Bel Cantanti Opera presents

Madama Butterfly

Cio Cio San: Na Li YoumPinkerton: Aaron Halevy

Sharpless: Eric McKeeverSuzuki: Lindsey Paradise

Goro: David Wolff Yamadori: Jye-Sung MoonKate Pinkerton: Melissa Mino

Nagasaki, 1904

...And the ceiling...and the walls...

They can be moved around however you like.

so that you can alternate the room design whenever you need a change of scenery.

Where is the nuptial nest?

Here… or there...wherever you want it to be...

This one is also double-bottomed! Where is the living room?

Here.

In the open?

One side glides...

I get it! Another one...

It slides.

...and the frivolous dwelling...

...is as sturdy as a castle from floor to ceiling.

It’s more of an accordion than a house!

This maid is a faithful servant of your wife.

She will cook and clean for you as well.She is very honored to meet you.

What is her name?

Miss Light Cloud.

Is Your Honor smiling? A smile is fruit and flower.

The sage Okunama said, “A smile can unravel a web of worries.”

The shell opens to reveal a pearl, the entrance of Paradise opens to man.

Perfume of the gods... fountain of life...

She is quite cosmopolitan, the way she chatters on and on.

What are you looking for?

To see if your bride is coming.

Is everything ready?

Everything!

You are a pearl of a broker!

Your consul is here.

These pebbles have worn me out!

Welcome!

Quickly, Goro. Some refreshments.

It’s quite a hike up here.

But beautiful!

Nagasaki, the sea, the port…

And a house that obeys my every command.

Is it yours?

I have bought it for 999 years, with the right, each month, to annul the lease.

In this country, both houses and contracts are elastic.

And an shrewd man profits from it.

Certainly.

Wherever he goes in the world, the Yankee vagabond enjoys himself, despising the risks.

He drops anchor wherever adventure calls him...

Milk-Punch or Whisky?

He drops anchor, until a gust of wind buffets the ship.

Life is not satisfying to him until he makes

the most beautiful flowers of every land his treasure…

It’s a happy-go-lucky gospel…

He must make love to every beauty.

It’s a happy-go-lucky gospel that makes for a pleasant life but saddens the heart.

When he encounters failure, he abandons ship and tries his luck again

knowing that his talent will serve him wherever he goes.

Thus, I’m getting married in the Japanese custom: for 999 years

But with the option to back out at the end of the month.

It’s a happy-go-lucky gospel.

America forever!

And is the bride beautiful?

She is a garland of fresh flowers. A star with golden beams shining forth.

And for nothing: only 100 yen.

If your Grace commands me, I have a whole assortment of them.

Go, lead her here, Goro.

What madness has overwhelmed you! Are you really cooked?

I don’t know. That depends on the cooking temperature, I guess.

I can’t really say whether this is love or just a whim.

She has certainly entranced me with her innocent charms.

Light as blown glass in her stature,

And in her bearing she seems like a figure from a gossamer screen.

But from her shining lacquer background she detaches herself with a sudden murmur.

Like a little butterfly she flutters and lands with such silent grace

That an urge to chase after her overwhelms me, even if in doing so I would shatter her

wings.

Day before yesterday, she came to visit the consulate.

I did not see her, but I heard her speaking.The mystery in her voice struck my soul.

Certainly it is a sincere lover that speaks like that.

It would be a great sin to tear those wings and betray a trusting heart.

My dear consul, you are going soft in your old age.

There’s no great harm in exposing those wings to the sweet flights of love.

It would be a great sin… that divine voice must never utter notes of sadness.

Whiskey?

Sure, I’ll have another one.

To your family far away.

And to the day when I’ll have a real wedding… to a real bride… an American.

They are here. They have arrived at the top of the hill.

You can already hear their chattering, like the rustling of leaves in the wind.

One more step, come now.

A joyful breath of springtime wafts over earth and sea.

Oh the happy chirping of youth!

I am the happiest girl in all of Japan, or rather in all the world.

I have come at the call of love.

I have come to the portal of love, which contains happiness for those who live and

those who die.

I have come at the call of love.

We have arrived. Here he is: B. F. Pinkerton.

Great fortune.Reverence.

Was the climb difficult?

To a well-brought-up bride,not as difficult as the hours of waiting.

What a rare compliment.

I know others even more beautiful.

What jewels!

If you would like this very moment...

Thank you...no.

Miss Butterfly. What a beautiful name. It suits you perfectly.

Are you from Nagasaki?

Yes, sir. From a family that was once very prosperous.

