EDO - Himonya district

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Himonya 碑文谷 Himonya district

This is a very old district, dating back to the Muromachi period, when it was called
Himonoyoya 檜物屋 District of woodworkers with Japanese cypress
Now part of 目黒区 Meguro Ward.
Its name is a kind of pun with the sound and meaning of himon (hibun) 碑文 meaning "inscription on a stone".



Many woodworkers lived there.
. himonoshi 檜物師 "artisan making things from Hinoki cypress wood" .
also called magemonoshi 曲物師 craftsmen of bentwood products
kurimono 刳物 "bent things"
Himonoshi craftsmen also lived in
Himonochoo　檜物町 / 檜物丁　Himono Cho District in Edo
close to Nihonbashi - 東京都中央区八重洲一丁目 / 1 Chome Yaesu, Chūō ward


. hinoki 檜 or 桧 Japanese cypress .
Chamaecyparis obtusa


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碑文谷八幡宮 Himonya Hachimangu
目黒区碑文谷三丁目7番3号 / 3 Chome-7-3 Himonya, Meguro



The Shrine dates back to the Kamakura period and has thus a long history. Hatakeyama Shigetada 畠山重忠 (1164 - 1205), a vassal of Minamoto no Yoritomo, came to this shrine to pray for victory in war.
A vassal of Hatakeyama, 榛沢六郎　Hanzawa Rokuro, built a sanctuary for Inari 稲荷社 with a himon seki 碑文石 stone inscription of the name of Himonya 碑文谷.
The stone is 75 cm high, 45 cm wide and 10 cm thick. It was made in the Muromachi period.



In the middle is the Sanscrit letter for 大日如来 Dainichi Nyorai, on the left 勢至菩薩 Seishi Bosatsu and on the right 観音菩薩 Kannon Bosatsu.

Some say the name of Himonya derives from the 碑文 Himon (Hibun) inscription of this stone.

The original 社殿 Shaden Hall was erected in 1674 and rebuilt in 1872. In 1877 it was again refurbished.
The shrine also has a famous 神楽殿 Kagura-Den for Kagura dance performances.
With the separation of Buddhism and Shintoism, part of it became the temple 円融寺 Enyu-Ji (former 法華寺 Hokke-Ji).
The compound is famous for a long row of cherry trees from the first to the second Torii gate.

Sakura matsuri 桜まつり Cherry Blossom Festival during the season.
The main Shrine festival is in Mid-September.

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目黒の筍 bamboo shoots from Meguro
They were grown in the 碑文谷村　Himonya village since 1772.
After visiting the famous Meguro Fudo Temple, people would come here to buy the vegetables.



. Edo Yasai 江戸伝統野菜 Traditional vegetables from Edo .


. Meguro Fudo Temple 目黒不動尊 .
天台宗 泰叡山 瀧泉寺


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. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

wara no ryuu 藁の龍 dragon from straw
碑文谷八幡宮 Himonya Hachimangu

Sometimes at the Torii gate of the shrine appeared a large straw rope. looking like a dragon with its tail on the ground.
It is said to be a huge serpent from Mount Fuji coming to protect the Shrine from fire.
In times of drought, people came here for rain rituals.



A Torii gate with a straw rope of a dragon/ snake at shrine
Okusawa Jinja 奥澤神社
東京都世田谷区奥沢五丁目22番1号 / 5 Chome-22-1 Okusawa, Setagaya
The shrine is related to Himonya Shrine.

Okusawa shrine is a quiet emerald in a simple neighborhood, only a few stops from Meguro station on the Yamanote Line. Built during the Edo Period, a huge snake made of straw lies guarding its entrance, wrapped heavily around the stone torii gate. Walk under this, and past the burly protective shisa lion-dogs, and the world behind you falls away.
... To the left behind Okusawa shrine is a little hollow. A tree stands tall, surrounded by low benches. A bamboo fountain bleeds water into another basin, which flows in turn into a shallow moat that runs around the main shrine. Here is another altar – the Cave of the Dragon – which is said to provide the snake at the entrance with its serpentine spine.
Other small figures are hidden in the plants, all in the name of different spirits and gods.
- source : voyapon.com/tokyo-okusawa-shrine -

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Himonya Nio 碑文谷仁王
The Korean statue carver 安阿弥 Annami made the Nio Statues of the temple 妙光山法華寺 Myokozan Hokkeji in the old village of
Bushu, Ebara district, Himonya village 武州荏原郡碑文谷村.
In 1772 Annami became ill when he was about 25 years old and prayed for healing in the hall for many days. On the last day of his vow - indeed - his illness was healed.




碑文谷　法華寺　
(江戸名所図会 Edo Meisho Zue）

On the left side is the inscription 八まん Hachiman - short for 碑文谷八幡宮 Himonya Hachimangu.
Hokke-Ji was built in the Heian period by 天台宗 the Tendai sect. During the Kamakura period it belonged to the 日蓮宗 Nichiren sect and in the middle of the Edo period it came back to the Tendai sect. At the end of the Edo period it was re-named 円融寺 Enryu-Ji.


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- reference : nichibun yokai database -


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. Famous Places and Powerspots of Edo　江戸の名所 .

. Edo bakufu 江戸幕府 The Edo Government .

. Doing Business in Edo - 商売　- Introduction .

. shokunin 職人 craftsman, craftsmen, artisan, Handwerker .

. senryu, senryū 川柳　Senryu poems in Edo .

. Japanese Architecture - Interior Design - The Japanese Home .

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .


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Posted By Gabi Greve to Edo - the EDOPEDIA - on 11/10/2017 09:56:00 am

SHRINES - Yamanokami juunisama

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. Yama no Kami 山の神 - Introduction .
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Yama no Kami 山の神 God of the Mountain
and juunisama, jūni sama 十二様 Juni Sama
"Honorable 12" deities,
another name for this male / female mountain deity
In some regions, Juni Sama is seen as two deities, husband and wife.

His / her messengers are Okoze, the stonefish and Okojo, a kind of weasel.

