Priest Ichiei had observed and venerated the Hokekyō for a long time. One day he was on his way to visit Kumano and stayed on Mount Shishigase. Late at night he heard someone reciting the Hokekyō. The voice sounded so noble that Ichiei was deeply moved, and he thought that someone else must be staying at the same place. The voice finished reciting the first chapter of the sūtra, paid homage to the Buddha, and asked forgiveness for many sins. By the time the voice had recited the whole sūtra, it was already dawn.

In the morning Ichiei looked about the place and saw a skeleton covered with green moss. It must have been lying there for years, but the bones were still preserved and joined together. Ichiei looked at the skull and saw a healthy fresh red tongue in the mouth hole. Ichiei recollected himself, paid his respects to the skull, and could not help but feel overwhelmed. He stayed at the same place for another night.

Late that night Ichiei heard the same voice reciting the sūtra just as before. When dawn broke, he went near the skull and asked, “You have already recited the sūtra. How is it possible that the Divine Heart has not responded? I would like to ask you about your past life.”

The spirit of the skull replied, “I’m Enzen, a priest, who once lived at Toto on Mount Hiei. During my ascetic practices, I came to this place and died. But while still alive, I made a vow to recite the chapters of sixty thousand copies of the sūtra, but I have finished only half. So I am staying here to recite the remainder. I don’t have many chapters to finish now, so I will soon fulfill my vow. I will stay here all this year; later I will be reborn in the Tosotsu Heaven, where I will be delivered by the Bodhisattva Miroku.

After hearing this, Ichiei revered the skull and left for Kumano. Sometime later Ichiei returned to the same place and looked for the skull but could not find it. It is said that he shed tears of ecstatic joy. (Page 42-43)