Beginning with the story of the Cloistered Imperial Prince Shinnyo on his Gudo (seeking for the teachings of Buddha) expedition in India, the 21 anecdotes in "Kankyo no Tomo" Volume 1, describe the religious life of various famous and anonymous saints including the anecdotes of high-ranking priests such as Zenshu (Zenju), Genpin (Genbin) and Kuya, whereas many of the 11 stories in Volume 2 relate anecdotes concerning women such as Kenreimonin.
『閑居友』上巻21話は真如親王の天竺求道譚から起筆し、善珠・玄賓・空也ら高僧譚をはじめ、有名無名の聖の信仰生活を描き、下巻11話は建礼門院ら女性関係の説話が多い。