Yasaka Shrine Legends

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. kami　神　Shinto deities .
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Yasaka Jinja 八坂神社 Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto - Legends

Also called Gion Jinja 祇園神社 Gion Shrine.
There are now many Yasaka Shrines in Japan.

. Yasaka Shrine and the Gion Festival .
祇園祭 Gion Matsuri Festival - - - There are many kigo related to the Gion Festival.
yamaboko 山鉾 （やまぼこ）Gion Festival floats

. Gozu Tenno 牛頭天王 - Legends.
In 869, the people were suffering from plague and pestilence which was attributed to Gozu Tennō 牛頭天王.

. hayariyamai はやり病 / Ryukobyo 流行病と伝説 Legends about epidemics .
densenbyoo 伝染病 Densenbyo contagious diseases // ekiri 疫痢 plague // ekibyoo 疫病 epidemic


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. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .


.......................................................................　Chiba 千葉県 .....
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成田市 Narita city

千葉県成田市吉岡 Chiba, Narita, Kichioka
- reference source -

The ujiko 氏子 parishioners of the Yasaka Shrine never eat eggs.

. ujiko 氏子 local worshiper, parishioner of a Shinto shrine .




.......................................................................　Fukuoka　福岡県 .....
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小倉 Kokura city

Jonai, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
- homepage of Kokura Yasaka Shrine -

At the shrine 小倉八坂神社 Kokura Yasaka Jinja there is a legend about the beginning of the festival. Once Lord 細川越中守忠興 Hosokawa Tadaoki (1563 - 1646) went hunting with hawks and took a rest at 不動山 Mount Fudoyama. There was one small stone shrine and when Tadaoki placed his staff against it, it opened and one 霊鷹 sacred hawk flew out of it. The hawk kicked out both eyes of Tadaoki. He felt great pain, went home soon but would not heal at all. He realized it was the punishment of Gozu Tenno and had a shrine built in his honor. After a performance of a ritual Kagura Yudate, 神楽湯立, one eye begun to heal. He had 能興行 No Kogyo rituals of Noh performed and the other eye begun to heal too.




.......................................................................　Hiroshima 広島県 .....
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尾道市 Onomichi city

Gion Jinja 祇園神社 Gion Shrine

広島県尾道市土堂　 Tsuchido, Onomichi, Hiroshima
- reference source -

About 300 years ago there was a severe ekibyo 疫病 epicemic in the region and the local fishermen and merchants suffered a lot. To help them the head priest of 鞆の浦の祇園神社 the Gion Shrine of Tomonoura prepared many amulets and went to Onomichi, but the local villagers did not let him in, because they said there was a Gion Shrine in Onomichi. They gathered at the nearby temple 常称寺 Josho-Ji and offered prayers too. Indeed, the epidemic stopped miraculously and Onomichi returned to a quiet fishing village.
Many villagers believe in 祇園さま Gion Sama and from June 7 for seven days they celebrate a large festival to honor the deity.




.......................................................................　Kanagawa 神奈川県 .....
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津久井郡 Tsukui district 城山町 Shiroyama town

. hitodama 人魂 / 人玉と伝説 Legends about the lights of the human soul .
The main festival of Yasaka Shrine is on August 1. Sometimes on a bright evening, when the mikoshi 神輿 floats parade through the town there appear hitodama 人玉 lights like human souls among the floats.




.......................................................................　Kochi　高知県 .....
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幡多郡 Hata district　大月町 Otsuki town　

960 Himenoi, Otsuki, Hata district, Kochi

八坂宮 Yasaka no Miya Shrine
During the war, an important person came to this shrine and said "If you do not worship here, you will be cursed!" Then he died. So the villagers now pray for him here.




.......................................................................　Kyoto 京都府 .....
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京都祇園八坂神社七不思議 The seven wonders from Yasaka Shrine - there are varieties
The West Gate 西楼門（にしろうもん） Nishiromon (Sairomon), formerly called Kagomon 籠門 / also Goryumon
saru 猿 monkey
kiji 雉 pheasant
竜宮まで届く底無し井戸 a well to the dragon palace
Futami Iwa 二見石
kinukake iwa 衣掛岩
chikaramizu 力水
ryuuboe 龍吼
ryuuketsu 龍穴
Tadamori no tooroo 忠盛灯篭 / ? 油取りの燈籠
yonakiishi 夜啼石
- source : yasakajinjya-nanafushigi... -

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東山区 Higashiyama ward

kaibutsu 怪物 monster
About 800 years ago on a very stormy rainy night, at the 八坂神社 Yasaka Shrine, there appeared a monster holding something that looked like a bundle of thick needles over its head. The soldiers of 平忠盛 Taira no Tadamori (? - 1153) were much afraid, but when they looked closer, they realized it was the kannushi 神主 Shinto priest who had covered his head with wheat straw during the rain.



.......................................................................　Miyagi 宮城県 .....
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仙台市 Sendai city 青葉区 Aoba ward

宮城県仙台市宮城野区岩切字若宮前11-7 / Wakamiyamae, Iwakiri, Miyagino Ward, Sendai, Miyagi

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Kappagami カッパ神 the Kappa deity
During a お花湯立 divination ritual with hot water at the 八坂神社 Yasaka Shrine, people bring two kyuuri 胡瓜 cucumbers, one as an offering for the deity and one to throw in the river as an offering to Kappagami 河童神 the Kappa Deity. The villagers do not eat cucumbers until this festival is over and they made their offerings.
Gozu Tenno Gozu Tenno 牛頭天王 likes cucumbers.

Gion Kappa 祇園かっぱ The Kappa Water Goblin connection
祇園さま Gionsama, Gion Sama, Gion-Sama - The Gion Deity
The messenger of お稲荷さん the Inari deity is the fox, but the messenger of the deity Gion sama is the Kappa.
Therefore on the festival for Gion Sama children must not play in the river to avoid accidents. Instead they have to throw cucumbers into the river from the bridge.

