Japanese Deities

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. shinbutsu 神仏 kami to hotoke - the Deities of Japan .
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Japanese Buddhas and Deities
日本の神仏　 shinbutsu


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.................. Introducing Buddha Statues

History of Buddha Statues in Japan 仏像の歴史



.. .. .. .. .. .. .. The Nyorai Group 如来

Amida Buddha 阿弥陀如来
- - - .紅頗梨色阿弥陀如来 Gubari Amida Nyorai in red cloth .

Dainichi Nyorai 大日如来 The Great Sun, Center of the Universe

O-Take Nyorai お竹如来

Shaka Nyorai 釈迦如来 　Gautama Buddha

Tahoo Nyorai 多宝如来 Taho Nyorai - Prabhuta Ratna プラブータ・ラトナ

Yakushi Nyorai 薬師如来、Buddha of Medicine


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.. .. .. .. .. .. .. The Bosatsu Group 菩薩

. Bosatsu 菩薩 　Bodhisattva Group .


Daigen Shuri Bosatsu 招宝七郎大権修理菩薩
monastery-protecting spirit (gogaranjin 護伽藍神)
and temple Anryu-Ji 安竜寺


Fugen Bosatsu 普賢菩薩（ふげんぼさつ) (Samantabhadra)
and the white Elephant


Hoki Bosatsu, Hooki Bosatsu 法起菩薩 ... "Hoodoo Sennin" 法道仙人, Temple Bodaiji 菩提寺, Saint Tokudo 徳道上人


... ... ... Jizo Bosatsu　地蔵菩薩
- with more details -

Ajimi Jizo 嘗試地蔵 and Kobo DaishiKoya san

Jizo as Jigoku Bosatsu 地獄菩薩, Namu Jigoku Daibosatsu
南無地獄大菩薩

Asekaki Jizoo, the Sweating Jizo 汗かき地蔵

Gote Jizoo ごて地蔵 Gote Jizo , Osaka, Kita-Ku
曽根崎警察署の裏

Hadaka Jizoo Naked Jizo　裸地蔵

Hooroku Jizoo ほうろく地蔵 with an earthen pot on his head
(Horoku Jizo 焙烙地蔵)

Miso Jizoo 広島のみそ地蔵

O-Bake Jizoo 化け地蔵 the monstrous Jizo statues Nikko

Omokaru Jizoo, Heavy or Light Jizo おもかる地蔵、重軽地蔵

Shinpei-Ji 心平寺　地蔵　 Kencho-Ji, Kamakura

Shioname Jizo 塩嘗地蔵 Salt-tasting Jizo in Kamakura

Yonaki Jizo and babies crying at night 夜泣き地蔵



... ... ... Kannon Bosatsu 観音菩薩

Batoo Kannon, Horseheaded Kannon 馬頭観音

Hakodate 33 Kannon Pilgrimage 西国移土三十三観音, 函館市湯川寺

Hatakiri Kannon はたきり観音さん, Shikoku Henro 10

Jundei Kannon, Juntei Kannon 准胝 観音 Mother of all Buddhas
准胝仏母（じゅんていぶっぽ）

Maria Kannon　マリア観音 Christians in Nagasaki

Nyoirin Kannon, Wishfulfilling Kannon如意輪観音
..... Seiryuu Gongen, Dragon Deity Zennyo 清瀧権現

O-Shichi Kannon お七観音 at temple Tanjo-Ji in Okayama 誕生寺 (Tanjooji)

Senju Kannon, with 1000 Arms and Juuichimen Kannon with 11 heads 千手観音, 十一面観音

Shichimen Kannon 七面観音 Nichiren and Mount Minobu
Shichimen Daibosatsu 七面大菩薩

Usuzumi Kannon, Light Charcoal Cherry Tree Kannon 薄墨観音




Kokuuzoo Bosatsu 虚空蔵菩薩 Kokuzo Bosatsu
Akashagarbha Bodhisattva.
Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Memory



Maso Bosatsu, Senrigan and Junpuji 媽祖菩薩, 千里眼, 順風耳

Memyo Bosatsu 馬鳴菩薩. Ashvagosha

Miroku Bosatsu 弥勒菩薩 Maitreya

Monju Bosatsu 文殊菩薩　Manjushri

Myoken Bosatsu (Myooken Bosatsu) 妙見菩薩
and Star Shrines in Japan, Hoshi Jinja 星神社

Nikko Bosatsu (Sunlight) Gakko Bosatsu (Moonlight)
日光菩薩と月光菩薩 Suryaprabha and Candraprabha


Seishi Bosatsu 勢至菩薩 Mahasthamaprapta


Sengen Daibosatsu 浅間大菩薩 Deity of Mount Fuji



Daibosatsu is a term of Buddhist origin, and refers to a "great kami that has awakened to the Way of the Bodhisattva."


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.. .. .. .. .. .. .. The Myo-O Group 明王の部

Aizen Myo-O　 愛染明王

Daigensui 大元帥明王 Taigen (Atavaka)

Daiitoku Myo-O 大威徳明王 Yamaantaka


. . . . Fudo Myo-O ... see above


Goosanze Myo-O 降三世明王 Gosanze Trilokavijaya


Kujaku Myo-O 孔雀明王 The Pheasant Wisdom King　

Ususama Myo-O 烏瑟沙摩明王
Ucchusma, deity of the toilet

Zao Gongen 蔵王権現


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.. .. .. .. .. .. .. The Ten Group, Tenbu 天部 Deva, Devas

Many of them are devas are deities coming from India and some have shrines with a torii 鳥居entrance gate dedicated to them. The division between Shinto and Buddhism is difficult here, ecpecially since many sanctuaries were erected before the separation of the two religions in Japan in the Meiji period.


