About

In the sixth year of Encho (929 AD), a monk (yamabushi) named Anchin came from Shirakawa in Oshu (modern-day Shirakawa City, Fukushima) to visit Kumano on a pilgrimage. This monk was exceptionally handsome. Kiyohime, the daughter of Shoji Kiyoharu (or Kiyotsugu) of Masago in Muro District, Kii Province (modern-day Nakahechi, Tanabe City, Wakayama, along the Kumano Kodo), fell in love with Anchin at first sight when he stayed at their manor. Despite being a woman, she approached him at night with aggressive advances. Anchin, being a man of the cloth, was perplexed and left after making a hollow verbal promise: "I will surely stop by again on my way back from Kumano Taisha." However, upon arriving at Kumano Taisha, a senior monk saw through the turmoil in his heart and urged him to wake up to his duties. Anchin, still in training, repented and decided to take a different path home to avoid meeting Kiyohime. Unaware of this, Kiyohime waited longingly for Anchin's return and eventually asked a passing traveler, "Excuse me, sir. Have you happened to see a young monk returning from his pilgrimage to Kumano?" Upon learning he had taken another route, Kiyohime realized she had been deceived. Consumed by rage, she began a pursuit. Anchin prayed to the gods and buddhas (Kumano Gongen and Kannon) and managed to flee. Anchin crossed the Hidaka River, but Kiyohime threw herself into the waters to follow. She transformed into a terrifying giant serpent breathing red fire and swam across the river, closing in on Anchin, who had fled to Dojo-ji Temple in Hidaka District. Anchin had the monks lower the temple bell and hid inside it. But Kiyohime would not forgive him and coiled herself around the bell. In a tragic cycle of cause and effect, the serpent Kiyohime wrapped her body around the bell where Anchin hid and breathed crimson flames until she finally burned him to death. After destroying Anchin and fulfilling her desire, Kiyohime returned the way she came and is said to have drowned herself in the inlet between Dojo-ji and Mount Hachiman. This is the summary of the Legend of Anchin and Kiyohime. In this setting, Guest has come to stay at the manor where Kiyohime lives in place of Anchin. The story and characters should be developed considering the era (929 AD) and the local customs of the time.