Yamanokami kitsune fox legends

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. Yama no Kami 山の神 Yamanokami - Introduction .
. Ta no Kami 田の神 Tanokami - Introduction .
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Yama no Kami 山の神 God of the Mountain
and kitsune　狐 the fox


赤鬼狐(せきこ) 山神少女

. kitsune densetsu 狐　伝説 fox legends .

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. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .


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

豊田市 Toyota

kitsune 狐 a fox
Once a man regularly had the urge to defecate at a place sacred to Yamanokami. Every time as he squatted, he heard a strange sound of petapeta petapeta.
When he came next time, the faeces were gone, someone had eaten them. And sometimes he saw a beautiful young temple acolyte walking by.
Once he peeked between his legs and saw a fox, standing on his front legs, wiggeling with his tail, waiting for the feces - food.




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

相馬郡 Soma district 飯舘村 Iitate

shiro-ookami 白狼，shiro-gitsune, shirogitsune 白狐 white wolf, white fox
源頼朝 Minamoto no Yoritomo wanted to defeat a family called Sumitora 墨虎 "Black Tiger".
He brought a Mountain Deity 山神 Yamanokami and an Inari Deity 稲荷神 all the way from Kyoto and prayed for seven days and nights, with out food or sleep.
On the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, a white wolf and a white fox appeared and their footprints lead to a small sanctuary for Sanno 山王祠 high up in the forest.
He thought that was a hint from the Deities, started the battle and won it.

. Minamoto no Yoritomo 源頼朝 . - (1147 – 1199)




............................................................................　Gifu 岐阜県
武儀郡 Mugi district 板取村 Itadori

Some people say Yamanokami himself is a kitsune 狐 fox!




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

yamawaroo ヤマワロ Yamawaro Kappa
Some people say that the Yamawaro is also a 山ん神さん Yama'n Kami San, Yamanokami.
Others say he is just one rank below the real Yamanokami.
He does not play tricks on the humans, as the fox or Tanuki badger does.

. やまわろ / ヤマワロ / 山童 Yama waro "child of the mountain" .





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

磯城郡 Shiki district

kitsune no yomeiri 狐の嫁入 fox as a bride
Every year on the third day of the New Year the fox takes a bride and Yamanokami is coming down to 天神山 Mount Tenjinyama to look at the lanterns of their procession.
If there are many lanterns there will be a good harvest this year.
If there are few lanterns there will be a bad harvest this year.

. kitsune no yome-iri　狐の嫁入り "the fox taking a bride" .

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大柳生町 Oyagyucho

. Tanokami 田の神 and the fox .





............................................................................　Shiga 佐賀県

. kitsune and 稲荷様 the rice Deity Inari sama .





............................................................................　Tochigi 栃木県

那須郡 Nasu district 大山田村 Oyamada
Once Yamanokami was angry and ordered the fox to kill a child.
Even as the mother held the baby in her arms, it disappeared mysteriously and was later found dead in the well.





............................................................................　Yamanashi 山梨県

道志村 Doshi

kitsune no koe 狐の声 voice of the fox
Yamanokami calls out ofui ofui オフイオフイ; this is the voice of a fox.



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- reference source : nichibun yokai database -




. Abe no Seimei 阿倍晴明 (921 - 1005) .
and his mother, the white fox Kuzu no ha, Kuzunoha　葛の葉

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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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- #yamanokami #godofthemountains #yamanokamikitsune #yamanokamifox -
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Kumano Junisha Gongen

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. Shinto Shrines (jinja　神社) - Introduction .
. kami　神　Shinto deities .
. Legends and Tales about Kumano 熊野伝説 .

. Kumano Gongen 熊野権現 Legends about Kumano Gongen .
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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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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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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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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 .


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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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- #kumano #kumanojuniso #kumano12shrines -
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Yama no Kami Regional 17 Kumamoto

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. Yama no Kami 山の神 Yamanokami - Introduction .
. Ta no Kami 田の神 Tanokami - Introduction .
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Yama no Kami 山の神 God of the Mountain
and Legends from Kumamoto　熊本県

. Legends about Yamanokami 山の神と伝説　.


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山の神釣堀センター Yamanokami Tsuribori Fishing center
山鹿市菊鹿町 / 2051 Kikukamachi Kamiuchida, Yamaga




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. Yamawaroo やまわろ / ヤマワロ / 山童 Yamawaro, Yama-Waro
"Child of the Mountain" / Yamawaraji .
- - - - - and his alter ego
Kappa　河童 "Child of the River"


Bronze Statue at the Mizuki Shigeru Road in Sakai Minato / Tottori 水木しげるロード

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ushi 牛 cow, ox, bull
The day for the festival of Yamanokami is the day of the Bull / Oxen.
If people eat meat on this day and the go to the mountain to work, they will have accidents and get wounded.


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天草郡 Amakusa district

kamikakushi 神隠し kidnapped by the gods
Once a man cut down the big tree of Yamanokami. Then there were three days of strong wind.
When the wife and child of that man went out for a walk later, they suddenly disappeared and were not seen again.

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球磨郡 Kuma district

Yamataroo 山太郎 Yamataro is Yamanokami.
When building a mountain hut, ritual branches have to be stood up in the four directions to let Yamanokami know that humans will use this part of land for some time.
If this offering is not done, Yamataro will come at night and shake the hut, throw stoned and destroy the walls.
In that case the forest workers will have to make an apology ritual and built the hut anew.


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玉名郡 Tamana district 玉東町 Gyokuto 木葉 Konoha hamlet

. 木葉猿 Konoha Saru 木の葉猿 monkey from Konoha village .