Isn’t that true?

That’s true.

No one ever admits that they were born into poverty.

Every vagabond claims an impressive lineage.

And yet I knew wealth.

But the storm knocks down even the sturdiest oaks...

And so we had to become geishas to support ourselves.

Is that not right?

Yes.

I don’t hide it, nor am I ashamed because of it.

You’re laughing? Why?...That’s how things go.

(With that doll-like murmur when she speaks she sets me aflame.)

And do you have sisters?

No sir. It's just my mama and me.

A noble lady.

But also very poor.

And your father?

Dead.

How old are you?

Guess.

Ten.

Higher.

Twenty.

Lower.

Fifteen, fifteen exactly.

I’m already old.

Fifteen years old!

The age for toys…

And candy!

Oh my fortunate friend! Fate has blessed you with a flower that has just blossomed...

Yes, it is true! She is a flower, and by God, I’ve picked her!

To you it is just a game, but look out!...She believes all of this is real.

Come here, listen to me. One, two, three… and bow.

Come, my love. Do you like our little house?

Mr. B. F. Pinkerton… Forgive me…

I have brought… a few women’s things…

Where are they?

They are here… you don’t mind?

Why should I, my pretty Butterfly?

Handkerchiefs. Pipe. Sash. A little brooch. A mirror. A fan.

What’s that?

A jar of rouge.

For shame!

You don’t like it? It goes.

And that?

Something sacred to me.

Can I see it?

There are too many people. Forgive me.

It’s a present from the Mikado to her father… with the invitation…

And her father?

He obeyed.

The Hotoke.

Those puppets? What did you call them?

They are the souls of my ancestors.

My respects.

Yesterday I went, alone and in secret, to the Mission.

With my new life I want to adopt a new religion.

My uncle, the Bonze, doesn't know. Neither do my people.

I follow my destiny and, filled with humility, I kneel before Mr. Pinkerton's God.

It is my fate. In the same little church, beside you on my knees, I will pray to the same God.

And to please you I may perhaps be able to forget my own people.

My love!

O Kami, spirits of the Earth!

Let us drink to our new ties.

Cio-cio-san! Cio-cio-san! Abomination!

Uncle Bonze!

Not this party-killer! Who brought him here to make trouble?

Cio-cio-san! Cio-cio-san! Cio-cio-san!

What did you do at the mission?

Answer, Cio-Cio-San!

What is this madman shouting about?

Answer, what did you do?How can your eyes be dry?

So these are the fruits of my teaching?She has renounced us all!

Renounced, I tell you… our ancient culture.

Okami Sarutahiko, bring down your wrath on this corrupted soul!

Hey, that's enough!

Come, everybody. Let us go. You have renounced us and we renounce you.

Get out of here at once. I'll have none of this nonsense in my house.

Okami Sarutahiko, bring down your wrath!

Dear child, do not cry over the croaking of those frogs.

They are still shouting!

The whole tribe of them, and all the bonzes in Japan

aren't worth a tear from your sweet, pretty eyes.

Really?

Then I won't cry any more.And I scarcely mind their rejection

because of your words which resonate so sweetly in my heart.

What are you doing? My hand?

I have been told that in your country among well-bred people it is the sign of greatest

respect.

And Izanagi and Izanami, Sarutahikoand you, spirits of nature, hear me.

Who is muttering out there?

It’s Suzuki saying her nightly prayers.

Evening is falling.

With its shadow and tranquility.

And you are here all alone.

Alone and renounced. Renounced...

And happy!

Hey there, close up the house.

Yes, yes, we are all alone... away from the world...

...And the furious Bonze.

Suzuki, my clothes.

Good night.

This pompous obi slows me down.

Let the bride be dressed in the purity of innocence.

Whispering to himselfhe smiles and watches me.

With no place to hide,I am blushing.

With squirrel-like movementsshe unties the knots.

To think that this little plaything is my wife! My wife!

But she displays such grace that I am consumed by a sudden fever of desire.

And still the angry voice is cursing me...

Butterfly renounced, renounced... and happy.

Child with eyes full of magic, now you belong to me.

You are dressed all in white. I love your dark tresses amid the white of your veils.

I am like the moon-goddess, the little goddess of the moon,

Who comes down at night from the bridge of heaven.

And captivates all hearts...

...folds them in a white cloak and carries them up high.

But meanwhile, you haven't told me yet,you haven't told me that you love me.

Does my goddess know the wordsthat satisfy the most ardent desires?

She does. But she is unwilling to say themfor fear of dying.