. Tanokami 田の神 and legends about
okoze 虎魚 / 鰧魚 / オコゼ stonefish and オコジョ Okojo weasel.
with legends from Gunma and Nagano.



hondo okojo ホンドオコジョ Mustela erminea nippon

The name of this deity varies from region to region,
十二山の神 Juni Yamanokami, 十二山神 Juni Yamagami . . .
Shrines in his / her honour are called 十二神社 Juni Jinja, 十二大明神 Juni Daimyojin,
大山祇十二神社 Oyamazumi no Mikoto Juni Jinja . . .
These deities are often venerated at 12 stone memorials or in 12 small shrines.



The explanations of the name are various too, some from a Shinto and others from a Buddhist background as a group of 12 honorable deities :

1 - A deity giving birth to 12 children in one year (one for every month)
2 - A deity that has given birth and raised 12 children.

3 - A place where 12柱の神 12 deities are venerated.

4 - . 12 incarnations of Amida Nyorai - 十二光仏 / 十二光佛 Juni Kobutsu .

5 - . 12 zodiac animals 十二支 Juni Shi .

6 - . 12 Kumano Junisha Gongen Avatars from Kumano 熊野十二所権現 .

7 - . 12 Ten Deities, 12 Devas 十二天 Juni Ten, Jūniten .

8 - . 12 Heavenly Generals 十二神将 Juni Shinsho .
12 Warrior Generals . 12 Divine Generals of Yakushi Buddha
Each of them represents one heavenly direction, one of the twelve hours of the day and one of the twelve months of a year.


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heisoku 幣束（へいそく） ritual paper wand
Yamanokami venerated as Juni Sama has given birth to 12 children in one year.
He is venerated as a mountain deity that brings 山の豊穣 a rich mountain harvest.


source : kan*an1*57

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熊野十二社　（くまのじゅうにそう) Edo Kumano Juniso
Kumano Juniso Gongen no Yashiro Shrine
Kumano no Yashiro, Juniso Gongen no Yashiro



This began during the Oei Era (1349-1427), when a man called Suzuki Kuro came from Kishu and he enshrined deities the Juniso of his hometown Kumano. The name of the surrounding area is called Juniso.
The Juniso Pond which was located at the west side of Kumano-jinja Shrine, was used as a reservoir for the town of Tsunowazu, and there is a legend that a woman drowned herself and became a giant serpent. There was a waterfall on the eastern side and it was popular as a scenic spot.
- source : national diet library -

. Twelve Shrines at Tsunohazu in Yotsuya .
Yotsuya Tsunohazu Jûnisô ike Kumano yashiro


. 12 Kumano Junisha Gongen Avatars from Kumano 熊野十二所権現 .


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. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .


.......................................................................　Fukushima 福島県 .....
南会津郡 Minami-Aizu

十二山神 Juni Yamagami
Juni Yamagami is seen as husband and wife. Near the hamlet is the shrine 山神神社 Yamagami Jinja.
It houses two statues, a husband and wife.


toorigami 通り神 Kami passing by
Once a woman felt very ill and had an itinerant shaman look at her problem.
He told her she had peed on a spot where Juni Sama uses to pass by. He performed ablutions and soon the woman was healed.

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Minami-Aizu 檜枝岐村 Hinoemata

山の神 Yamanokami and 十二大明神 Juni Daimyoji
At the hut for the hunters it is customary to take water ablutions every morning before entering the forest and pray to Juni Sama.
He is also called 十二大明神 Juni Daimyojin or 大山祇命 Oyamazumi no Mikoto.

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fuchikari 貂 / フチカリ，heko ヘコ weasel, marten
If someone dies in the mountains, his soul can be transferred to a weasel.
At the foot of the mountain, Juni Sama and Fuchikari are venerated every morning and evening.
Fuchikari gets special food offerings.




.......................................................................　Gunma 群馬県 .....
There are quite a few legends about Juni Sama in Gunma.

Komochiyama 子持山 Mount Komochi "having children" 1296 m
渋川市 Shibukawa town



- Long Japanese explanation is here
- reference source : 偏平足 -

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Gunma 吾妻郡 Azuma district

hitotsu manako ヒトツマナコ "one eye"
Juni Sama is a female deity who gave birth to 12 children in one year, one in every month.
This is most probably the same as the deity called Hitotsu Manako, who comed to the village on the 30th day of the 11th lunar month.

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Gunma 吾妻郡 Azuma district 六合村 Kunimura

Okojo オコジョ weasel
Dried Okoze fish is called okojo オコジョ. If it is offered to Juni Sama, the Weasel, there will be a good hunting season.
But the offerings have to be made in the correct way. If they are placed with both hands, the hands might disappear with the offering.
The Weasel often stays with one family and watches over their well-being.

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Gunma 倉渕村 Kurabuchi

yamainusama 山犬様 Yama-Inu Wolf Deity
Once upon a time, the Wolf Deity had given birth in the shrine of Juni Sama. People then brought special rice offerings to celebrate.


O-Tengu sama お天狗様
On the night of the tenth people prepare special mochi餅 ritual rice cakes and make offerings to the small shrines of 八幡様 Hachiman Sama, 十二様 Juni Sama, 道陸神 Dosojin, the Wayside Deities and O-Tengu sama, the local Tengu.
The Mochi for the Tengu are especially long and narrow, called
O-Tengu Sama no Obi お天狗様の帯 Belt of the Tengu.
They are placed on the roof of the small sanctuary, cut in 108 small stripes.
Other offerings are long radish and chrysanthemums.
In some regions, people take the Mochi home after making an offering and eat them.
In 三ノ倉 Sannokura they are called Tengu no Sawa Mochi 天狗のサワ餅. People either place them on the sanctuary and leave or they take home an offering that had been made by a person before them.
This is called Tengu Sama no Omigoku 天狗様のオミゴク　Offering for the Tengu.

. tookanya 十日夜 night of the tenth .
tenth day of the tenth lunar month, with special rituals

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Gunma 沼田市 Numata city 利根町 Tone village

In Tone they make offerings to Juni Sama, because in former times a goze 瞽女 blind itinerant woman had been killed there and cursed the region.

