“A secret job in hell?” Ono no Takamura had one. This stele before us, the \u5c0f\u91ce\u7bc1\u516c\u4f5c \u5341\u738b\u50cf \u95bb\u9b54\u5802 Stele, commemorates Ono no Takamura. It recalls the legends surrounding this intriguing figure from Kyoto’s history.
Ono no Takamura was a noble. He was a scholar and poet. He was a government official in the 9th century. People knew him as clever and quick-witted. Some even considered him insolent. But Ono no Takamura had a hidden role. He served Great King Enma in hell.
Legend says that Ono no Takamura traveled between the living and the dead. Near Rokudochinno-ji Temple was a boundary. Ghosts could cross between worlds there. Ono no Takamura found a way to travel freely. He would enter the underworld each night. He used a well in Rokudochinno-ji’s garden. Each morning, he returned via a well at Sagano Fukusei-ji Temple. Today, only Rokudochinno-ji remains. Sagano Fukusei-ji is now a bamboo forest.
One story tells of Fujiwara no Yoshimi. He fell ill and died. His soul went to Meido for judgment. A voice spoke from the darkness. It was Ono no Takamura. Takamura vouched for Yoshimi. He convinced King Enma to return him to life.
Yoshimi later approached Ono no Takamura. He asked about Meido. Takamura seemed troubled. He asked Yoshimi to keep his work a secret. Rumors spread. People whispered that Takamura was King Enma’s right-hand man. Many feared him.
Today, Rokudochinno-ji still stands. Inside Enma Hall is a statue of King Enma. Next to it is a statue of Ono no Takamura. The well he used to enter the underworld is still there.
This \u5c0f\u91ce\u7bc1\u516c\u4f5c \u5341\u738b\u50cf \u95bb\u9b54\u5802 Stele serves as a reminder. It honors Ono no Takamura. He was the man who walked between worlds. He served both the imperial court and the King of Hell. A truly unique figure in Kyoto’s history. Erected in 1928, this stele stands as a testament to a legend. The legend of Ono no Takamura and his secret job in hell.