle-doo, cock-a-doodle-doo."