Ashura, Asura (あしゅら) 阿修羅


Benzaiten　弁財天, Benten 弁天 Benzai-Ten
..... Benten and the Gods of Water


Bishamonten、Tamonten 多聞天 (Vaishravana) 毘沙門天、毘沙門の使ひ

Bishukatsuma 毘首羯磨 (Vishvakarman ヴィシュヴァカルマン)
自在天王・工巧天・巧妙天

Daikoku Ten 大黒天 Daikoku sama

Dairokuten Ma-O ... 第六天魔王, 大六天 Take Jizaiten 他化自在天

Dakiniten, Dakini Ten (Vajra Daakini) 荼枳尼天

Datsueba 奪衣婆 or 脱衣婆 the Old Hag of Hell

Ebisu ... 夷　恵比寿　恵比須　えびす、エビス God of Good Luck

Enma Ten, Enma Oo (Emma): The King of Hell閻魔天、閻魔王
..... The Ten Kings of Hell, Juu Oo 十王


Gigeiten 伎芸天 Daijizai Tennyo 大自在天女 and
Daijizai Ten 大自在天 (Shiva)

Gohoojin 護法神 Protectors of the Buddhist law


Hotei 布袋 Pu-Tai

Idaten 韋駄天 (Skanda)

Juuni Shinshoo 十二神将　Twelve Heavenly Generals,
12 Warrior Generals

Kankiten (Ganesh) Elephant-headed deity

Kichijoten 吉祥天 Kichijooten (Lakshmi, Shri Mahadevi)

Kishibojin　鬼子母神, Kishimojin, Kangimo, Kariteimo 訶梨帝母

Kuroyami Ten 黒闇天 Kokuan Ten of the Darkness
Kuroyami Tennyo 黒闇天女（くろやみてんにょ）

Madarajin, Matarajin, Matara Shin 摩多羅神 Mathara, Mahakala

Mao son 護法魔王尊 Gohoo Maoo Son
and the three sonten 尊天 of Kurama mountain temple

Marishiten 摩利支天 Marishi Ten

Nio, Deva Kings 仁王 (Nioo, Niou)


. Ototen 乙天 Bishamonten .


Shakudaijin 石大神 - near Ogisu, Suzuka-gun, Kyoto
- reference -


Shomen Kongo 青面金剛 Shoomen Kongoo
and
- Kooshin 庚申 Kōshin, Koshin Ka-no-e-saru -


Taishakuten, Taishaku Ten 帝釈天
Indra, Sakra Deva, Shakra Devanam Indra
and the Koshin Cult (kooshin 庚申, ka no e saru)


The Gods of the four elements 風水天地の神様
水神　Suijin, 風神 Fuujin, 地神 Chijin, 火神 Kajin


Seven Gods of Good Luck 七福神 Shichifukujin　


. Wakaten　若天 Fudo Myo-O .

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Saints and holy figures


Binzuru 賓頭盧 (Pinzuru)

. MORE Fellow Pilgrims .


. Memorial Days of Poets .


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Hibutsu ... 秘仏 ... Secret and hidden Buddha statues

Temples and Shrines of Japan



Busshi 仏師 ... Buddhist Sculptors Gallery



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.. .. .. .. .. .. .. Shinto Deities 神道の神様


. - - - kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-list - - - .


- - - - - The Gods of Japan and Haiku (kami to hotoke)


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quote
Shingō　神語
A "divine title" affixed to the name of a kami.
A wide variety of titles have come into use in accordance with the unique characteristics of kami, and as a result of historical changes in the way kami have been understood. In the ancient period, the title mikoto was used, while expressions such as myōjin ("shining kami"), daibosatsu (great bodhisattva), and gongen (avatar) came into use as a product of kami-buddha combinatory cults (shinbutsu shūgō). During the Edo period, the title reisha ("spirit shrine") was applied to the departed spirits of human beings.

The title mikoto, written variously with the characters 命 or 尊 was used in ancient classics such as Kojiki and Nihongi as a title of respect for both kami and noble persons. It is believed that mi represents an honorific prefix, while koto means "thing," "event," or "word"; together, the reading mikoto has been interpreted as referring to a "noble personage," "minister" or "medium" (mikotomochi), and "noble child" (miko; see mikogami).

Nihongi differentiates between the usage of characters 尊 and 命 for mikoto, stating that the earlier character is used to refer only to kami of the utmost dignity with direct linkage to the imperial descent, while the latter character is used for all other kami.

The title myōjin 明神 as applied to Japanese kami is believed to evolved from an earlier term myōjin 名神 ("eminent kami"), which was used in ancient works like Engishiki to refer to kami of particularly noteworthy power. Under the influence of the homophonic myōjin 明神 ("shining deity") found in Chinese and Buddhist texts, the latter character combination came to be applied to indigenous kami as well.

Daibosatsu is obviously a term of Buddhist origin, and refers to a "great kami that has awakened to the Way of the Bodhisattva." The title daibosatsu is first seen in 781, when the kami Hachiman was honored with the title Gokoku Reigen Iriki Jintsū Daibosatsu ("Great Bodhisattva of National Protection and Marvelous Spirit Power"). From that time, the title daibosatsu has been applied to numerous other kami, including Fuji Sengen Daibosatsu and Tado Daibosatsu.

Gongen (avatar) is likewise of Buddhist origin, a term deriving from the doctrine of honji suijaku ("original essence, manifest traces"). According to this belief, buddhas may provisionally manifest themselves in this world in the form of kami or deities indigenous to various locales. Some well-known kami bestowed with this title include Kumano Gongen, Kasuga Gongen, and Hakusan Gongen.

The title reisha originates with the Yuiitsu Shinto school of the Yoshida family, which first used the term to refer to a shrine erected over the grave of the school's founder. Mano Tokitsuna's Kokin shingaku ruihen describes reisha as "a general term referring to shrines devoted to the spirits of human beings," but the term was also later used as a title for the kami themselves. Within Yoshida Shintō, the titles reijin reisha and myōjin were all applied to deceased human spirits, and this usage influenced the use of the terms in other schools as well, including Yoshikawa Shintō and Suika Shintō, where they were applied to persons who had mastered the deepest imports of the religion. Some of these individuals included Yoshikawa Koretari, posthumously titled Miaredō Reisha, and Yamazaki Ansai, who was titled Suika Reisha.

Another unusual example of the attribution of shingō to humans is that of Sugawara Michizane, who was titled tenjin or "heavenly deity."
source : Sato Masato, Kokugakuin 2005


More details and introduction:
. shinbutsu 神仏 kami to hotoke .
shinbutsu shūgō 神仏習合 Syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism
shinbutsu bunri 神仏分離 Separation of Shinto and Buddhism


日本の神仏の辞典 - 大島建彦 (編集)

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My Books in German

Buddhistische Kultgegenstände Japans
by Gabi Greve
(Buddhist Ritual and Ceremonial Tools, butsugu, hoogu)

Ich widme dieses Buch, in grosser Dankbarkeit, einem grossen Sensei, Dietrich Seckel.
Okayama Pref., Japan 1996



Buddhastatuen ... Who is Who,
Ein Wegweiser zur Ikonografie von japanischen Buddhastatuen
by Gabi Greve 1994
(All about Japanese Buddhastatues)
With a Review by Dietrich Seckel


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The best ONLINE introduction !

