Japan - Shrines and Temples: Search results for Kyoto

Showing posts sorted by date for query Kyoto. Sort by relevance Show all posts

18/03/2020

Yasaka Shrine Legends

. 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

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

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

.......................................................................　Chiba 千葉県 .....
.......................................................................
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 .....
.......................................................................
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 .....
.......................................................................
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 .....
.......................................................................
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 .....
.......................................................................
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 .....
.......................................................................

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... -

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

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

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

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

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

- reference : nichibun yokai database -

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

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #yasakashrine #yasakajinja #gozutenno #Gionjinja #gionshrine -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

14/03/2020

shinshi otsukai messenger

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

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

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

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

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

.......................................................................　Ehime 愛媛県 .....
.......................................................................
松山市 Matsuyama city

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

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

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

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

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

shiro mamushi 白蝮 white viper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

. Shrine Mitsumine Jinja 三峰神社 / 三峯 .

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

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

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

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

shinshi no kitsune 神使の狐 the fox as divine messenger

source : suwatakken.naganoblog...

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

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

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

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

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

. three masks of 竜神 the Dragon Deity .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

. shishimai 獅子舞 a lion dance for Inari .

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

- reference : nichibun yokai database -

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

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

08/03/2020

Gozu Tenno Legends

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

. Yasaka Jinja 八坂神社 Yasaka Shrine - Legends .

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

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

Gion Daimyojin　祇園大明神

. Somin Shorai 蘇民将来 .

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

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

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

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

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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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

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

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

. Legends and Tales from Japan 伝説 - Introduction .

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

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

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

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

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

. Great Tsushima Shrine 津島大社 Tsushima Taisha .

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

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

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

. Oak Trees / Quercus .

.......................................................................
Ehime 宇和島市 Uwajima city

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

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

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

source : traveltowns.jp/spots...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

.......................................................................
Miyagi 名取市 Natori city 増田 Masuda

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- reference : nichibun yokai database -

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

- 牛頭天王縁起 - pdf file

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

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #gozu #gozutenno #oxheaded #giondaimyojin #epidemic #pandemic #densenbyo #hayariyamai -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Ishigami Stone Deity

. Ishigami 石神 Stone Deity .
- - - The related deity Iwagami is introduced on this page:

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

Iwagami 岩神 "rock deity"
Often a special rock or boulder venerated by the villagers.

source and more photos: maebasisi/IwagamiInari...

御岩神社 - 岩神稲荷神社 Iwagami Inari Jinja
群馬県前橋市昭和町3-29-6 Gunma, Maebashi city, Showa town
In the back of the shrine is a huge boulder, iwagami no tobiishi 岩神の飛石 "the flying stone of the rock deity".

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

- Reference : kojiki.kokugakuin...

. shingun 神軍 / jingun ジングン heavenly army phenomenon .
Stones like arrowheads falling from the sky.

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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

- - - Iwagami 岩神 often refers to an unusual rock formation, venerated as a deity.

.......................................................................　Aichi 愛知県 .....
.......................................................................
豊川市 Toyokawa city 八幡町 Yawata town // 岩神

uwabami うわばみ is an old name for a large serpent.

Once upon a time, there lived a huge serpent in the area, as big as a huge tree. It caused a lot of damage to the local farmers. So they hired a Samurai to kill the serpent. They took the head of the serpent and venerated it.
uwabami うわばみ / 蟒蛇 is an old name for a very large serpent. In the local dialect, it changed to Iwagami.
The Uwabami name later changed to Orochi おろち, a serpent that likes Sake rice wine and is represented in the legend of
. Yamata no Orochi (ヤマタノオロチ) 八岐大蛇、八俣遠呂智、八俣遠呂知, .

- quote -
Translation: giant snake, great serpent
Alternate names: orochi, daija
Habitat: wilderness
Diet: carnivorous, very fond of alcohol; gluttonous
Appearance:
Uwabami are enormous serpents. Apart from their incredible size, they closely resemble ordinary snakes. They make their homes in the wilderness, far from civilization.
- Details are here :
- source : yokai.com/uwabami -

.......................................................................　Fukushima 福島県 .....
.......................................................................
館村 Datemura village // 岩神明神

tora no maki 虎之巻 scroll with a tiger
Once upon a time, umakata 馬方 the owner of a horse was on his way home when he met an old ill pilgrim on the road. He took him to his home and nursed him. Just before his death, the pilgrim said: "This is a secret scroll, you must never look at it!" and gave him the scroll.
Later there was a fire in the village and the horse owner took the scroll and brought it to the shrine where 岩神明神 Iwagami Myojin is venerated.
It stayed there with its name, Scroll with a Tiger and nobody has ever looked at it.