. goze 女盲, ごぜ, ゴゼ, 瞽女 blind woman .

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Gunma 利根郡 Tone district 片品村 Katashina

inukuguri イヌクグリ plant, Veronica polita, Grey Field-speedwell
inu kuguri 犬潜り - "a dog walks through it"
This is a plant / tree, which is not allowed to be cut down in the mountain forest. It has two stems and the branches become one as it grows. Yamainu ヤマイヌ the Mountain Dog, messenger of Juni Sama, walks through this.


Tengu sama 天狗様
Trees with two-pronged roots sticking out on a mountain road or at a swamp are sacred to Juni Sama.
Tengu also like to rest on them. So they are not to be cut down.


Juunisama no shimeharigi 十二様のシメハリギ Sacred tree of Juni Sama
The 注連縄 ritual Shimenawa rope is fastened around this tree, which is sacred to Juni Sama (Yamanokami) and thus not te be cut down.
If someone cuts it, he will be crushed by 十二様の鳥居 the torii Gate of the Shrine for Juni Sama.

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Gunma 碓氷郡 Usui district 松井田町 Matsuida

In this region on the border to 上越国 Joetsu, Yamanokami is called "Juni Sama".





.......................................................................　Kanagawa 神奈川県 .....
藤野町 Fujino

The ubugami 産神 deity of birth is called Juns Sama in the hamlet of 藤野町名倉 Nagura in Fujino.

. ubugami 産神 "deity of birth" .
guardian deity of pregnant women, newborn babies and one's birthplace

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Kanagawa 鎌倉　Kamakura　十二所 Juniso

Juniso Jinja　十二所神社
This shrine is located up in the mountain, at the foot of Asahina pass.



- quote -
Beyond a stone shrine gate, of a myojin-style torii (明神鳥居), lies the main building directly ahead. To the right of the main hall are three small shrines: Yamano Jinja (山の神社), Hoso Jinja (疱瘡神社) and Usa Hachiman Jinja (宇佐八幡神社).
A large, heavy-looking stone to the right of the torii is called Hyakukan-ishi (百貫石, or Hyakkan-ishi). The stone, long neglected, weighs roughly 110 kilograms and was once a popular object of weightlifting at shrine festivals. Further to the right stands Kaguraden Hall (神楽殿), for sacred music and dances.
... Early in the Meiji period (1867-1912), under a government policy of separating Shintoism and Buddhism, the shrine was moved from the grounds of Kosokuji Temple (光則寺) in the neighborhood to its present site and dedicated to
seven deities in Heaven and five deities presiding on Earth.
At the same time, the name was changed to Juniso Jinja Shrine　from
Kumano Juniso Gongensha (熊野十二所権現社).
- source : kcn-net . org - Juniso Jinja　十二所神社 -




.......................................................................　Niigata 新潟県 .....
中魚沼郡 Naka-Uonuma district 川西町 Kawanishi

Juni Sama is a male mountain deity who protects women giving birth. He also helps with a good harvest.
The 12th day of the second lunar month is dedicated to this deity, when he leaves the mountains to go to the fields as Tanokami.
He comes back in Autumn after the harvest.

Yamanokami 山の神
Wheat bran (karako, カラコ, 麩) is offered to Yamanokami and then given to children to help them grow up healthy. JuniSama descends to the fields in spring and comes back after the harvest.

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長岡市 Nagaoka 成願寺町 Joganji

山の神 Yamanokami and 十二神社 Juni Jinja
Once the deity of 十二神社 the Shrine Juni Jinja, Yamanokami, fell down in a field of garlic and lost one leg,
looked at the ears of wheat and lost one eye.
So he is now known as 片目片足の神様 the Deity with one Eye and one Leg.
Since then it is forbidden in the village to eat ニンニク garlic or 麦 wheat.
Children born in the village of Joganji are often born with one eye much smaller than the other.




.......................................................................　Yamagata 山形県 .....

Yamagami Jinja to fuufu katsura 山神神社の夫婦カツラ
and the "Husband-and-Wife Katsura tree
katsura 桂 Japanese Judas tree, Cercidiphyllum japonicum



The trees are about 26 m high.
In 新庄市北部 the North of Shinjo is 不動山 Mount Fudoyama (546 m). At the entrance of the shrine are two large Katsura trees.
These two 門カツラ Katsura trees at the gate keep any Oni demons from entering the compound.

- 山形県新庄市萩野土内 Tsuchiuchi Hagino, Shinjō-shi
- reference source : hitozato-kyoboku.com/yamagamijinja... -




.......................................................................　Yamanashi 山梨県 .....
北都留郡 Kita-Tsuru district

. 十二天様 Juni Ten Sama，十二天神 Juni Tenjin .



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- reference source : nichibun yokai database -
- reference : 十二様 -
tba

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. Yama no Kami 山の神 - Table of Contents - .

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sangaku shinkoo　山岳信仰 religion of the High Mountains is a different matter.

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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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Posted By Gabi Greve to Japan - Shrines and Temples on 10/12/2017 01:48:00 pm

EDO - Kameido district

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. Famous Places and Powerspots of Edo　江戸の名所 .
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Kameido choo 亀戸町 Kemeido, Kame-Ido "Turtle Well"
Kōtō 江東区 Kōtō-ku, Koto, "East of River" - there are 45 districts in Koto, one of them is Kameido.



The water of the old 亀戸村 Kemeido village in Edo was very good, and the place with its many wells 井戸 used to be called 亀ヶ井, then written 亀井戸 and finally shortened to 亀戸.

Near the Tenjin Shrine in Kameido 亀戸天神宮 there is a Heart Pond, which is famous for its turtles and plum blossoms, but also the wisteria later in the year.


