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16 Nov 2020

SHINTO - shinshi otsukai messenger

https://japanshrinestemples.blogspot.com/2020/03/shinshi-otsukai-messenger.html

shinshi otsukai messenger

kujira 鯨 whale fish ，umigami 海神
In areas where they fish for for whales and also in areas where they do not, he is venerated as the messenger of
. Umi no Kami 海の神 God of the Sea .

.......................................................................
宮城県 Miyagi 気仙沼市 Kesennuma city 唐桑町 / 白鯨 white whale

. Shrine Osaki Jinja 御崎神社 .
There is a legend from a shipwrecked boat, that was rescued by 白鯨 a large white whale fish and brought to this shore safely.
The white whale, as the deity 御崎明神 Osaki Myojin, came riding on 白馬 a white horse. He sat down on the beach on a mat of warabi ワラビ bracken, fern,.
So the people in this area, to show their respect of the deity, never eat whale meat or bracken.

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. unagi 鰻 eel - Mishima Taisha 三嶋大社 .
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鹿児島県 Kagoshima 大島郡 Oshima district 瀬戸内町 Setouchi town

In the hamlet 大島郡古仁屋町勝浦 Katsuura there was one izumi 泉 spring, where many eels lives. hHe nearby villagers venerated them as divine messengers and would never catch or eat them.
Some had a mark on the head as special messengers.

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. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

.......................................................................　Aichi 愛知県 .....
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南設楽郡 Minami-Shitara district 長篠村 Nagashina village

yamakagashi ヤマカカシ poisonous snake, Rhabdophis family
If there is raimei 雷鳴 a thunderstorm, this snake is going up to heaven (or so some people say.)
This snake is a divine messenger, the messenger of Atago 愛宕 or the messenger of 山の神 Yamanokami.

.......................................................................　Chiba 千葉県 .....
.......................................................................
船橋市 Funabashi city

The messenger of the Shrine at Funabashi is shika 鹿 the deer. Six people who had killed a deer got a divine punishment. Their homes burned down and they all got a high fever and died the same day.

.......................................................................　Ehime 愛媛県 .....
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松山市 Takamatsu city

. Sai no Kami, Sainokami 塞の神 and 道祖神 Dosojin, Dososhin deities .
Sai no Kami is venerated in many villages. The Deity is also seen as a matsu 松 pine tree and often shirohebi 白蛇 a white serpent lives there. This serpent is seen as 塞の神の使い the messenger of the Deity.

.......................................................................　Fukushima 福島県 .....
.......................................................................
いわき市 Iwaki city

The messenger at the Shrine 四八社神 Shishu Jinja is kamome かもめ a sea gull. People are not allowed to catch and eat this bird.
四十八社山神社 - Shimokori-14 Shimokoriyama, Tomioka, Futaba District, Fukushima

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南会津郡 Minami-Aizu district 檜枝岐村 Hinoemata village
. Hashiba no Banba 橋場のばんば the old woman at the bridge .

.......................................................................　Kagawa 香川県 .....
.......................................................................

shiro mamushi 白蝮 white viper

This animal is also called オハッスン Ohassun.
It is the messenger of the deity and thus never hunted.

.......................................................................　Kagoshima 鹿児島県 .....
.......................................................................

habu 波布 pit viper
The messenger of 山の神 Yamanokami. On special ritual days it might appear.
One day on the second day of the New Year, a carpenter prepared offerings and there he saw two vipers coiled on this tool box.

.......................................................................　Kyoto 京都府 .....
.......................................................................
亀岡市 Kameoka city 大井町 Oi town
. Carp Koi Daimyojin 鯉大明神 from Tanba province .

.......................................................................　Kumamoto 熊本県 .....
.......................................................................

shinshi no tori 神使の鳥 a bird as divine messenger
Going down the river 球磨川 Kumagawa there is a stone gate and cave named 神の瀬 / 神瀬 Kami no Se.
In this cave lived a bird with only one leg, the divine messenger, venerated by the local people.
They fear if they capture the bird, the village will be cursed.
If they drink from the water in the cave, all illness will be cured and they will live a long healthy life.
球磨村神瀬石灰洞窟
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

.......................................................................　Miyazaki 宮崎県 .....
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東臼杵郡 Higashi-Usuki district 諸塚村 Morotsuka village

. shirozaru シロザル / 白猿 hakuen - a white monkey .
of 市山大明神 Ichiyama Daimyojin.
- - - - -
At the stone lantern near the torii 鳥居 gate of the Shrine 愛宕神社 Atago Jinja there lives hebi 蛇 a serpent as 神の使い the messenger of the Deity.