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八代市 Yatsushiro 東陽村 Toyo mura

gago, gawappa ガゴ，ガワッパ local name for the Kappa
山の神様はガゴである. Yamanokami is Gago.

. Kappa legends from Kumamoto .

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ヤマワロ Yamawaro - with one eye

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- reference source : nichibun yokai database -

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. Legends about Yamanokami 山の神と伝説　.


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

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

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

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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- #yamanokami #godofthemountains #tanokami #yamanokamikumamoto #kumamoto #yamawaro -
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Yama no Kami Regional 15 Kagoshima Kanagawa

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. Yama no Kami 山の神 Yamanokami - Introduction .
. Ta no Kami 田の神 Tanokami - Introduction .
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Yama no Kami 山の神 God of the Mountain
and Legends from Kagoshima 鹿児島県 and Kanagawa 神奈川県

. Legends about Yamanokami 山の神と伝説　.

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In Kagoshima, Tanokami is more important!


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

In some areas Yamanokami can be seen as a Kappa when he goes to a river.

. 河童 / かっぱ / カッパ - Kappa, the Water Goblin of Japan! .

Yamanokami is seen as
. suijin 水神 / mizu no kami 水の神 deity of water .
KAPPA 河童 and SUIJIN 水神
and
kawa no kami 川の神 Yamanokami is seen as a Deity of the River


. kenmun 水蝹 water spirit, kind of sea turtle Yokai .
Kenmun are hairy water and tree spirits from the Amami islands in southern Japan. They are friends with Kappa.

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yamankan saa ヤマンカンサア Yama no Kami san
kansaa no ki カンサアン木 tree of Yama no Kami
(local dialect)

Such trees are also called Tengu no matsu 天狗松 and people have to stay away from them.
. Yamanokami no yadorigi 山の神さんの宿り木 sacred tree for Yamanokami .
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Once
a man slept under an old sugi no ki 杉の木 cedar tree. He heard Yamanokami talking:
"Your son will die on his seventh birthday! He will be eaten by a suzuki スズキ Japanese sea perch."
When he came home, his son had just been born. On his seventh birthday, he bound the boy to a pillar in the house and thus saved him.
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Oonce
a man heard the sound of falling trees at night. When he went looking next morning, he found some trees had fallen down. This must have been done by Yamanokami.
Once
a fisher was in danger of hitting another fishing boat. When he looked again, the other boat had disappeared.
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habu ハブ / 波布 poisonous serpent
Seen as the messenger of Yamanokami.
On festivals and rituals for Yamanokami, the Habu is regularly coming out to watch.
Once a carpenter forgot to respect the ritual day for Yamanokami (second day of the first lunar month). He wanted to do some work, but on his tools there were four Habu curled up to prevent him from taking them.



. habu ハブ Okinawa Pit Viper .
A Habu is any of four species of poisonous snakes found in the Ryukyu Islands.

. Animal messengers of Yamanokami .


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鹿児島市 Kagoshima city

suijin sama 水神様 Deity of Water
Once a hunter was heard the tale of a boy being taken away on the 16th day of the 5th month after a certain amount of yesrs - and when he came home his son had just been born.
On this day, after the certain amount of years had passed, he bound the boy to a pillar in the house and thus saved him.
In former times people also wrote the name of a child on a cucumber and threw it in the nearby river, as an offering to Kappa, the Deity of Water.


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大島郡 Oshima district

kawa no kami 川の神 Deity of the River
At 徳之島 Tokunoshima
There is a special festival for 水神 Suijin, every four years on 壬（みづ）の日 the day of Mizu. The leader of the festival has to make water ablutions for purification. On the way home he is not allowed to stop at any home. If he does, members of that other family are not allowed to partake in the festival. The others all feared to meet him on this day.
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A man from Tokunoshima
once disappeared in the clouds in the mountain forest of Oshima. The other villagers went looking for him, blowing conch shells, but did not find him.
After seven days, he came down from the mountain, quite confused, bubbeling about Yamanokami.
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At one evening
a fisherman on his way home in the evening met Yamanokami and took a shot at him. On the next day, he suddenly mumbled
"Ooooh, I was so scared, so scared!" and fell to his death on the spot.
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At Katsuura 勝浦
a beautiful girl suddenly went missing. Later they found her cloths, but not the girl.
Three years later her father met the girl way up on the mountain. She told him
"I am married to Yamanokami now and live very happily. But I am not allowed ever to go back to our village!"
and then she disappeared.
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yookai 妖怪 Yokai monster
On a full moon night at 12 they heard the sound of a Shamisen in the village at the foot of the mountain.
It was the spooky hour of 丑三ツ時 Ushimitsu. They also heard the voice of a man or a woman, mumbeling waiwai.
When the villagers sneaked closer, there was nobody. The fearful voices from the mountain came from Yamanokami.

. ushimitsu 丑三 the double-hour of the bull .

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大島郡 Oshima district 瀬戸内町 Setouchi

iwa no kuzureru oto 岩のくずれる音 sound of breaking rocks
On kanoe no hi 庚の日 a special day in the 10th lunar month, Yamanokami come down to the beach for fishing. On that night villagers are not allowed to go to the mountain or the beach.
When Yamanokami walks along the mountain ridge, there is the sound of rocks breaking under her feet.



