The Ghost of Ukai Kansaku: A Tale of Cormorant Fishing, Betrayal, and Redemption
- Marco
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
In the tranquil countryside of Yamanashi Prefecture, near the therapeutic springs of Isawa Onsen, a powerful legend has flowed down through the centuries like the river that inspired it. This is the story of Ukai Kansaku, a cormorant fisherman whose death by drowning sparked one of Japan’s most haunting ghost stories—and a ritual of compassion that remains honoured to this day.
Here, along the banks of the Isawa River, nestled in what was once called Kai Province, spirit and stone converge, telling a tale of human cruelty, spiritual redemption, and the enduring power of Buddhist prayer.
A Warrior Turned Fisherman
Ukai Kansaku was not always a fisherman. He was once known as Taira no Tokitada, born into the prestigious Taira clan in 1130. His life was shaped by the storm of the Genpei War (1180–1185), a brutal conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans that would decide the fate of Japan.
Tokitada held an important role in his clan—he was entrusted with the protection of one of the Three Sacred Treasures, a mirror representing the divine authority of the emperor. But when the Taira lost the decisive Battle of Dan-no-ura, he chose survival over martyrdom. Rather than cast himself into the sea, he surrendered the treasure to the victors.
Though his life was spared, Tokitada was exiled and stripped of his name and status. Shamed and cast out, he wandered Japan under a new identity: Ukai Kansaku.
A Sacred Taboo Broken
In time, Kansaku reached the peaceful Isawa River in what is now Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Along its banks, he revived an old skill from childhood—ukai, the ancient Japanese practice of fishing with trained cormorants. With his birds and a quiet stretch of water, he hoped to make a humble living.
But this part of the river was considered sacred. For generations, the villagers believed that no life—fish, bird, or otherwise—should be taken from its waters. Kansaku, unaware of this taboo, cast his nets into the current.
The reaction was swift and merciless. Though Kansaku begged for forgiveness and explained his ignorance, the villagers were unmoved. In a cruel act of punishment, they beat him, wrapped him in straw, and threw him into the Isawa River, where he drowned.
A Spirit in the River
Ukai Kansaku’s soul did not find peace. His death had been unjust, and the spiritual weight of that injustice anchored him to the river. He became a jibakurei (地縛霊)—a spirit bound to a specific location.
Soon after, the villagers began seeing a ghostly figure rise from the waters. He appeared soaked and silent, still wearing the clothing of a fisherman. Though he did no harm, his appearance was enough to strike fear into all who saw him. The river, once a place of life, became a symbol of dread.
Nichiren Shōnin Arrives
Years later, a wandering monk named Nichiren Shōnin passed through the region. He was already known for his devotion to the Lotus Sutra and for founding what would become the Nichiren sect of Buddhism.
Upon reaching the village near the Isawa River, Nichiren found an eerie silence. Boats lay abandoned, homes were shuttered, and fear lingered like mist. When he asked about the river, villagers told him of the ghost who haunted it.
Nichiren was not afraid. Instead, he made his way to the riverbank and sat in deep meditation, awaiting the spirit.
A Tale of Sorrow
That evening, the ghost of Kansaku rose again. But this time, someone was waiting—not with terror, but with empathy.
Nichiren addressed the spirit directly. Kansaku revealed his identity and the tragedy that had led him to this state: a nobleman turned fisherman, punished not for malice but for ignorance.
Nichiren was moved. He believed all beings possessed the potential for enlightenment, and Kansaku was no exception. He vowed to set the spirit free.
The Sutra in Stones
Nichiren began a ritual unlike any seen before. Over three days and three nights, he gathered 70,000 small stones from the riverside. On each, he inscribed a single character from the Lotus Sutra, the sacred scripture he believed held the key to salvation.
One by one, he tossed the stones into the river, offering the entire sutra to Kansaku’s tormented soul.
Nichiren neither ate nor slept. His devotion was unwavering.
When the final stone touched the water, Kansaku’s spirit appeared for the last time. He bowed in silence—and then vanished, freed at last from the world that had wronged him.
Ukaisan Onmyō-ji Temple: A Legacy Carved in Stone
To commemorate the ritual and the monk’s compassion, the villagers established a temple nearby. That temple, Ukaisan Onmyō-ji (鵜飼山 遠妙寺), still stands today in Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture, just a short walk from Isawa Onsen Station.
The temple’s Ukai-dō Hall enshrines a memorial to Kansaku. Several of the Lotus Sutra stones used by Nichiren are still preserved on-site, housed in a beautifully decorated container. The temple’s Niōmon Gate, dating from the Edo period, greets visitors with quiet dignity.
More than just a religious site, Onmyō-ji Temple is a place of historical memory, spiritual depth, and human reflection.
How to Visit
Temple Name: Ukaisan Onmyō-ji (鵜飼山 遠妙寺)
Location: Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Nearest Station: Isawa-Onsen Station (JR Chūō Line)
Access from Tokyo: Approx. 90 minutes via JR Limited Express from Shinjuku
Walking Distance: ~10–15 minutes from the station
Visitors today come not only to admire the architecture or seek healing in the nearby hot springs, but also to reflect on the story of a soul who found peace through being seen.
The Meaning of Kansaku’s Story
Ukai Kansaku’s tale is not about revenge—it’s about recognition, injustice, and compassion. He was not a malevolent ghost, but a man wronged by those who refused to understand him. In life, he was punished for breaking a rule he never knew. In death, he found peace through one person’s empathy and ritual.
His legend teaches us that:
Not all hauntings are born of hatred—some are born of sorrow.
Listening with compassion can heal even the deepest wounds.
Redemption is not beyond the reach of anyone, living or dead.
Final Thoughts on Ukai Kansaku
As the Isawa River continues to flow through Yamanashi, so does the story of Ukai Kansaku—carried by sutra stones, whispered through temple halls, and remembered in the quiet ripples of time.
His ghost no longer walks the banks, but his legacy remains a mirror reflecting our capacity for both cruelty and kindness.
Join a Tanuki Stories tour to explore Japan’s hidden legends and spiritual stories—from Kyoto’s sacred mountains to Yamanashi’s haunted rivers. Discover the stories the guidebooks don’t tell.