. Gion Sama 祇園さま / Gion Kappa 祇園かっぱ .
. . Miyagi 宮城県 Kappa Legends 河童伝説 .

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. sugi no ki 杉の木と伝説 Legends about the cedar tree .
It is a taboo to cut the sugi 杉 cedar tree in the compound of 八坂神社 Yasaka Shrine or pick up some needles from the ground.
Once the tree seemed to bend and almost fall down, so a miko 巫女 shrine maiden performed an oracle ritual.
She was told to leave the tree alone, the Deity would care for it.




.......................................................................　Shiga 滋賀県 .....
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甲賀市 Koka city 水口町 Minakuchi town

Behind the Shrine 八坂神社 Yasaka Jinja is Ryuu-ga-mori 竜ヶ森 the Dragon Forest. There stood a huge sugi 杉 cedar tree which 6 people could hardly cover with their arms around it. A dragon lived in this tree. The tree was hit twice by lighting, and at the second time, the Dragon went back to heaven.
This special tree broke down during the Isewan Typhoon.
Nearby is a Ryuu-ga-ido 竜ヶ井戸 "Dragon Well" which is used for amagoi 雨乞い rain rituals and prayers.
. amagoi 雨乞いと伝説 Legends about rain rituals / Regenzauber .


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- reference : nichibun yokai database -

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- #yasakashrine #yasakajinja #gozutenno #Gionjinja #gionshrine -
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Yabugami Yabukami legends

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. kami　神　Shinto deities .
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Yabugami 藪神　/ ヤブガミ Kami of the thicket,
Kami of the bamboo grove

In Niigata, Uonuma is a train station called
藪神駅（やぶかみえき）Yabukami no eki.
There is also a dam called
薮神ダム Yabukami Dam.






............................................................................　Oita 大分県
川崎村 Kawasaki village

Many homes venerate their very own
. yashikigami　屋敷神 "estate deity" .

Jiguroo sama ジグロー様 Jiguro Sama
In the town of 鎮西町 Chinzeimachi the family 坂口家 Sakaguchi venerates Jiguro Sama.
When they built their house in 1865, they did not know about Jiguro sama and were reprimanded.
So they begun to venerate Jiguro Sama, the local Yabugami, as their "estate deity".

- - - - -

Koichirogami 小一郎神 Koichiro no Kami
He is a kind of yashikigami 屋敷神 "estate deity" in Northern Kyushu.
Before he was venerated as Yabugami, many people in the village were very ill.
There is also a forest for him, 小一郎森 Koichiro Mori.
-
Once the home of an ishiku 石工 stone mason was hit by a fire, but there was no reason for a fire to break out in the first place and no strong wind either. So he had a divination about his fate. He had often taken stones ouf of the Koichiro Moir and the deity was angry. He had promised to have a 神楽 Kagura performance for the Deity but forgotten to keep his promise, so his home burned down
- and
- at 大神村 the village Ogamura
The 佐藤家f Sato family venerated Koichirogami in their estate forest.
In November they held a festival in his honor and prayed to all the deities in the region.


Koichiro Jinja 小一郎神社 Koichiro Shinto Shrine
a famous place in Sada 佐田の名所

A deity to ward off evil and disaster, also to help with birth.
The person named Koichiro of this shrine seems to be the Samurai 新田小一郎義氏 Niida Koichiro (新田義氏 Niida Yoshiuji) of the castle 馬ヶ岳城 Umagatake Jo (present day 福岡県行橋市津積馬ヶ岳).
.
参考：小一郎信仰とは The belief in Koichiro
Most common at 国東半島 Kunisaki peninsula until South to Fukuoka and a few in Kumamoto.
Sometimes venerated as a stone monument with the name. Often in a forest 小一郎森 Koichiro Mori, where people are not allowed to cut trees.
These places are often in a thicked (yabu).
The spelling can be 小一郎、小市郎、今日霊、古市老、魂市郎、濃血霊、千人霊 ...
- reference source : oct-net.ne.jp/sada_m... -





............................................................................　Saga 佐賀県
東松浦郡 Higashi-Matsuura district 鎮西町 Chinzei town

A grave where the dead person is not known is called
yabu-baka 藪墓 (yabu no haka) grave in the thicket.
People who get a high fever or hurting legs and lower back pain are maybe cursed by Yabugami.

- - - - -


Kishidake, Kishitake 岸岳 Mount Kishidake
There was a family which venerated Yabugami, but not as a Shinto deity but a Buddhist protector.
If they cut a tree or bamboo in his sacred forest they were cursed.
Yabugami is a relative of the deity from Mount Kishidake, who was split of from the main line because he behaved badly.
There is also a castle at the mountain, 鬼子岳城 Kishidake Jo.

- quote -
Kishidake castle / Kishitake castle (Kishidake-jo / Kishitake-jo)
- Magnificent mountain castle with sad history -
... Kishidake castle (岸岳城) is located at Kishidake mountain, one of about 250 meter tall from hillside at the root of Higashi-Matsuura peninsula in the north part of current Saga prefecture. Kishidake mountain places at the merging point of Matsuura-gawa river which flows into Karatsu-bay and its tributary Tokusue-gawa river, and at the middle of narrow flat area at the root of Higashi-Matsuura peninsula separated from Fukuoka plain, Saga plain and Sasebo area by mountains. ...
... Prosperity of the Hata clan ...
- source : japancastle.jp/2017/01/Kishidake-castle... -