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宮崎市 Miyazaki city 青島 Aoshima

miyakodori 都鳥 / yurikamome, 百合鴎　ユリカモメ hooded gull, Larus ridibundus
In Aoshima there lived a couple of hooded gulls. They were venerated as divine messengers.

.......................................................................
Miyazaki 登米市 Tome city

oino, o-ino オイノ, (oinu, o-inu オイヌ)　狼 wolf
The pronounciation oino instead oinu is an expression of veneration.
Once upon a time, a wolf had come from Mitsumine Shrine as a divine messenger. If people met him, they would greet him and say
"Honorable Wolf, please protect our fields carefully!"

. Shrine Mitsumine Jinja 三峰神社 / 三峯 .

.......................................................................　Nagano 長野県 .....
.......................................................................
茅野市 Chino city

shinshi no tori 神使の鳥 a bird as messenger
At the peak of 蓼科の峯 Mount Tateshina there lives 神鳥 a divine bird, resembling a raichoo 雷鳥 Raicho snow grouse, "Thunderbird".
In the morning and evening its voice can be heard to announce the time. The male bird is rather black, the female more yellow, with a black breast and white spots on it.
The chicks like to eat matsu no mi 松の実 pine nuts and green pine leaves.

- - - - -
shinshi no tori, uma 神使の鳥，馬 bird and horse as divine messenger
In former times when many horses were kept outside, about six were selected and offered to 権現 the Gongen Deity.
When the horses kneeled in front of the Shrine, a divine bird messenger came with small branches of a pine tree and offered them to the horses. The horses took them in their mouth and went home. If the branches are kept close, the horses will not have problems with wild animals or dokuhebi 毒蛇 poisonous serpents.

.......................................................................
Nagano 諏訪市 Suwa city

shinshi no kitsune 神使の狐 the fox as divine messenger

source : suwatakken.naganoblog...

諏訪湖 Lake Suwako freezes every year in the coldest season.
During that time, the 神狐 divine Fox messenger might walk over the lake to the Suwa Shrine. Sometimes even horses with heavy burdens can cross it.
If there is no Fox messenger walking over the ice, it is not strong enough.
In Spring, when it gets warmer and the ice melts, the fox comes back from the Shrine and walks back over the lake. From that time on, humans can not cross any more and the ice melts.

. Yama no Kami 山の神 God of the Mountain and fox legends .

.......................................................................　Okinawa 沖縄県 .....
.......................................................................
石垣市 Ishigaki city / 神の使い

karasu 烏 a crow
The crow is seen as the messenger of the Deity. It is called bunaji 女頭（婢、ブナジ）.

.......................................................................　Saitama 埼玉県 .....
.......................................................................
春日部市 Kasuga city

. three masks of 竜神 the Dragon Deity .

.......................................................................　Shiga 滋賀県 .....
.......................................................................
犬上郡 Inugami district 多賀町 Taga town

During the main festival on November 1 there are many ritual offerings at 八幡神社 the Shrine Hachiman Jinja.
A senjiki dana センジキ棚 special ritual shelf for offering of rice, called senjiki 握り飯（センジキ）. When the priest claps his hands two times, the sound will wake two karasu 烏 crows which come to eat the offerings. They are the messengers of this Shrine and are called
okarasu, o-karasu オカラス "venerable crows".

.......................................................................　Tottori 鳥取県 .....
.......................................................................
東伯郡 Tohaku district 三朝町 Misasa town

shiro ookami 白狼 a white wolf
. Legends from Misasa Onsen 三朝温泉 Misasa Hot Spring .

.......................................................................　Wakayama 和歌山県 .....

. Keyamura Rokusuke 毛谷村六助 .
A strong farmer turned samurai and messenger of the Deity. He got records of the art of war from a Shrine at the foothills of Mount Hikatayama, where the Deity Kora 高良 is venerated.
.......................................................................
みなべ町 Minabe Town

A 天狗 Tengu is the messenger of 秋葉の神 the Akiba deity.
. Akibagongen 秋葉権現　Akiba Gongen .

.......................................................................　Yamagata 山形県 .....
.......................................................................
長井市 Nagai city / 神の使い

. shishimai 獅子舞 a lion dance for Inari .

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- reference : nichibun yokai database -

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[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #shinshi #kaminotsukai #kaminootsukai #otsukai #messenger #usagi -
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13 Nov 2020

FUDO - Ichijoin Migawari Ibaraki

https://gokurakuparadies.blogspot.com/2020/04/migawari-fudo-ibaraki.html

Migawari Fudo Ibaraki

[ . BACK to Daruma Museum TOP . ]
. Pilgrimages to Fudo Temples 不動明王巡礼 .
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Migawari Fudo 身代わり不動尊 Fudo as substitute
法満山 Homanzan 一乗院 Ichijo-In

茨城県那珂市の飯田 / Ibaraki, Naka city

The main deity is Bishamonten, protector of the North.