. umakata 馬方 owner of a horse .

.......................................................................　Hiroshima 広島県 .....
.......................................................................
庄原市 Shobara city 東城町 Tojo town

. Ishigami san 石神さん The Venerable Stone Deity .

.......................................................................　Kagawa 香川県 .....
.......................................................................
高松市 Takamatsu city 東植田町 Higashi-Ueta town // 岩神

Tanuki-chi タヌキ地 / 狸地 "Tanuki land"
At the foot of the mountain there are two rocks, venreated as 岩神 Iwagami.
East of them there was a small field, but people should not use it because bad things would happen. Tanuki, the messenger of Iwagami, would play his tricks.
So this field was called Tanuki-chi タヌキ地 / 狸地 "Tanuki land".

. tanuki 狸 - mujina 狢－ racoon dog, badger legends .

.......................................................................　Kyoto 京都府 .....
.......................................................................
上京区 Kamigyo ward

. Iwagami Jinja 岩上神社 / 岩神祠 / 岩神さん / Iwagami 石神 / イワガミ .

.......................................................................　Miyazaki 宮崎県 .....
.......................................................................
西都市 Saito city 銀鏡 Shiromi // 石神

tatsu no koma 龍の駒 horse of a dragon
On the Westernn slope of 龍房山 Mount Ryubusuyama there is a hamlet called 秋切集落 Akkiri.
There is 石神 a stone deity named Ryu no Tama 龍之玉. In the nearby river the tatsu no koma 龍の駒 horse of the deity comes do drink.

Iwagami Jinja 岩神神社
415 Kojimacho, Gojo, Nara
For the veneration of the huge rock.
source and more photos : ameblo.jp/keith4862...

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

- reference : nichibun yokai database -

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

. Oiwa Jinja 御岩神社 / お岩神社 / Kabire Jingu 賀毘礼神宮.
in Ibaraki, with a Tengu.
Isonokami, iso no kami 石上 (ishi no ue) 石上サン on a rock

Ryugan Jinja 龍岩神社 in Shimane -- タツイワ様 Tatsuiwa San

Shiraiwa Jinja 白岩神社 in Kochi

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

（蒲生郡安土町老蘇式内奥石神社『神社本紀』）

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

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #ishigami #stonedeity #stone #rock #iwagami -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

07/03/2020

Ishigami Stone Deity 2

Jinseki 石神 a place name in Hiroshima

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

. Iwagami 岩神 "rock deity" .
Often a special rock or boulder venerated by the villagers.

. Shibagami 柴神 / シバガミ Shibagami / 柴取り神 Shibatorigami .
and トンビョウ神 Tonbyogami

. magaibutsu 磨崖仏散歩 Stone Cliff Buddhas .

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

Isonokami, iso no kami 石上 (ishi no ue) 石上サン on a stone

- quote -

homepage of isonokami.jp

. Isonokami Jingu 石上神宮 .

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

- - - - - Various shrines with the name Ishigami Jinja 石神神社 / 石神社 - - - - -

- quote -
The "Ishigami-san" (Stone God) on the grounds of 神明神社 Shinmei Jinja Shrine
is worshipped by the women divers since the old days as a god who "grants at least one wish of a woman".
In the present day, many women from all parts of Japan come to worship here.
All you have to do is to write just one wish on the "Wish Paper", and post the Wish Paper in the wish box in front of "Ishigami-san", then pray.
A rather unique good luck charm, which has the embroidery of a star and grills, is also popular.
Because a star could be drawn in one stroke, the women divers believed "they could return where they started after the dive".
Also, the grills implied that "there is no open space from where a demon could enter".
- source : kankomie.or.jp/en/spot... -

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

source : pmiyazaki.com/takachiho/isigami...

高千穂の石神神社　（いしがみじんじゃ）in Takachiho
Deity in Residence is 牛神大明神 Ushigami Daimyojin
. ushigami 牛神　Kami of cattle .
= Ta no Kami, Ta-no-Kami 田の神 Tanokami, God of the Fields

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

. Onishi Jinja 鬼石神社 Onishi Shrine .
Onishi 鬼石町（おにしまち） was a town located in Tano District, Gunma Prefecture.
The region produced many stones 石の産地.
The protector deity of stones was called 鬼石明神 Onishi Myojin and is known at least since 1703.

oni ishi 鬼石 lit. Demon Stone

- Reference : kojiki.kokugakuin...

