Japan: The unrequited lover Kiyohime emerging from the river after transforming herself into a dragon. Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1832-1892), 1865

Kiyohime from 'One Hundred Ghost Stories of China and Japan'. This famous story, set in 928 CE, tells of unrequited love. It inspired a number of Kabuki and No plays and relates how Kiyohime’s love for the monk Anchin, who lived in the Dojo-ji temple on the banks of the Hidaka river, was repulsed due to his monk’s vows.

To escape her attentions he hid in the great temple bell which happened to be placed on the ground. Kiyohime, swimming across the flooded river, saw the bell and transformed herself into a dragon which beat the bell and destroyed it together with Anchin. Kiyohime is shown emerging from the river.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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