The temple was founded in 1386 by the Shingon sect.
The Bishamondo Hall was built in honor of 桓武天皇 Emperor Kanmu (781 - 806).

. Migawari Fudoo 身代わり不動尊 Fudo as Substitute .

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shuin 朱印 stamp

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omamori お守り amulets

日本一の毘沙門天
- Homepage of the temple
- source : ibamemo.com/2018...

This temple houses the most important Bishamonten of Japan.
. Bishamon-Ten 毘沙門天 / Tamonten (Vaishravana).

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This temple is Nr. 25 of the
. 北関東三十六不動尊霊場
36 Fudo Temples in Northern Kanto .

. O-Mamori お守り　Amulets and Talismans .

. Fudō Myō-ō, Fudoo Myoo-Oo 不動明王 Fudo Myo-O
Acala Vidyârâja - Vidyaraja - Fudo Myoo .

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. - Join Fudo Myo-O on facebook - Fudō Myō-ō .

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. Pilgrimages to Fudo Temples 不動明王巡礼
Fudo Myo-O Junrei - Fudo Pilgrims .

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
- - #ichijoin #migawarifudo #fudoibaraki #bishamonten -
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12 Nov 2020

SHINTO - shinshi divine messenger

https://japanshrinestemples.blogspot.com/2020/03/shinshi-otsukai-messenger.html

shinshi otsukai messenger

This animal is also called オハッスン Ohassun.
It is the messenger of the deity and thus never hunted.

.......................................................................　Kumamoto 熊本県 .....
.......................................................................

shinshi no tori 神使の鳥 a bird as divine messenger
Going down the river 球磨川 Kumagawa there is a stone gate and cave named 神の瀬 / 神瀬 Kami no Se.
In this cave lived a bird with only one leg, the divine messenger, venerated by the local people.
They fear if they capture the bird, the village will be cursed.
If they drink from the water in the cave, all illness will be cured and they will live a long healthy life.
球磨村神瀬石灰洞窟
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

.......................................................................　Miyazaki 宮崎県 .....
.......................................................................
東臼杵郡 Higashi-Usuki district 諸塚村 Morotsuka village

. shirozaru シロザル / 白猿 hakuen - a white monkey .
of 市山大明神 Ichiyama Daimyojin.

.......................................................................
宮崎市 Miyazaki city 青島 Aoshima

miyakodori 都鳥 / yurikamome, 百合鴎　ユリカモメ hooded gull, Larus ridibundus
In Aoshima there lived a couple of hooded gulls. They were venerated as divine messengers.

.......................................................................
Miyazaki 登米市 Tome city

oino, o-ino オイノ, (oinu, o-inu オイヌ)　狼 wolf
The pronounciation oino instead oinu is an expression of veneration.
Once upon a time, a wolf had come from Mitsumine Shrine as a divine messenger. If people met him, they would greet him and say
"Honorable Wolf, please protect our fields carefully!"

. Shrine Mitsumine Jinja 三峰神社 / 三峯 .

.......................................................................　Nagano 長野県 .....
.......................................................................
茅野市 Chino city

shinshi no tori 神使の鳥 a bird as messenger
At the peak of 蓼科の峯 Mount Tateshina there lives 神鳥 a divine bird, resembling a raichoo 雷鳥 Raicho snow grouse, "Thunderbird".
In the morning and evening its voice can be heard to announce the time. The male bird is rather black, the female more yellow, with a black breast and white spots on it.
The chicks like to eat matsu no mi 松の実 pine nuts and green pine leaves.

- - - - -
shinshi no tori, uma 神使の鳥，馬 bird and horse as divine messenger
In former times when many horses were kept outside, about six were selected and offered to 権現 the Gongen Deity.
When the horses kneeled in front of the Shrine, a divine bird messenger came with small branches of a pine tree and offered them to the horses. The horses took them in their mouth and went home. If the branches are kept close, the horses will not have problems with wild animals or dokuhebi 毒蛇 poisonous serpents.

.......................................................................
Nagano 諏訪市 Suwa city

shinshi no kitsune 神使の狐 the fox as divine messenger

source : suwatakken.naganoblog...

