Height 176.5 cm (5'9") Genjou Sanzo, commonly referred to as simply Sanzo, is hardly the traditional image of a Buddhist priest; he is ill-tempered, swears, eats meat, drinks, and is usually seen with a cigarette hanging from his lips. As a Sanzo priest, he is tasked with protecting the sacred Maten Scripture, one of The Founding Scriptures of Heaven and Earth. The Maten's government over evil and the principle of yin allows Sanzo to banish demons and purify evil. Sanzo also possesses a Smith & Wesson _shoureijuu_ (banishing gun), which he is often seen wielding in battle.

At the start of the story, he was bidden by the _Sanbutsushin_ (Three Aspects) and Kanzeon Bosatsu to journey to India with his three companions to stop the resurrection of the demon King Gyumaoh.