“Ogre’s mountain.” That is what Oeyama means. This is a mountain steeped in folklore. It stands 480 meters high. Oeyama sits on the border between Nishikyo Ward in Kyoto and Kameoka.
Oeyama has other names. It is also called Ooe-yama and Mount Ooe. In ancient texts, it appears as Oyama and Oiyama. Oinosaka-toge Pass lies on its northern slope. This pass was once called Oeno-saka Slope. Now, it is known as Oino-saka Slope.
Before Kyoto became the capital, this route led to Heijo-kyo. People traveled via the Yodo River. Those on the San’indo Road would pass Oeno-seki. This gate station was on Oeno-saka Slope. It marked the boundary between Yamashiro and Tanba Provinces. People bid farewell to the capital here. Thus, it became known as a place of farewell.
Oeyama held strategic importance. During the Jowa Incident and Hogen Rebellion, soldiers guarded it. They watched for suspicious people entering or leaving the capital. Famous commanders marched through here. Minamoto no Yoshitsune passed through. Ashikaga Takauji attacked Rokuhara Tandai using this route. Akechi Mitsuhide also traveled this way to battle.
A checking station stood here in the Muromachi period. Oeyama was one of four boundaries. These boundaries prevented unclean influences from entering the capital. It also rid the capital of filth. Thieves ousted from Kyoto lived around Oeyama. People believed oni lived here too.
Oeyama is famous as the residence of Shuten-doji. He was a fearsome oni. A kubizuka exists south of Oino-saka-toge Pass. This is said to be where Shuten-doji’s head lies.
Oeyama’s oni legends are captivating. The most famous is the tale of Shutendoji’s slaying. In the 10th century, Shutendoji abducted princesses. He imprisoned them in his lair on Oeyama. Emperor sent Raiko and his band to slay him. They tricked him into drinking poisoned sake. Then, they beheaded him. Shutendoji was said to be fifteen meters tall. He had five horns and fifteen eyes.
Another legend tells of Hikoimasu-no-kimi. Over two thousand years ago, he killed a giant demon spider. The spider was called Kugamimi-no-mikasa. They fought near the Yura River. The spider fled to Oeyama.
A third story features Prince Maroko. In the late 6th century, three oni terrorized Oeyama. Prince Maroko defeated them. This legend inspired many place names. Temples and shrines in the area echo this tale.
Oeyama’s remote location made it a haven for bandits. A mine in the area added to its mystique. Miners working among flames might have resembled oni. Some believe the legends arose from subjugated indigenous people. They wove their experiences into oni-slaying stories.