Rokumonsen: The Six Coins Offering for the Afterlife
When exploring the rich tapestry of Japanese culture, one inevitably encounters the profound and often poetic rituals surrounding death. Among the most fascinating of these traditions is the Rokumonsen (六文銭), or the “offering of six coins.” While it may seem like a simple monetary gesture, this ancient funeral custom is deeply rooted in Buddhist cosmology, folklore, and the samurai spirit. It represents a final act of care for the deceased, ensuring their soul has the necessary fare to navigate the treacherous journey into the afterlife.
The Origins: Buddhism and the Six Realms
To understand why six coins are used specifically, one must look to Japanese Buddhism. The number six corresponds to the Rokudo (Six Realms of Existence) within the wheel of reincarnation (Samsara). According to Buddhist doctrine, after death, a soul wanders for 49 days and is eventually reborn into one of these realms based on their karma:
- Jigokudo (Hell Realm): A place of suffering and punishment.
- Gakido (Hungry Ghost Realm): Where spirits suffer from insatiable hunger and thirst.
- Chikushodo (Animal Realm): A state of instinct and ignorance.
- Ashurado (Asura Realm): A realm of anger, jealousy, and constant warfare.
- Jindo (Human Realm): The world as we know it, balanced between pleasure and pain.
- Tendō (Heaven Realm): A place of bliss, though still subject to eventual death and rebirth.
The six coins are symbolic offerings to Jizo Bosatsu (Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva), a beloved deity in Japan who has vowed to save sentient beings in all six realms. By providing a coin for each realm, the family prays that Jizo will guide and protect the deceased no matter where their karma leads them.
The Legend of the Sanzu River
The most popular folklore explanation for the Rokumonsen, however, parallels Greek mythology’s River Styx. In Japanese tradition, the soul must cross the Sanzu-no-kawa (River of Three Crossings) to reach the afterlife. This river is the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead.
The Toll of the Ferryman
Legend dictates that there is a toll required to cross the river safely. Historically, the fee was set at six mon (an obsolete currency from the Edo period). If the deceased does not have the coins, they cannot take the ferry. Instead, they are forced to swim across the treacherous, serpent-filled waters or attempt to wade through the deep rapids.
Waiting at the riverbank are two terrifying figures: Datsueba (an old hag) and Keneō (an old man). If a soul arrives without the necessary payment, Datsueba strips them of their clothes, and Keneō hangs the clothes on a branch to weigh the weight of their sins. To spare their loved ones this humiliation and suffering, families place the Rokumonsen in the casket, often inside a small bag known as a zudabukuro, worn around the neck of the deceased.
Modern Culture and the Samurai Spirit
In contemporary Japan, the practice of Rokumonsen has evolved. Since actual currency cannot be burned during cremation (it is illegal to damage money in Japan), and metal coins would not melt, modern families typically use paper printed with the image of six coins or wooden replicas. These are placed in the coffin alongside other items the deceased might need, such as walking sticks or sandals.
The Sanada Clan
Beyond funerals, the image of the six coins is iconic in Japanese history due to the Sanada clan, a famous samurai family from the Sengoku (Warring States) period. The legendary warrior Sanada Yukimura used the Rokumonsen as his family crest (kamon). By emblazoning the six coins on their flags and armor, the Sanada samurai signaled to their enemies—and themselves—that they were ready to die in battle at any moment. They carried their “toll” with them, fearlessly accepting death as a constant companion.
Traveler’s Tips
For visitors to Japan interested in this aspect of culture, here are a few ways to engage respectfully:
- Visit Ueda City: Located in Nagano Prefecture, this is the historical home of the Sanada clan. You will see the Rokumonsen emblem everywhere, from castle gates to souvenir shops.
- Observe Jizo Statues: When visiting temples, look for the small stone statues with red bibs. These are Jizo Bosatsu. You might see coins piled near them; these are offerings from the living praying for the safety of travelers or the souls of children.
- Temple Etiquette: While you likely won’t attend a funeral, understanding these symbols adds depth to temple visits. If you see the six-coin symbol on a grave or banner, remember it symbolizes a readiness for the afterlife.
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in delving deeper into the mythology and history behind these customs, the following texts and concepts provide excellent starting points:
- The Japanese Book of the Dead: Various translations cover the Shingon and Pure Land Buddhist perspectives on death.
- Jizo Bodhisattva: Research the Kshitigarbha Sutra to understand the vows of Jizo.
- Historical Context: While the specific folklore of the Sanzu River toll became standardized in the Edo period, early concepts of the afterlife can be found in parts of the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) and the Konjaku Monogatarishu (Anthology of Tales from the Past).