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

. shingun 神軍 / jingun ジングン heavenly army phenomenon .
Stones like arrowheads falling from the sky.

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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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

- - - - -　 H A I K U　 - - - - -

蝶の類枯れ石神に日燦爛
木村蕪城

化石神やまなみねがえりをうつか
田畑耕作

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

- - - Ishigami 石神 often refers to an unusual stone formation, venerated as a deity.

reference : 蒲生郡安土町老蘇式内奥石神社『神社本紀』

青森県黒石市牡丹平大山祇神社　砲弾鬼石神
大山祇神社（おおやまづみじんじゃ）Oyamazumi Jinja

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

Hakoishi Jinja 箱石神社
in 宮城県 Miyagi 石巻市 Ishinomaki city

. ryuu, ryū 龍　竜　伝説　Ryu - dragon legends .
A ujigami 氏神 clan deity of the ashigaru 足軽 soldiers of the Sendai domain, who lived in 成田町 the Narita town, along 北上川 the river Kitakamigawa.
When 坂上宿禰高道 Sakanoue Sukune passed here in 863 to fight the Emishi, he found his death here.
His soul turned into a dragon and caused great flooding. To appease his soul, the shrine was erected.

. ashigaru 足軽 "light legs", common foot soldier .

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

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

Retsuishi Jinja 裂石神社 "split stone" Shrine
in Yamanashi　山梨県, Enzan city - 岩盤から湯が湧出
The saddle of the deity riding to Retsuishi Shrine became a stone.

At the temple 裂石山雲峰寺 Retsuishizan Unpo-Ji

source : rubese.net/gurucomi...

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

Tateiwa Jinja 立石神社 (たていわじんじゃ) "standing stone" in various places / 立石稲荷
- photos -

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

. ubusuna ishi うぶすな石 stone for the Deity of Birth .

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

. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

// 石の神
There is 自然石の神 a natural stone deity called 松倉様 Matsukura sama.
They say if flew here in one night.

source : www43.tok2.com/home/hikeaomori...
Matsukura Jinja 松倉神社
Aomori, 五所川原市前田野目

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

.......................................................................　Akita 秋田県 .....
.......................................................................
秋田市 Akita city 金足 Kanaashi

Ishigami Sama 石神様
At 鳰崎 Niozaki there are two hokora 祠 small Shrines, one dedicated to 石神様 Ishigami Sama and one to 白山様 Hakusan Sama.
At the Hakusan Shrine, amagoi 雨乞い rain rituals are performed. If they do not bring any result, the next rain ritual is performed at the Shrine for Ishigami Sama.
. amagoi 雨乞いと伝説 Legends about rain rituals / Regenzauber .

.......................................................................　Aomori 青森県 .....
.......................................................................
大石神社 Shrine Oishi Jinja

Gomiso ゴミソ a Shaman like the Itako
Around 1920, 工藤むら Kudo Mura was worried about the health of his daughter さだ Sada. He consulted a local Gomiso Shaman, who told him she should to go to 赤倉山 Mount Akakurayama.
For three years and three months, she went to venerate the ウブスナさま Ubusuna-Sama in the village of 鼻和村 Hanawa. At the end of this time, 成田の不動様 the great Fudo of Narita showed his form. The following year from the New Year on she went to Akakura and the shrine 大石神社 Oishi Jinja for three days of prayer and eventually became a Gomiso Shaman.

The Shrine 赤倉山神社 Akakurayama Jinja is located at Higashiiwakisan-1-39 Hyakuzawa, Hirosaki.

.......................................................................　Ehime 愛媛県 .....
.......................................................................
今治郡 Imabari district // 石神サン

There is kyoseki 巨石 a huge stone megalith and if people touch it, their stomach will begin to ache.

There are various large stones in Imabari.

伯方島　宝股山　石神
石清水八幡神社　磐座
伯方島　喜多浦八幡神社の亀石
手水鉢の石
- reference and more photos : shamon/kyoseki/ehime/imabari... -

.......................................................................
Ehime 西条市 Saijo city 千町 Sencho town // 石の神体

osainoki san, o-sai no ki san おさいのきさん honorable tree at the border
This type of tree is located ath the borders of a village.
One is at 旧加茂村内部落 Kamo village Murauchi hamlet at the pond 御代池 / 御代ヶ池(みよがいけ) Myogaike, where ia rock is venerated as Kami.
At its side are many zoori 草履 straw sandals.
It is venerated as tagori no kami タゴリの神 (tagori means coughing).
If prayers have helped to cure, people offer straw sandals.

