The Legend of Anchin and Kiyohime’s Bell
Japanese folklore is filled with tales of heroes, gods, and spirits, but few stories capture the terrifying destructive power of obsession quite like the legend of Anchin and Kiyohime. It is a story of unrequited love, broken promises, and a transformation fueled by rage. Associated with the Dojo-ji Temple in Wakayama Prefecture, this tale has transcended its folktale roots to become a cornerstone of traditional Japanese theater.
The Origins of the Tale
While Japan’s creation myths are famously recorded in ancient texts like the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), the story of Anchin and Kiyohime belongs to a later category of literature known as setsuwa (Buddhist anecdotes).
The earliest written versions of this specific legend appear in the Konjaku Monogatarishu (Anthology of Tales from the Past), a massive collection of stories compiled in the late Heian period (around the 12th century). Originally intended as a moral warning against the dangers of lust and the attachments of the secular world, the story evolved over centuries, shifting from a religious parable into a tragic romance that highlights the complexity of human emotion.
The Legend: A Promise Broken
The story takes place in the peaceful countryside near the Hidaka River. Anchin was a handsome, young traveling monk on a pilgrimage to Kumano. During his travels, he sought lodging at a manor where he met Kiyohime, the daughter of the innkeeper.
The Infatuation
Kiyohime fell instantly and deeply in love with the young monk. Depending on the version of the tale, Anchin either playfully reciprocated to be polite or was simply overwhelmed by her affection. To escape the awkward situation without confrontation, he made a promise he did not intend to keep: he vowed that upon finishing his pilgrimage, he would return to her and make her his wife.
The Pursuit
However, on his return journey, Anchin bypassed the inn, terrified by the intensity of her attachment and bound by his priestly vows. When Kiyohime realized she had been deceived, her sorrow instantly curdled into a blinding rage. She ran after him barefoot.
Anchin, seeing her approach, fled toward the Hidaka River and paid a boatman to take him across, forbidding the man from ferrying his pursuer. When Kiyohime arrived at the bank and saw Anchin escaping on the far side, her fury triggered a supernatural transformation. She dove into the river, and as she swam, her rage turned her into a massive, fire-breathing serpent (or dragon).
The Bell of Dojo-ji
Terrified, Anchin sought refuge at Dojo-ji Temple. The monks, seeing the approaching serpent, lowered the temple’s massive bronze bell and hid Anchin underneath it, believing the sacred object would protect him.
However, the serpent-Kiyohime could smell her lover. She coiled herself around the great bell. Fueled by the heat of her passion and hatred, she breathed fire onto the bronze. The heat became so intense that the bell turned white-hot and eventually melted. Anchin was roasted alive inside, a victim of the inescapable karma of his dishonesty and her obsession. Having accomplished her revenge, the serpent threw herself into the river and drowned.
Modern Culture and Performing Arts
The tragic narrative of Anchin and Kiyohime remains a cultural touchstone in Japan, primarily due to its adaptation into the classical performing arts.
Noh and Kabuki
The story is the basis for Dojoji, one of the most famous plays in Noh theater, and Musume Dojoji (The Maiden at Dojo-ji) in Kabuki. In these performances, the lead actor often performs a complex dance involving a large prop bell. The transformation from a beautiful woman into a vengeful demon is depicted using the Hannya mask, which represents a woman’s soul consumed by jealousy.
Cultural Legacy
Beyond theater, the story is a classic example of the “vengeful spirit” trope found in J-Horror and anime. It serves as a cautionary tale about the duality of love and hate, reminding audiences that passion, when unchecked, can burn down everything in its path.
Traveler’s Tips: Visiting Dojo-ji Temple
For travelers interested in Japanese folklore, a visit to Dojo-ji Temple in Hidakagawa, Wakayama Prefecture, is essential.
- The Scrolls: The temple houses the Dojo-ji Engi Emaki (Illustrated Scrolls of the History of Dojo-ji). You can often hear monks perform E-toki (picture-storytelling), where they narrate the legend while unrolling the scrolls, just as they have done for centuries.
- The Bell: While the original bell of the legend was “melted,” and a replacement was famously taken by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the site remains spiritually charged. You can buy Manju (sweet buns) in the local area named after Kiyohime.
- Access: The temple is accessible via the JR Kinokuni Line. Get off at Dojo-ji Station; the temple is a short walk away.
Sources & Further Reading
- Konjaku Monogatarishu (Tales of Times Now Past): The primary historical source for the Heian-era version of the tale.
- Dojo-ji Engi Emaki: The National Treasure scrolls located at the temple that depict the narrative.
- Ugetsu Monogatari: While a later text, it explores similar themes of the supernatural and human psychology found in Edo-period literature.