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薩南郡 Satsunan, Satsuma-Nan district 山崎村 Yamasaki mura

yamahime, yama hime 山ヒメ princess of the mountain
Yamanokami is a woman. If someone meets this princess in the mountains at night, she might begin to laugh until her eyes become invisible and the villager has to run away as fast as he cen.
If he throws away his lantern with the burning candle, she will pick it up and this will give him time to flee.
Once
Yamahime came to a family and asked them to give her the baby, she would like to bring it up.
From that day on, the family became rich and had fish at their doorstep every morning.


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曽於郡 Soo district

. Toshigami 年神 Deity of the Year .
During the festival, the 叉木家 Matagi family goes to the top of the mountain behind their home and the 上野家 Ueno family to the bottom of the mountain (where Tanokami resides) to greet and venerate Toshigami (Yamanokami).
It is a delicate deity and if they do not keep the rituals, family members will suffer accidents.
- - - - -
Since Yamanokami is seen as female, men working in the mountain forest have to prepare well and dress well.
Once a woman got suspicious of her husband going so well dressed, and followed him secretly. She saw her husband work in the bottom of a valley, where a beautiful woman helped him. When the wife called out, the woman appeared in one second. And the husband fell into the valley to his death.

- - - - -
. inoshishi 猪 wild boar .
Once upon a time
a hunter wanted to shoot a wild boar, but hit Yamanokami instead. He soon became ill and died.
Yamanokami is a woman wearing beautiful robes, they say.

. inoshishi 猪 wild boar, Sus scrofa .

- - - - -
. garappa ガラッパ / Garappa Don ガラッパドン Kappa .
In Summer, Garappa is 川の神 a river deity, in Winter, be becomes Yamanokami.
His call is ピーピー pii pii. If someone goes to the river in the late evening to fetch water, he can see the Garappa.



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....................................................................... Kanagawa 神奈川県 .....

. Yama no Kami matsuri 山の神祭り Yamanokami festivals .

. Yamanokami and Tengu 天狗 the Mountain Goblin .

. Yamanokami no yadorigi 山の神さんの宿り木 sacred tree for Yamanokami .
Aoki アオキ / 青木 Aucuba japonica, Japanese laurel // madogi 窓木（マドギ）"window tree"
There are many taboos about cutting these trees.

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The 17th day of the first lunar month is the Day of Yamanokami.

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足柄上郡 Ashigara-Kami district 三保村 Miho mura

They respect
Yamanokami no yasumigi 山の神の休み木 a tree to rest for Yamanokami
Once the head of a group of forest workers wanted to take 御神酒徳利 the Tokkuri bottle for ritual sake offered to Yamanokami. But he slipped, fell down and broke his leg.
So he later stopped to go to the forest for work and leave this part for Yamanokami.
Another head man went there to cut down the forest, but he fell and broke his head.
- - - - -
A tree with three equally large branches is called
三本立 and is venerated as a tree of Yamanokami to rest, tomarigi トマリギ.
They are not allowed to cut id down.

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川崎市 Kawasaki

. Mikaribaba, Mikari Basan 蓑借り婆さん / ミカリバアサン "old hag Mikari" .


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津久井郡 Tsukui district 藤野町 Fujino

The 17th day of the first lunar month is the Day of Yamanokami. On this day forest workers are not allowed to go to the forest.
They make a bow and arrow from bamboo and offer it to Yamanokami.

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- reference source : nichibun yokai database -

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


. Legends about Yamanokami 山の神と伝説　.


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- - - - - . Join the Updates of Facebook ! . - - - - -


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

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

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

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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- #yamanokami #godofthemountains #kagoshima #kanagawa -
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Yama no Kami Regional 16 Kochi

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
. Yama no Kami 山の神 Yamanokami - Introduction .
. Ta no Kami 田の神 Tanokami - Introduction .
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Yama no Kami 山の神 God of the Mountain
and Legends from Kochi 高知県

. Legends about Yamanokami 山の神と伝説　.



. Izanagi Ryu いざなぎ流 rituals from Monobe, Shikoku .
from the 香美市物部町 Monobe area, Kami city, in the eastern part of Kochi Prefecture.
In Monobe it is not uncommon to find households that worship the spirits of ancestors in the ceiling as miko-gami -- onzaki-gami and Hachiman-shin, as well as taka-gami,
They also perform many rituals for Yamanokami and 水神 the Water Deity for protection of natural disasters.

山の神様や妖怪 Yamanokami and Yokai Monsters
If someone uses something in the mountain forest, he has to repeat in his mind "Yamanokami, bring xxx back to me, let me find xxx!"
and then pee on the spot. This will make him find his lost item.

If someone wants to go to he mountain for work, he has to call out:
"I will now go to the mountain !" and offer some ritual Sake.
It is not allowed to cut down trees that are sacred to Yamanokami.

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高知県四万十市田野川山の神 Kochi Ken, Shimantogawa Tanokawa Yamanokami village

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. - Yama no Kami and the sacred Sakaki tree .
幡多郡 Hata district 大正町 Taishocho // 中村市 Nakamura town // 土佐郡 Tosa district

. Yamanokami and taiko 太鼓 the big drum .
幡多郡 Hatta district 大正町 Taisho // 高岡郡 Takaoka district 窪川町 Kubokawa

. Yamanokami and Tengu 天狗 the Mountain Goblin .
吾川郡 Agawa district // 大川村 Okawa //
Tengu and 傘松 Kasamatsu pine trees

. Yamanokami no yadorigi 山の神さんの宿り木 sacred tree for Yamanokami .
Aoki アオキ / 青木 Aucuba japonica, Japanese laurel // madogi 窓木（マドギ）"window tree"
There are many taboos about cutting these trees.

