[5][6] Musume Dojoji originates from the Noh play Dōjōji which refers to the tale of a woman later named Kiyohime, who transforms into a serpent-demon out of rage due to an unrequited love for a Buddhist priest, and then destroys a temple bell in Dōjō-ji where he was hidden by the monks of the temple, thereby killing him.

[8] In 1731, a variation of the story was performed as a shosagoto (Kabuki dance drama) at the Nakamura theatre by Segawa Kikunojo I (瀬川菊之丞) called Keisei Dojoji (傾城道成寺, A courtesan at Dōjōji) or Muken no Kane Shin-Dôjôji (無間の鐘新道成寺), and this version forms the prototype for later works on the same theme.

[13] The drama begins at the Dōjō-ji temple where monks are getting ready to consecrate a new bell to replace the old one destroyed by the serpent demon.

A shirabyōshi named Hanako (白拍子花子) approaches the gate of the temple and expresses her interest in worshipping before the new bell.

In one version, the bell lifts to reveal that she has transformed into a serpent or dragon who then becomes exorcised by an oshimodoshi (a repeller of demons) and the monks' prayers.

In addition to the Noh original and the various kabuki dance dramas, other versions also exist in bunraku theatre.