諏訪湖 Lake Suwako freezes every year in the coldest season.
During that time, the 神狐 divine Fox messenger might walk over the lake to the Suwa Shrine. Sometimes even horses with heavy burdens can cross it.
If there is no Fox messenger walking over the ice, it is not strong enough.
In Spring, when it gets warmer and the ice melts, the fox comes back from the Shrine and walks back over the lake. From that time on, humans can not cross any more and the ice melts.

. Yama no Kami 山の神 God of the Mountain and fox legends .

.......................................................................　Tottori 鳥取県 .....
.......................................................................
東伯郡 Tohaku district 三朝町 Misasa town

shiro ookami 白狼 a white wolf
. Legends from Misasa Onsen 三朝温泉 Misasa Hot Spring .

.......................................................................　Wakayama 和歌山県 .....
.......................................................................
みなべ町 Minabe Town

A 天狗 Tengu is the messenger of 秋葉の神 the Akiba deity.
. Akibagongen 秋葉権現　Akiba Gongen .

..............................................................................................................................................

- reference : nichibun yokai database -
41 神の使い .. collecting

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[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #shinshi #kaminotsukai #kaminootsukai #otsukai #messenger #usagi -
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6 Nov 2020

FUDO - Ryuto Fudo Tochigi

https://gokurakuparadies.blogspot.com/2020/04/ryuto-fudo-tochigi.html

Ryuto Fudo Tochigi

[ . BACK to Daruma Museum TOP . ]
. Pilgrimages to Fudo Temples 不動明王巡礼 .

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Ryuutoo Fudoo 龍頭不動尊 Ryuto Fudo "Dragon Head"
龍頭山 Ryutozan 不動院 Fudo-In 龍泉寺 Ryusen-Ji

栃木県大田原市 / Otawara, Tochigi Pref

The temple was founded in 958 by the Otawara clan. At that time it was near 水口 Mizoguchi, but later it was relocated.
After the building was lost in a fire, it was relocated again to its present place.
The main hall was erected in 2001, in the form of the building of the temple 秋篠寺 Akishinodera in Nara.
The main statue is Fudo Myo-O from the late Muromachi Period.

- Chant of the temple
不動尊　朝日夕日に　照りはえて　法のよろこび　盡きることなし

The temple area is surrounded by four rivers, giving rise to its name, Head of a Dragon sprouting water: 東は蛇尾川 Sabigawa in the Easet, 北は三ノ丸 Ninomaru in the North, 西は龍泉寺川 Ryusenjigawa in the West and 南は御壕用水落口 Ogo Yosui Waterway in the South.
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shuin 朱印 stamp

- Homepage of the temple
- source : kita36fudo.com/tochigi...

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- quote -
Otawara is a city in Tochigi prefecture, famous for its beautiful nature and sightseeing spots. This article introduces some of Otawara's beautiful places, temples and activities.
From the summit of Koteyasan, the entire city can be seen in all its glory.
Running through the city is a river called Nakagawa. Otawara is famous for its fresh salt-grilled sweetfish caught in Nakagawa waters. The unique sweetness of the fish combined with its soft texture makes it an ideal snack to be eaten on its own or mixed with rice.
Unganji Temple dates back to the Heian period and is known for being one of the spots visited by Matsuo Bashō, mentioned in his traveler's journal, "Oku no Hosomichi", or "The Narrow Road to the Deep North".
In contrast to the pomp and splendor of the Unganji Temple, the charm of Daiōji Temple stands out through is elegance. Daiōji Temple adheres to the teachings of the Sōtō School (*3) of Zen Buddhism. At Daiōji Temple, you can practice Zen meditation under the guidance of a Zen priest.
- source : authentic-visit.jp/food... -

The town is also related to the famous archer
. Nasu no Yoichi 那須与一 (c. 1169 – c. 1232) .

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This temple is Nr. 24 of the
. 北関東三十六不動尊霊場
36 Fudo Temples in Northern Kanto .

. O-Mamori お守り　Amulets and Talismans .

. Fudō Myō-ō, Fudoo Myoo-Oo 不動明王 Fudo Myo-O
Acala Vidyârâja - Vidyaraja - Fudo Myoo .

Another temple with this name on the Kinki pilgrimage 近畿三十六不動尊巡礼
第31番 Nr. 31 - 龍泉寺 Ryusen-Ji - Nara (Yoshino)

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. - Join Fudo Myo-O on facebook - Fudō Myō-ō .

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Pilgrimages to Fudo Temples 不動明王巡礼
Fudo Myo-O Junrei - Fudo Pilgrims .

