Countless love letters were sent to Komachi one after another during her lifetime. She could’ve easily thrown them out, or even burned them if she wanted to. But Komachi wasn’t like that-- instead, she memorialized the love letters by keeping them in a statue. That’s the story of the Fumi Hari Jizō Statue.

Komachi is often depicted as "a cold and heartless woman who treats men as below her." But in fact, she may have been a very kind and passionate woman. There is a legend which displays her wit and passion.

Poetry competitions used to take place at the imperial court as a chance for poets from around the area to gather and demonstrate their talents to the court. Ono no Komachi entered the competition, and her opponent was a man named Ōtomo no Kuronushi. Later on, he would be chosen as one of the Six Poetic Geniuses alongside Ono no Komachi, but at this time he was in fierce competition with her. He was so determined to win that he snuck into her house the day before the competition and listened in on her practicing.

No one has sown it-- from what seed issues the floating grass,
which in the watery furrow of the waves sprouts and grows thick?

"I wonder how the duckweeds grow and float in the water if no one plants its seeds."

Ōtomo no Kuronushi wrote down the poem as he secretly listened to her chanting.
The next day came and the competition began-- Ono no Komachi started off with her poem and was received with high approval from the audience, including the emperor himself.
From the audience came a voice- “Wait right there!” It was Ōtomo no Kuronushi.

“That poem is not an original. In fact, it’s quite old.”
Flustered and confused, Komachi shouted, “How could you say that!” Kuronushi grinned and took out the Man'yōshū as he said, “I can prove it.”
“Look for yourself, that poem is written down in the Waka collection Man'yōshū.”
Komachi was in shock, as she peered around the audience gazing down at her with suspicion. Turning back to the Man'yōshū text, she suddenly realized what was’s going on.

“Um… I think the overall penmanship is different for that one section…the ink also looks darker, right?”

Once she made the accusation, Komachi had to prove herself. She brought some water and began to wash the pages of the book. Just like that, her poem washed off without a trace. Just as she predicted, it was Kuronushi who had scribbled her poem into the book.

While it was clear that Ōtomo no Kuronushi had cheated, Komachi did not want him to suffer. Instead, she pleaded with the emperor, saying “This could’ve happened to anyone who is so determined to pursue the path of poetry. Please, find some way in your heart to forgive him.” Out of respect for Komachi, the emperor forgave the sins of Kuronushi. Relieved, Komachi started dancing around in delight.

This story is called “Komachi Washing the Copybook.” This legend is also said to have been created after Komachi’s death, and its factuality is undetermined.