Garyoobai 臥龍梅 Plum tree - 広重 Hiroshige

- reference : kameido garyobai plum -


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. Honjo　本所 Honjo district .
On the fringe of these vast stretches of farmland, in the green and pleasant districts neighboring Honjo, are many famous sightseeing spots that are popular with samurai and townspeople alike. Immediately to the east of the main residential area, a five or ten minute boat ride down Tatekawa canal, is the Kameido Tenjin shrine.
This shrine is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, the god of knowledge, and many students come here to pray before taking their exams. However, that is not the main attraction of the temple. On the banks of a large reflecting pond in front of the temple are hundreds of wisteria vines, which have been carefully tended over hundreds of years, growing on trellises that hang over the still green water of the pond. In late May, when the wisteria are in full bloom, the entire area is a sea of purple blossoms. The long, dangling wisteria blooms reflected in the greenish water make a very picturesque topic for artists; some of the most famous ukiyoe prints depict the gardens at Kameido Tenjin.
Incidentally, Kameido literally means "turtle well". As the name suggests, the pond at Kameido Tenjin is filled with hundreds of turtles, though the temple has been around for so long that no one is sure whether the temple was named after the turtles in this pond, or whether the pond was built to match the name of the temple.


亀戸天神社 Shrine Kameido Tenjinsha






The Bullfinch from shrine Kameido Tenjin - uso kae 鷽替え 亀戸

. Usokae shinji : Bullfinch-exchanging ritual .



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Helen Hyde

. Wisteria at Kameido 亀戸の藤.

kono fuji wa hayaku sakitari Kameido no
fuji sakamaku wa tooka mari nochi

these wisteria
have bloomed early...
the blossoming of
those at Kameido will be
more than ten days later

Tanka by Masaoka Shiki
Tr. anine Beichman


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. Kobayashi Issa .

心の字に水も流れて梅の花
shin no ji ni mizu mo nagarete ume no hana

water flowing over
the word "heart"...
plum blossoms

More literally, "water also is flowing/ over the word heart..." The mo ("also") suggests that the water is flowing over other things as well, not mentioned. In one text, the poem has the headnote, "Offering at Tenshin Shrine."

This suggests to Robin D. Gill that the character for "heart" may be carved on a stone that is somehow positioned so that water flows over it. The water might be the purifying well water with which people who enter the shrine wash their hands and mouths, flowing into a drain channel containing the carved "heart," or perhaps a stream is flowing through the area, over an engraved stone. Either way, Issa juxtaposes flowing water, the word "heart," and plum blossoms. The deep connection between these three elements of the poem is only hinted at.
Tr. and Comment : David Lanoue

Near the Tenshin Shrine in Kameido (Edo) 「亀戸天神宮」there is a Heart Pond, which is famous for its plum blossoms, but also the wisteria (fuji) later in the year. The shrine is also called: Kameido Tenman Gu.




亀戸天神境内 - 広重 Hiroshige


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. Edo dentoo yasai 江戸伝統野菜 Traditional vegetables of Edo .



Kameido Daikon 亀戸大根 large radish from Kameido
The Kameido daikon, despite its name, is not to be found anywhere in Kameido.
Initially grown as the local radish of the Kameido area during the Bunkyu era, its production was moved out of town more than a century ago. Its pale color and small, carrot-like shape earned it such endearing names as okame daikon and otafuku daikon, both of which refer to a traditional mask of a white-faced woman having a prominent forehead, puffed cheeks, and a small nose. Sown in the fall and harvested in early spring, it quickly came to be widely cultivated as a precious winter vegetable. But with the wave of urbanization set off by the opening of a local train station in 1904, farmlands soon disappeared from Kameido.
The Kameido daikon found a new home in Takasago, Katsushika Ward, eight kilometers to the northwest.


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Kameido Jiken 亀戸事件 Kameido Incident
- quote -
The Kameido incident took place in 1923 in the aftermath of the Great Kantō earthquake.
On September 1, 1923, the Great Kantō earthquake struck Tokyo and Yokohama and martial law was imposed in the aftermath of the earthquake.
On the evening of September 3, the Kameido police in Tokyo began arresting known social activists, suspecting that they would "spread disorder or forment revolution amid the confusion". During the mass arrests, police arrested union leader Hirasawa Keishichi, and Nakatsuji Uhachi, a member of the Pure Laborers' Union. The Special Higher Police arrest seven members of the Nankatsu Labor Association. Army troops detained an eighth member of the association, Sato Kinji.
Between late at night on September 3 and September 5,
troops of the 13th Cavalry Regiment on emergency duty in Kameido shot and decapitated Hirasawa and nine others. They disposed of the bodies, together with those of Korean and Chinese massacre victims, along the banks of the Arakawa drainage canal. The police issued an official notice on October 14, claiming that troops had shot the men because they were agitating prisoners. The following year, the Liberal Lawyers' Association and union leaders worked to bring the facts to light and establish responsibility, with partial success. Police claimed to have cremated the remains of the victims. With no remains to bury, a memorial service was held in February 1924.
- List of Victims of the Kameido Incident
- source : wikipedia -



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. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

In 1727 around the New Year,
there was a hikari mono 光物 strange light coming from the forest of the Shrine 香取明神社 Katori Myojinsha, located East of 亀戸天神社 Kameiod Tenjinsha.
And soon later, with a loud screeching sound, 神木の松の木 the sacred pine tree fell down. In its branches was a white 御幣 ritual wand.
Soon there was a rumor that this was 常陸国の安馬大明神 the Deity from a Shrine in Hitachi province, who had come for a visit.


In 1785 from the 3rd day till the 9th day of the 6th lunar month
there was a rain ritual and 歌会 poetry reading performed at Kameido Tenjin. While the ritual lasted, it was raining, but after that it stopped to rain.
So on the next day, only the first part of a poem was read and rain started.
On the 11th day the second part of the poem was read and the rain stopped.

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- reference : nichibun yokai database -

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- - - - - H A I K U and S E N R Y U - - - - -

亀戸の湯屋のけむりや初天神
Kameido no yuya no kemuri ya hatsu tenjin

smoke of
the public bath in Kameido -
first Tenjin ceremony
Tr. Gabi Greve

加藤松薫 Kato Shoku

. Sugawara Michizane　菅原道真 .
Hatsu Tenjin 初天神 First visit to a Tenjin Shrine
- - kigo for the New Year - -


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. Famous Places and Powerspots of Edo　江戸の名所 .

