Act I, Sugawara

Sugawara no. 1: Scene at the Palace of Shishiden, Kyoto. Tokihira, seated at the top of a flight of steps, receiving the Chinese Ambassador, who prostrates himself before him; on Tokihira's right is seated Michizane as 'Minister of the Right', and behind, hidden by a partly rolled-up screen, is the Emperor. On each side of the pathway leading to the steps squat the imperial bodyguard of archers.