Kiyohime, the Heartbroken Serpent of the Dojo Temple
Long ago, there was a handsome monk named Anchin. Every year, he embarked on a pilgrimage from Mutsu to Kumano. Along the way, Anchin rested at the riverside manor of the local village head, who had a young daughter named Kiyohime. Kiyohime was a spirited troublemaker and loved playing tricks on Anchin, sneaking toads into his bed and hiding his robes. When they first met, she was just a playful child, but as Kiyohime grew into a young woman, she fell in love with the handsome young monk. She believed he was fond of her as well and asked him nervously, “Anchin, in a few years I will be of age to marry, no longer a child. Will you take me then as your wife?” Anchin smiled and, thinking she was just joking with him, he replied, “Yes Kiyo, if you behave and prove yourself a proper young woman, I will marry you and we will return together to Mutsu.” However, Kiyohime was completely serious and was overjoyed at his response and agreed enthusiastically to his terms. For the following years, Kiyohime was a model of poise and obedience. She never pulled a prank or caused trouble at the manor, as Anchin’s promise was her guiding compass. At last, Kiyohime became of marriable age. Anchin arrived at the manor, and Kiyohime reminded him of what he had promised her. Anchin was shocked and embarrassed. Surely, she did not think a monk would marry her? But Kiyohime’s intense gaze told him she was serious. To avoid further confrontation, Anchin asked to make one more pilgrimage to Kumano. Upon his return, he would indeed marry her. Kiyohime
agreed to wait for her love one last time,and Anchin left.
Kiyohime waited but saw no signs of Anchin. After some time, a passing visitor informed Kiyohime that he had run into Anchin, and the monk was not stopping at their manor. She realized Anchin had lied to her. Full of sadness, she ran out of the house barefoot, down the road towards Dojo-ji, the temple where Anchin was heading. Seeing Kiyohime catching up, Anchin asked a boatman to help him cross the Hidaka river, and asked him not to let Kiyohime on board. Seeing Anchin fleeing from her, Kiyohime felt intense betrayal, sadness, anger and heartbreak. She threw herself into the Hidaka river and her body elongated and widened as her legs contorted and fused, quickly growing thick layers of shiny scales. As the rough waves tossed Kiyohime, she transformed into a giant serpent, swimming through the raging torrents like a spear after Anchin. He rushed to the temple, and with help from his fellow priests hid inside a large, bronze bell, seeking safety. But Kiyohime, catching the scent of Anchin with her serpent senses, flew upon the bell at Dojo-ji and wrapped her long, scaly body tightly around it, breathing flames against the metal. Anchin felt the bell growing hotter and hotter, unable to escape. Kiyohime’s scorching embrace burned Anchin alive. Her vengeance complete, but her love lost, Kiyohime sorrowfully returned to her human form, now tattered. She used the last of her energy to dive into the Hidaka river, drowning herself to follow Anchin, even in death.
Kiyohime Changing into a Serpent at the Hidaka River by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
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