About Ono no Takamura
There are strange legends surrounding Ono no Takamura,
including the tale that he assisted in the trials conducted by King Enma in
hell. However, he was indeed a real historical figure. What kind of person was
he? I would like to introduce the temple related to these legends, Rokudo Chinno-ji
in Kyoto. (The following text is based on various documents, scholarly
research, and temple guidebooks.)
| Who was Ono no Takamura? |
Ono no Takamura was born in 802, shortly after the capital was moved to Heian-kyo, during the early Heian period. He served under Emperor Saga and held various high-ranking positions, including "teacher of the Crown Prince," "Deputy Envoy" for the Tang missions to China, and "Senior Assistant Minister" of the Ministry of Justice, handling criminal cases. He eventually rose to the position of "Councilor" in the Dajō-kan, the central administrative body of the state. He passed away in 852 at the age
of 51.
.
The statue of Ono no Takamura
2. Personality and Behavior
According to texts such as "Konjaku Monogatari" and "Kōdan-shō,"
Takamura was known for his volatile emotions and stubborn nature, often
insisting on his own correctness. When he was selected as Deputy Envoy
to Tang China, he had conflicts with his superior, which led to Emperor
Saga's displeasure and his subsequent exile to the island of Oki. However,
he was pardoned two years later by Emperor Ninjō, who recognized his talents.
3. Known as a Poet
Takamura was not only a large and skilled warrior but also recognized
as a scholar and poet. His poem, written while exiled to Oki, was selected
as the 11th entry in the "Ogura Hyakunin Isshu" anthology.
The poem reads: " I traveled through the many islands of the Seto
sea and set out for the distant land of exile,the Oki Island. Fishermen,
please convey this fact to beloved people in the capital."
Original Poem⇒ "わたの原(Wata no hara) 八十島かけて漕ぎ出でぬと(Yasojima kakete
kogi idenuto)
| Legends About Ono no Takamura |
The legends suggest that Takamura worked as an official in King Enma's court in hell, attending to his duties during the day and working in the infernal court by night.
１．Sources of the Legends
According to "Kōdan-shō," "Konjaku Monogatari," and "Genkō Shakusho," it is said that Takamura assisted in the judgment of whether souls should be sent to hell at night, which is how these legends have persisted.
２．How He Was Believed to Travel to Hell
The setting for these legends is the temple closely associated with Takamura, Rokudo Chinno-ji in Kyoto's Higashiyama district. There is a well in the temple's garden called the "Well of Passage to the Afterlife," which was said to be the route Takamura used to travel to hell. Conversely, a well called the "Well of Return from Yomi" was discovered in 2011 on land adjacent to the temple.
Historic sites of Ono no Takamura
Guide board for "The place of Well"
"Well of Passage to the Afterlife"
3.Testimonies of Takamura's Role in Hell
Aristocrats from the Heian period who were revived from near-death reportedly testified that Takamura stood beside King Enma, advising him on the integrity of souls, which helped them return from the afterlife.
4.Why Did This Legend Arise?
Various scholars have explored reasons for the
emergence of these legends. The following factors are often cited:
o
Takamura
was a tall and imposing figure.
o
He
had a rebellious and passionate personality.
o
He
was a strong-willed person who insisted on his own correctness.
o
He
held significant positions, such as Senior Assistant Minister of Justice.
These traits and his career may have contributed to the creation of such
strange legends, but the true reason remains a "mystery."
| The Legendary Temple: Rokudo Chinno-ji |
1.A Temple with Entrances and Exits to the Afterlife
The temple is located on the path leading to Toribeno, an eastern cemetery area from the Heian period. A stone monument called "Rokudo no Tsuji" marks a place where people believed there was a passageway to the afterlife. It is said that spirits returning during Obon also passed through this place.
"Rokudo no Tsuji"
2.Enma Hall in the Temple
In the temple's Enma Hall, you can find statues associated with Takamura's legends, including a wooden statue of King Enma
and a wooden statue of Takamura himself.
"Enma Hall"（Rokudo Chinno-ji）
"A wooden statue of King Enma"
Additionally, there is a bell in the temple’s grounds, known as the "Welcoming Bell," which is said to call the deceased. Each year during Obon, many visitors ring the bell to welcome the spirits of the departed.
"Welcoming Bell"
Temple Address: Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City
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