Foolish fear - love does not kill,but brings life and heavenly joy.

I see it now in your almond eyes.

For me you are now the eye of heaven.

I liked you from the first moment I set eyes on you.

You are tall and strong. You laugh so heartily.

And you say thingsthat I have never heard before.

I'm happy now, so happy.

Love me, but with a tiny love, like you would love a baby. That is what I need.

Love me, please...

We are a people used to small, fragile things, quiet pleasures…

And a tenderness that is gentle as a breezeyet vast as the sky and deep as the sea.

Give me your dear hands and let me kiss them!My Butterfly!

How aptly you were named, fragile butterfly!

They say that overseas if a man should catch a butterfly

He sticks it with a needle and pins it to a board.

There's some truth in that, but do you know why? So that it wouldn't fly away again.

I have caught you. Quivering, I press you to me.

You are mine.

Yes, for life.

Come! Cast every fear out of your heart.

The night is clear. See, all things sleep.

You are mine! Oh, come!

Oh, lovely night. What a lot of stars!Never have I seen them so beautiful!

Come, come…

Cast every fear out of your heart.

Every spark twinkles and shines with the brilliance of an eye.

So many eyes fixed and staring, looking at us from all sides.

In the sky, along the shore, out to sea...the sky is smiling!

Come to me.

INTERMISSION15 minutes

14 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

13 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

12 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

11 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

10 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

9 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

8 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

7 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

6 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

5 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

4 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

3 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

2 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

1 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

0 595857565554535251504948474645444342414039383736353433323130292827262524232221201918171615141312111009080706050403020100

And Izanagi and Izanami, Sarutahiko and you, Earth Spirits…

(Oh, my head!)

And you, Tensho Daijin… grant that Butterfly should weep no more, no more!

Fat and lazy are the gods of Japan.

The American God, I'm sure, is much quicker in answering those who pray to him.

But I'm afraid that he may not know where to find us.

Suzuki... how long until the money is gone?

This is all we have left.

That’s all? Oh! There are too many expenses!

If he doesn't come back, and soon, we shall be in a bad way.

But he will come back!

He will come back...

If he wasn't coming back, then why did he arrange for the Consul to pay the rent?

Tell me!

Why did he have the house fitted with locks, if he didn't mean to come back?

I don't know.

You don't know? I'll tell you then:

In order to keep mosquitoes, meddlesome relations and troubles outside.

And inside, jealously guarded, his bride -me - Butterfly!

No one has ever heard of a foreign husband coming back.

Be quiet, or I'll kill you!

On that last morning, I asked him"Are you coming back, sir?"

With a heavy heart, trying to hide his unhappiness from me, he replied with a smile:

"Oh, Butterfly, my dear sweet little wife…

I'll return with the roses, in that happy season when the robin builds his nest."

He'll come back.

Let us hope so.

Say it with me:He will come back.

He will come back.

You are crying? Why?

Oh, you are lacking in faith. Listen!

One fine day, we'll see a tiny wisp of smoke far in the distance, rising above the water.

And then, a ship appears.

The white ship enters the port, thundering its greeting.

Can’t you see? He has come!

I don’t go down to meet him. Not I.

I place myself there at the top of the hill and wait.

I will wait a long time, and the long wait won’t bother me at all.

And then... a man emerges from the crowd.

A tiny little dot, he makes his way up the hill.

Who can it be? And when he arrives - what, what does he say?

He'll call, "Butterfly!" from the distance.

Not answering, I'll remain hidden. Partly to tease him…

…And partly so as not to die of joy.

And, a trifle worried, he'll call, "My dear little wife, fragrance of verbena!" -

The names he used to call me when he first came here.

All of this will happen, I promise you.

You can hold on to your fear. But I will wait for him with complete faith.

She's there. Go in.

Pardon me...Madam Butterfly...

Madam Pinkerton, please.

Oh, Mister Consul!

You remember me?

Welcome to an American house.

Thank you.

Are your ancestors quite well?

I sincerely hope so.

Pipe?

No, thank you.

I have here...

Sir, I see the skies are blue.

Thank you. I have...

Perhaps you would prefer American cigarettes?

Thank you. I have to show you...

Here you are.

Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton has written to me...

Really? Is he quite well?

Perfect.

I am the happiest woman in Japan.

May I ask you a question?

Certainly.

When do the robins make their nestsin America?

What did you say?

...Before or after they do here?

But...why?

My husband promised to return in that happy season when the robin builds his nest again.