THE FACE OF BUDDHISM and SHINTOISM
IN JAPANESE ART

! Mark Schumacher !
(I am contributing to this site too.)


Article:
Buddhism and Shinto
Michael Hofmann, March 2010


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Buddha Statues and Japanese Deities by
. Master Carver Enku 円空 .
［1632?～1695］


Shinto deities and haiku by
. Matsuo Basho 松尾芭蕉 - Archives of the WKD .


The first visit or ceremony for a Japanese deity is often a KIGO!
. WKD : New Year Ceremonies


. shinbutsu in Edo 江戸の神仏 Kami and Hotoke in Edo .

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Rokuji Myo-O

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Rokuji Myoo-Oo, Rokuji Myō-ō　六字明王 Rokuji Myo-O
Enlightened King of the Six Words
- and
Rokuji Ten 六字天
黒六字 Black Six Words 黒仏 "Black Buddha"

This is a very powerful deity to prevent the influence of evil.
He often looks like a Kannon with black skin. He stands on the left foot, the right one is bent backward at the knee.



六字大明王陀羅尼 Rokuji Myo-O Darani Ritual Spell
六字大明呪 Rojuji Daimyo Ju
- - - - - Shingon Mantra of Rokuji Myo-O
オン
ギャーチギャーチュー
ギャービチ
カンジュー　カンジュー
タチバチ　ソワカ


口奄（オーン）・麼（マ）・手尼（ニ）
鉢訥（ペ）・銘（メ）・吽（フーン）

Chanting this Mantra will prevent bad influence, protect from deasters and grant a long life.
「悪霊調伏」「息災延命」
- reference : shimo-yoshiko.com/ryuseimei -

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六字明王 = 六字天


source : jikisinndoujyou 八葉山 天華院 - 六字明王



source : rakushisha.ocnk.net - 六字天

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- quote -
Rokuji Myō-ō 六字明王
Literally “Six-Syllable Luminescent King.”
The below two drawings share certain iconographical similarities with the 12th-century monochrome drawing of Myōken  and the 13th-century painting of Sonjō-ō at Miidera. In all of them, we see the four-armed one-headed central deity holding the sun disk and moon disk, with right foot raised behind the opposite knee. However, in the below drawings, the deity is portrayed atop a lotus, whereas the earlier images show her atop a dragon. The drawings also portray the deity holding different objects. Rokuji Myō-ō appears in the Rokuji Jinjuōkyō 六字神咒王經 sutra, where the deity is described as the central icon (honzon 本尊) in esoteric rituals (known as the Chōbuku Shinpō 調伏信法 or Chōbuku-hō 調伏法) to ward off evil spirits, enemies, and malicious influences.


Drawing from 12th-century Japanese text

Notes on the Rokuji Mandala 六字経曼荼羅.
Also called the Rokujikyō (Rokujikyo Mandala), literally Six Letter Mandala or Six-Syllable Incantation.
Centered on Shaka Nyorai 釈迦 (the Historical Buddha) holding a gold wheel (hōrin 法輪).
See Hokuto Mandala (Big Dipper Mandala) for more about this form of Shaka.
The central deity is surrounded by Six Kannon (Roku Kannon 六観音), and the group of seven appear within a moon disc. At the top of the mandala are two flying celestials (hiten 飛天); at the bottom are images of Fudō Myō-ō 不動明王 and Daiitoku Myō-ō 大威徳明王, and positioned between them are six figures venerating a smaller moon disc. The deity is also said to be the composite reward body (総合成就身) of the Roku Kannon who protect people in each of the six realms of karmic rebirth.
Says JAANUS: “Images of the Six Kannon began to be made as offerings for the welfare of the dead and for personal salvation in the first half of the 10th century. The Six Kannon appear in the most common form of the Rokujikyō Mandala, which from the Heian period was the focus of the Rokujikyōhō 六字経法, a Shingon ritual used particularly for sickness and childbirth. The six forms of Kannon often appear along with their corresponding Sanskrit bonjimon 梵字文.

Twenty-Eight Constellations
28 Moon Lodges, 28 Lunar Mansions
- source : Mark Schumacher -

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. Senyuuji 仙遊寺 Senyu-Ji . 　
- Shikoku Henro Nr. 58 - Introduction -

- - - - - Chant of the temple:
たちよりて作礼の堂にやすみつつ 　
六字を唱え経を読むべし
Tachi yorite sarei no dō ni yasumitsutsu rokuji o tonae kyō o yomubeshi

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- quote -
rokuji myougou　六字名号 (rokuji myogo)
Lit. Six Character Name
The six Chinese characters used to write 'Namu Amida Butsu 南無阿弥陀仏'
An homage to the Buddha *Amida 阿弥陀, generally referred to as the nenbutsu 念仏, a chant that devotees believed would ensure one's salvation in Amida's Pure Land gokuraku 極楽. The Six Characters may be written in ink, embroidered or printed. Sometimes the Six Characters are incorporated with illustrations of the Six Realms of Reincarnation *rokudou-e 六道絵. A well-known sculpted image is the statue of the priest *Kuuya 空也 (903-72) in Rokuharamitsuji 六波羅密寺 in Kyoto, in which the Six Characters are represented by six miniature images of Amida coming out of the priest's mouth. Kuji myougou 九字名号 or "Nine Character Name," refers to a variant name for Amida written with nine characters, 'Namu Fukashigikou Nyorai 南無不可思議光如来.'
Written forms of Amida icons also employ Sanskrit letters shuji 種字.
- source : JAANUS -

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- quote
Rites, Rice, and Rokuji Myōō
- Workshop July 2016 -
“Dipper Worship or gejutsu 外術 Practice?
Framing Rokujiten 六字天 in Medieval Japan”
This presentation proposes to explore the iconography and ritual of Rokujiten 六字天, an esoteric manifestation of Kannon invoked during exorcistic rituals of the Shingon school of Buddhism in the Heian and Kamakura periods.
Although Rokujiten is said to instantiate the rokuji dai myōju 六字大名呪, the renowned six-syllable dhāranī of Kannon expounded in the Kārandavyūha sutra, its representations are identical to those of two other deities worshipped within Tōmitsu and Taimitsu circles as incarnations of the Pole Star: Myōken 妙見 and Sonjōō 尊星王.
Taking as a point of departure a lavish example currently in the possession of Hōjūin 宝寿院, dated to the 14th century, I suggest that instead of resulting from a conflation between these two deities, Rokujiten was a carefully crafted product.
First, I present how ritual sources draw a clear picture of Rokujiten aimed at setting it apart—both in terms of iconography and ritual—from Pole Star imagery. Then, by looking at the way that Kamakura-period ritual sources addressed its striking similarities with icons connected with the Dipper, I explore the possible temple and lineage disputes that may have facilitated its creation.
Benedetta Lomi
- source : icc.fla.sophia.ac.jp/html

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- reference - rokuji myo-o -

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Rokuji Monju　六字文殊　Six-letter Monju
Monju mit sechs Zeichen
. Monju Bosatsu 文殊菩薩　Manjushri　.

guarding against natural disasters and nightmares


CLICK for more photos !