. Sekigamisama 咳神様 Deity of coughing .

.......................................................................　Gunma 群馬県 .....

群馬県利根郡片品村花咲
source : webgunma.com/189...

hanasaki ishi 花咲石 - ハナサキイシ Hanasaki Stone
Yamato Takeru was on his way to Northern Japan to fight 悪勢（おぜ）Oze, a bad grouop of people.
In the mountains lived majin 魔神 a bad deit (Oze), which did not follow the orders of the Imperial Court but brought trouble to the villagers.
This bad deity was overpowered and burned. His daughter was a pure girl, but the soldiers of Takeru captured and killed her. Her maid servant cried herself to death and her soul became a stone. The stone was called Hanasaki "Stone of flowering blossoms".
The stone is now a historical landmark in 片品村 Katashina village.
Another version of the legend tells of the wife of Oze, which had hidden in a cave. The enemy set fire to the cave and she died in the flames. Her dead body begun to grow into a large stone, with the pattern of rainbow-colored botan 牡丹 peony blossoms.
After her death, the villagers begun to get ill and have misfortunes, so they built a red torii 鳥居 Shrine gate and venerated the place as
牡丹石明神.
This part of Katashina village is called 花咲 Hanasaki Hamlet.

. Yamato Takeru 日本武尊 .

. majin 魔神 - akushin, akujin 悪神 devil, Teufel .

.......................................................................　Hiroshima 広島県 .....
.......................................................................
神石郡 Jinseki district 神石高原町 Kogencho town // 石神さん

A 伊勢参りの旅人 pilgrim to the Ise Shrine forgot a package on iwa 岩 a rock, but the villagers found it. First they wanted to throw it away but the next day they put it back in the rock. This went on for a few days and eventually they opened it.
Inside were tamagushi 玉串 branch offerings. The villagers placed them on the rock and venerated them as shintai 神体 the Body of Kami.
Later a stone mason wanted to split the rock, but red blood came out of it.
The stone had originally been the size of a bed, but now it begun to grow more and more into the sky.

. tamagushi 玉串 offering of a sacred Sakaki branch .

. shintai 神体 "body of the deity" .

.......................................................................
Hiroshima 庄原市 Shobara city 東城町 Tojo town

. Ishigami san 石神さん The Venerable Stone Deity .

.......................................................................　Hyogo 兵庫県 .....
.......................................................................
明石市 Akashi city // 明石の神 Kami from Akashi

. Kakinomoto Jinja 柿本神社 Shinto Shrine in Akashi, Hyogo .
moojoozakura 盲杖櫻 / 盲杖桜 "Blind Stick Cherry".
A blind person from 筑紫 Tsukushi no Kuni province come here and repeated the prayer for a certain time:
ほのゞとまこと明石の神ならば　我にも見せよ人丸の塚
When he could see again, he placed his blind stick here and it grew into a cherry tree.

.......................................................................
Hyogo 神戸市 Kobe city まや山天上寺 Mayasan Tenjo-Ji

yakusui shinkoo 薬水信仰 belief in healing water
At the temple Tenjo-Ji there is a special stone monument with a hole on the top, where the water collects.
In former times this was attributed to 石神 Ishigami or 石仏地蔵碑 a stone statue of Jizo Bosatsu.
The water would heal eye diseases.

. Maya san Tenjooji 摩耶山天上寺 Tenjo-Ji .

.......................................................................　Iwate 岩手県 .....
.......................................................................
八幡平市 Hachimandaira city

Shizukuishi Jinja 滴石神社

At this Shrine there is a mysterious stone with an opening like a bottle to pour a drink. On its top it makes a sound like シズクイシ "shizuku ishi", on the bottom it makes a dripping sound like tantan タンタン. Many people come here to take a look. The local headman who had to guide the visitors became weary of the job and split the top of the spring stone. As a curse his family became very poor, but the story was told from grandfather to grandchild.