. Edo bakufu 江戸幕府 The Edo Government .

. Doing Business in Edo - 商売　- Introduction .

. shokunin 職人 craftsman, craftsmen, artisan, Handwerker .

. senryu, senryū 川柳　Senryu poems in Edo .

. Japanese Architecture - Interior Design - The Japanese Home .

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .


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Posted By Gabi Greve to Edo - the EDOPEDIA - on 11/02/2017 09:00:00 am

TENGU - Tengu Legends 03 Akita

- BACK to the Daruma Museum -
. Japanese legends and tales 伝説 民話 昔話 - Introduction .
. Tengupedia - 天狗ペディア　- Tengu ABC-List.
- Tengumochi 天狗餅 - see below !
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Tengu 天狗と伝説 - 秋田県 Legends about Tengu in Akita

. Tengu 天狗と伝説 Tengu legends "Long-nosed Goblin" .
- Introduction -



. Join the Tengu friends on Facebook .


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gongen 権現 - Tengu 天狗

In the year 1826, farmers were looking for edible mountain plants at 大股沢 Omatazawa along the 奥羽山脈 Ou mountain range.
One of them had the feeling of being lifted up into the sky and indeed went up. The others searched for her and found her about 8 km further on the peak of 真昼岳 Mount Mahiru, where she was asleep. She did not remember a thing of her Tengu ride.



............................................................................... 平鹿郡 Hiraka district
Hiraka - 山内村 Sannai

numa no nushi 沼の主 Lord of the Swamp
The Lord of 仙台の赤沼 the Red Swamp from Sendai had asked 天狗の玉 the King of the Tengu to take her beautiful elder sister and throw her over her back into 福万の黒沼 the Black Swamp of Fukuman.
Other versions talk about a letter to be transferred by the Tengu, or by a traveller who became quite rich after that. Or he found a gold mine nearby?!
The Lord of the Black Swamp was 女神 a female deity.



This "Black Swamp" appeared after a large earthquake in 827. It is 12 m deep. It never dries out, not even in a drought. At the Shrine 黒沼神社 Kuronuma Jinja a dragon deity is venerated.
During the construction of the 大松川ダム Daimatsukawa Dam there was a small hamlet deep in the valley called 福万 Fukuman, an auspicious name for good luck.
.
There are many stones which the Tengu use to play. If humans move these stones, there will be rain.






............................................................................... 北秋田郡 Kitaakita district, Kita-Akita

阿仁町 Ani, village of bear hunters - 天狗岳 Mount Tengudake
When the hunters enter Mount Tengudake, they can hear the Tengu play drums.



Tengu-dake　(985 m), in the Shirakami-sanchi 白神山地　Shirakami mountain range.





............................................................................... 大館町 Odate

At 長嶺村 Nagamine village there is a famous Bugaku dance, uhenmai 烏遍舞 Uhen-mai .
It refers to the venarable Danburi Chōja ダンブリ長者 Danburi Elder, who opened the road between
小豆沢 Azusawa and 湯瀬 Yuze.
To build the bridge, he invited a Tengu to help.



- CLICK for more photos of the Bugaku dance performance !
- reference source : Dainichi-Do Bugaku Kagura -

- quote -
Dainichido Bugaku (Japanese: 大日堂舞楽, literally: Important Day Dance)
is a yearly set of nine sacred ritual dances and music, named for the imperial palace ensemble performances, "bugaku", and from the palace's ensemble's visit to Hachimantai, Kazuno District, Akita Prefecture, during the reconstruction of the local shrine pavilion, "Dainichido", in the early eighth century, and their teaching of dances to the locals.
Instruments include the flute and taiko drums. The order and number of dances has changed over time, with the current order of seven dances being the Gongen-mai, Koma-mai, Uhen-mai, Tori-mai, Godaison-mai, Kōshō-mai, and Dengaku-mai dances. Masks include representations of shishi lions and Vairocana.
The dances have a 1300-year history (Nara period),
and though interrupted for nearly sixty years in the late eighteenth century, the dances, some of which may include children or masks, are still practiced on January second from sunrise to noon in shrines throughout communities in Osato, Azukisawa, Nagamine, and Taniuchi, including Hachimantai.



Yamaji Kōzō dates Dainichido Bugaku as arising during and after the Nara (CE 710 to 794) and mid-Heian periods (CE 794 to 1185), after state support of Shinto temple complexes (originally ordered by Emperor Shōmu (CE 701 – 756)) began to decline and court and temple performers took residence in local communities, which then preserved genres such as Dainichido Bugaku as folk arts.
- source : wikipedia -






............................................................................... 仙北市 Senboku (Semboku) district

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Senboku - 角館町 Kakunodate

tobi shinchiko 飛びシンチコ the "Flying Shinchiko" penis
A lazy sloth had deceived a Tengu and got a kakure-mino 隠れ蓑 the magic cloak from him, which makes him invisible.
He used his invisible status to perform all kinds of bad deeds. So his mother (other versions say his wife) burned the cloak. But even the ashes had the same effect.

He spread the ashes all over his body, but forgot to put it on his shinchiko シンチコ (local dialect for penis). That is why he was called 飛びシンチコ the "Flying Shinchiko".
This story is told at 角館總鎭守 神明社 the Shrine Shinmei-Sha.

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akatendori, aka tendori 赤テンドリ red Tendori Yokai monster
If a child cries, villagers at the foot of 愛宕山 Mount Atagoyama try to make it stop by saying:
赤テンドリが飛んで来る The red Tendori is coming to fly here!
or
天狗の太鼓が聞える Tengu will beat his drum !
akatendori o tobasu 赤テンドリを飛す To make the Aka Tendori fly away,
is said when farmers make a fire in their irori 囲炉裏 open hearth in the home to boil water or cook.




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Senboku - 西仙北町 Nishisenboku

juuroku tengu 十六天狗 Tengu on day 16
tengumochi 天狗餅 Tengu mochi rice cakes
On the 16th day of the third, ninth and 10th lunar month people make special mochi rice cakes and offer them to Tengu Sama.
(This is the day after the full moon night.)
The Mochi are fixed to the pole outside the house before anybody has left in the morning. They will protect the people from getting ill.
These Mochi may not be carried over a bridge.
These Mochi are also called fukidori mochi フキドリ餅.