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. Black Buddha Statue 黒仏 kurobotoke .

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. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

Yamanashi 山梨県 Otsuki town 大月市

. Saint Shinran 親鸞 (1173 - 1263) .
When Shinran passed the village of 笹子村 Sasagomura in the North he heard a story from the villager 作太郎 Sakutaro. In the old pond of 吉が窪 there lived a Yokai woman named お吉 "O-Kichi" who could take the shape of a poisonous snake and came to harm and haunt the villagers. So Shinran begun to chant the 阿弥陀経 Amida Sutra and begun to write 南無阿弥陀仏 the name of Amida and 六字 the Six Words on small pebbles and threw them into the pond.
In no time the woman was relieved from her past sins and could go to paradise.
Since that time small pebbles are found at the side of the pond.


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


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

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


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- - #rukujimyoo #rokujiten - -
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Vairocana Trinity

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Vairocana Trinity - Vairochana Trinity

Dainichi Nyorai - Maha Vairocana 大日如来
The Great Sun, Center of the Universe

. Twin Mandalas of Vairocana in Japanese Iconography . 　
- Introduction -

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- quote
Vairochana becomes a trinity
with Fudo and Aizen,
by means of the symbol of the Chintamani jewel, whose mystic form is that of a circle striving to make itself a triangle--for life, it is said, never completes itself, but is for ever breaking through perfection, in its struggle upwards to the higher rounds of realisation.
...
In Japan the new philosophical standpoint was an advance upon the Hosso and Kegon schools which had taught the union of mind and matter, and the realisation of the Supreme Spirit, in concrete forms, for these thinkers went further than their predecessors, in the effort to demonstrate the idea in practice, claiming their own descent from direct communion with Vairochana, the Supreme Godhead, of which the Sakya-Buddha was only one manifestation. They aimed at finding truth in all religions and all teachings, each of them being its own method of attaining to the highest.
...
Art and Nature were now regarded in a new light, for in every object alike was contained Vairochana, the Impersonal-Universal, a supreme realisation of which was to be the quest of the believer.
...
It was under this influence that Buddhism acquired its great masses of gods and goddesses, alien to the faith itself, but made possible by the new teaching as manifestations of the supreme original Divinity. We find now a systematised pantheon, grouped around the idea of Vairochana, in four main subdivisions --
first Fudo, second Hosho, third Amida, and fourth Sakya,
as representations
(1) of Power, which is knowledge;
(2) of Wealth, which is creative force;
(3) of Mercy, which is Divine intelligence descending upon man; and
(4) of Work, or Karma, the realisation of the first three in actual life on earth, that is, Sakya-Muni.

- source : www.sacred-texts.com

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Trinity of Vairocana, Manjushri and Samantabhadra




This set of three paintings depicts the trinity of Vairocana Buddha (centre), flanked by Manjushri to his left, and Samantabhadra to his right. Vairocana Buddha is known as Dainichi Nyorai in Japan, and as Palushena in China, where as Mahavairocana he is identified as the dharmakaya Buddha who represents the ultimate principal of emptiness or sunyata. As the Primordial or Adi-Buddha Vairocana occupies the central position of the Five Buddha mandala, and the two principal 'womb-realm' (garbadhatu) and 'vajra-realm' (vajradhatu) mandalas of the Shingon tradition.

Vairocana Buddha is white in colour and sits in vajra-posture upon a sun and moon disc, an open pink lotus, and an eight-sided jeweled throne that is supported by lions. He is adorned with all manner of gold and jewel ornaments, divine silk garments, and a golden crown that bears the small images of the Five Buddhas. His ornate halo is ornamented with spheres and curving rays of rainbow light, and both his halo and radiant aura are encircled by a ring of fire. With his two hands he makes the bodhyangi-mudra, or 'gesture of enlightenment', with the fingers of his right hand enclosing the raised forefinger of his left hand. This gesture symbolizes both the union of the vajra (left forefinger) in the lotus (right fingers), and Vairocana encircled by the other four of the Five Buddhas (Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha and Ratnasambhava).

Manjushri is youthful and white in colour, and he displays his unique characteristic of the four crowning topknots of hair that represent the peak of his central abode at Mt Wutai Shan in China. In the posture of royal-ease Manjushri sits upon a sun and moon disc and an open pink lotus, with his left foot resting upon a small lotus pedestal. His lotus seat is supported by another lotus that rests upon the back of his ferocious tawny lion vehicle, which is adorned with jewel ornaments and a silk saddlecloth. Manjushri wears gold and jeweled ornaments, and divine silk garments. With his right hand he holds the vajra-hand of his iron wisdom sword, while with his left hand he holds a scroll text of the Prajnaparamita-sutra.

Samantabhadra is white in colour and sits in sattva-paryanka posture at the centre of a pink lotus that rest upon another lotus supported on the back of his elephant vehicle. This crouching six-tusked white elephant holds a lotus stem in his trunk, and is adorned with jewel ornaments and a silk saddlecloth with a small cloud-borne lotus pedestal in front of it. Samantabhadra wears jeweled ornaments and divine silk garments, and he gazes peacefully downward with his hands palms-folded in front of his heart in the anjali-mudra of adoration.
-  text by Robert Beer
- source : www.tibetanart.com

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


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Inari and Fudo

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Inari and Fudo 稲荷と不動明王

There are many Shrines dedicated to Inari, the "Fox Deity" of Japan.
Inari Ōkami (稲荷大神, also Oinari) is the Japanese kami of foxes.
The most famous fox god shrine festival at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto is the most famous.



