There is no historical evidence to support our understanding of Ono no Komachi and how she lived her life, how old she lived to be and how she passed away. Rumors and legends tell us she grew hideous in old age. As they say, “beauty and fortune seldom go together.” She was not fortunate to have died in her prime. Rather, the stories suggest that she died ugly, poor and alone.

The statue of Komachi in her later years that remains in Zuishin-in is called the "Sotoba Statue." It must be difficult to imagine a beautiful woman with this statue as your reference, with her expression full of sadness. But actually she lived a happy life full of understanding.

There is a Noh play with the same title as this statue, "Sotoba Komachi." Let's journey on to that story.

One day, a monk from Mt. Kōya was traveling to Kyoto. Along the way, he saw an old shabby woman, probably around 100 years old, resting on the side of the road on a decayed tree. He noticed something-- isn’t that a Sotoba where she was sitting? Sotoba, or “Stupa” in Sanskrit, is a grave marker and is said to be where the remains of Buddha are stored. This Sotoba has also become a guiding piece along the road of Mount Kōya.

In disgust, the monk decided to approach the old woman.
“Excuse me, I’m afraid the spot where you’re sitting is the holy Sotoba. Please find somewhere else to rest.”

The old woman grinned and replied, "You say it's a Sotoba, but I don’t see any signs, I don’t see any statues. All I see is a decayed tree."

“To call this a decayed tree is just absurd. Sotoba is the form the Buddha takes to be here in this world.”

The old woman calmly replied to the agitated and curt monk.
“I’m also old like this decayed tree, but I still still have a beautiful and elegant heart like a flower. So it’s like I’m offering my flower to the Sotoba. By the way, what do you mean when you say that the Sotoba is the form of Buddha?”

Irritated, the monk responded,

“Sotoba is the form of the Buddha when training for nirvana.”

“The Buddha can take any form and is a part of everything.”

“Anything that is part of the five elements of life: Earth, water, fire, wind, and space.”

“In that case, what is the difference between the body of the Sotoba or the body of a human? Both are made from the five elements of life, so how can you discriminate between the two? It’s exactly because the Sotoba is the Buddha that you should let me rest here.”

Growing more agitated by the minute, the monk countered back.

“If you knew this was the Buddha all along, then why on earth would you disrespect it and put your bottom on it?”

“What’s the problem if I rest my tired body on something that’s already fallen anyways?”
The old woman said matter of factly.

“Because you will only be saved if you follow the good path of righteousness. That is the path of the Buddha.”

“Buddha made a vow to help everyone, right? There are some people where Buddha came into their life precisely because they succumb to evil, and that is when they realize the need for salvation and Buddha. And that’s alright, it’s all part of being human and the five elements of life.”

After hearing that, the monk was speechless. With deep respect, he lowered his head and bowed to her.

“... Who are you? Please tell me your name.”

“Oh, it's too embarrassing. Tell me this: if I tell you my name will you mourn me after my death?”

“Yes, I promise. But first, tell me your name.”

“I am Ono no Komachi… or at least what’s left of her…”