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furusoma ふるそま the old woodcutter
The sound of a tree being cut and falling down can be heard, when Yamanokami is angry. This is called "the old woodcutter"
Once upon a time, a woodcutter had forgotten his sumisashi 墨差し bamboo pencils in the forest. It is said that he could use them later after death to continue his work.


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- Hidarugami ヒダル神 The Hunger Gods -
In Tosa, when making a 弁当 Bento food offering for Yamanokami or Hidarugami, there are always a pair of chopsticks added.
This will prevent Hidarumami to take possession of a person. If one fears to have been possessed, one has to throw some part of the clothing behind oneself.

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oto 音 strange sounds
Sometimes there are strange, loud sounds at 杉の尾山 the cedar tree of Oyama. If it sounds like someone shouting, there will seen be strong rain.
People perform rituals and prayers on these occasions.


sumiyaki 炭焼 making charcoal
炭焼達 charcoal makers who own only a small mountain forest do not worry about using the Sakaki tree.
But the owners of large mountain forests respect the Sakaki as a "taboo tree".

. - Yama no Kami and the sacred 榊 Sakaki tree .


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幡多郡 Hata district 大月町 Otsuki

Every month on the 30th day is a festival day for Yamanokami.
A special Aoki tree with three prongs is a seat of Yamanokami.
Once a family member became ill and a diviner told them to perform rituals for Yamanokami, since the deity felt a bit lonely. So they performed rituals on the first, fifth and ninth lunar month and the family payed for all of them.

. Yama no Kami matsuri 山の神祭り Yamanokami festivals .

- - - - -

The Komatsu family belonged to the Heike Ochudo soldiers.
Once upon a time, 小松玉姫 Princess Komatsu Tama combed her hair and some of it fell on the hakama 袴 trousers of her elder brother. He killed her on the spot for this disrespectful behaviour. She cursed the whole area and to appease her she was venerated in a special shrine as Wakamiya Sama 若宮様 the Young Deity. To memorate the event, a scroll and a mirror were offered to the shrine.
Once a pilgrim stole these items, but he also got cursee.

. Heike Ochudo 平家落人 the defeated soldiers of the Heike clan .


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北宇和郡 Kita-Uwa district 三間町 Mima Cho

. yamanba ヤマンバ "Old Mountain Hag" .
There was a field where hie 稗 barn millet grew.
One year there were many weeds, so the farmer burned down the field to get rid of them. Only yakeishi 焼石 burned stones remained in the field.
A short while later, the family became extinct.
The burned stones 焼石 where Yamanokami, venerated as an old mountain hag in this village.

- More about the yakeishi
Gifu 岐阜県 金山下呂町
gaaranbe ガーランベ Kappa
老母が毎晩芋餅を焼いているとガーランベ（河童）がやって来て盗み取ろうとするので、老母は餅の中に焼石をまぜたところ、河童は知らずに大火傷をして逃げ出した。焼石をセンバ（十能）に入れてガーランベの懐に投げ込んだというのもある。

Shizuoka 静岡県 磐田郡 佐久間町　水窪町
山姥は山に住み、里に来て子守りをしたり、藤の皮で布を織ったりした。子守りしていた子を食べ、村人に焼石を食わされて天竜川に逃げ、秋葉山に住んだという。
.
倉木山の山姥が里の子守りの子を食べてしまったので、焼石を食わせて退治した。祟ってはいないが、小さな社を建てて祀った。


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高岡郡 Takaoka district 佐川町 Sakawa

The 20th of every month is sacred to Yamanokami. People do not eat in the morning and see this as a food offering to Yamanokami. They are not allowed to use the word hidarui ひだるい, meaning "I am hungry" on this day.

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oigesama お神母様 O-Ige Sama
This is a female deity to watch over the water for the rice fields. Her sacred tree, a kusunoki 楠 camphor tree had been a disturbance for the fields and someone cut branches off it.
His home burned down in a huge fire the same night.
The tree is also sacred to Yamanokami and if someone cuts it down in the shrine compound, there will be great disaster and illness in the whole hamlet.

This deity is also called オイケ様 O-Ike sama, 伊気様 / 稲毛様
神母八幡、神母大明神、御神母、神母大神、神母荒神、荒神神母、神母天王、老気明神、井下大明神、稲毛大明神、御居解、蛇母大明神
・女神で作神様
・保食神（うけもちがみ＝オオゲツヒメ・ミケツヒメ・ウカノミタマ神・ミズハノメ神）で、お社日様
・オイゲ様の池には大鰻が棲み、その鰻は神の使い（鰻は虚空蔵さん・北辰妙見・弁天様の使神）
・泣沢女（なきさわめ）で、女の百姓神
・オイゲ様の神体は陽根石、或いは陽根石と女陰石の一対
・百姓神で、神母・山の神・オサバイ（お三昧）様の三神
・水の神様である
・女を嫌う神様である
・伊勢神母大明神（アマテル神）のことである


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土佐郡 Tosa district 本川村 Hongawa village

山の神の祟り curse
yama naki ki naki 「山泣き木泣き」"the mountain weeps, the trees are weeping"
is a ｐproverb in Tosa.
On the 12th day of every month, it is not allowed to cut trees. If it is done, the roots will not wither properly and the bark will roll inside.