.......................................................................　Kagawa 香川県 .....
.......................................................................
さぬき市 Sanuki city // 田石の神様 Taishi no Kamisama

. tanuki 狸 - mujina 狢－ racoon dog, badger legends .
The neighbour of 広瀬 Hirose san once said "I am going to pray at 田石の神様 Taishi no Kamisama sanctuary. When he wanted to go back, it was already quite dark. Suddenly 白い狸 a white tanuki appeared in front of him. This Tanuki, quite a Yokai monster, was called Ashimagari 足まがり Ashi-Magari, trying to prevent him from going straight .
But he kicked the animal with one leg, so it disappeared.
It took him more than 12 hours to get home.

.......................................................................　Kanagawa 神奈川県 .....
.......................................................................
鎌倉市 Kamakura city

At the Shrine 石神神社 Ishigami Jinja (In the compound of Goryo Jinja) there is an annual ritual on the 25th of July to appease the local 河童 Kappa. Young men with bowls of offerings swim as far as the point from where the island of Enoshima can be seen, then they throw the offerings into the sea. This will prevent the Kappa from doing harm to the swimmers on the famous beach.
. Kappa Legends from Kanagawa 神奈川 .

.......................................................................　Kochi 高知県 .....
.......................................................................
幡多郡 Hata district 西土佐村 Nishi-Tosa village // 石神さん

. kannazuki 神無月 month where the Kami are absent .
kami no rusu 神の留守 the gods are absent
This is the 10th lunar month, when the Kami father at 出雲 Izumo.
During that time Izumo no matsu 出雲の松 the pine of Izumo begins to bend.
Konpira san 金毘羅さん and 石神さん Ishigami san do not go.

. matsu 松と伝説 Legends about the pine tree / 松の木 matsu no ki .

.......................................................................　Kyoto 京都府 .....
.......................................................................
上京区 Kamigyo ward

iwagami 石神 / イワガミ Iwagami Deity
The rock at 下の石神 Shimo no Iwagami has been pulled here by 高松殿 the lord of Takamatsu. There had been a strange light every night at the top, so the wet nurse of the lord was awarded to become priestess at the temple / shrine to venerate and appease Ishigami 石神寺 / 石神社.
The Shrine is also known as 岩神神社 Iwagami Jinja, 「岩神祠(いわがみし/いわがみ　の　ほこら)」 Iwagami no Hokora, 、「岩神さん」 Iwagami san or 「岩上神社」 Iwagami Jinja.

Iwagami Shrine (岩上神社) - Daikokucho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto

- quote -
It Shrine is very small. When I first visited the place, I almost overlooked it, because the shrine consists of only one water basin and one main building. The size of the shrine is about 10 square meters of land. However, it has obviously been enshrined importantly by local people for a long time.

This shrine’s object of worship is this rock.
There is an interesting story related to this rock. In ancient times, this rock used to be placed at Nijo Horikawa. However, people in those days decided to relocate the rock to different places, and they did so several times. The rock was actually really upset about it, and some people heard the sound of crying from the rock at night. What is more, soon after the relocations, many unfortunate accidents happened in Kyoto over and over again. People of that time were terrified and started to believe that these accidents were results of the rock’s wrath. Consequently, people decided to establish a shrine to appease the wrath of the rock, and they restored the peace in the city. Today, we can still see the rock enshrined at Iwagami Shrine. - source and more photos : urarachan.wordpress.com/... -

.......................................................................　Mie 三重県 .....
.......................................................................
河藝郡 Kawage district 栗眞村 Kurima village // 石神

A woman in the village became ill. An oracle told her, it was because the family had burned down the little forest around the local Shrine for 石神 Ishigami. Since then the family begun to pray at the Shrine and never cut a tree from there again.

.......................................................................　Miyazaki 宮崎県 .....
.......................................................................
西都市 Saito city 銀鏡 Shiromi // 石神

tatsu no koma 龍の駒 horse of a dragon
On the Westernn slope of 龍房山 Mount Ryubusuyama there is a hamlet called 秋切集落 Akkiri.
There is 石神 a stone deity named Ryu no Tama 龍之玉. In the nearby river the tatsu no koma 龍の駒 horse of the deity comes do drink.

