The Legend of Princess Akoya
The Legend of Princess Akoya
The Valley of Whispers, and the Onigiri-shaped mountain of Yamagata City
Kia ora Koutou, Tim Bunting, Kiwi Yamabushi here on the Japan you never knew you wanted to know.
I love living in Japan, and I especially love living in Yamagata. Everywhere you turn there is something interesting to discover. That has been the case every single time I look into the backstory of the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata.
Until date, I have come across a few legends unique to these peaks. My favourites being the story of Yoshitsune’s son on Kamewari-yama, the legend of the old man on Okina-san, and the legend of how Hokari-yama, lit. Mother Hunter Mountain, got its name.
Well, now I have a new one for you from Chitose-yama, the distinctive onigiri rice-ball shaped mountain in the east of Yamagata City. I’m hoping to visit Chitose-yama next week, but before I do, I thought I’d give you a taste of what’s in store.
Here’s:
The Legend of Princess Akoya
Long long ago, at the foot of Chitose-yama, lived a beautiful princess, Princess Akoya. Princess Akoya wasn’t your average princess. She was very adept at Waka, classical Japanese poetry, and could play the Koto unlike anyone else.
One evening as the princess was playing her Koto, she could hear the sound of a flute. Shocked by the skill at which the flute was able to accompany her Koto, the princess stopped in her tracks and began searching for the magical musician.
Way off in the distance, the princess could see a young man dancing gleefully playing a mesmerising tune under the old pine tree. The man looked up and could see the princess heading his way.
‘I’m sorry madam, I was so entranced by your koto playing that I simply had to get out my flute and dance. Please let me hear more!’
Excited by the proposition, the princess replied; “Only if you accompany me!”
From that night on, every time princess Akoya got out her koto the young man appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and played his flute. Before long, the couple started meeting in secret, away from prying eyes, and became lovers.
However, when Princess Akoya asked the young man who he was his only response was:
‘I am Saemon Taro of Natori’.
That was all the princess knew of her musical partner until one day, with a glum expression on his face, the young man said:
“In truth, I am the old pine tree of Chitose-yama. Tomorrow, I am to be chopped down to make a new bridge over the Natori river. The old one washed away! I won’t be able to come and play music again. Please guide me in my final moments”
As soon as the young man said that, he vanished in a puff of smoke. In that moment a teary-eyed Princess Akoya vowed to help the old pine tree. However, she wasn’t sure how she could do that.
So the next day, Princess Akoya ventured to the Natori River. Just as the young man had said, the old bridge had been washed away in a flood. Naturally, she ran to the old pine tree only to discover she was too late. She watched in desperation as the pine needles scattered in a final lament.
However, try as they might, the locals simply could not move the tree! It was as if it had grown roots. No matter how many people and how many ropes they used, the tree refused to be moved.
Princess Akoya suddenly understood the meaning of the old pine tree’s plea to guide him in his final moments. She walked over to one of the ropes, and pulled very lightly. As if it had been movable all along the tree slid smoothly across the ground.
In memory of the old pine tree Princess Akoya planted a young sapling in the same location, and established Bansho-Ji Temple. Over time, the pine tree grew into a splendid tree and became known as ‘Akoya Pine’. Finally, the nearby mountain pass where the two would meet became known as The Sasaya Mountain Pass, the valley of whispers, after the way in which the two had met.
Daily Yamabushi for This Week (and Last)
Daily Yamabushi posts for the week of February 2 to February 9, 2024.
Read Daily Yamabushi for free at timbunting.com/blog or Medium.com.
And last week (sorry, life getting in the way a bit, I assure you it’s for a good cause!)
Mountains of Wisdom: Tell Your Friends!
Get more content on the Japan you never knew you wanted to know on my blog, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Threads, or Medium.com (yes, I’m probably doing too much).
And if you like what I do, please don’t forget to:
Or if you haven’t already:
Ka kite ano.
Tim.
Thank you for this. I will be dipping into the other legends you've written up.
Living in Kyoto we're full-fat history all the time, sometimes it's good to remember everywhere else has their stories too!