- quote -
... Kishidake, the birthplace of Karatsu ware, is located in Kitahata ...
Conventional knowledge tells us that Karatsu ware got its start with the invasion of the Korean Peninsula by Toyotomi Hideyoshi from 1592 -1598, after Korean potters returning with the Japanese army started producing ceramics. However, even prior to this it is said that Sen no Rikyu treasured Karatsu ware. ...
- reference source : -




............................................................................　Yamaguchi 山口県
豊北町 Hohoku town

Yabugami 藪神 Kami of the thicket, of the bamboo grove
At 元山 Motoyama near 角島 Tsunoshima they use bow and arrow for Shinto rituals at the local Shrine and call the thicket nearby ヤブガミ Yabugami.
Half way on the mountain of Motoyama there is a kofun 古墳 tumulus in a bamboo grove called Yabugami.
The deity residing there is rather wild and feared by the people.
At 尾山 Oyama they keep a part of the land without cultivating anything and call the thicket Yabugami.
The fields around it are called 神様田 Fields of the Deity.
Water for the fields is provided by 水の神 Mizunokami, seen as Yabugami.

. Mizu no Kami, Mizunokami 水の神 Deity of Water - Legends .

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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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藪神の脱ぎちらしたる竹の皮
Yabugami no nugi-chirashitaru take no kawa

the deity of
bamboo in the thicket
looses its skin

荒井正隆 Arai Masataka

. take no kawa nugu　竹の皮脱ぐ bamboo looses its skin .
- - kigo for Summer - -

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- #yabugami #yabukami -
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Yamanokami Regional 32 Yamanashi

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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 山梨県 Yamanashi

. Legends about Yamanokami 山の神と伝説　.

. Yamanokami Senbonzakura 山の神千本桜 "Senbonzakura Park” .
Otorii, Chuo, Yamanashi // 中央市大鳥居1619-1



Yamanokami Shrine 山之神社 near たいら山 Mount Tairayama (934 m)
- reference and more photos :　city.chuo.yamanashi.jp/soshiki... -


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. Yamanokami and Tengu 天狗 the Mountain Goblin .

The 17th day of the third lunar month is the Spring Festival for the local Tengu.
On this day Yamanokami comes down to cut setchigi セチギ（節木）a tree for the festival and people are not allowed to go to the mountain forest to work.
- - - - -
. somabito 杣人 forest workers and shakuhachi 尺八 bamboo flute .
the 天狗 Tengu, who is the 山の神 "Deity of the Mountain", liked to hear Shakuhachi.
- - - - -

. toriigi トリイギ（鳥居木）sacred Torii tree .
In Yamanashi this tree is used by the Deity of the Mountain or a Tengu.
People are not allowed to cut it, if they do not want to be cursed by Yamanokami and the local Tengu.
To pray people cut small branches and stick them in the ground to show respect.

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北巨摩郡 Kita-Koma district 須玉町 Sutama cho town

Women are not allowed to climb 金峰山 Mount Kinpusan (2599 m)
If a boy has long hair and comes to climb, Yamanokami will blow him back.
There are frightening sounds, as if a Tengu was falling from a rock and rain is falling.

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甲府市 Kofu city 中道町 Nakamichi machi town

. Tengu to matsu 天狗と松 Legends about the Tengu pine .
The pine tree of Yamanokami is also called
o-tengo matsu オテンゴマツ pine of the Tengu.
The Tengu who lives there is also abducting humans.

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Yatsushiro district 八代郡 / 芦川村 Ashigawa village

. tengudaoshi 天狗倒し "Tengu knocking down trees" .
In the hamlet of 中芦川部落 Naka-Ashigawa
a man once stayed over night in the mountain hut. He heard the loud noise of trees being cut down.
They say this is the work of Yamanokami.

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Yatsushiro district 八代郡 / 上九一色村 Kamikuishiki village　豊富村 Toyotomi village

Yamanokami has the features of a Tengu with very sharp eyes.
The real identity of this Tengu is a powerful deity named 山野の神 Sanno no Kami.
It is also called アマツキツネ Amatsukitsune. At night it might jump in the sky and fly around.

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Yamanokamisha 山神社 / 山之神社 Yamanokami Shrine
山梨県中央市大鳥居 Chuo city, Otorii



The people living here call it
「お山の神さん」 O-Yama no Kami San.
Along the access road are 1000 cherry trees, see above 山の神千本桜 "Senbonzakura Park".

The shrine was founded in 1715, according to a stone memorial in the compound.
The deity is venerated to protect farmers and craftsmen and good business.
People come from far away, not only Yamanashi, to pray here.

The main festivals are on the 17th day of April and October.
例祭は4月と10月の17日

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Yamanokamibashi 山の神橋 Yamanokami bridge
山梨県甲府市 右左口町 Kofu, Ubaguchichō


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. Mikaribaba, Mikari Basan 蓑借り婆さん / ミカリバアサン "old hag Mikari" .
And her companion, me hitotsu kozo 目一つ小僧 (Hitotsume Kozo) the boy with one eye.



.......................................................................　Fujiyoshida city 富士吉田市　.....

The 17th day of the first lunar month is sacred to Yamanokami and people are now allowed to go to the mountain forest.
Yamanokami is shooting arrows and people might get hurt.
Once the ancestor of 舟久保富雄 Funakubo Tomio went to the mountain on this day and tried to swing up his 斧 ax, but he could not move it down after that.
He became a follower of Yamanokami and prayed to it.
- - - - -
. Yamanokami no tenbatsu 山の神の天罰 heavenly punishment of Yamanokami .
and his messenger, the inoshishi 猪 wild boar .
- - - - -
hime 姫 a princess
Once a upon a time,
a farmer went to draw water from a pond, but however early he went, there had already been someone else before him.
He thought that strange and followed the water drops on the ground. He lost sight of deep down in the mountain. He waited all night and saw a beautiful princess drawing water and then disappearing deep into the mountain forest.
After that the water dried up and only the slope down to the pond remains, now called
O-Hime Saka 御姫坂 Slope of the Princess.