銀鏡(しらみ)神社 Shirami Jinja / 銀鏡神社（しろみ神社） Shiromi Shrine
- reference source : pmiyazaki.com/siromi_j... -

.......................................................................　Okinawa 沖縄県 .....
.......................................................................
マユイシノカミは前石の神 mayuishi no kami

.......................................................................
モンイシノカミ mon ishi no kami
門の石の神 stone deity of the gate

.......................................................................
パライシノカミ para ishi no kami
パライシノカミ（腹石 hara no ishi）は柱石の神である。

.......................................................................
シティイシノカミshitii ishi no kami
シティイシノカミは墓の下部の石の神である。

.......................................................................
ウヤイシノカミ waya ishi no kami
ウヤイシノカミは親石、または上石の神である。

....................................................................... Osaka 大阪府 .....
.......................................................................
天王寺区 Tennoji ward

During the construction of 四天王寺 Shitenno-Ji temple, ox carts were used to transport the stones. When the construction was finished, one bull turned into a stone.
He is now venerated at 石神の祠 a small Ishigami Shrine, Ishigami Do　石神堂.

. Temple Shitenno-Ji 四天王寺 .

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

ochosusama, o-chosu sama おちょす様 Deity to protect children
At the roadside is a stone deity named O-Chosu Sama, venerated in a small shrine with a thatched roof.
On the 20th day of the New Year there is 的射り a ritual of children shooting at a target. The small shrine was once relocated to 十二社宮 the place for 12 Shrines, but a priest said this was not good, so it was brought back to its old place.
In former times, children had used bamboo sticks to pick the stone, but a farmer stopped them.
The farmer soon died of a curse from the Deity.
. kodomo no kami 子供の神 Deity to protect children .

.......................................................................　Shimane 島根県 .....
.......................................................................
浜田市 Hamada city

Once upon a time, there was a huge rock. If people touched it, they got crazy or even died. When スサノオノミコト the Deity Susanoo no Mikoto split it into two parts, the strange things did not happen any more. One of these rocks gave name to the Shrine erected there, 石神神社 Ishigami Jinja.

.......................................................................　Tokyo 東京都 .....
.......................................................................
練馬区 Nerima ward

. Shakujii Park 石神井公園 Shakujii Koen .
石神井神社 Shrine Shakujii Jinja

sakana 魚 fish
At 石神井の池 the pond in Shakuji Park there lived a strange fish, each of its scales looked like a torii 鳥居 gate of a Shinto shrine.
During flooding this fish is swept out to the surrounding rice and vegetable fields. The villagers revere it as a messenger of the deity of Shajuji Shrine and never catch it.

- - - - - 石神井川 River Shakujigawa
Once a man heard the bell of a bicycle along the river Shakujigawa.
There were very few bycicles in this area and it might have been the mischief of the ghost of someone who had once fallen into the river and drowned.
Suddenly the place became quite popular and many people came to look out for the ghost.
Finally they realized it was the voice of frogs and the excitement died down.

. Yamata no orochi 山田の大蛇 / 八岐大蛇 huge monster serpent .

.......................................................................　Yamaguchi 山口県 .....
.......................................................................
防府市 Hofu city // 立石

Tateishi Inari 立石稲荷 / 立石稲荷神社
Dannouracho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi

Built in the slope in three steps.

Tateishi Inari Myojin 立石稲荷明神
Once the elder brother was very sick and his life in danger. The parents went to 立石稲荷社 Tateishi Inari Jinja to pray for his recovery. The next morning there was a long flag from white cotton hanging from the ceiling. The flag touched the cheek of the boy, fell down before the mother and then vanished. The sick boy recovered very soon. The flag must have been from the Deity of the Tateishi Shrine.

. momen 木綿 legends about cotton .
.......................................................................
大島郡 Oshima district 周防大島町 Suo Oshima town

On the mountain near the Shrine 志度石神社 Shidoishi Jinja there is a bird with white patterns below its wings. It is said to be fed by the Deity itself.
On the 11th day of the new year, there is a ritual called Otogui, O-to kui 御鳥喰 "feeding the bird", when the bird is fed. If the bird does not eat the food, there will be a bad year with disasters ahead.

.......................................................................　Yamanashi 山梨県 .....
.......................................................................
// 石の神

On the 14th day of the New Year the Dosojin 道祖神 Wayside Gods are venerated as 石の神 Ishi no Kami. The fire of the ritual will protect children from getting ill.
. Doosojin 道祖神 Dosojin, Dososhin - Legends about Wayside Gods .

. Yooka sama. Yōka 八日様 Yoka Sama, the Honorable Day Eight .
oyooka sama お八日様 O-Yoka Sama

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

- reference : nichibun yokai database -
（蒲生郡安土町老蘇式内奥石神社『神社本紀』）

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

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #ishigami #stonedeity #stone #rock #iwagami #rockdeity #tateishi #shibaori #jizo #jinzeki #shakuji #magaibutsu -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::