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
- - #ryuto #ryusenji #ryutozan #tochigi #fudomyo -
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4 Nov 2020

SHINTO - Yokasama deity

https://heianperiodjapan.blogspot.com/2016/05/yoka-sama-day-eight.html

Yoka sama day eight

- BACK to the Daruma Museum -
. Japanese legends and tales 伝説　民話昔話 - Introduction .
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Yooka sama. Yōka 八日様 Yoka Sama, the Honorable Day Eight
O-Yooka sama お八日様

The eighth day of each month is called yooka, Yoka (not hachinichi).

- - - Many rituals are held to ward off the Deity of Disease:
. Yakubyogami 疫病神 Deity of Diseases .
eyami no kami えやみのかみ
gyooyakujin 行疫神 gyoyakujin
ekijin, yakujin 疫神

- - - In other regions rituals are held for the Deity of Bad Luck:
. yakujin 厄神 Deity of Bad Luck .
He can either bring bad luck or prevent it from happening.

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There are some puns with the pronunciation:
なにかようか、ここのかとうか　nanika yooka koko no ka too ka?
何か用か九日十日 (なにかようか　ここのかとうか)

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the ennichi 縁日 "Sacred Day" for Yakushi Nyorai is the eighth.
お薬師さまが八日
. Yakushi Nyorai 薬師如来 Bhaisajyaguru .
the Buddha of Medicine and Healing

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yookatoo, yooka too 八日塔 tower for Day Eight
Usually a stone memorial.

Yoka, Day Eight, is the Sacred Day of 湯殿山 Mount Yudono.
Kobo Daishi opened the Sacred Place of Yudono in the Year 807, on the 8th day of the fourth lunar month 大同二年四月八日.

There are also prayer groupd on Day Eight, 八日講, in Yamagata, Fukushima and Nagano, related to the rituals of Yudono.

These are Sacred Stones at Dewa Sansan, Yudono 出羽三山の湯殿山の供養塔
- source : blogs.yahoo.co.jp/wmoth155 -

. Mount Haguro, Gassan and Yudono 湯殿山 .

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- - - - - ABC List of the prefectures :

.......................................................................... Fukushima 福島県 ......................................
耶麻郡 Yama district 高郷村 Takasato

People prepare ankomochi あんこ餅 rice cakes with red Anko bean paste for the 厄神様 Deity of Bad Luck.
This deity is known for disliking these types of Mochi very much, so he will stay out of such a home.

.......................................................................... Tochigi 栃木県 ......................................
芳賀郡 Haga district 茂木町 Motegi

Soba to ward off the akki 悪鬼 bad demon
The 8th day of the 2nd month is called Yooka sama 八日様 Yoka Sama, the Honorable Day Eight.
People prepare Soba in the evening, make a small 八日塔 Yoka-To tower of Kumasasa 熊笹 grass and place the Soba there. They also pierce leek and Tofu on Kumasasa grass and place it at the kitchen door. They make a small basket and hang it on the roof with a pole - all to ward off the Evil Demon.

.......................................................................... Nagano 長野 ......................................

Villagers make a long straw rope Dragon for a pulling contest, tug-of-war.

source : city.matsumoto.nagano.jp
里山辺追倉（おっくら）のお八日様の綱引きで使う龍
and
入山辺舟付（ふなつけ）のお八日様で使う百足（むかで）入山辺舟付（ふなつけ）.
The messenger of this deity is mukade 百足（むかで） the centipede.

.......................................................................... Yamaguchi 山口県 ......................................
大島郡 Oshima district 久賀町 Kuka

hooki no kami 箒の神 (ホウキノカミ) the Yokai Hokigami
This is a day to spent quietly and not use the word to make sure nothing evil will happen.
Yoka-Sama is also seen as 疫病神 Yakubyogami. He has either very big eyes or only just one like a Yokai.
Hitotsume Kozo 一つ目小僧 is said to be the messenger of this Yakubyogami.

. Hōkigami 箒神 Hokigami, Hahakigami - the Broom Deity .
hahakigami ははきがみ

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okoto no kami, o-koto no kami オコトノカミ a deity taking notes
The Yoka Sama is celebrated on the 8th day in December and February.
He is a deity that goes around all year and writes the names of ill people. The records are then burned in the Dondoyaki fire and the people will heal.
He has very large eyes (some say he has only one eye). Yakubyogami 疫病神 the Deity of Diseases is afraid of deities with eyes larger than his own and will soon run away.
. dondon yaki どんどん焼き　Dondoyaki New Year Fire Ritual .

.......................................................................... Yamanashi 山梨県 ......................................
南都留郡 Minamitsuru district 忍野村 Oshino village

On February 8, a mamono 魔物 demon with one eye comes around and counts the eyes of the family members, so people hang things with many eyes, like baskets, on the entrance of the home to make the demon go away.
But if the demon can count the exact number, people will begin to do strange things.

