World and Lore / Kyoto mystery

Everlasting Love

The story of the monk Seigen and Princess Sakura is a popular subject of Kabuki drama, and may be briefly summarized as follows: One day, a monk belonging to Kiyomizu-dera Temple fell madly in love with the noble Princess Sakura. However, spurned by the princess and chastised by his monastic fellows, the pitiful monk was driven into obscurity, where he ultimately met a grisly death. It is said that, unable to relinquish his desires even after death, the monk thereafter began to haunt the princess as a wandering ghost.