Ukanomikami, Uka no Mikami 宇迦之御魂神 / 倉稲魂神
The deity for a good harvest, venerated at Inari shrines.
Miketsu Kami 御食津神 / 三狐神 / Inari Kami 稲荷神 Deity to provide food


Read here about Inari festivals :
. Inari Myojin 稲荷明神 Honorable Inari Fox Deity . 　
- Introduction -


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. Iizuna no Gongen 飯網の権現 .
This is an incarnation of the Fox Deity, Inari.
People pray to him for a bountiful harvest and good luck in business. He looks like a Tengu, a long-nosed goblin.


Some Yamabushi sects think Iizuna (Izuna) is the original Japanese form (honji) of Fudo Myo-0, especially at Mt. Takao near Tokyo.

and
Akibagongen, Akiba Gongen  秋葉権現
standing on a white fox


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. Dakini or Dakiniten 荼枳尼天 .
She is also standing on a white fox.
Shinkoō-bosatsu (Central Fox Queen-Bodhisattva, 辰狐王菩薩)
and
Kiko tennō (Noble Fox-heavenly Queen, 貴狐天王).

As a deity from India, coming to Japan via China, she was riding on a jackal.
Since there are no jackals in Japan, she was depicted on a white fox.
see Toyokawa, below


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- quote
Image of Fudo Myoo standing on the back of Oinari.
Fudo is the immoveable. He is the subduer of evil and stabilizer of the wisdom of the Dharma.




Oinari is the messenger to the gods in Shinto. He is worshipped by farmers and others for rice, rain, and children. He a beneficent deity. The two of these figures together means that this is a synthesis of Shinto and Buddhism. This is a part of an esoteric tradition in Japan.

This item is from the Cleveland Museum Collection
- source : www.robynbuntin.com


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腰神不動明王 Fudo as deity to cure pain in the lower back


伏見稲荷と不動明王
- source : www7b.biglobe.ne.jp/~narigama


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kin-un saifu mamori 金運財布守 amulet to put in your purse


source :　www.suruga-ya.jp

from
. Toyokawa Inari Shrine 豊川稲荷 .
for luck with money

This shrine is most famous for the worship of Dakini Ten. It was originally a temple for Dakini 妙厳寺 Myogon-Ji.


shuin 朱印　stamp of the Toyokawa temple


. kin-un, kin un 金運 amulets for luck with moneny.


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

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


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Vishvakarman Bishukatsum

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Vishvakarman - Viśvákarma

"The Lord of the Arts,
Executor of a thousand Handicrafts,
the Carpenter of the Gods,
the most eminent of Artisans,
the Fashioner of all ornaments ...
and a great and immortal God..."




Viśvákarma ("all-accomplishing; all-creator", Tamil: Vicuvakaruman, Thai: Witsawakam) is the Hindu presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects.
He is believed by Hindus to be the "Principal Universal Architect", the architect who fabricated and designed the divine architecture of the Universe, the Lord of Creation.

Vishwakarma Puja (Birthday ritual)

Vishwakarma Day is celebrated to worship Vishwakarma, an Indian god.
It is celebrated in the month of September on 16th or 17th.

Visvakarma birthday is celebrated on two days under different names:

Rishi Panchami Dinam.
"Rishi Panchami Dinam" literally means ‘the day of the solidarity of five rishis.’
Visvakarma Jayanthi.
Vishwakarma Jayanthi is celebrated by all industrial houses, artists, craftsmen, and weavers.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


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Vishvakarma
Vishwabrahmin
(Sanskrit: विश्वकर्मा viśvá-karman "all-accomplishing; all-creator")

Vishwakarma created 5 Brahmas from each of his 5 face, they are
1. Sanaga Brahma Rishi,
2. Sanaathana Brahma Rishi,
3. Abhuvanasa Brahma Rishi,
4. Prathnasa Brahma Rishi,
5. Suparnasa Brahma Rishi,

in later mythology sometimes identified with Tvastr, he is the divine craftsman of the whole Universe (RV 10.81.3), and the builder of all the gods' palaces. Vishwakarma is also the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods, and all their weapons and divine attributes. He is said to have revealed the Sthapatyaveda or fourth Upa-veda, and presides over the sixty-four mechanical arts.

source : www.vishwakarma.net

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ヴィシュヴァカルマン(vishvakarman)
インド神話においてあらゆるものを設計したといわれる神。その意味はサンスクリット語で「全てをなすもの」「全知であるもの」である。
仏典では

毘首羯摩天・
自在天王・工巧天・巧妙天
などと漢訳されている。
©　More in the Japanese WIKIPEDIA !

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source :　www.kyohaku.go.jp
Kyoto National Museum

びしゅかつま【毘首羯磨】 Bishukatsuma


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source :　tamtom.blog44
Temple Toji, Kyoto 京都・東寺

自在天王（じざいてんのう) Jizai tennoo

大自在天王 Daijizai Tennoo
（シヴァ神) Shiva



. Gigeiten and Daijizaiten 伎芸天　・ 大自在天 .


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Bosatsu Bodhisattva

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Bosatsu 菩薩 　Bodhisattva



Bodhi = enlightened
Sattva = being, essence
The Compassionate Ones
Penultimate state before Buddhahood

Compassion is the defining characteristic of the Bodhisattva, whose highest aspiration is to save all sentient beings. The Bodhisattva concept is closely associated with Mahayana Buddhism, and has at least three distinct meanings. The Mahayana form in particular spread throughout Japan, thus most surviving Buddhist sculpture in Japan today belongs to the Mahayana tradition.

Read the details here :
source : - Mark Schumacher -


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Bosatsu Mandala


Individual Bosatsu introduced in the Daruma Museum

. The Bosatsu Group 菩薩 　 .


