Unveiling Hashihime: The Jealous Bridge Princess of Uji
When travelers visit the historic city of Uji, located just south of Kyoto, they are often greeted by the scent of premium green tea and the majestic sight of the Uji Bridge spanning the rushing river. It is a place of scenic beauty and literary history. However, beneath the flowing waters and the wooden planks lies a darker narrative: the legend of Hashihime, the “Princess of the Bridge.”
While the name sounds royal, Hashihime is one of Japan’s most feared yokai (supernatural entities). She is the archetype of female rage and jealousy, a guardian deity twisted into a vengeful demon (oni) by the heartbreak of betrayal. For culture enthusiasts and folklore hunters, understanding Hashihime offers a fascinating glimpse into the darker side of Japanese mythology.
The Guardian Turned Demon
In ancient Japanese Shinto belief, bridges were considered liminal spaces—boundaries between the human world and the spiritual realm. Consequently, they required guardians. Originally, Hashihime was likely worshipped as a benevolent water deity guarding the bridge.
However, over centuries, the narrative shifted. By the Heian period, the “Bridge Princess” became synonymous with intense jealousy. In Japanese folklore, it is said that extreme negative emotions, particularly jealousy held by women, can transform a living human into an oni. Hashihime is the ultimate embodiment of this transformation.
The Tale of Eternal Envy
The most famous iteration of the Hashihime legend comes from the Heike Monogatari (The Tale of the Heike) and later adaptations in Noh theater. The story tells of a woman during the reign of Emperor Saga who was consumed by envy after her husband left her for another woman.
Desperate for revenge, she visited the Kibune Shrine for seven consecutive nights. She prayed to the resident deity to turn her into a powerful demon so she could kill her rival. The deity, moved by—or perhaps pitying—her fierce determination, instructed her to dress in red, smear her face with vermilion, place an upturned iron trivet (kanawa) on her head with burning candles attached to the legs, and immerse herself in the Uji River for twenty-one days.
The woman followed the ritual exactly. The freezing waters and her burning hatred transformed her into the Hashihime—a living oni. Possessing supernatural strength and driven by madness, she murdered her husband’s new lover and eventually the husband himself. Her rage was so potent that she began to attack anyone who crossed the bridge, particularly happy couples.
Hashihime in Modern Culture
The image of Hashihime has permeated Japanese arts for centuries. She is the antagonist in the famous Noh play Kanawa (The Iron Trivet), where she is eventually driven away by the famous yin-yang master, Abe no Seimei.
In modern pop culture, Hashihime appears in various forms in anime, manga, and video games, often depicted as a tragic villain or a symbol of obsession. She is also associated with the curse ritual known as Ushi no Toki Mairi (Shrine Visit at the Hour of the Ox), where a straw doll represents the victim. The visual of a woman wearing a candle-lit iron crown is directly derived from her legend.
Despite her terrifying reputation, she is still enshrined as a deity. The duality of Japanese spirits means that a vengeful ghost can also be a powerful protector if appeased correctly. Today, she is often regarded as a deity of “severance” (en-kiri)—helping people cut bad ties or end difficult relationships.
Traveler’s Tips: Visiting Uji
If you are planning a trip to the Kyoto region, Uji is a mandatory stop, not just for the matcha, but for its folklore.
Hashihime Shrine (Hashihime-jinja)
Located near the Uji Bridge, this small shrine is dedicated to the deity. While it is a quiet spot, it holds significant weight. Visitors often come here to pray for the severing of bad relationships or to break free from illnesses and bad habits.
The Uji Bridge Taboo
A lingering superstition advises couples to avoid crossing the Uji Bridge together. It is said that Hashihime, ever jealous of romantic bliss, may cause the couple to break up. Whether you are superstitious or not, it is a fascinating piece of local lore to keep in mind.
Cultural Context
Combine your visit with a trip to the Byodo-in Temple and the Tale of Genji Museum. While the Tale of Genji features a character named Hashihime, she is depicted as a lonely, waiting figure rather than a demon, highlighting the complexity of the name in literature.
Sources & Further Reading
- The Tale of the Heike (Heike Monogatari): specifically the Tsurugi no Maki (Scroll of Swords), which details the monster-slaying aspects of the legend.
- Noh Theater repertoire: The play Kanawa (The Iron Trivet).
- The Tale of Genji: For the contrasting literary depiction of the “Lady of the Bridge.”
- Kojiki & Nihon Shoki: For context on ancient water deities and nature worship in early Japan.