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土佐郡 Tosa district 土佐山村 Tosayama mura

kazefuke カゼフケ "meeting with a bad wind", catching a cold
In Tosa they say "meeting with a relative of Yamanokami".
A diviner can tell them what happened. Usually a woodcutter had cut down a divine tree and this is the punishment.
- - - - -
sakiyama サキヤマ / 杣 forest workers, wood cutters
They must observe taboos. Not to make fire in the woods. Not to use the words 針、猫、猿、坊主 needle, cat, monkey or priest.
Never go seven people in a group.
- - - - -
tatari yama 祟り山 cursed mountain
The owner of a cursed mountain is bound to suffer.
A man recently bought such a mountain, but soon became quite ill.
There are also taboo trees in the forest, with something like a serpent hanging around the trees.
- - - - -
山の神の祟り curse
Once a young man had been working in the forest, but when he came home his leg was hurting very much.
A diviner told him he had cut down a divine tree and this is the punishment.
To apologize, he brought a ritual wand and placed it at the root of the cut tree, also 白餅 12 white mochi rice cakes.
After the offerings, he got well soon.
A woman
had been digging for mountain yam near the small shrine of Yamanokami. When she came home her leg was hurting very much.
A diviner told her to aoplogize and make offerings. After that she got well soon.

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- reference source : nichibun yokai database -

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

. Legends about Yamanokami 山の神と伝説　.

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- - - - - . Join the Updates of Facebook ! . - - - - -


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

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

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

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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Yama no Kami Regional 14 Kagawa

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
. Yama no Kami 山の神 Yamanokami - Introduction .
. Ta no Kami 田の神 Tanokami - Introduction .
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Yama no Kami 山の神 God of the Mountain
and Legends from Kagawa 香川県

. Legends about Yamanokami 山の神と伝説　.

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山の神展望台 Yamanokami Tenbodai Observatory
丸亀市広島町茂浦 Hiroshimacho village, Moura, Marugame, Kagawa



. Yama-no-kami Kofungun 山ノ神古墳群 Yamanokami Kofungun .
香川県坂出市加茂町山の神下 / Yamanokami shita, Kamocho, Sakaide, Kagawa "below Yama no Kami Tumulus"

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Japan’s Smallest Prefecture, Kagawa, has the best Udon in the world, Sanuki udon!
. 讃岐うどん Sanuki udon noodles .
讃岐国


手打ちうどん 山の神　hand-made Udon - Yama no Kami
大阪府大阪市北区曽根崎新地 - Restaurant in Osaka


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. Yamanokami and his messenger, the Yamainu 山犬 Wolf .
仲多度郡 Nakatado district 琴南町 Kotonami



In Sanuki there are no really tall mountains. Mount 飯野山 Inoyama, better known as 讃岐富士 Sanuki Fuji,
has a flat top almost like a soup bowl. The 四国山脈 Shikoku Mountain Range is difficult to access, with thick forests and dark mountain paths. There are few people, and this is an area to get lost easily. If people were not careful, they might meet a Yokai monster or even worse, not find their way back home.
Under these difficult natural conditions, the villagers in former times took to Yamanokami for help and protection. Before going to the forest for work, they would make offerings and prayers to 山の神さま Yama no Kami sama, a female deity.
Her messenger was the wolf.
Here in Sanuki he was a gentle helper and path finder for lost people. When they called for him in the forest, a wolf would show up and lead the way to the village.


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ryuuoosan no kai 竜王山の怪 Ryuo-San no kai monster
At 竜王山 Mount Ryuosan "Dragon King Mountain", 1060 m high, people sometimes hear the voice of children, even if nobody is there. Sometimes there is a loud noise, sometimes someone is laughign, even a huge priest has been seen roaming around.
Fishermen can see a light above the mountain from their boats. They say it is the Deity of the Mountain having some fun up there.


ushi no yoo na mono 牛のようなもの like a bull
A man named 岡馬次郎 Okaba Jiro went to his water mill for work. On the way he passed Mount 菅生のトキ Sugo no Toki when he saw something like a bull running past. The ground begun to shake and the bull run up to the top of the mountain. Back home Jiro asked the other villagers, but they had not felt any shaking of the ground.
It must have been the local Yamanokami, taking a ride.


yamaneko 山猫 mountain cat
A man was making charcoal, taking them out in the middle of the night, when he heard the voice of a cat. The voice got louder and louder and he thought the cat must have been frightened by Yamanokami.
From this day on, he never worked at night in the mountain.




.......................................................................　Higashi-Kagawa 東かがわ市 .....

The 7th day of the first lunar month is ヤマノカミノキダネマキ the day when Yamanokami plants the seeds for new trees in the forest.
People are not allowed to go to the mountain on this day. If someone dares to go, he might meet Yamanokami and get lost for ever, never to come back. Or he might get a severe wound on his head.
Some families keep this taboo on the ninth day of the first lunar month.




.......................................................................　Marugame 丸亀市 .....
手島町 Teshima

On the ninth day of the first lunar month, Yamanokami performs 護摩を焚く special fire rituals and people are not allowed to go to the mountain.





.......................................................................　Nakatado district 仲多度郡 .....
琴南町 Kotonami


Every month on the ninth day, people do not go to the mountain. This is a day to celebrate Yamanokami with food offerings.
Other families do not go to the mountain on the 7th day of the first, fifth and ninth lunar month.



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- reference source : nichibun yokai database -

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

. Legends about Yamanokami 山の神と伝説　.

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




- - - - - . Join the Updates of Facebook ! . - - - - -


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

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

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

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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[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
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Kaitei Underwater Shrine and Susaki

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
. Shinto Shrines (jinja　神社) - Introduction .
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Kaitei Jinja 海底神社 Underwater Shrine, Chiba
千葉県館山市「波左間海中公園」 / Tateyama town, Hasama Underwater Park



This shrine is located under water in Hasama Underwater Park, about 600 meters from the beach, at an underwater elevation called 高根 Takane.