............................................................................... 横手市 Yokote

A man got a kakure-mino 隠れ蓑 the magic invisible cloak and performed all kinds of bad deeds. But when his cload burned down, he was soon found out.


. Tengu no Kakuremino 天狗の隠れみの The Tengu's Magic Cloak - Tales .

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


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tengumochi 天狗餅 Tengu mochi rice cakes



Fukumochi Tengumochi 福餅　天狗餅　Mochi for Good Luck, Mochi for Tengu

. mochi 餅 rice cakes .
Making special MOCHI is an important ritual for many festivals.

Sometimes the Tengu himself has to pound the rice for Mochi.


source : bankun.jp/staff_blog/fukuoujinja...

天狗の福もちつき Tengu pounding Fukumochi
at the Autumn shrine festival of
. Fukuo Jinja 福王神社 Fukuo Shrine, Mie .


tengu no chikaramochi 天狗の力餅 Tengu Mochi to become strong


from 錦花堂 Kinkado - Wakayama, 紀伊由良駅, Kii Yura station



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. Tengu 天狗と伝説 Tengu legends "Long-nosed Goblin" .

. Tengupedia - 天狗ペディア　- Tengu ABC-List.


. 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 -

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. Join the friends on Facebook ! .

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Posted By Gabi Greve to Heian Period Japan on 10/18/2017 09:26:00 am

SHRINES - Kumano Junisha Gongen

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
. Shinto Shrines (jinja　神社) - Introduction .
. kami　神　Shinto deities .
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Kumano Juunisha Gongen 熊野十二社権現 12 Kumano Shrines
Kumano Junisha Gongen



. Kumano Jinja 熊野神社 Kumano Shrines .
There are many Kumano shrines in Japan.

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- quote
Kumano Junisha Gongen 熊野十二社権現 Twelve Avatars of Kumano
Kumano Sansho Gongen 熊野三所権現 Three Avatars of Kumano.
The Kumano triad is composed of three Shintō deities and their Buddhist counterparts.
There is also a larger gongen group called the Kumano Jūnisha Gongen 熊野十二社権現 (Twelve Avatars of Kumano), which includes the main three plus nine lesser deities.
A 13th deity, named Hirō Gongen 飛滝権現 (also read Hiryū Gongen), deifies the Nachi Waterfall in the Kumano area. The three main shrines are Hongū 本宮 (Kumano Nimasu Jinja 熊野座神社); Shingū 新宮 (Kumano Hayatama Jinja 熊野速玉神社); and Nachi 那智 (Kumano Fusumi Jinja 熊野夫須美神社).
All three are located near the southern edge of Wakayama prefecture. To learn more about the famed three shrines of Kumano, plus other deity associations at Kumano, click here.
- - Hongū, Ketsumiko-gami 家都御子神 = Amida Buddha
- - Shingū, Hayatamamiya 速玉神 = Yakushi Buddha
- - Nachi, Fusumi 夫須美 or Musubi no Kami 結びの神 = 1000-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva
- source : MarkSchumacher


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- quote -
Kumano Sanzan
The three Kumano Sanzan shrines are the Sōhonsha ("head shrines") of all Kumano shrines and lie between 20 to 40 km from each other. They are connected to each other by the pilgrimage route known as "Kumano Sankeimichi" (熊野参詣道).
The great Kumano Sanzan complex also includes two Buddhist temples, Seiganto-ji and Fudarakusan-ji.

The religious significance of the Kumano region goes back to prehistoric times and therefore predates all modern religions in Japan. The area was, and still is, considered a place of physical healing. Each shrine initially had its own separate form of nature worship, but in the 10th century, under the influence of Buddhism, the three came to be worshiped together as the three deities of Kumano.
Because at the time Japanese kami were believed to be emanations of buddhas (honji suijaku theory), the three came to be associated with the Buddhas.
Kuniyasutamahime became associated with Avalokiteśvara sahasrabhūja (Senju Kannon, "Thousand-Armed Avalokiteśvara"), Bhaisajyaguru (Yakushi Nyōrai) and Amitābha (Amida Nyōrai).
he site became, therefore, a unique example of shinbutsu-shūgō or the fusion between Buddhism and Japanese indigenous religion. Thereafter the Kumano Sanzan site attracted many worshipers and became a popular pilgrimage destination. In the 11th century pilgrims were mostly members of the Imperial family or aristocrats, but four centuries later they were mostly commoners.
The visit was referred to as the "Kumano ant pilgrimage" (蟻の熊野参り) because they could be seen winding through the valleys like so many ants.
- source : wikipedia -

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- quote -
熊野速玉大社の社殿・祭神・本地仏
上四社 - Top four shrines
第一殿 結宮 Isamiya - 熊野夫須美大神（熊野結大神）Kumano Fusumi - 千手観音 Senju Kannon
第二殿 速玉宮 Hayatama - 熊野速玉大神 Kumano Hayatama - 薬師如来 Yakushi Nyorai
第三殿 証誠殿 Shojoden - 家津美御子大神・国常立尊 Ketsumiko - 阿弥陀如来 Amida Nyorai
第四殿 若宮 Wakamiya - 天照大神 Amaterasu - 十一面観音 Juichimen Kannon
第四殿 神倉宮 Kamigura no Miya - 高倉下命 Takakuraji - （本地仏なし）No Buddha

中四社 - Center four shrines
第五殿 禅児宮 - 天忍穂耳尊 Amenooshiomimi - 地蔵菩薩 Jizo Bosatsu
第六殿 聖宮 - 瓊々杵尊 Ninigi - 龍樹菩薩 Ryuju Bosatsu (Nagarjuna)
第七殿 児宮 - 彦火火出見尊 Hoori - 如意輪観音 Nyoirin Kannon
第八殿 子守宮 Komori no Miya - 鵜葺草葺不合命 Ugayafukiaezu - 聖観音 Sho Kannon

