The first volume of the Yaemugura is primarily composed of detailed descriptions of hell, related by someone who had died, gone to hell, then returned to life. In this it is similar in theme to part 2 of the Yaemugura. The final section of part 1 deals with the subject mentioned in the work’s subtitle, relating the story of four orphaned girls who, on the recommendation of their grandfather, wrote out a copy of the Lotus Sutra in kana script as an act of filial piety. Hearing of this, Hakuin is deeply impressed, and uses the occasion to discuss the sutra’s merits.