The building is about 3.5 m high. The Torii gate is about 18 meters deep in the water.
The shrine building is 12 meters deep in the water.
To visit the shrine, people need diving equipment.

It is a sub-shrine of 洲崎神社 Susaki Jinja and was constructed with the wish and prayers to prevent water damage and accidents at sea by a local diving shop in July 1997.

The shimenawa しめ縄飾り sacred rope is made by the divers from plastic rope and renewed every year for the New Year rituals. The priest also has to use a diving suit to get there for the annual service.

It is said to be the only underwater shrine in Japan.
“日本で唯一の海底神社”


- - - - - HP of the underwater Shrine (水中神社)
- source : www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~o_hasama/jinja -

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Susaki Jinja 洲崎神社 (Sunosaki Jinja)
千葉県館山市洲崎1697 / Chiba, Tateyama, Susaki (Suzaki)
洲宮神社 Sunomiya Jinja



It used to be the shrine 安房国一宮 Ichinomiya of Awa no Kuni.
It was built in 807.

- - - - - Deities in residence - - - - -
天比理乃咩命 Amenohirinome no Mikoto
formerly called 洲ノ神（すさきのかみ） Susaki no Kami (Sunosaki)
(天比理刀咩命 （あめのひりとめのみこと） Amenohiritome no Mikoto)

天太玉命（あめのふとだまのみこと）Amenofutodama no Mikoto
天富命（あめのとみのみこと）Amenotomi no Mikoto

- quote -
Taokihooi 手置帆負命 Taokihooi no kami
Ancestral kami (sojin) of the Inbe clan.
A kami related to the manufacture of shrine structures and implements. According to Kogo shūi, Taokihooi was ancestor of the Inbe of Sanuki (present-day Kagawa Prefecture). Together with Hikosashiri no mikoto, he was directed by Futodama (offspring of Takamimusuhi) to fabricate the "heavenly measures," "divine palace," and various military implements used to lure Amaterasu from the rock cave of heaven where she had hidden.

Under the leadership of Futodama's descendant Amenotomi no mikoto,
the descendants of Taokihooi and Hikosashiri no mikoto for the first time used sacred axes and adzes to cut mountain timber for the construction of Jinmu's main palace at Kashihara, and thereafter worked as fabricators of spear shafts. An "alternate writing" related by Nihongi states that in exchange for Ōmononushi's agreement to "transfer the land" (kuniyuzuri), Takamimusuhi vowed to provide Ōmononushi with eternal worship, and among the celebrants assigned to perform rites is listed one Taokihooi, ancestral kami of the Inbe of Kii (makers of sedge hats).
- source : Mori Mizue - kokugakuin -

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shuin　朱印 stamp





- - - - - HP of the Shrine
- source : sunosaki.info-

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Yearly Festivals　年中行事

The main Festival around August 20.
みのこ踊り奉納 Minoko Odori dance ritual


- CLICK for more photos !

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Cape Suno (洲崎 Suno-saki)
is a cape on the Pacific Ocean, in the city of Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
The cape is located at the southwestern point of Bōsō Peninsula on the island of Honshu, and marks the point between the inner and outer parts of the peninsula.
Cape Sunosaki is home to the Sunosaki Shrine, which was historically the supreme shrine (Ichinomiya) of Awa Province. By tradition it was built early in the Nara period.
The Sunosaki Shrine dance, the Sunosaki-odori, performed during religious observances at the shrine in June and August, is designated a national-level Intangible Cultural Property of Japan.
Yōrō-ji, a nearby Buddhist temple within the Sunosaki District of Tateyama, is historically closely linked with the Sunosaki Shrine.
- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !

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. Japanese Legends - 伝説　民話　昔話 – ABC-List .

The tidal current at Sunomisaki is very fast and called 潮の道 "road of the sea". The fishermen are very afraid of this place.
The ghosts of shipwrecked fishermen come home along this path and all are afraid of this
ayashi no 怪しの潮路 "the mysterious tideway".

- reference : Nichibun Yokai Database -


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There are other places called Susaki (Suzaki) or Sunosaki in Japan.

. Susaki Jinja 洲崎神社 - Aichi .

. Suzaki 洲崎 in Edo / Tokyo .
Suzaki Shiohigari 潮干狩 Shellfish gathering at low tide

. Wakanoura matsuri 和歌浦祭 - Wakayama .
... after the festival, the mikoshi palanquin was carried to Suzaki beach 須崎.


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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .


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- - - - -　 H A I K U　 - - - - -

日の出見し洲崎の戻り初不動
hinode mishi Susaki no modori hatsu Fudo

back from the sunrise
at Sunomisaki -
first Fudo Ritual

中野三允 Nakano Sanin (1879 - 1955)
A disciple of Masaoka Shiki

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枯蘆を刈りて洲崎の廓哉
kareashi o karite susaki no kaku kana


正岡子規 Masaoka Shiki.



洲崎より柩出でゆく百日紅
鳥居美智子

ぎんなんの鈴生りの香を洲崎かな
いさ桜子

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- #suichu #kaitei #underwatershrine #susaki #suzaki #sunosaki #susakichiba -
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Komainu Glossary

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
. Komainu - Introduction .
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komainu, koma-inu 狛犬 / 高麗犬 / 胡麻犬 "Korean Dog"
karajishi 唐獅子 "Chinese Lion" - shishi 獅子 Lion dog
fóshī 佛獅 Foshi, foo dog


Join the Komainu Gallery on facebook for regular updates !