下四社 - Bottom four shrines
第九殿 一万宮 - Ichiman no Miya - 国狭槌尊 Kunisatsuchi - 文殊菩薩 Monju Bosatsu
第九殿 十万宮 Juman no Miya - 豊斟渟尊 Toyokumune - 普賢菩薩 Fugen Bosatsu
第十殿 勧請宮 Kanjo no Miya - 泥土煮尊 Wahijini - 釈迦如来 Shaka Nyorai
第十一殿 飛行宮 Hiko no Miya - 大戸道尊 Otonoji - 不動明王 Fudo Myo-O
第十二殿 米持宮 Yonemochi no Miya - 面足尊 Omodaru - 多聞天 Tamonten (Bishamon Ten)

- reference source : wikipedia -


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熊野十二社権現御正体 Kumano Junisha Gongen Mishotai - Bronze mirror


Mirror from the Kamakura period

Center : 阿弥陀如来（本宮）Amida Nyorai
Left of center: 千手観音（那智）Senju Kannon
Right of center : 薬師如来（新宮）Yakushi Nyorai
Top line center : 釈迦如来（勧請十五所）Shaka Nyorai
文殊菩薩（一万宮）Monju Bosatsu
地蔵菩薩（禅師宮）Jizo Bosatsu
龍樹菩薩（聖宮）Ryuju Bosatsu (Nagarjuna)
不動明王（飛行夜叉）Fudo Myo-O
毘沙門天（米持金剛）Bishamon Ten
聖観音（子守宮）Sho Kannon
如意輪観音（児宮）Nyoirin Kannon
普賢菩薩（十万宮）Fuden Bosatsu

- Look at the map with the 12 shrines
- reference source : bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages... -


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江戸の熊野十二社 Kumano Junisha in Edo




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神奈川県　Kanagawa 鎌倉　Kamakura　十二所 Juniso

Juniso Jinja　十二所神社
This shrine is located up in the mountain, at the foot of Asahina pass.



- quote -
Beyond a stone shrine gate, of a myojin-style torii (明神鳥居), lies the main building directly ahead. To the right of the main hall are three small shrines: Yamano Jinja (山の神社), Hoso Jinja (疱瘡神社) and Usa Hachiman Jinja (宇佐八幡神社).
A large, heavy-looking stone to the right of the torii is called Hyakukan-ishi (百貫石, or Hyakkan-ishi). The stone, long neglected, weighs roughly 110 kilograms and was once a popular object of weightlifting at shrine festivals. Further to the right stands Kaguraden Hall (神楽殿), for sacred music and dances.
... Early in the Meiji period (1867-1912), under a government policy of separating Shintoism and Buddhism, the shrine was moved from the grounds of Kosokuji Temple (光則寺) in the neighborhood to its present site and dedicated to
seven deities in Heaven and five deities presiding on Earth.
At the same time, the name was changed to Juniso Jinja Shrine　from
Kumano Juniso Gongensha (熊野十二所権現社).
- source : kcn-net . org - Juniso Jinja　十二所神社 -



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Kumano Densetsu 熊野伝説 Plum wine from Kumano


幻の梅酒 - a special present in a white bottle.

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- - - - - Legends and Tales about Kumano 熊野伝説 - - - - -


. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

........................................................................ 　Wakayama 和歌山県
東牟婁郡 Higashi-Muro district 本宮町 Hongu

oogon butsu 黄金仏
文政8年の春に、熊野本宮社に堤を築こうとして、境内にある大黒島という岩山から採石していた。作業者が休憩したら、巌上の土砂が崩れるが、作業中には崩れない。また多くの烏が集まってきた。心弱い人は逃げだしたが、強い人が作業を続けると、土中から甕が出てきた。その中には黄金の阿弥陀仏が入っていた。

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- reference : Nichibun Yokai Database -
191 熊野 to explore (01)
10 熊野　天狗　(00)

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- Reference : 熊野十二社権現

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. jjūni sama 十二様 Juni Sama, "Honorable 12" deities .

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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #kumano #kumanojuniso #kumano12shrines -
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Posted By Gabi Greve to Japan - Shrines and Temples on 10/24/2017 01:04:00 pm

SHRINES - tanokami yamanokami okoze legends

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
. Ta no Kami 田の神 - Table of Contents .
. Yama no Kami 山の神 - Table of Contents - .
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Yama no Kami 山の神, Yamanokami, God of the Mountain
and legends about okoze 虎魚 / 鰧魚 / オコゼ / ヲコゼ stonefish
okojo オコジョ dried Okoze, in some local dialects
- - - Okojo is also the name of a short-tailed weasel, see below.

The alter-ego of this deity in summer is
. Ta no Kami, Tanokami 田の神 God of the Rice Fields .

Yama no Kami - Deity of the Mountains - is also living in other mountains of Japan.
There are various traditions connected with the worship of this yama no kami, but the practice of offering an ocean fish called okoze is particularly widespread.

Once 山の神と海の神 the Kami of the Mountain and the Kami of the Sea had a fight and because of Okoze,
Yamanokami, the Kami of the Mountain won.
Since that event, Yamanokami likes Okoze.

. okoze 虎魚 (おこぜ, オコゼ ) stonefis, sting fish .
Goliath Tiger fish 乕魚 - Steinfisch, Kaulkopf, Spinnenfisch
- kigo for all summer -

There are two species of 'stonefish', Synanceja verrucosa and Syanaceja horrida also known as the the reef stone or dornorn.




oniokoze, oni-okoze オニオコゼ（鬼鰧、鬼虎魚) devil stonefish, devil stinger
Inimicus japonicus

Some legends about Okoze are related to giving birth and child rearing.


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okojo オコジョ dried Okoze fish, in some local dialects. Not to mix with

- - - Okojo the name of a short-tailed weasel, stoat or ferret.
As such Okojo is 山の神の使い the messenger of Yamanokami.



hondo okojo ホンドオコジョ Mustela erminea nippon




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okoze 虎魚 / 鰧魚 / オコゼ / ヲコゼ stonefish






. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

kamadogami 竈神 Kami of the hearth
In some hamlets of Eastern Okayama if people feel a fever coming, they make an offering of 鰧魚 Okoze to the Hearth Deity and feel healed soon.
The Hearth Deity loves Okoze and does not like any other fish.

