The bell-priest of En-gaku-ji

Overview

In “A Pilgrimage to Enoshima,” Hearn describes ringing the great bell of En-gaku-ji, then reading a locally sold account with the help of his companion Akira. The text says that a spirit dwells within the bell. Its legends include the bell ringing by itself and a dead man, Ono-no-Kimi, finding his way back to the living world by following its sound after the judge Emma tells him that his allotted life is not yet over.

A further episode describes an unfamiliar Buddhist priest of enormous stature travelling through several provinces and urging people to pray before the En-gaku-ji bell. He is eventually recognized as the bell itself in transformed form. No ordinary personal name is supplied, and the account does not explain how the identity is discovered. The giant priest is a particular sacred-object transformation, distinct from Ono-no-Kimi’s return from death and from Hearn’s own experience of ringing the bell.

Hearn’s description of the temple and sound is a travel observation; the transformations and answered prayers are claims in the printed legend he reports. The source provides neither a full Japanese transcription nor a dated earliest witness for the travelling-priest episode. Its religious purpose should remain visible rather than treating the bell as a generic hostile household object.

Origins & earliest records

Source-specific Japanese narrative and, where specified, South/Southeast Asian custodial witnesses.

Records & interpretation

Complete English chapter and notes read; named custodial accounts read where cited.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan, First Series

   Lafcadio Hearn; local temple print interpreted with Akira · 1894

   IV, A Pilgrimage to Enoshima, §§3–4; complete24sections and seven notes read.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Historical narrative or custodial object interpretationGlimpses of Unfamiliar Japan, First SeriesResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.