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- reference : nichibun yokai database 妖怪データベース -

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. Legends about Kobo Daishi Kukai - 弘法大師　空海 - 伝説 .

. Japanese legends and tales 伝説　民話　昔話 - Introduction .

- Yookai 妖怪 Yokai Monsters of Japan -
- Introduction -

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. Join the friends on Facebook ! .

- #yookasama #yokasama #dayeight -
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1 Nov 2020

SHINTO - Gozu Tenno Legends

https://japanshrinestemples.blogspot.com/2020/03/gozu-tenno-legends.html

Gozu Tenno Legends

Emperor Seiwa ordered that the people pray to the god of the Yasaka Shrine 八坂神社, Susanoo-no-mikoto. Sixty-six stylized and decorated halberds, one for each province in old Japan, were prepared and erected at Shinsen-en, a garden, along with the portable shrines (mikoshi) from Yasaka Shrine.

. Yasaka Jinja 八坂神社 Yasaka Shrine - Legends .

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- quote -
Gozu Tennō
Literally, "ox-head-heaven-king." Also called Gion Tenjin, Gozu Tennō is a product of kami-buddha "combinatory" religion, worshiped at the Gion Shrine (Yasaka Jinja) in Kyoto, and at other shrines such as Tsushima, Tennō, Susanoo, and Yakumo. Originating as a deity of pestilence, Gozu Tennō is worshiped within observances related to the festival known as Gion-e.
A variety of ritual formulae
and sacred histories purport to explain the origins and nature of Gozu Tennō; historically originating in India, the deity's features underwent successive transformations and systematic development as it was transmitted to China and Japan. The actual details of its transmission and the process of amalgamation with other deities, however, are complex issues and not universally agreed upon.
In India, the deity was called Gosirsa Devaraja, a minor tutelary deity in Buddhism known as a protector of the Monastery of the "Jeta Grove" (Jp., Gion Shōja), while in Tibet it was known as the deity of "Ox-Head Mountain" (Jp. Gozusan). Transmitted to China, the deity's cult merged with esoteric Buddhism, Daoism, and Yin-Yang beliefs, and then was transmitted to Japan, where it experienced further mingling with Japanese Yin-Yang (Onmyōdō) divination.
The deity also became associated
with the legend of a Japanese kami of plague called Sominshōrai and was identified with the kami Susanoo; taking on a trinitarian nature that incorporated characteristics of Susanoo's consort and child, he also came to be identified with the Japanese kami Onamuchi.
On the popular level, however,
Gozu Tennō's chief features continued to emphasize his nature as a deity of epidemic disease. The Gion Goryō-e first observed in the tenth century became widely popular and was institutionalized as a regular summer observance to exorcise the evil spirits responsible for frequent outbreaks of epidemic disease.
With origins as a spirit causing disease,
Gozu Tennō was in time transformed into a tutelary that protected its worshipers from such epidemics, taking on further characteristics as a deity of justice, a deity that ascertained truth (Tadashi no kami), and a deity of the cardinal directions. As observances of the Gion-e type spread regionally, Gozu Tennō was also established as a local tutelary deity (chinju no kami).
- source : kokugakuin Yonei Teruyoshi -

Gion Daimyojin　祇園大明神

. Somin Shorai 蘇民将来 .

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- quote -
the Gion Shrine of Yasui-Konpira-gu
The ema (votive plaque) celebrates the eight base pillars in personified form as eight strong men. In this way the subshrine not only acknowledges the shrine's Buddhist past but is dedicated to one of Shinto's prime concerns – extraordinary displays of power (which are seen as a manifestation of the lifeforce).
- source : greenshinto.com... -

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. hayariyamai はやり病 / 流行病と伝説 Legends about epidemics .
densenbyoo 伝染病 Densenbyo contagious diseases / pandemic

. Shrine, Shinto Shrine (jinja　神社) - Introduction .

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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. tsurumen 犬神人 / ツルメソ / inujinin （いぬじにん、いぬじんにん、つるめそう） .
When Gozu Tenno first came down from Heaven on this earth, he had two dogs with him. They gave birth and the baby soon turned into a human, Tsurumen.

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. Legends and Tales from Japan 伝説 - Introduction .

Truth and legends of Sominshorai Gozu Tenno 蘇民将来 / 巨端将来

- quote -
The deity also became associated with the legend of a Japanese kami of plague called Sominshōrai and was identified with the kami Susanoo; taking on a trinitarian nature that incorporated characteristics of Susanoo's consort and child, he also came to be identified with the Japanese kami Onamuchi.
- reference source : kokugakuin Yonei Teruyoshi -

.......................................................................　Aichi 愛知県 .....

