Cultural Notes
Sanzu River
Mythology & Folklore
The Sanzu River, or River of Three Crossings, is a Japanese Buddhist tradition and religious belief similar to the River Styx. It is believed that on the way to the afterlife, the dead must cross the river, which is why a Japanese funeral includes placing six coins in the deceased's casket. The Sanzu River is popularly believed to be located in Mount Osore, a suitably desolate and remote region of northern Japan. Traditionally, people are said to cross on the seventh day after their death. It has three crossing points: a bridge, a ford, and a spot where there is only deep serpent-infested water. Where one crosses depends on the weight of one's offenses while alive. Those who performed acts of good while alive cross over a bridge adorned with seven precious substances. Those whose karmic balance of good and evil is relatively even cross at a ford. Those who committed great evil must wade through deep water infested with hideous serpents. On the bank, a male demon and a female demon dwell under a large tree. The female, named Datsue-ba, strips the dead of their clothes, and the male, named Keneo, hangs the clothes on a branch of the tree to determine the weight of their offenses.There is also a saying: "If you take that much money, you're going to drown in the Sanzu River".
Relevance to Kyokai no Rinne
The money used to cross the Sanzu River is known as rokumon.