. kamadogami 竈神 God of the Hearth .
- Kamagami 釜神 The Hearth Deity -

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yamagami 山神 Mountain Kami
If people lost something in the mountain and do not remember where to look for it, they have to take some 鰧魚 Okoze and go back to the mountain. Once they found their lost item, they put the fish there as an offering.

When lumberjacks go to the mountain to look for some especially fine lumber, they bring an offering of Okoze.



.......................................................................　Akita 秋田県 .....
仙北郡 Senboku district

山の神様 Yama no Kamisama
This female deity likes オコジ Okoji （虎魚, okoze, stonefish).
This deity also helps with giving birth and if a birth is difficult, people have to go to the mountain to call her down for help. But she dislikes 産火 fire used during birth. Family members where a birth has occurred are not allowed to go into the mountain for one week.

On the other hand,
Okoze does not like Yamanokami and does not want to be carried over the mountains.




.......................................................................　Ehime 愛媛県 .....
今治市 Imabara 玉川町 Tamagawa

yama no kami 山の神
Yamanokami likes Okoze, but since the cats sometimes steal his fish, she dislikes cats. So lumberjacks are not allowed to talk about cats while at work in a mountain forest.

If hunters did not get much, they come back with an offering of Okoze and cast a spell:
"Dear Yamanokami, if you provide a good hunt for us, we will give you all this Okoze."
Thus the greedy Yamanokami will grant their wish.



.......................................................................　Fukui 福井県 .....
- and Tokyo 東京都

Eating Okoze after giving birth makes the mother milk flow in abundance.


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.......................................................................　Gunma 群馬県 .....
碓氷郡 Usui district 松井田町 Matsuida

yama no kami 山の神
Dried Okoze fish is called okojo オコジョ.
If people have to walk through the mountains, they bring an offering of Okojo.

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利根郡 Tone district 片品町 Katashina

okojo オコジョ Okojo weasel
A hunter caught a weasel and cut its tail off. The animal did not die and he cut it three more times before it stopped moving.
On that day, his wife got lost in the mountains and spent two days without food.
If someone sees an Okojo weasel, there might a Yokai monster coming to visit him.




.......................................................................　Kumamoto 熊本県 .....
八代 Yatsushiro 東陽村 Toyo

yamawaro ヤマワロ Kappa
He sometimes comes to help lumberjacks with their work.
To thank him, they give him オコゼと酒 Okoze fish and Sake rice wine.

. Yama-Waro やまわろ / ヤマワロ / 山童 Child of the Mountain .
the alter-ego of Kappa　河童 "Child of the River"


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Imojochu liquor, Yamanashi 山梨の芋焼酎

. imojoochuu 甘藷焼酎, 芋焼酎 Shochu Shnaps from sweet potatoes .


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.......................................................................　Miyagi 宮城県 .....

yamanokami 山ノ神
If the Matagi bear hunters do not find an animal, the leader takes a piece of Okoze meat wrapped in white ritual paper out of his pocket and offers it to Yamanokami.
And - oh wonder - they soon find their pray.

. matagi タギ professional bear hunters .



.......................................................................　Nagano 長野県 .....

okojo オコジョ Okojo weasel
Okojo is 山の神の使い the messenger of Yamanokami. It lives near water and does not mind the presence of humans, but disliked dogs.
As a Messenger of the deity it is not hunted.

okojosama オコジョサマ Okojo sama
In 諏訪地方 the area of Suwa, if people see a weasel while on their way to the forest, this will bring bad luck and they go back home for this day.
Once a hunter went up to 釜無山 Kamanashiyama, saw a weasel on the way but ignored it. Further on he was assaulted by a huge bear.




.......................................................................　Niigata 新潟県 .....

As an amulet to prevent fire disasters, the head of Okoze fish is hung at the entrance of the home.
If stung by a bee or wasp, there are some spells to use, incorporating the Okoze fish.

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三島郡 Mishima district 寺泊町 Teradomari

Being stung by an Okoze fish, people use the pubic hair of a woman, spread it on some rice with 糊 Nori seaweed and put it on the stings.

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上越市 Joetsu city

After a birth if the mother does not have enough breast milk, some Okoze fish is put into Miso soup to drink.



.......................................................................　Shiga 滋賀県 .....
甲賀郡 Koka district

yamanokami and mizunokami 山神と水神 Yama no Kami, Kami of the mountain
and his rival Mizu no Kami, Kami of the water
At the shrine 笠山神社 / 瘡山神社 Kasayama Jinja in Kitasoma village there is a legend about Yamanokami and Mizunokami.
They compared the number of their kenzoku 眷属 followers and servants and found they both had the same number.
But later by chance Okoze fish was found and the Kami of Water won.
Since that time,
to make the Kami of the Mountain feel good, people bring offerings of votive tablets with an Okoze painting.



- 瘡山神社
- reference source : norichan.jp/jinja/kenkou2/kasayama... -




.......................................................................　島根県 Shimane .....

If a cow gets lost in the mountain pasture, farmers bring an offer of Okoze fish to make sure they will find it eventually.





.......................................................................　Tokushima 徳島県 .....
三好郡 Miyoshi district

yama no kami 山の神
Since Yamanokami likes Okoze fish, hunters bring an offering before they go into the mountain. This will ensure a bountiful hunting expedition.





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

yama no kamisama 山の神様
The 7th day of the 12th lunar month was the Day of Yamanokami.
Since Yamanokami is on his way back to the stars for his winter rest, hunters offer the head of a really ugly-looking Okoze fish to stare at him on his way.



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- reference source : nichibun yokai database -





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. Ta no Kami 田の神 - Table of Contents - .

. Yama no Kami 山の神 - Table of Contents - .

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sangaku shinkoo　山岳信仰 religion of the High Mountains is a different matter.

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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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Posted By Gabi Greve to Japan - Shrines and Temples on 10/10/2017 09:15:00 am