There is a difference in the composure of a Komainu and a Shishi Lion dog.

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京都狛犬巡り Visiting the Komainu of Kyoto
京都の神社へ奉納する狛犬を刻むのに各地の石工が燃えないはずはないのだ。秀犬、猛犬、珍犬、駄犬、迷犬の揃い踏み。京都（府下も含む）の全狛犬徹底調 査！ 狛犬はどこで作られ、どこから来たのか。調査結果から見えてきた狛犬の生態。狛犬と神社を楽しむためのガイドブック。京都狛犬巡りモデルコース付き。
- reference source : nakanishiya.co.jp/book -

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- reference source : Kyoto Komainu -


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- - - - - Glossary - 用語集 - - - - -

ball
玉乗り standing on a ball, 玉抑え holding a ball down / 玉くわえ having a ball in the mouth

beard 髭の形
- facebook -

. Bishamon-Ten . 毘沙門天 . - and tora　虎Tiger Koma animals


child (mother and child) 子持ち
組み伏せ holding down, 遊ばせ let it play, 授乳 nursing

Chinese Lion 中国獅子 - see Lion below


ears 耳の形
Standing up (立て耳)


eyes 目の形
釣り目空豆型　almond-shaped / 釣り目半月型 almond-shaped, half moon　/ 丸目 round eyes/ 垂れ目　drooping eyes / 小判目 like Koban / 光彩のある／なし shining or not


fur, coat of fur 毛並み / たてがみ　
straight　直毛　
The hair of a lion dog is often curled 巻毛.

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hairstyle 髪型 and form of head
角あり／なし with horn or not / hooju 宝珠（擬宝珠）like a Giboshi jewel / 兜型　like a helmet / 前分け hair parted in front / 尊結び　bound together / たてがみ(ライオン型）mane, like a lion
越前禿 Echizen kamuro
- kamurogata 禿（かむろ）型 / 禿型 : photos -
- reference : facebook -

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Hakusan Komainu 白山狛犬 from Mount Hakusan
- photos -

. Hokusai Manga - Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎 (1760-1849).

horn　角
The female often has one horn. The male has two horns.


Incence burner　香炉
- photos -


Izumo type 出雲狛犬
made from special stone of the region, 来待石 Kimachi Stone.


. koma...　 狛　other Shrine guardian animals .


- Lantern with Komainu 灯籠狛犬 - photos -
- facebook -

Largest Komainu
in Gifu, 瑞浪市 Mizunami - made of Minoyaki pottery
高さ3.3m、幅1.56m、奥行き2.4m、総重量は15トン！
- Click here for photos ! -

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lion dog 獅子 shishi
Might have reached Japan directly via China and Taiwan. Has no horn.
His ears are hanging down (垂れ耳), fur is curled 巻毛, his mouth is closed.
Usually stands on the left side.

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mouth　口
A pair with open and closed mouth 阿吽 a-un / mouth open, agyoo 阿形 / mouth closed, ungyoo 吽形
the "alpha" and "omega", beginning and end of all things.
Open mouth on the right, closed mouth on the left side.
- reference photos -

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. Manekineko 招き猫狛犬 Beckoning Cat .

material 材料による分類
石 stone is relative new - different stones from local areas are used.
木　wood / ブロンズ bronze / 金　gold
焼き物（備前焼、美濃焼、瓦焼き pottery (Bizen, Mino, Kawarayaki . . .)
セメント・コンクリート cement, concrete


- Mother and Child Komainu - 狛犬　親子 - photos -


. nade komainu なでこまいぬ Komainu to rub for good luck .
..... o-negai Komainu お願い狛犬 to make a wish

- netsuke 根付 - photos -


Okazaki type 岡崎型 After WWII, the mass production started from here.


- Paintings of Komainu - photos -


- Rings, fingerring with Komainu - photos

. roof tiles - kawara, yanegawara　屋根瓦 .


Sendai-gata 仙台形 type from Sendai
source : facebook


setokoma せとこま from 瀬戸深川神社 Shrine Seto Fukagawa Jinja
11 Fukagawacho, Seto, Aichi
- reference photos -


. Shiisa シーサー Lion Dogs from Okinawa.

. shitsuu komainu 歯痛狛犬 Komainu to heal toothache . - Nagasaki

. Shooki Komainu 鍾馗 at 鍾馗神社 Shoki Shrine .

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- - - - - Shrines - - - - -
神殿狛犬型　Shrine-type
籠神社型 dragon deity shrine tpye 　

大宝神社型 Daiho Jinja

厳島神社 Itsukushima Jinja (Hiroshima) : 14 painted and lacquered wooden figures (12-14c)

- photos -

籠（この）神社型 Kono Jinja
鷲神社（大分県）Ootori Jinja (Oita)
弥彦神社型（忠太狛犬） Yasuhiko Jinja (Chuta Komainu)
靖国神社型　Yasukuni shrine type

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Standing Komainu 立ち狛犬 / standing on front legs 逆立ち狛犬
- Click here for photos ! -

Stone lantern 四隅獅子頭型」灯籠 with Komainu at the corners
source : facebook

tail 尾の形
扇尾　like a handfan / 炎尾 like flames /　筒尾 like a pipe　/ 獅子尾　like a lion / 滝（流水）尾 like flowing water

- Tatoo with Komainu 刺青 irezumi - (fb)
..... tatoo - reference source : facebook -

. temizuya 手水舎　purification font, purification trough .

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- - - - - Temples - - - - -

. Toodaiji 東大寺型　Todai-Ji type - Nara .