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芒から菩薩の清水流れけり
susuki kara bosatsu no shimizu nagare keri

from the pampas grass
the saint's pure water
flows


One year later, in 1809, Issa re-writes this

松風に菩薩の清水流れけり
matsukaze ni bosatsu no shimizu nagare-keri

wind through pines
pure bodhisattva water
flowing, flowing

in the pine breeze
the saint's pure water
flows

Kobayashi Issa
Tr. David Lanoue


There is a place called
Miroku Bosatsu no Shimizu 弥勒菩薩の清水
and above it
Sasa Shimizu 笹清水

at Mount Hotaka Yama 武尊山 in Gunma.

source : kakehashi


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松風にぼうたんの白菩薩かな
matsukaze ni bootan no haku bosatu kana

in the wind of the pines
a peony like a white
Bodhisattva

- Akegarasu sensei -

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B o s a t s u 　菩薩　(Bodhi-sattva)

Abkürzung des indischen Wortes Bodhi-sattva, japanisch:
bo dai sat ta = bosatsu.
Bedeutet Wesen, die nach oben zur Erleuchtung eines Buddha streben und gleichzeitig nach unten zur Errettung der Menschheit tätig werden (joogu bodai, gege shujoo).
Ein Bosatsu praktiziert Askese, um Buddha zu werden, bleibt aber einen Schritt vor diesem Ziel stehen, um zuerst alle Menschen zu erlösen. Dazu müssen die Bosatsu einen Askeseweg mit 10 Stufen überwinden (juuji) und vier Gelübde (shigu seigan) einhalten.

Bosatsu unterziehen sich einer strengen Askese mit sechs Vorschriften (rokuharamitsu, ropparamitsu; paaramitaas):

1. Almosen geben (fuse);
2. Einhalten der Vorschriften (jikai);
3. Beharrlichkeit (ninniku);
4. Energie (shoojin);
5. Meditation (zenjoo) und
6. Weisheit zur Erleuchtung (chie).

Ein Bosatsu, der alle diese Vorschriften beherzigt und dabei eine hohe Stufe erlangt, kann als Begleitfigur neben einem Nyorai stehen und wird im nächsten Leben sicher ein Buddha werden (fusho no bosatsu), z. B. Miroku.

Am besten bekannt in Japan sind Kannon und Jizoo, auch häufig als Stein-Statuen am Wegesrand zu finden. Bosatsu sind freundliche, hilfsbereite Gottheiten, die den Menschen in Not sofort direkt mit verschiedenen Mitteln und in den verschiedensten Inkarnationen zu Hilfe kommen.
Bosatsu finden sich als Begleitfiguren in Dreiergruppen mit Nyorai-Statuen.
Bosatsu wurde dann auch eine japanische Bezeichnung für besonders verehrenswerte heilige Priester oder japanische Gottheiten, z.B. wird der Asket En no Gyooja "Shinhen Daibosatsu (Jinpen Daibosatsu)" und der japanische Kriegsgott Hachiman "Hachiman Daibosatsu" genannt.
僧形八幡 soogyoo Hachiman, sogyo Hachiman, Hachiman as a Buddhist monk, Hachiman als buddhistischer Mönch.


Ikonografie:
Die Gestalt eines Bosatsu entspricht der des Prinzen Shakyamuni, bevor er sein Schloß verlassen hat, daher mit reichlich Schmuck an Brust (munakazari), Oberarmen (hisen), Hand- und Fußgelenken (wansen, sokusen); langes Perlengehänge um den ganzen Leib (yooraku).
Bei gegossenen Statuen werden diese Verzierungen mitgegossen, während sie bei Holzstatuen meist getrennt aus Metall gefertigt und angebracht werden.

Hoch aufgekämmte Haare bzw. ein Haarknoten (hookei) und Hohe Krone (Diadem) mit Blumenverzierungen (hookan, sanzankan, tenkan). Die Krone wird von einem besonderen Band (tenkandai) gehalten. Eine besondere Form ist eine bandartige Krone mit drei Zierteilen vorne und an beiden Seiten (sanmen tooshoku). In der Kamakura-Zeit wurden diese Hohen Kronen oft aus Metall gefertigt und einer Holzstatue aufgesetzt.

Viele Gewänder, z.B. schmales Tuch um die Brust, meist von der linken Schulter zur Mitte der rechten Körperseite (joohaku); wehende Schals über den Armen (tenne), langes Hüfttuch bzw. Wickelrock bis an die Fußknöchel (mo, kun), das aber nie über den Sockel hängt. Manchmal wird das Gewand über den Knien noch einmal mit einer Schleife zusammengebunden.

Drei Falten am Hals (sandoo). Über die Schultern herabhängende Haare (suihatsu). Immer milder Gesichtsausdruck; die einzige Ausnahme bildet die Pferdeköpfige Kannon, die einen furchterregenden Gesichtsausdruck zeigt.

Ein Bosatsu hält meist Gegenstände in den Händen (jimotsu), als Ausdruck dafür, daß er mit den verschiedensten Mitteln die Menschheit retten will, z.B. Lotusblüte, Wassergefäß mit Lebenswasser oder wunscherfüllendes Juwel.
Bosatsu-Statuen stehen im allgemeinen auf einem Lotussockel.
Im Unterschied zu Nyorai-Statuen können Bosatsu auch mehrere Köpfe und mehrere Gliedmaßen haben, um ihre vielseitigen Bestrebungen zur Rettung der Menschen zum Ausdruck zu bringen.


. Buddhastatuen ... Who is Who .
Ein Wegweiser zur Ikonografie
von japanischen Buddhastatuen
Gabi Greve




. rokuharamitsu 六波羅蜜 six paramitas,
six religious practices, roku haramitsu . 　　

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Nai no Kami Earthquake

. jishin　地震 Legends about Earthquakes .
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Nai no kami 地震神
The Japanese god of earthquakes.

nai no kami ないのかみ / なゐの神【地震神】 deity of earthquakes

and what we need most, an earthquake talisman - 地震御守




quote
by Mori Mizue
A kami worshiped following disastrous earthquakes.
The earliest historical record of an earthquake in Japan appears in a poem included in Nihongi's account of Emperor Buretsu, but the first record of an earthquake kami and its worship comes from Nihongi's records of the reign of Empress Suiko.

In summer of the seventh year of her reign (599 C.E.), a temblor struck the capital regions, and an order was issued to offer worship to the kami of earthquakes, although no title is given to any specific kami to be worshiped.

In later periods, the transmission of legends regarding the "pivot stone" (kanameishi) at the shrine Kashima Jingū led to the belief that the shrine's central deity Takemikazuchi was a protector against earthquakes, and identifications were also made with kami of the "landlord deity" (jinushigami) type.

The mythologies transmitted by Kojiki and Nihongi, however, provide no descriptions of kami with clear attributes as protective tutelaries against earthquakes, and the original deity may have been related to Chinese Onmyōdō (Yin-Yang) beliefs.