Now the road おひめ坂通り O-Himezaka-dori



蛇の化身と「乙女池」- お姫坂
富士吉田市の市道新町通り線（通称・おひめ坂通り）
The princess had been a serpent !
- reference source : y-shinpou.co.jp/timei-minwa... -



- map of Ohimezaka-dori.



.......................................................................　Hokuto city 北杜市　.....
白州町 （はくしゅうまち） Hakushu machi town

On the 17th day of the first and 8th lunar month, Yamanokami is shooting arrows and nobody is allowed to go into the mountain.
People might get hit and hurt.
Once a man forgot that and went hunting for yamadori 山鳥 pheasants.
That night his home shook heavily for three times.

. kiji, yamadori 雉と伝説 Legends about pheasants - Fasan .



.......................................................................　Kitatsuru district 北都留郡　.....

yamadori no tatari 山鳥の祟り the curse of the pheasant
Once upon a time
a farmer saw a pheasant in his field and took a gun to shoot it. When he looked closer, two animals were dead, they must have been Yamanokami as husband and wife.
When the farmer came home, he soon became very ill. This happened on the 21st day of the first lunar month, and since then people are not allowed to go to the mountain on this day.
- - - - - - - - - -
Yamanokami no tatari 山の神のたたり the curse of Yamanokami
The 17th day of the 10th lunar month is sacred to Yamanokami.
The 21st day of the first lunar month is also sacred to Yamanokami.
The hunters and charcoal makers from Nagasaku bring offerings of ritual Sake to 鶴峠 the pass Tsurutoge
If something very unpleasant happens to man they say it is the curse of Yamanokami.
- - - - -
Yamanokami no ikari 山の神の怒り the anger of Yamanokami
The 21st day of the first lunar month is sacred to Yamanokami.
- - - - -
In the hamlet 橋立 Hashitate
they have Ebesu ko エベス講 a yearly ritual for the Ebisu followers, where they knock down poles.
This is done because on the 21st day of the first lunar month Yamanokami is shooting arrows and the poles might be hit.
In Kanazawa they celebrate from the 17th to the 21stt day of the first lunar month. On these days nobody goes to the forest. If someone goes to the forest, he will be hit by an arrow or wounded by an ax. So forest workers sty in a home and eat and drink.

. Ebisu えびす /　恵比寿　/ エベス .

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Kitatsuru 小菅村 Kosuge village

On the second day of the first lunar month, workers take a rest and go to the mountain.
They bring offerings of sake 酒 rice wine in bamboo tubes and place sasa ササの葉 bamboo grass leaves in it. They pour these offerings over the leaves of a tree.
This tree will then become a sacred tree for Yamanokami.
- - - - -
The 17th day of each month is sacred to Yamanokami.
In the first lunar month it is the Spring day for Yamanokami, in the tenth lunar month it is the Autumn day for Yamanokami.
Forest workers take a rest and celebrate. They bring special dumplings as offerings to a tree and Yamanokami might think this is his special tree.
On festival days people are not allowed to cut trees in the forest. Yamanokami is out there shooting arrows and might hit them.
- - - - -
オオヤマツミノミコト Oyamatsumi no Mikoto
Ōyama-tsumi - This is another name for Yamanokami.
He is an old man with a white beard and a long robe, carrying a walking stick. He is full of poser and when he gets angry, his face becomes red.
He protects the forest workers.


. Ooyamatsuminomikoto 大山祇神, 大山積神, 大山津見神 Oyama Tsumi no Mikoto .
- Ōyama-tsumi, Oyama-Tsumi / オオヤマツミノミコト

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Kitatsuru 上野原町 Uenohara town

Yamanokami no tatari 山の神のたたり the curse of Yamanokami
People think that Yamanokami lives right there in the mountain.
If they work in the mountain forest and have an accident and get hurt, they feel it is the curse of Yamanokami.
Before cutting a tree they perform special purification rituals to appease the deity.




.......................................................................　Minamikoma district 南巨摩郡　.....
.......................................................................
早川町 Hayakawa town

On the 17th day of each month Yamanokami shoots arrows and people are not allowed to go to the mountain.
- - - - -
Yamanokami no shirase 山の神様の知らせ advise from Yamanokami
On the other side of the hamlet Murohata オウマ谷は室草里 there is a place where the wood cutters take a rest and have lunch.
One day there seemed to be a typhoon and a man in white robed came and told them:
"This is going to be dangerous, better run fast and take shelter!"
Those who followed his advise were safe, but the others who had stayed up there were caught in a landslide and fell deep down into the valley.




.......................................................................　Minamitsuru district 南都留郡　.....
.......................................................................
Minamitsuru 道志村 Doshi mura village

kitsune no koe 狐の声 the voice of a fox
Yamanokami makes the sound of ofui-ofui オフイオフイ, but this is really the voice of a fox.

.......................................................................
Minamitsuru 忍野村 Oshino mura village

o koto no kami オコトの神 honorable Deity
On the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, O-Koto no Kami walks around from home to home.
He brings illness and harm to families, then called 疫神 Yakujin (Yakubyogami, see below Uenohara.
People also say Hitotsume Kozo is coming.
He is also called oyookasama お八日様 O-Yoka sama, who comes to count eyes.
People put up a mekago basket with many eyes to catch him.

. mekago 目籠 basket to ward off evil .

. Yooka sama Yōka 八日様 Yoka Sama, the Honorable Day Eight .




.......................................................................
Minamitsuru, 山中湖村 Yamanakako village

. 六部 A Rokubu pilgrim and 白馬 a white horse .