Here, it has done so three times already, but it may be that over there it doesn't nest so

often.

Who is laughing?

Oh, it's that marriage-broker.A bad man.

I am enjoying this.

Be quiet!

He dared...No, first answer my question.

I'm sorry, but I don't know.I haven't studied ornithology.

Orni...

…thology.

So you don't know, then.

No. We were saying...

Ah, yes... Goro.

As soon as B. F. Pinkerton was at sea, he came annoying me with gossip and gifts

…Offering me first this one, then that one in marriage.

Now he's promising me riches from a fool.

The wealthy Yamadori. She is destitute. Her relations have all renounced her.

There he is.

Yamadori... aren't you disillusioned with love yet?

Do you still intend to cut your veinsif I refuse you a kiss?

One of the most annoying thingsis hopeless sighing.

You've had so many wives,you must be used to it by now.

I married them, one and all,and divorce has set me free.

Most obliged.

But to you I would vow to be faithful forever.

I'm afraid I shan't succeedin delivering the message...

Villas, servants, gold, and a palace in Omara!

I am already bound to another.

She still believes she is married.

I don’t believe so, I am. I am married.

But the law…

I don’t care.

For the wife, abandonment is the equivalent of divorce.

That is the Japanese law… not the law of my county.

Which is?

The United States.

Poor thing!

Here you can just open the door, chase the wife out and call it divorce.

But you can’t do that in America. Isn't that right?

True… but…

There, a judge says to the husband:"You want to leave? Let us hear why."

"I am bored with married life!"

And the magistrate says: "You rascal, off to prison with you, quick!"

Suzuki, tea.

Did you hear that?

Such utter blindness grieves me deeply.

Pinkerton's shiphas already signaled.

When she sees him again...

He doesn't wish to see her.

I have come expressly to relieve her of any illusions on that score.

If your Grace will allow...What tiresome people!

Farewell. I leave you with my heart full of grief, but I still hope...

Please yourself.

Oh, if only you would...

The trouble is, I don't want to.

Our turn now. Will you read this letter with me?

Give it to me.…To my lips, on my heart...

You're the kindest man in the whole world.Please begin.

"My dear friend, will you go and seethat pretty flower of a girl... "

Does he really say that?

Yes, he does,but if every moment...

I'll keep quiet, I'll keep quiet.I won't interrupt any more.

"Since that happy timethree years have gone by... "

He counted them, too!

"And perhaps Butterflyno longer remembers me."

Not remember him?

Suzuki, tell him!"Does not remember me“…

Patience.

"If she still loves me, if she expects me... "

Oh, what sweet words!You blessed, blessed letter!

"I beg you to be so good as to prepare her gently..."

He's coming!

"... for the blow."

When? Quick! Quick!

This is unbearable!

I’d better just tell her now.Damn Pinkerton!

What would you do, Madam Butterfly, if he never came back?

One of two things: go back to entertaining people with my songs.

Or better, die.

It grieves me deeply to rob you of your illusions.

But you should accept Yamadori's proposal.

You! You, sir, tell me this! You!

Great God, what am I to do?

Come here quickly, Suzuki.His Grace is leaving.

You’re kicking me out?

Do not insist.

I was brutal, I don't deny it.

Oh, you hurt me so much, so very much.

But it’s nothing.

I thought I was going to die, but it soon passes, like clouds over the sea...

So he has forgotten me?

And this? And this?Can he forget this as well?

It is his?

Have you ever seen a Japanese child with blue eyes and curls of pure gold?

It's obvious. And does Pinkerton know?

No. The child was born after he'd gone back to that great country of his.

But you will write to him that a son without equal is waiting for him here.

And then you'll see if he doesn't come hurrying over the land and sea!

Do you know what this gentleman had the heart to think?

That your mother would have to take you in her arms, and in the wind and the rain…

…walk the city streets to earn you food and clothing.

And to the pitying crowd stretch out a trembling hand, crying:

"Listen to my sad tale. Have pity on the poor mother. Have pity!"

And Butterfly - oh, horrible fate…

Will dance for you.

And as she used to do, the geisha will sing.

And the merry song will end in a sob.

Oh no, never! That way lies dishonor.

Let me die! To dance no more.I would rather die!

How pitiful!

I must go now.Will you excuse me?

Shake hands with the gentleman.

What pretty curls!What is your name, darling?

Answer: now my name is Sorrow.

But when you write to Daddy,tell him, that the day he comes back

My name will be Joy.

Your father will know it. I promise.

Snake! Toad!

What happened?