. 津島大社 Tsushima Taisha / 津島神社 Tsushima Jinja - Aichi .

............................................................................. Ehime 愛媛県

. Great Tsushima Shrine 津島大社 Tsushima Taisha .

津島牛頭天王社 Tsushima Gozu Tenno Shrine
- extensive reference about Gozu Tenno -
「牛頭天王と蘇民将来伝説の真相」 by 長井博 Nagai Hiroshi

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Ehime 喜多郡 Kita district

On 用の山 Mount Yonoyama (540 m) there is a shrine for Gozu Tenno 牛頭天王神社, where Susano-o no Mikoto is worshipped. There was a huge カシの木 Kashi oak tree in the compound, which the villagers cut down to build the shrine. But it turned out to become a curse of Gozu Tenno and all the babies and young children of the village died.
The villagers heard the sound of someone dancing a ritual Kagura dance and went to have a look, but there was nobody. Eventually a diviner told them that it was the angry Gozu Tenno. He wanted them to get new trees from a different mountain nearby and re-plant them here go get the peace back in the village.

. Oak Trees / Quercus .

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Ehime 宇和島市 Uwajima city

The land of the Shinto Shrine was sold and the new owner used it for fields. Now strange things happened:
Rocks came tumbling down the mountain and people died. This was the curse of the deity of the 天王社 Tenno Shrine and the farmer stopped to use the fields.

............................................................................. Fukuoka 福岡県
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北九州市 Kita-Kyushu city 小倉北区 Kokura-North ward

Kokura Yasaka Shrine 小倉八坂神社
2-2 Jonai, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka

source : traveltowns.jp/spots...

- quote -
Yasaka Shrine in Kokura, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture,
is the highest ranked shrine in the city and it stands on the ruin of the Kitanomaru building of Kokura Castle. The shrine was once called Gionsha and it was located in Imoji-machi.
It was renamed Yasaka Shrine in the Meiji Period and transferred to íts current location in 1934.
The shrine already existed in the beginning of the Heian Period (794 to 1185) and it honored the god Susanouno-mikoto. After the Battle of Sekigahara (1600), 細川越中守忠興 Hosokawa Tadaoki was awarded a fiefdom in Kokura and he moved to Kokura Castle from Tango. He rebuilt the shrine in Imoji-machi and named it Gionsha, at where twelve deities including Susanouno-mikoto were worshiped.
According to legend, during his hunting trip with a falcon, Tadaoki found a small shrine and peeked inside for closer look at the statue of a deity. Suddenly, a falcon flew out from the shrine and damaged Tadaoki's eyes with its talons. Facing the possible crisis of losing his eyes, Tadaoki saw it as a god's punishment and he built a magnificent shrine to ask for forgiveness. His eyes are said to have healed after that.
Yasaka Shrine has long been deeply venerated as a guardian shrine by locals. The Kokura Gion Festival, held every July, is known as one of the Three Greatest Gion Festivals in Japan and the splendid performance of the Gion Taiko Drum is a must-see event that enchants spectators.
- source : nippon-kichi.jp... -

............................................................................. Fukushima 福島県

. divination at the Shrine 蟇目鹿島神社 Hikime Kashima Jinja .

............................................................................. Hyogo 兵庫県
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出石郡 Izushi district 高橋村 Takahashi village

At the Shrine for Gozu Tenno there was roosugi 老杉 an old cedar tree.
From the 10th lunar month until winter people could hear the sound of drums near the tree. Sometimes there was the sound of the tree falling down.
On the night of the third day of the 11th lunar month at the time of ushimitsu 丑満ツ / 丑三つ there comes a storm an the trees are groaning.
This is when the gods come home from their yearly trip to 出雲 Izumo.

. ushi mitsu 丑満ツ / 丑三つ the double-hour of the ox .
A time when the spirits of the dead and the gods are alive too.

............................................................................. Mie 三重県
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山田村 Yamada village

The 牛頭天皇社 Shrine for Gozu Tenno was swept away on the 8th of April in 1265 during a flooding. To determine the place for rebuilding the Shrine, the villagers put some branches of yanagi 枯柳 the old willow tree in the ground and one of them became a tree over night. So they used this area for the new Shrine.