.......................................................................　Tsuru city 都留市　.....
saru さる/ サル monkey
Once upon a time
a man went into the mountain forest and said a lot of bad things about saru 「さる」the monkeys.
A lot of stones came falling down on his head and he died.
Since then people do not use the word SARU in the mountain.
This is a curse of Yamanokami.

. さるはちぼんのう Saruhachi Bonno Monkey deity .
- - - - -
Chichigami san 乳神サン "breast deity"
This deity is venerated in 堀ノ内川久保 Kawakubo, Horinouchi.
A priest of the temple used to pray for mothers who did not have enough milk and when her milk was flowing, they erected a stone memorial to thank the deity.

. chichigami 乳神 "breast deity" .

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

On the 17th day of the first lunar month, (some say the 16th day or the 17th day of the fourth lunar month)
) Yamanokami goes to the mountain ユミイリ to shoot arrows.
Sometimes he looses his kanmuri 冠 crown and comes to pick it up later.
オカンムリヒロイ picking up the crown may also be on the 21st day.
If people go to the mountain on these days they will get hurt.



.......................................................................　Uenohara city 上野原市　.....

yakubyoogami 厄病神 deity of diseases
In the hamlet of 用竹 Yotake the deity of diseases comes on the 16th day of the first lunar month to see if there are any ill people.
Sometimes this job is handed over to Yamanokami, who then comes and makes noise and burns straw at the door, so that Yakubyogami can not go into the house.

. Yakubyoogami 疫病神 / 厄病神 Yakubyogami, Deity of Diseases .


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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 Regional 31 Yamagata Yamaguchi

[ . 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 Yamagata 山形県 and Yamaguchi 山口県

. Legends about Yamanokami 山の神と伝説　.


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


More than 200 statues of Yamanokami ! - 山神神社 Shrine Yamanokami Jinja

- source and more photos : chindera.com/yamagata-yamanokami... -

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岩野村 Iwano mura village

hakuba 白馬，arauma, ara-uma 荒馬 wild horse，shinme 神馬 sacred horse
At the beginning of the mountain trail to 獄山 Mount Gakeyama Yamanokami is venerated.
Around 1575 Yamanokami became quite angry and caused a large landslide. A lot of sand covered the village. Then a white horse appeared and flew off to the sky.

. hakuba 白馬と伝説 Legends about a white horse .


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最上郡 Mogami district 金山町 Kaneyama town

sankichi sama 三吉様 / 三吉神 Sankichi Deity
The mountain deity of 太平山 Mount Ohirasan (Mount Taiheizan 太平山 (1,170 m)) is 荒神様 a wild deity called Sankichi Sama.
Once a 大男 large man named ロクノジョウ Rokunojo from Sugizawa hamlet carried a heavy bundle of rice walking over the pass and even chased a kiji 雉 pheasant while carrying the bundle - he was really strong. He went to Akita to 相撲大会 a Sumo wrestling tournament and won easily. Quite happy he went to have a bath when 小僧 a young priest came and carried the bath tub with him outside to clean the bathroom. He became quite afraid and fled secretly at night.
The young priest had been an incarnation of Sankichi Sama.

In Akita 秋田県
. Sankichi Oni サンキチ鬼 The Demon Sankichi .
venerated at 三吉神社 Miyoshi Jinja


.......................................................................
西村山郡 Nishi-Murayama district

The 17th day of the third lunar month is the Festival of Yamanokami. Forest workers have to stay home. If they go to the mountain and meet Yamanokami, the following year will be full of hardship for them.
- - - - -
The 17th day of the 10th lunar month is the Festival of Yamanokami. Yamanokami counts the trees of the forest. Forest workers have to stay home.
- - - - -
The 12th day of the third lunar month and the 12th lunar month is the Festival of Yamanokami.
In Spring he goes down to the fields, in Autum he goes back to the mountain.
- - - - -
On the 12th day of the 3rd lunar month it is not allowed to cut trees in the forest.
Once upon a time a pour husband went to the forest on this day, his wife came running after him when she saw a beautiful woman sitting on the tree, the jealous female Yamanokami. She made the tree fall down and killed the husband.
- - - - -
The festival day of the personal Yamanokami of the family of 佐藤弥蔵 Sato Yazo is on the 12th day of the third and 12th lunar month.
In Spring Yamanokami comed down from the sky, in Autumn he goes back to the sky.
- - - - -
Yamanokami is a female deity with three daughters.
. Yamanokami and miso 味噌 と伝説 Legends about Miso .
ozuke おずけ is the local dialect for Miso soup.
- - - -
Oshiragami オシラ神 "White Deity"
In the hamlet of 長沼 Naganuma people are not allowed to go the the forest on the 17th day of the second and 10th lunar month, the Festival of Yamanokami.
From Spring to Autumn Yamanokami becomes the "White Deity" to protect the kaiko 蚕 silk worms.
. O-Shirasama, oshirasama おしらさま White Deity .
Protector deity of the silk worms.
- - - - -
Tanokami 田の神 God of the Fields
On the 13th day of the tenth lunar month, Yamanokami becomes Tanokami. People make offerings of 13 botamochi ボタ餅 rice cakes at kamidana 神棚 the shelf of the gods.
On this day people are not allowed to work in the fields or sow seeds. They are also not allowed to go into the mountain forest.
- - - - -
A pine tree in the form of the letter Y is called kaeroo matsu かえろう松 pine tree to come home to. Those growing in the East-Western direction are especially disliked.
Before cutting such a tree, people have to make offerings of o-miki 御神酒 ritual rice wine. If they do not have this wine, they must 小便 pee on the tree. If they do this, Yamanokami will not come to stay on this tree.