He spies on us, the vampire!

And spreads rumors, that nobody knows who the baby's father is!

I only said that, in America, if a child is born out of wedlock

He will always be an outcast.

You lie! You lie! Say it again and I'll kill you!

Get out!

You'll see, my little love, my sorrow and my comfort,

Your avenger will take us far, far awayto his own country...

He'll take us far away!

The harbor cannon!

It’s a warship!

It's white... white... the American flag... with the stars...

Now it's maneuvring to drop anchor.

Steady my hand so that I can see the name...

The name, the name...

There it is: Abraham Lincoln!

They all lied! The lot of them! I alone knew...Only I who love him.

Do you see how foolish your doubts were? He's come! He's come! He's come!

At the very moment when everybody said: weep and despair.

My love triumphs, yes, triumphs! My faith is completely vindicated!

He has come back and he loves me!

Shake the branch of the cherry tree and rain down blooms on me.

I want to plunge my burning brow in its fragrant rain.

Madam, calm yourself...those tears...

No, no, I'm laughing! How long shall we have to wait for him?

What do you think? An hour?

Longer.

Two hours, maybe.

Everywhere must be full of flowers, like stars in the night.

30bbbb

30bbbbGo and pick the flowers!

30bbbbAll of them?

30bbbb

All of them, all, all. Peach blossom, violets, jasmine…

30bbbbEvery bush, plant and tree that's in flower!

30bbbbThe whole garden will be bare as in winter.

30bbbb

I want to fill the house with the fragrance of spring.

30bbbbThe garden will be bare.

30bbbb

30bbbbHere, madame.

30bbbbPick some more.

30bbbb

30bbbb

You used to come to this hedge so often and stare into the distance, weeping.

30bbbb

The one I have been waiting for has arrived. I ask nothing more of the sea.

30bbbb

I gave my tears to the Earth, and She gave me flowers.

30bbbb

The garden is bare.

Is it? Then come and help me.

Here are the roses.

I want to fill the house with the fragrance of spring.

Spread April all around us.

Let us scatter them by the handful: violets and tuberoses

Showers of verbena, blossoms of every kind…

Now, come and dress me.

No. First bring me the baby.

I'm no longer what I was.

These lips have breathed too many sighs

And these eyes have gazed too hard into the distance.

Give my face a touch of rouge

And you too, little one…

So that the long wait won't leave your face pale and hollow.

Keep still, I have to do your hair.

What will they say now? And my uncle, the Bonze?

All of them so happy at my misfortune.

And Yamadori, with his pining.

Ridiculed, disgraced - that will show them, the wicked creatures.

I’m finished.

The obi I wore at my wedding. Bring it here for me to put on.

I want him to see me dressed as I was that first day.

And a red poppy in my hair... like that.

Now we'll make three little holes in the screen to look through

And we'll stay quiet as mice, waiting.

The sun is up. Cio-Cio-San!

He'll come... he'll come, you'll see.

Go and rest, you are tired. When he arrives I'll call you.

Sleep, my love, sleep on my heart.

You are with God, and I am with my sorrow.

On you shine the rays of the golden stars.

Sleep, my child.

Poor Butterfly!

Sleep, my love, sleep on my heart.

You are with God, and I am with my sorrow.

Poor Butterfly!

Who is it?

Oh!

Quiet. Don’t wake her.

She is quite worn out.

She stayed up waiting for you all night with the baby.

How did she know?

For three years now, every time a ship comes in, she watches to see if its flag has stars.

I told you, didn't I?

I'll call her...

No, not yet.

Last night she insisted on stewing flowers all over the room.

I told you!

This is dreadful.

Who's that out there in the garden?

It’s a woman!

Hush!

Who is it? Who is it?

Best tell her everything.

Who is it? Who is it?

His wife.

Holy spirits of my ancestors! For the little madam, the sun has gone out!

We chose this early hourin order to find you alone, Suzuki.

And in this hour of trial to seek some means of consolation and support with you.

What’s the use? What’s the use?

I know that for her deep distress there is no consolation.

But it is necessary to provide for the child's future.

Oh, the bitter perfume of these flowers is poison to my heart!

The room where we made love is unchanged...

But the coldness of death is here.

The kind woman who dares not enter will care like a mother for the child.

Come, speak to her and bring her in here.

Even if Butterfly should see her, no matter...

On the contrary, better if she should realize the truth through seeing her.

You want me to ask a mother...

Three years have passed, and she has counted the days and the hours!

I can't stay here!

Sharpless, I'll wait for you on the way back.