薬師寺 Yakushi-Ji
a pair of painted wooden komainu (10-11c)

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. tomegoto　止め事成就の狛犬 make an end to something unpleasant .

tongue sticking out
- facebook -


- Toys with Komainu - photos -

. water basin 手水舎 at a shrine .

woodblock prints 狛犬の版画 hanga
- photos -

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komainu kakusei 狛犬覚醒

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source :　facebook
Tokyo Asakusa Sanja Jinja 浅草『三社神社』　

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- - - - - Reference - - - - -

- reference : facebook -　狛犬さがし隊 -

- komainu.net/index - 狛犬の完全ガイド本
第1章●　狛犬入門
第2章●　狛犬は生きている
第3章●　熱血読み物
第4章●　館主の狛犬探訪記 - from North to South
第5章●　過去の狛犬臨時ニュース / 第6章●　リンクなど

- 狛犬とは何か？　100万人の狛犬講座 -

- 分類 different typs of komainu -


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. Japanese Legends - 伝説　民話　昔話 – ABC-List .


. shishigashira 獅子頭と伝説 Legends about a lion head .
shishimai 獅子舞 Legends about a lion dance
sanbiki shishimai 三匹獅子舞 lion dance with three lion heads


....................................................................... Gifu 岐阜県 　
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大野郡 Ono district 白川村 Shirakawa village

. yama-inu, yamainu　山犬、豺 "mountain dog" wolf legends .
Once a yamainu 山犬 wolf with a human bone stuck in his throat came to the Hachiman Shrine.
The Hachiman Deity made the wolf promise not to harm the villagers any more and then removed the bone.
When the villagers heard this, they offered two komainu 狛犬 lion dog statues to the Hachiman Shrine,
in the hope never to forget the event.




....................................................................... Kyoto 京都府　
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京都市 Kyoto city

In 1854, the 清涼殿 Seiryoden Hall of the Imperial Palace was lost to a fire.
A priest brought the komainu 狛犬 lion dogs to safety at the royal family of 一条家 Ichijo.
The family later went looking for the priest, but could not find him.
It must have been the spirit of the lion dogs who had transported them.

. Shishinden 紫宸殿 Hall for State Ceremonies .

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Kyoto 宮津市 Miyazu city

komajishi 高麗獅子 Korean lion dog
Once a stone statue of a lion dog became alive, flew up to the sky and came to town. There it did a lot of bad things and troubles.
A roonin 浪人 masterless Samurai cut off its leg, the lion dog fell down but soon got up again and run away.
Next morning the leg of the stone statue was cut off and blood was oozing out.




....................................................................... Okayama 岡山県 　
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岡山市 Okayama city 北区 Kita ward

inu, tori 犬，鳥 dog and bird
At the Shrine 吉備津彦神社 Kibitsu Hiko Jinja they sell three toys, a komainu 狛犬 lion dog, a bird and a bull. When the deity 吉備津彦命 Kibitsuhiko no Mikoto, one of the shidoo shoogun 四道将軍 four generals held a ritual before going to war, there were a dog and a bird coming to show him the way. . Kibitsu Hiko Jinja 吉備津彦神社 .
四道将軍 Shido Shogun
昔大吉備津彦命四道将軍となって備前五山の1つ加茂山の山系の峰に来た頃、峰の西方に火柱天に沖する妖怪が現れ、里人は大いに悩んだ。命は大弓を放ちこれを退治した。妖怪は的石と化した。その際の出来事により弓張、矢懸、高片、目無、的岩、立石という地名がついたという。

加茂川町
崇神天皇の四道将軍、吉備津彦命が備前に入り本宮山の峰に来た頃、その峰の西方約１里の所に毎夜妖怪が現われ、里人はたいそう恐れていた。里人は命に妖怪を退治してくれるように願い出た。数日後のある夜、気比神社の西方3キロのところに火柱が現われ、命は境内の見晴らしの良い駒岩から弓でこの怪物を射た。矢が命中するや否や、大音響と共に怪物は岩となった。これを今に残る的岩という。
- quote -
Shido-shogun (Generals Dispatched to Four Circuits) (四道将軍)
The term "Shido-shogun" refers to four imperial (royal) generals who appeared in the Nihon Shoki (the Chronicle of Japan), namely
Obiko no mikoto, Takenunakawa wake no mikoto, Kibitsuhiko no mikoto and Tanbamichi nushi no mikoto.
Summary
According to the "Nihon Shoki," each of these generals was dispatched to Kuga no michi (Hokuriku circuit), Umitsu michi (Tokai circuit), Nishi no michi (Sanyo circuit) and Tanba michi (Sanin circuit), in the 10th year of Emperor Sujin's reign (88 B.C. ?)
They were appointed as generals to use armed force against and defeat those who would not accept the Emperor's precepts, and it was reportedly in the following year, the 11th year of Emperor Sujin's reign (87 B.C. ?) that these generals returned in triumph after subduing the local rebels. (This is, however, believed to have actually happened at around the beginning of the fourth century.)
- source : japanese-wiki-corpus.org -




....................................................................... Yamaguchi 山梨県 　
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Hachiman san no shishi 八幡さんの獅子 lion dogs from Hachiman Shrine
Once the shishi 獅子 lion statues were stolen from the Hachiman Shrine.
The family of the thief was soon befallen with illness and disaster.
When a diviner told them the reason for the misfortunes, they decided to bring 狛犬 the lion dogs back.
They put them on a carriage, but the horse could not pull it.
They put them on their back and now they felt light.


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- reference : Nichibun Yokai Database -

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- #komainuglossary #glossary -
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