.......................................................................
西置賜郡 Nishi-Okitama district 小国町 Oguni town

On the 15/16 day of the lunar tenth month, Tanokami goes back to become Yamanokami. People prepare
Tanokami dango 田の神団子 dumplings for Tanokami and place them on the side of the komebitsu 米びつ rice container. They hit the mortar with a pistle to invite the Deity.
- - - - -
On the 16th or 17th day of the second lunar month Yamanokami goes through the forest to count the trees and then comes down to the fields. On this day people make offerings of dumplings.
The female Yamanokami likes songs, On this day people are not allowed to sing while they work outside.
- - - - -


source : blogs.yahoo.co.jp/bbpapajp...

三つ又の大木 A large tree with 3 main stems is sacred to Yamanokami. Before hunting for bears the hunters come here to pray.
. shinboku 神木, shinju　神樹　sacred tree, divine tree .

.......................................................................
米沢市 Yonezawa city

. Benten 弁天と伝説 Legends about Benten .
At 西簗沢 Nishi-Yanazawa there is a deity called 杉山弁財天 Sugiyama Benzaiten, who is a curse for the local people.
Once she bewitched a young man who was very good at making charcoal and singing.


.......................................................................
米沢市 Yonezawa city 笹野町 Sasano town

On the 17th day of the third lunar month, Yamanokami becomes Tanokami in the fields.
On the 12th day of the tenth lunar month or the 29th day of the 9th lunar month, Yamanokami goes back to the mountain.
Each month on the 17th day, Yamanokami comes to count the trees and if people are in the forest, they will also be counted and turned into mountains.
- - - - -
Yamanokami does not like the fires to burn a dead person, but likes the fires used during the birth of a baby. She is therefore revered as
san no kami 産の神 Deity of Birth.
. o-san no kami お産の神 the deity of birth .
- - - - -
About 50 years ago, the local children imitated the festival of Yamanokami in a game. One of the children got bewitched by Yamanokami and begun to hop around like crazy.



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.......................................................................　Yamaguchi 山口県 .....



山代本谷神楽「山の神」Yamashiro Mototani Kagura
- Kagura dance on youtube -


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. Guhin matsu グヒン松 Pine of the Guhin Yokai monster .
(a kind of Tengu)

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

tatari-yama, tatariyama タタリ山，kegayama ケガ山 cursed mountain
Places where strange things have happened are avoided and trees around there not cut any more. They are called "cursed mountains".
Sometimes people hear the voice of a baby crying or the sound of festival music or even the sound of a big tree falling to the groung, but then they run away fast.

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

. Yamanba, Yamauba 山姥 Mountain Hag Monster .
yamanba 山姥

On day 20 of the New Year, Yamanokami and Yamanba are cooking rice, and if someone goes to the mountain forest and is hit by the smoke, he will die.
If people stay too long in the forest, yama no ji 山の爺 "Grandfather of the mountain" (Yamanokami) will come and abduct them.


.......................................................................
岩国市 Iwakuni city 由宇町 Yu town（清水 Shimizu）

yatsugashira no ryuu 八つ頭の竜 a dragon with eight heads
According to the tale of an old man, once there was a special light in 水神浴 the valley of the Water Deity and he saw two dragons playing tenderly while swimming down the river 清水川 Shimizugawa. If someone sees these two dragons, he will become very ill and die.
The whole mountain is therefore dedicated to Yamanokami and called 山の神山 Yamanokami Yama, Mountain of Yamanokami.

Until our day, the village has a special festival for Yamanokami, 『山の神祭り』held once in five years.

- reference source : dydo-matsuri.com/archive/2015 -

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美弥郡 Mine district

. Yamanokami and Tengu 天狗 the Mountain Goblin .
Katsuragi san 桂木山 Mount Katsuragi (702 m)
On the 8th station is a forest with large trees, Katsuragi no Mori. It is also called Yamanokami no mori 山の神の森 "the forest of Yamanokami".
This mountain is sacred as one of the three famous training grounds for Tengu. Here Yamanokami is identical with Tengu.



.......................................................................
見島 Mishima island

ikiahi イキアヒ iki-ai
Yamanokami is seen as ushi 牛 a bull.
If a normal bull happens to meet Yamanokami in the mountain, he will fall ill and die. This is called "イキアヒに出会う ikiahi ni deau".
- - - - -
In Oita 大分県
In Oita the wind タチアイの風 "tachiai no kaze" is also called "ikiahi no kaze" or toorigami 通り神 (通神 kayougami) "the deity is passing".
If one happens to feel this wind be it in the mountain forest, be in on the sea, one will become ill.
If grandmother recites the 般若心経 Hanya Shingyo Heart Sutra, one will get better.

. Hannya Shingyoo 般若心経 Hanya Shingyo Heart Sutra .

.......................................................................
大島郡 Oshima district

. Aobōzu 青坊主 Legends about Aobozu, a "Blue Priest" .
The Yamanokami of this district often turns into Aobozu and asks people to have a Sumo wrestling match. Since he is rather small, but very strong, people accept and then he throws them around, sometimes to their death.

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下関市 Shimonoseki city 蓋井島 Futaoi Island

mori sama 森様 "the honorable fores deityt"
Fuseki no Mori Sama 浮石の森様 the forest of pumice stones, includes the grave of 田の中 Tanokami, where he is called "Mori Sama".
Yamanokami is something different. He is venerated in old trees which are not to be cut down.

- - - - -
oni 鬼 demon
In Futaoi Island there are 山の神の森 four forests sacred to Yamanokami. They come with their legends.
Once upon a long, long time
there came four demons from 新羅 Shiragi, Silla in Korea and wanted to invade Japan. Empress Jingu Kogo gave them poisonous Sake rice wine to drink to get rid of them.
Three of the demons fell down at Futaoi no Mori 蓋井の森, the forest of Futaoi and one demon fell down at Takano no Mori 高野の森, the forest of Takano. Their vengeful spirits brought much trouble to the inhabitants of the island and to appease them, they were venerated as Deities.

