Yamanokami inoshishi wild boar

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
. Yama no Kami 山の神 Yamanokami - Introduction .
. Ta no Kami 田の神 Tanokami - Introduction .
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Yama no Kami 山の神 God of the Mountain
and his messenger, the inoshishi 猪 wild boar


. Ta no Kami, Tanokami 田の神 God of the Rice Fields
and inoko 亥の子 / イノコ / 亥子　the "young wild boar" .

- - - - - Yamanokami has some animal messengers :

. Sarugami 猿神 The Monkey Deity .

. yamainu 山犬 wolf - "mountain dog" .

. inoshishi 猪 wild boar .


. shinshi 神使 divine messenger
kami no o-tsukai 神のお使い / 神の使い .
Inoshishi is the special messenger at Go-O Jinja 護王神社 and Wake Jinja 和気神社.

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


. Misaki ミサキ / 御先 / 御前 / 御崎 Legends about the Misaki deity .
A deity that can bring misfortune or curses (tatari-gami 祟り神).
Yamanokami is also venerated as ミサキさん Misaki san in some regions, especially in Okayama.


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


伊吹山の山の神は「白猪」White Wild Boar from Mount Ibukiyama





. Mount Ibuki 伊吹山 Ibukiyama .

Yamato Takeru was a legendary prince and warrior who traveled a lot and defeated his enemies. However, he met his demise at Mt. Ibuki when he battled an evil god disguised as a white boar.
Yamato Takeru defeated the boar, but not before the boar showered him with poisonous mist. He went to Isame no Shimizu in Samegai whose waters healed him.
Then he went on to Ise, but died soon afterward.
- source : photoguide.jp/pix/thumbnails... -

. Prince Yamatotakeru 日本武尊 Yamato Takeru .


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


下河辺行平 Shimokobe Yukihira
(around 1180) tried to shoot an Inoshishi, the alter-ego of Yamanokami,
but he missed the shot. He was cursed however and died that night.



Shimokobe Soshi Yukihira was a famous archer who taught archery to shogun Minamoto no Yoriie in 1189.
He was a descendent of Fujiwara no Hidezato, a famous archer of the Heian period.
- Koga Castle 古河城 Koga-jō
The fortification at Koga may date to the late Heian period or early Kamakura period, and the Azuma Kagami refers to a fortification in Koga built by Shimokobe Yukihira before 1180, although it is not certain if it was in this location.
... He reputedly had tremendous martial skill, particularly with the bow, demonstrating his skill frequently in yabusame archery, yumi-hajime (弓始) and deer-hunting.
He later taught archery to Minamoto no Yoriie.
- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !


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


. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .



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

.......................................................................
南宇和郡 Minami-Uwa district 城辺町 Shobencho

Yamanokami 山の神 Misaki ミサキ
A member of the Konishi family had killed an Inoshishi and was cursed by Yamanokami.
They had killed an Inoshishi which had destroyed the rice fields in Autumn, dug a shishiana 猪穴 hole to throw in the dead body of a wild boar and were thus cursed.

.......................................................................
南宇和郡 Minami-Uwa district 城辺町 Shobencho 　御荘町 Mishocho

shishi misaki シシミサキ "Wild Boar Misaki Deity"
In 城辺町僧都 Tanabe Sozu there is a place called Shishi Misaki.
During the siege of Mount Heiizan in 1571, many people fled via 上岡 Kamioka. A soozu 僧都 high priest prayed and let them flee when a group of wild boar hunters came by. But a child cried and they were arrested and killed.
The priest and the wild boar had been an incarnation of Yamanokami and so the people now call this event Shishi Misaki.

. Misaki ミサキ / 御先 / 御前 / 御崎 Legends about the Misaki deity .




.......................................................................　Gifu .....

. Hoshinomiya Jinja 星宮神社 .
shishiana 猪穴 and shishigaki 猪垣 - holes and walls and wild boars




.......................................................................　Hyogo 兵庫県 .....
神崎郡 Kanzaki district 神河町 Kamikawa

山の神の祟り the curse of Yamanokami
On January 9, 1900, a hunter went hunting for Inoshishi. He had forgotten that this was 山神祭 the day of the festival for Yamagami.
When he rested at a spot where wild boars usually pass, one wild boar came trotting along. He took aim and wanted to press the trigger, when suddenly the wild boar became invisible and instead 黒牛 a huge black bull, like a monster, stood there. This beast became bigger and bigger. Going crazy with fear, he fled the spot and ran home, but never recovered.