Didn't I tell you?

You help her... I am completely crushed by remorse.

I told you! Do you remember? When she gave you her hand...

"Be careful," I said, "she believes this is for real"

and my words were prophetic then.

Deaf to advice, deaf to all doubts, a victim of scorn, obstinately waiting...

She fortified her heart.

Yes, all in an instant, I see how I have sinned and realize

That I shall never find respite from this torture. Never!

Go. The sad truth she will learn alone.

Farewell, flowery refuge of happiness and love...

Her sweet face will haunt me forever.

"Be careful," I said, "she believes this is for real"

and my words were prophetic then.

Farewell, flowery refuge...I can't bear your desolation...

I’m beneath contempt!

Will you tell her that?

I promise.

And you'll advise her to trust me?

Yes.

I will care for him like my own son.

I believe you.

But I must be alone with her...Quite alone in this hour of crisis...

She will cry so bitterly!

Suzuki! Suzuki! Where are you? Suzuki!

Here I am... I was just tidying up...

No... Don't come in!

He's here, he's here...where is he?

He's here... he's here...There's the Consul...

Where?

He isn't here.

That woman, what does she want in my house?

Nobody speaks.

Why are you crying?

No, don't tell me anything.

I might fall dead on the spot.

You, Suzuki, you have a good heart. Do not cry.

You love me so much - yes or no - whisper...

Is he alive?

Yes.

But he won't come back any more.They've told you?

Answer me!

Never again.

But he arrived yesterday?

Yes.

Oh, that woman makes me feel so afraid, so afraid!

She is the innocent cause of your misfortune. Forgive her.

She's his wife!

My life is over. There is nothing left.

Be brave.

They want to take everything away from me.

My son!

Make the sacrifice for his sake.

Oh, unhappy mother! To give up my son!

Very well then. I must obey him in everything.

Can you ever forgive me, Butterfly?

Under the great dome of heaven,there is no woman happier than you.

May you always be so... Don't worry about me...

Poor little thing!

It's a terrible shame!

And will she give up the child?

I will give the child to himif he comes to get him.

Come back up the hill in half-an-hour's time.

Like the wings of a captive flyher little heart is beating!

There's too much light outside, and too much spring.

Close the screens.

Where is the baby?

He's playing...Shall I call him?

Let him play... Go and keep him company.

I'll stay with you.

Go, I order you to.

"He dies with honorwho cannot live with honor."

You? You? You?

Little idol of my heart. My Love, my love, flower of the lily and rose.

May you never know that, for you, for your innocent eyes, Butterfly is about to die...

So that you may go away beyond the sea

Without suffering any remorse later in life.

Oh, you who have come down to me from heaven, look well on your mother's face.

So that you may keep a faint memory of it. Look well!

Little love, farewell! Farewell, my little love!

Go and play.

Butterfly! Butterfly! Butterfly!

The End

Waiting for the Rainby Karen Acevedo

Cherry Blossomby ajvallis

Blood Splatterby Holly Anderson

Child’s Portraitby Graciela Bogra

Blood of the Moon 2 by Megan Duncanson

Our Country in War by Murat Halstead

Japanese lady With a Fanby David Hardy

Woman in GardenGregory F Harris

Nissaka in Rainby Kawasi Hasui

A Geisha Girlby George Henry

Japanese Garden in Bloomby Sung Kim

Untitledby Satsuki Kitaguchi

Akashi Bay by Tsuchiya Koitsu

American Flag Backgroundby oleksiy

Japanese ChildrenBy Lilla Cabor Perry

Seppukuby Nick Purser

Starry Night by Alex Ruiz

Jardin Yasudaby Lyse Saint-Cyr

Robin Contemplating a Songby Casey Shannon

Tengoku(Heaven)by soniei

A Calm Dayby Hiroshi Yoshida

Chikugo Riverby Hiroshi Yoshida

Evening After Rainby Hiroshi Yoshida

Ikenohataby Hiroshi Yoshida

In The Inland Seaby Hiroshi Yoshida

Konoshimaby Hiroshi Yoshida

Ohara Beachby Hiroshi Yoshida

Rozanby Hiroshi Yoshida

Sea of Cloudby Hiroshi Yoshida

Sekishozanby Hiroshi Yoshida

Tone Riverby Hiroshi Yoshida

Linnoji Gardenby Toshi Yoshida

Toshogu Shrine Nikkoby Toshi Yoshida

Pagoda at Nikkoby Ito Yuhan

USS Newportby Unknown