. Empress Jingu Kogo 神功皇后 / 神宮皇后 . - (170 - 269)

. Oni densetsu 鬼伝説　Regional Demon Legends .


.......................................................................
柳井市 Yanai city 平郡島 Heigun Island

. ike no nushi 池の主と伝説 Legends about the Master of the Pond .
The serpent deity from the pond of 皇座山 / オオザ山 / おおざさん Ozasan wanted to go to the pond on the other side of the island and asked the fishermen to bring her there.
Then the fishermen put their nets in the water and had a great catch, but only once, as they were told by the serpent. The second time they caught only old roof tiles and dirt.
Now the fishermen spread out a large furoshiki 風呂敷 wrapping cloth and - oh wonder - it turned into a large pond.

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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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- - - - - . 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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Nihon Jinja Saitama

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. Shinto Shrines (jinja　神社) - Introduction .
. kami　神　Shinto deities .
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Nihon Jinja 日本神社 (にほんじんじゃ) Nihon Shrine, "Japan Shrine", Saitama
(Yamato Jinja)



本庄市児玉町小平1578 / Kodamachō Kodaira, Honjō-shi, Saitama
Near 児玉町児玉198・八幡神社社 Hachiman Jinja
(also Ishigami Jinja 石神神社)

This is a shrine in honor of Jinmu Tenno, the first emperor of Japan, built in 791 by Sakanoue Tamura Maro 坂上田村麻呂
This is the only shrine with this name in Japan.
There are six sub-shrines in the compound.
The way up to the shrine is via a huge stone staircase . . people come here to pray for becoming Number One in their field of work and achievement.
The priest in attendance lives in the nearby Hachiman Jinja Shrine.

- - - - - Deities in residence - - - - -
Jinmu Tenno 神武天皇

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この写真は４月３日の神武天皇祭に
本庄市児玉町小平の日本神社で撮ったものです。

. Jinmu Tenno 神武天皇 .

. Sakanoue no Tamuramaro 坂上田村麻呂 (758 - 811) .

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- quote -
Nihon-jinja Shrine
This is the only shrine in all Japan registered with the Jinja Cho (Association of Shinto Shrines) under the name "Nihon-jinja Shrine."
As the only shrine bearing the name "Japan," Olympic athletes and many people involved in sports visit the shrine to worship.
A blue daruma from the Nihon-jinja Shrine accompanied Nadeshiko Japan (the Japanese women's soccer team) to the World Cup in Germany in 2011 and is said to have led the team to victory.
A blue daruma was also present at efforts to bring the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics to Tokyo – another undertaking which succeeded splendidly.
The shrine sits atop a hill, and talismans, charms and blue daruma are available at the shop Arai Shoten at the foot of the hill.
- source : jobu-kinunomichi.jp -


The shrine is famous for its blue Daruma - all ready for winning and being Number One.
- reference source : arai-darumaya 荒井だるま屋 Arai Daruma Store -







2011 FIFA Women's World Cup
After the final game finished 2–2 after extra time, Japan beat the United States 3–1 in a penalty shootout, becoming the first Asian team to win the FIFA Women's World Cup.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !
. Soccer World Cup Daruma .


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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .


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Yama no Kami 06 Regional

[ . 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 Ehime 愛媛県



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山の神硝子工房 Yamanokami Glass Factory
360 Tamagawacho Koya, Imabari, Ehime Prefecture 794-0115 / 愛媛県今治市玉川町高野360



- reference source : yamanokami-glass.jimdo.com -


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Yamanokami Kosenjo 山の神古戦場 - War Landmark in Matsuyama
799-2468, Ogawa, Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture 799-2468



In memory of a battle in 1179, remembering Minamoto no Yoritomo 源 頼朝 (1147 - 1199) and 河野通清 Kono Michikiyo (? - 1181).
Michikiyo killed himself 大松 under a huge pine tree.
The tree lasted until 1965, when it dried of old age.


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ツール・ド・玉川　- 山の神降臨 Tour de Tamagawa - Yamanokami Korin



An event to enjoy the villages, gorges and peaks of Japan.
The tour is 68 km long and climbs to an altitude of 1604 m.
- reference source : cyclesports.jp/depo... -


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


. Yama no Kami matsuri 山の神祭り Yamanokami festivals .
山の神の火祭り Yamanokami Fire Festival at 内子町 Uchiko

. Yamanokami and okoze 虎魚 / 鰧魚 / オコゼ stonefish .
. Yamanokami and yamainu 山犬 wolf .


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

On the first day of the New Year, farmers are not allowed to go to the mountain forest or the fields.
On the 20th day of the New Year, Yamanokami comes out and again farmers do not go to the mountain forest.
On 盆の16日 the 16th during the O-Bon rituals for the ancestors it is taboo to go fishing.
On doyo no ushi no hi 土用の丑の日 (a day in mid July) the special dog day of Doyo
it is taboo to make 味噌 Miso paste.

.......................................................................
今治市 Imabari city

. muenbotoke 無縁仏 graves of the unknown pilgrims .
and their spirits possessing humans

.......................................................................
今治市 Imabari 玉川町 Tamagawa

Yamanokami no Shoogatsu 山の神の正月 New Year of Yamanokami
The ninth day of the first lunar month is the "New Year of Yamanokami".
If people go to the mountain forest for work, they will met with divine punishment.
They also make special offerings to Yamanokami.
Every month on the 9th day there is a taboo of cutting down trees.

This "New Year of Yamanokami" is also celebrated in 新潟県 Niigata.


.......................................................................
浮穴郡 Kamiukena district 久方町 Hisakata-cho

Yamanokami gets angry easily and curses peopole.
The old mountain hag, 山姥 Yamanba, is an incarnation of Yamanokami.
But she also brings a good harvest if venerated properly.


