Genjyo Sanzo's master and the parent who raised him, this man is the previous Sanzo priest. He rescued the baby floating down the river, named him "Kouryuu," and raised him. He was the guardian of both the "Seiten Sutra" and the "Maten Sutra." However, soon after entrusting these to Genjyo Sanzo, he was attacked by youkai opponents and died at the age of 47.
He was endlessly good-tempered and soft-spoken but moved at his own pace, often appearing somewhat naive. Despite this, he exhibited profound wisdom, as if he could foresee the future. Koumyou was an old acquaintance of Goudai Sanzo, and together they trained as apprentice monks under Arch-Bishop Jikaku. Koumyou inherited the "Seiten Sutra," while Goudai took on the "Muten Sutra." Their friend, the youkai Tenkai Sanzo, also walked the path of a Sanzo priest with them. Upon Tenkai's death, Koumyou took custody of the "Maten Sutra" that Tenkai possessed.
This narrative takes place twelve years after his death, yet Koumyou remains a pivotal figure in "Saiyuki."