............................................................................. Miyagi 宮城県
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. Kappagami カッパ神 the Kappa deity .
Kappagami san 河童神さん The Kappa Deity
June 15 is the day of 河童祭 the Kappa Festival. At 牛頭天王神社 the shrine of Gozu Tenno and other places special water rituals are held. People make offerings of cucumbers, a speciality of Kappa san. Children get special amulets from the Kappa Shrine 河童神社 and after that they can enjoy swimming in the river.
June 10 is the day of 牛頭天王祭 the festival for Gozu Tenno. People make offerings of cucumbers and later throw them into the water, praying for the protection of the children.

Isora Jinja 磯良神社 - the Kappa Shrine
Miyagi, Kami District, Shikama 色麻町
. Kappa Legends from Miyagi .

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Miyagi 名取市 Natori city 増田 Masuda

umazuka, uma-zuka 馬塚 horse mound
A place to venerate 第六天神 Dairokutenjin.
Once the mikoshi 神輿 portable shrine of 小豆島牛頭天王 Gozu Tenno from Shodoshima passed here. The weather suddenly turned wild and the shinme 神馬 sacred horse died.
Now people can experience healing for cattle and horses.

. Dairokuten Ma-O 第六天魔王 Big Number Six Heavenly Deity .

第六天神社 Shrine Dairokuten Jinja
宮城県名取市増田1-3-36
Built in 1506.
- source : jinjajin.jp/modules/newdb... -

............................................................................. Nagano 長野県
.......................................................................
小海町 Koumi

Once a villager was leading his horse when it suddenly stepped into a huge hole in the ground. From the bottom of the hole came a voice
"I am the Gread Deity Gozu Tenno. If you do not venerate me in this village, I will curse you all!"
Therefor all villagers now venerate him in the Eastern Direction at the top of Mount 馬場山Babayama.

............................................................................. Nara 奈良県

. 狩野元信 Kanō Motonobu, Kano Hogen (1476―1559）. .
painting at Shrine 神波多神社 Kanhata Jinja

............................................................................. Niigata 新潟県
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新発田市 Shibata city

二階堂マキの作物禁忌 A special day for Nikaido Maki
At the 天王社 Tenno-sha dedicated to 二階堂マキ the main festival in on June 15. Nidoimo Taro is boiled and offered at the shrine. When the nearby villagers bring cucumbers, they boil them with rice gruel.
Nikaido Maki said people would get ill if they grow cucumbers.
nidoimo 二度芋 a kind of Taro that can be harvested twice a year (nido).

- reference source : niigata-u.com/files... -
須佐之男神社（新発田市天王〈てんのう〉） / かつて天王宮（牛頭天王）

............................................................................. Okayama 岡山県
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There are many shrines in his honor, where he is called 天王様 Tenno Sama.
Some are called 祇園宮 Gion no Miya.

............................................................................. Saitama 埼玉県
飯能市 Hanno town 中沢 Nakazawa

Gozu Tenno likes cucumbers 胡瓜 and they are also a motive in the crest.
In the river 名栗川 Nagurigawa there lives a clan of 河童 Kappa, a famous group in 奥武蔵 the Oku-Musashi area. On the fullmoon night of the sixth lunar month, they all meet for a feast. On this occasion, the villagers throw cucumbers into the river and pray there will be no harm from the water.
This custom is not kept any more.
Nearby in Hachioji 八王子 at a shrine there is a religious restriction 禁忌 not to plant cucumbers. The villagers of the Group to venerate Gozu 牛講 keep this taboo very strictly at the shrine.

reference : 牛頭天王信仰と民間伝承 ― 奥武蔵・天王山八王寺― by 荒井貢次郎　Arai Kojiro

............................................................................. Shizuoka 静岡県
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御前崎市 Omaezaki city

Sakuragaike 桜が池 / 桜ヶ池 "the cherty-blossom pond"
In 遠江国笠原庄桜村 Sakura village there are two small ponds, 男池女池 "the pond for men and the pond for women", together called 桜が池 Sakuragaike. At the pond is a Shrine for 牛頭天王 Gozu Tenno.
During the Summer equinox, people make an offering of sekihan 赤飯 red auspicious rice and place it in a barrel, with a wish. A good swimmer has to push it to the middle of the pond and then let go. The swimmer then has to swim on to the other side. The water begins to swirl and the barrel is pulled down. According to the wishes of the people, the number of barrels is different in ever year.

. Sakuragaike 桜が池 "The Cherry Blossom Pond" - Legends .

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- reference : nichibun yokai database -

reference : 『梅津長者物語』と『牛頭天王縁起』－お伽草子庶民物の塑像－真下美弥子 Mashita Misako

- 牛頭天王縁起 - pdf file

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- #gozu #gozutenno #oxheaded #giondaimyojin #epidemic #pandemic #densenbyo #hayariyamai -
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