.......................................................................
喜多郡 Kita district

shiroi mizu 白い水 white water
Deep in the mountain there is Yamauba Jinja 山婆神社, often called バアサン Baa-San and also shrine Oyamatsumi Jinja 大山祇神社, where Yamanokami is venerated.
There is a huge boulder with two small caves. On the right cave ヤマノジサ Yama no Jisa (Grandfather) is venerated, on the left side ヤマノバサ Yama no Basa (Grandmother).
In olden times there was white water coming out from a hole between 山の爺さん Grandfather and 山の婆さん Grandmother. (They used this hole to talk to each other, says the legend.)
The water has been sent to the prefectural government for analysis and found to be quite healthy. So many people came here to get it. The water was also known to cure ear diseases, help weak children and grant an easy birth.
They said the water was white because Grandmother uses it daily to wash her rice.
Nowadays there is just normal water flowing there and if bad people come, it stopped flowing.
Grandfather was also called 金時さん Kintoki San.

. Yamanba, Yamauba 山姥 / 山婆 Yamanba "mountain hag" .

- - - - -

If Yamanokami talks to a person, they should not try to argue with him.
In the hamlet 帯江 Obie there is a small sanctuary above the home of the 中村氏 Nakamura family, where Yamanokami is venerated.

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Ashi nashi tengu 足なし天狗 Tengu without feet
On the left of the sanctuary for Yamanokami there is a rock called 足なし天狗の足休めの岩 "Rock where the Tengu without feet rests his legs"
Once a forest worker was cutting a tree the rock when he had the feeling someone was stomping on his head repeatedly. He got angry and swung his ax in the space above his head - and indeed cut off the feet of the Tengu. The Tengu was not clever enough to sense what the man was up to so he got his legs cut off.
The Tengu in this region are also seen as a kind of kaze no kamisama 風の神様 God of the Wind.

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



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松山市 Matsuyama

The 12th day of the 12th lunar month was called
hate no hatsuka 果ての二十日 the final day 20 .
This is an evil day. To avoid angering Yamanokami, people should not enter a mountain.
In former times victims used to be beheaded on this day.
In 怒和 Nuwa it is called ミテの二十日 mite no hatsuka.
It is taboo to go to the forest or go fishing or to cut material to make robes.
At 大浦 Oura it is the day of the festival for Yamanokami.
On this day it is taboo to go to the forest.

. hate no hatsuka 果ての二十日 the final day 20 .

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On the 20th day of the first luner month, people prepare a special meal for Yamanokami. If the smoke of the fire while preparing this food comes to the eyes, the person will go blind.

. Yama no Kami matsuri 山の神祭り Yamanokami festivals .
西条市 Saijo and others


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南宇和郡 Minami-Uwa district

14 families who did not venerate Yamanokami were cursed and their houses burned down.
When they asked a Shaman about it,
It seems they had chopped vegetables and left them on the stone hearth (ishiguro 石グロ), which is the living quarter of the Deity.

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. shishi misaki シシミサキ "Wild Boar Misaki Deity" .


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西条市 Saijo

inu hito sanjin 犬人三神 "Two Dogs and one man as three deities"
At a small sanctuary at 川来須 Kawagurusu the person 伊藤綱次郎 Ito Kojiro is venerated as a deity.
Once upon a time there was a famous hunter in Kuwagurusu, who could throw a spear skillfully. He went hunting with his two beloved dogs, one white and one black. He was attacked by a bear and killed.
The two dogs decided to take revenge for their master, killed the bear and then killed themselves.
This episode is remembered as "Two Dogs and one man as three deities".
Kojiro is now venerated together with Yamanokami as the protector of the area. If someone walks past and happens to see the two dogs, he must return home fast, otherwise he will have bad luck.

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Yamanokami no ki 山の神の木 The Tree of Yamanokami
If someone tries to cut down this kind of tree, he will be cursed, get all red in the face and almost faint.
He has to turn to the Northern direction fast, sit down and be fanned with a mino 箕 straw coat three times to get better.

. shinboku 神木, shinju　神樹　sacred tree, divine tree .


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四国中央市 Shikoku Chuo Town 富郷町 Tomisato

Yamanokami no ki 山の神の木 The Tree of Yamanokami
It is not allowed to cut a tree of Yamanokami. The huge trees at the top of the mountain are resting places for the local Tengu and if cut down, the person will be cursed.
A bifurcated tree with two stems is called heigushi ヘイグシ（幣串) "Shinto purification wand" and it is strictly taboo to cut down such a tree.


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周桑郡 Shuso district 丹原 Tanbara 　小松町 Komatsu

Tengu 天狗 at mount Ishizuchisan 石槌山
Once a man took off early in the morning to be the first to climb Mount Ishizuchisan, when a man carrying a young boy on his shoulders came down the path, all clad in white robes.
They greeted each other and when the man turned around a moment later to observe the two climb further down, they were already gone. It must have been Yamanokami, who did not want a human to be the first in the morning on the mountain, who got angry. So he had asked his disciple, the Tengu, to interrupt the man on his climb.

. Hōkibō 法起坊天狗　Tengu Hoki-Bo, Hokibo .
石鎚山法起坊 / 石槌山法起坊 - Ishizuchizan Hoki-Bo


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宇摩郡 Uma district 土居町 Doi town // タゴリ coughing

Near the bridge 河内橋 Kawachibashi there is a huge boulder with a stone sanctuary.
Once the villagers brought fuujin 風神 the Wind God from the village up here to venerate.
The deity helped calm down the local 山神 Yamanokami and also helped heal タゴリ coughing.


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- reference source : nichibun yokai database -

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. Legends about Yamanokami 山の神と伝説　.

from Fukui 福井県 to 山梨県 Yamanashi - will be updated.

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

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

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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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