Some have suggested that Nai Jinja in Nabari of Iga Province (a shikinaisha or shrine listed in the Engishiki) was dedicated to this kami.
source : Kokugakuin University, 2005


In the Manyo-Shu 万葉集 poetry collection there is a verse reading

ゆるげどもよもや抜けじの要石
鹿島の神のあらん限りは

The pivot stone may wobble
but it will not become unstuck
as long as the God of Kashima Shrine is with us!

In the Edo period people believed that if you write this poem on a piece of paper, read it out loud three times and then stick the paper to your door, the house will be protected from earthquake damage.

(Some sources say this poem is not from the Manyo-Shu.)


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jishin mushi 地震虫 (じしんむし) earthquake bug

This mythical animal is mentioned in the Nihon Shoki volume about Suiko Tenno 推古天皇紀.
In the year 599 there was a huge earthquake in the region of Nara, so the Tenno ordered the "God of Earthquakes" Nai no Kami「地震神」（なゐのかみ） to be venerated in the country.
The name refers to the attribute of the deity, like the "god of the fields 野の神", or the "god of the sea 海の神".

This deity was later venerated at the shrine Kashima Jingu.








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Takemikazuchi no mikoto (武甕槌大神)


Tekemikazuchi standing on a catfish

the "rough spirit" (aramitama) of Amaterasu ōmikami


He holds down the God of the Earthquake, here in the form of a huge catfish, and sits on the famous "key stone" "kaname ishi 要石".

A giant catfish (namazu) lived in mud beneath the earth. The catfish liked to play pranks and could only be restrained by Kashima, a deity who protected the Japanese people from earthquakes. So long as Kashima kept a mighty rock with magical powers over the catfish, the earth was still. But when he relaxed his guard, the catfish thrashed about, causing earthquakes.


quote
Takemikazuchi
by Kadoya Atsushi
A kami produced from the blood adhering to the sword when Izanagi killed the fire kami Kagutsuchi. Together with Amanotorifune (Kojiki) or Futsunushi no kami (Nihongi), Takemikazuchi descended to the land of Izumo and entreated Ōkuninushi to transfer the land (kuniyuzuri) to the heavenly kami.

Kojiki adds that he engaged in a test of strength with Takeminakata, the child of Ōkuninushi, who had opposed the heavenly forces. Subduing Takeminaka, he drove him away to Suwa in the province of Shinano (present-day Nagano).

On the occasion of Emperor Jinmu's eastern campaign, Takemikazuchi deferred from descending to aid Jinmu, but in his place sent his sword Futsunomitama, in this way aiding Jinmu's forces in their successful pacification of the land. Takemikazuchi is worshiped at Kashima, Kasuga and other shrines.
source : Kokugakuin University, 2005



Kashima Shinko 鹿島信仰
The Faith related to Kashima
. Kashima Shrine 鹿島神宮 Kashima Jingu . 　



Kashima Torii 鹿島鳥居 Kashima Shrine Gate


It broke down during
the super earthquake on March 11, 2011.

鹿島神宮の鳥居が倒壊している
鹿島神宮崩壊してる
鹿島港の北埠頭と南埠頭で浸水が発生した。

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Nai jinja 名居神社（ないじんじゃ）shrine Nai Jinja



In the town Nabari 名張市下比奈知 宮ノ谷 in Iga, Mie prefecture.
The pronounciation may have changed from nafuri to nahori to nabari to nai.

The deity Ooanamuchi no Mikoto 大己貴命 おおあなむち‐の‐みことis venerated.
He used to be a Kunitsu Daimyojin 国津大明神 (the god of the earthly realm).

also venerated the deities :

Sukunahiko no mikoto 少彦名命(ｽｸﾅﾋｺﾅﾉﾐｺﾄ)
Amenokoyane no mikoto天児屋根命(ｱﾒﾉｺﾔﾈﾉﾐｺﾄ)
Kotoshironushi no mikoto事代主命(ｺﾄｼﾛﾇｼﾉﾐｺﾄ)
Ichikishima hime no mikoto 市杵嶋姫命(ｲﾁｷｼﾏﾋﾒﾉﾐｺﾄ)
Hiruko no mikoto 蛭子命(ﾋﾙｺﾉﾐｺﾄ)


This is a shrine dedicated to the deity of earthquakes,
jishin no kami 地震の神.


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god of earthquakes -
what does it take
to keep you quiet ?





Thank you, Origa san, for your haiga.
Let us hope Nai no Kami accepts this offering.

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The Super Earthquake March 11, 2011
東北地方太平洋沖地震
magnitude 9:0
with a huge tsunami of more than 10 meters
. Tohoku region Pacific Ocean offshore earthquake . 　


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. WKD : Earthquake (jishin 地震) 　

. jishin　地震 Legends about Earthquakes .

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Kannon for your Eyes

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Kannon for your Eyes
and Fudo Myo-O

Indian-style one-thousand armed Kannon, with very slender eyes



More photos of the statues in the temple precincts
source :small-life.com

Minami Hokkeji (Tsubosakadera 壷阪寺)
Nr. 6 of the Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage
Nara
壷阪寺（南法華寺)
西国三十三ヶ所観音霊場の第六番札所


The temple was founded in 701 by priest Benki of Genkoji Temple. Parts of it have been made from white stone imported from India.


quote
According to the chronicle of Minamihokkeji Temple possessed by Tsubosakadera Temple, the holy priest Benki felt the presence of the Kanzeonbosatsu (the Goddesss of Mercy) in his prized quartz pot while he was attracted by this sacred mountain and practiced asceticism. He enshrined this pot on top of the slope and help religious service for it, engraved the image of Kanzeonbosatsu and enshrined it as Tsubosaka Kannon.

This is the etymology of Tsubosaka (slope of pot) .Thereafter when the emperor Gensho was on the throne, the temple became an imperial family temple and was given the name of "Minamihokkeji Temple".

The holy priest Benki thereafter returned to secular life, became a man of culture and was named venerable Sohshu Kasuga (secretary general of Kasuga) and appointed the supervisor of clerical staff of Kasuga.The same description is found also in the record of March 19 in the first year of Taiho in Vol.2 of "Shoku Nihongi".

Minamihokkeji Temple is the name of a group of temples, and according to an old head priest of the Temple, it was at the zenith of its prosperity in Heian era when a grand cathedral of total 36 halls and 60 houses including the main buildings, five brand halls and a baptismal hall were constructed. The brand appearance of Tsubosakadera Temple was described with admiration in the storybook of Sei Shonagon abreast of Koya Temple.

