The Legend of the White Heron and the Tama-no-Ishi: The Two Origin Tales of Dogo Onsen

The Hot Spring Discovered by an Injured White Egret

Two ancient stories about the discovery of Dogo Onsen have been passed down. One is the "Legend of the White Egret." Long ago, a single white egret that had injured its leg soaked its injured leg in hot water flowing from between rocks, and eventually the injury healed, and it flew away vigorously. Seeing this, villagers immersed their hands in the hot water and found it warm, realizing that this was a hot spring with therapeutic efficacy. The name of the rooftop tower "Shinrokaku," a symbol of the hot spring town, and the white egret motifs featured in various locations originate from this legend.

The Scene of the White Egret Recorded in Historical Documents

The official website of Dogo Onsen introduces a description from the local topography Yoyo Gun-go Rigen-shu, completed in 1710. It states that long ago, a white egret suffering from an injured shin discovered hot spring water gushing from between rocks and flew over every day to soak its shin, eventually healing its wound and flying away in good health. Seeing this, people found it wondrous and dipped their hands into the hot water. The legend of the white egret is recorded not merely as the origin of a name, but as a story depicting how people came to know the hot springs of Dogo.

Okuninushi-no-Mikoto and Sukunabikona-no-Mikoto: The Mythology of the Hot Springs

The other is a myth recorded in surviving fragments of Iyo no Kuni Fudoki. When Okuninushi-no-Mikoto and Sukunabikona-no-Mikoto were traveling from the land of Izumo to the land of Iyo, Sukunabikona-no-Mikoto suddenly fell ill, perhaps due to fatigue from the long journey. Okuninushi-no-Mikoto channeled "Hayami no Yu" from Oita through a pipe under the seabed to Dogo, placed Sukunabikona-no-Mikoto in the palm of his hand, and bathed him in the hot water, whereupon he rapidly regained his strength. Overjoyed, Sukunabikona-no-Mikoto is said to have started dancing atop a nearby stone.

"Tama no Ishi" and the Two Deities of the Yugama

This story remains etched in the scenery of Dogo today. The stone on which Sukunabikona-no-Mikoto is said to have danced is enshrined as the "Tama no Ishi" on the north side of Dogo Onsen Honkan, bearing marks said to be the deity's footprints. In addition, the figures of the two deities, Okuninushi-no-Mikoto and Sukunabikona-no-Mikoto, are carved on the front of the hot spring cauldron installed in Hojoen and other locations. Myth and hot spring water have been handed down to the present day in the form of buildings and stones. The official website of Dogo Onsen also treats Tama no Ishi and the cauldron as elements conveying the history and atmosphere of Dogo Onsen.

Rooms in the Honkan Bearing the Name of the White Egret

On the official website of Dogo Onsen Honkan, the Tama no Yu third-floor private rooms "Shirasagi no Ma" and "Hisho no Ma" are introduced. From Shirasagi no Ma, visitors can look out at the white egret atop Shinrokaku, and it is explained that the background of the room's name is that the egret appears to be hopping with joy after its wounds healed. The view from Hisho no Ma is explained as making the white egret appear as though it has taken flight into the sky after healing its wounds. The legend of the white egret is connected not only to stones and rooftop towers, but also to the names and views of the rooms in the Honkan.

Hot Springs and Myths Echoing in Various Regions

Stories of white egrets discovering hot springs and deities obtaining hot waters are not unique to Dogo. Similar legends remain in hot springs across Japan, including Arima Onsen and Tamatsukuri Onsen. Even so, what makes Dogo's stories memorable is the depth of its ancient hot spring history and the fact that the legends still remain in visible forms such as Tama no Ishi and cauldrons. Visiting Tama no Ishi before soaking in the hot spring, and comparing the cauldron in Hojoen and Shinrokaku atop the Honkan, allows one to reflect on how the stories are connected to the landscape of Dogo.

Although located in different places, the stone on the north side of the Honkan, the cauldron in Hojoen, and Shinrokaku on the rooftop each convey the stories of Sukunabikona-no-Mikoto and the white egret in visible forms. By walking and verifying each name and design, one can receive the legends not only as texts but as the layout of the town. Including "Shirasagi no Ma" and "Hisho no Ma" introduced on the official website of Dogo Onsen Honkan, the white egret serves as a motif connecting legend, architecture, room names, and views. While keeping in mind that various theories and differing accounts exist, using the surviving stones and cauldrons as clues allows one to trace how the hot springs of Dogo have been passed down.

Note: Various theories and alternative accounts exist regarding the legends. Representative traditions are presented here.