However, most of the halls and houses of priests perished due to disastrous fire attacks several times, and at present there remain only a part of the buildings such as halls of worship, three-storied pagoda (they are both registered important cultural assets of Japan at present) and octagonal hall which were reconstructed in Muromachi Era. They are now standing beautifully in harmony with quiet appearance of the mountainsides.

Tsubosakadera Temple is a temple which many people have worshiped as sacred temple since ancient times. In the description of December 23 (Hinoetatsu) of the 14th year of Showa Era (A.D.885) of the Japanese chronicle "Shoku Nihongi", the Temple was ranked to one of the official temples and in the description of March 5 of the 8th year of Teikan (A.D.859) of"Sandai Jitsuroku (the authentic history of three dynasties)", it was ordered to hold "Tendokue (Ceremony to reading of Buddhist sutra skippingly) ". Thus, the Temple has been known since old times as a sacred temple in the mountain.

This Temple is the sixth of 33 scared place of Kannon in the West of Japan and the principal image Juichmen Kanzeon Bosatsu (Eleven-faced Goddess of Mercy) (wood-carved sitting image) enshrined in the Temple has been extensively worshipped as the goddess marvelously responsive to eye diseases. Emperors Gensho, Ichijo and Kanmu and man other famous historical persons prayed for the recovery from their eye diseases. In fact, many miracles of marvelous efficacy were recorded in "Kanreiroku　(the Collection of Miracles of Inspiration)" (written in Heian Era).

source : 　www.tsubosaka1300.or.jp



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Fudo Myo-o to ward off all evil　不動明王


壷阪寺　Tsubosaka dera, Nara

〒635-0102 奈良県高市郡高取町壷阪3番地
source : Tsubosaka dera Homepage


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Pilgrimages in Japan - Mark Schumacher

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... ... ... Kannon Bosatsu 観音菩薩


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Nine Stars Crest

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Nine Stars Crest ... 九曜紋 ... Kuyoo Mon

Kuyoo Hoshimon 九曜星紋, Kuyoo no mon, 九曜の紋

Nine planets, nine deities representing the stars
nine constellations (shukuyoo 宿曜)

They are also called kushitsu 九執 .
sun, moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn,
Rago 羅喉 (Sk: Rahu), and Keito 計都 (Sk: Ketu)





This is a form of mandala interpreted by stars and also related to the belief in Myoken Bosatsu.

Myooken Bosatsu 妙見菩薩 and the Star Shrines of Japan.
The Chiba Clan and this Crest.

If Myoken is included, there are ten stars 十曜星.



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The Nine Deities


© PHOTO : tobifudo


Here is the Japanese of these constellations:

1 Center or Dainichi Nyorai
ragoosei 羅喉星（らごうせい、大日如来）（一白水星）

2 Saturday, Kannon with 1000 arms,
doyoosei 土曜星（どようせい、千手観音）（二黒土星）

3 Wednesday, Seishi Bosatsu
suiyoosei 水曜星（すいようせい、勢至菩薩）（三碧木星

4 Friday, Kokuuzoo Bosatsu
kinyoosei 金曜星（きんようせい、虚空蔵菩薩）（四緑木星）


5 Sunday, Fudo Myo-O
nichiyoosei 日曜星（にちようせい、不動明王）
（五黄土星）


6 Tuesday, Hachiman Daibosatsu
kayoosei 火曜星（かようせい、八幡大菩薩）　（六白金星）

7 Jizo Bosatsu
keitosei 計都星（けいとせい、地蔵菩薩）（七赤金星）

8 Monday, Fugen Bosatsu
getsuyoosei 月曜星（げつようせい、普賢菩薩）（八白土星）

9 Thursday, Monju Bosatsu
mokuyoosei 木曜星（もくようせい、文殊菩薩）（九紫火星）

The center represents the earth, the heaven above the water.


Variations of the Crest with a Moon




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Nichiyosei Sunday Star 日曜星
Number 5 of the Nine Stars.

Its incarnation is Fudo Myo-O .


© PHOTO :　tobifudo

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Myoojoorinji 明星輪寺 Myojorin-Ji
Gifu - 4610 Akasakacho, Ogaki
岐阜県大垣市赤坂4610

This temple is closely related to the legends about Masakado.


photo by dhistory.hp






source :　facebook

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



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Kinshoozan 金生山 明星輪寺 Myojorin-Ji
This temple is locally known as
Akasaka Kokuzo 赤坂虚空蔵. Kokuzo-san 「虚空蔵さん」「こくぞうさん」

It is one of the three great temples dedicated to Kokuzo Bosatsu.
The other two are
京都法輪寺 Horin-Ji in Kyoto and 伊勢朝熊山金剛證寺 Kongosho-Ji in Ise.
It is also Nr. 31 on a pilgrimage to 33 Temples in Nishi Mino
西美濃三十三霊場第三十一札場

This temple has been founded by En no Gyoja on request of Emperor 持統天皇 Jito Tenno (645 - 703). It was not very popular but got revived by Kukai Kobo Daishi in the year 801.
In 1148 it burned down after a lightning struck the temple hall and had then be reconstructed much smaller.
In 1609 the daimyo of Mino, Tokunaga Nagamasa 徳永寿昌 (1549 - 1612) it was again re-built.
In 1657 it became the main prayer temple for the domaine, thanks to daimyo Toda Ujinobu 戸田氏信 (1600 - 1681).
In 1863 the main hall was built as we see it today by lord Toda Ujiakira 戸田氏彬 (1831 - 1865).

In 1869 due to the separation of Buddhism and Shinto the hall for Zao Gongen was re-named to become a Shinto shrine, 金生山神社 Kanabu Jinja.
大垣市赤坂町4526

. Kokuzo Bosatsu 虚空蔵菩薩 .
Akashagarbha Bodhisattva


- source : wikpedia


Nishi Mino Pilgrims 西美濃三十三霊場 to 33 temples
. Nishi Mino Pilgrims - Introduction .

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Masakado was a great believer in the star constellations and brought the belief of Myoken and the nine constellations to many parts of Japan.

. Taira no Masakado 平将門 (? – 940) .


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28 Deities in Shingon and Tendai Mandalas
Star Mandala (Hoshi Mandara 星曼荼羅)
Twenty-Eight Constellations
Mark Schumacher


Japanese Resources
Check your Luck. Japanese Birth Chart .

English Resources



Variations of the Family Crest

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kuyou
守谷のふるさとかるた... Moriya Furusato Karuta
and the nine stars crest of Taira no Masakado


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