山神祭 - おやまのかみさままつり O-Yama no Kami Sama Matsuri
. Yama no Kami matsuri 山の神祭り Yamanokami festivals .


. Yamanokami Koen 「山の神」公園 Park named Yamanokami .
福崎町 Fukusaki 西田原 Nishi-Tawara


There is a statue of a mother inoshishi イノシシ wild boar, a 妖怪 Yokai monster named Yamanokami.




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

. Monkey and wolf - messengers of Yamanokami .



.......................................................................　Yamanashi 山梨県 .....
富士吉田市 Fujiyoshida

山の神の天罰 divine punishment of Yamanokami
A skilfull hunter almost shot down a wild boar at 富士の裾野 the foot of Mount Fujisan. When the animal came closer, he prayed to Yamanokami to help him win this battle and said it would be the last Inoshishi. And indeed, he could shoot the animal and carry it home. He begun boasting about his "deal with Yamanokami".
But then he went out hunting again and never came home.
When they looked for him, they found him stuck in the snow.
This was the divine punishment of Yamanokami.


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

- reference source : nichibun yokai database -


. inoshishi 猪と伝説 Legends about the wild boar, Wildschwein .


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




. coping with Inoshishi in my mountain area .
October 2017

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




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


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

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

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

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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #yamanokami #godofthemountains ##inoshishi #wildboar -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Kumano Junisha Gongen

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
. Shinto Shrines (jinja　神社) - Introduction .
. kami　神　Shinto deities .
. Legends and Tales about Kumano 熊野伝説 .

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

Kumano Juunisha Gongen 熊野十二社権現 12 Kumano Shrines
Kumano Junisha Gongen



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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- reference source : wikipedia -


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

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


Mirror from the Kamakura period

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

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


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


江戸の熊野十二社 Kumano Junisha in Edo




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

神奈川県　Kanagawa 鎌倉　Kamakura　十二所 Juniso

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



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



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


Kumano Densetsu 熊野伝説 Plum wine from Kumano


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

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


. Legends and Tales about Kumano 熊野伝説 .


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

- Reference : 熊野十二社権現

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

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

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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #kumano #kumanojuniso #kumano12shrines -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Yamanokami juunisama

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
. Yama no Kami 山の神 - Introduction .
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

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

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

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



hondo okojo ホンドオコジョ Mustela erminea nippon

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



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

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

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

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

5 - . 12 zodiac animals 十二支 Juni Shi .

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

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

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


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


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


source : kan*an1*57

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


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



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

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


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


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






. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .


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

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


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

.......................................................................
Minami-Aizu 檜枝岐村 Hinoemata

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

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




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

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



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

.......................................................................
Gunma 吾妻郡 Azuma district

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

.......................................................................
Gunma 吾妻郡 Azuma district 六合村 Kunimura

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

.......................................................................
Gunma 倉渕村 Kurabuchi

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

. Yamanokami messenger, the inugami 犬神 Wolf Deity .


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

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

.......................................................................
Gunma 沼田市 Numata city 利根町 Tone village

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

. goze 女盲, ごぜ, ゴゼ, 瞽女 blind woman .

.......................................................................
Gunma 利根郡 Tone district 片品村 Katashina

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


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


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

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

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





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

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

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

.......................................................................
Kanagawa 鎌倉　Kamakura　十二所 Juniso

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



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




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

. juunikko ジュウニッコウ（十二講) Junikko .
prayer groups

.......................................................................
中魚沼郡 Naka-Uonuma district 川西町 Kawanishi

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

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

.......................................................................
長岡市 Nagaoka 成願寺町 Joganji

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




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

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



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

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




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

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



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

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

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




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


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

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

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

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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #yamanokami #godofthemountains #tanokami #juunisama -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

tanokami inoko legends

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
. Ta no Kami 田の神 - Table of Contents .
. Yama no Kami 山の神 - Table of Contents - .
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Ta no Kami, Tanokami 田の神 God of the Rice Fields
and inoko 亥の子 / イノコ / 亥子　the "young wild boar"

Tanokami is also called inokami, i no kami 亥の神 God of the Boar

. inoko, i no ko 亥の子 (いのこ) young wild boar .
observance kigo for early winter - and Marishi-Ten

The day of the boar in the tenth lunar month. In 2017, it is the 8th of November.
This month is also called inotsuki 亥の月 month of the boar.
Rituals on this day are more common in Western Japan.



inoko, i no ko 亥の子 (いのこ) young wild boar
i no hi matsuri 亥の日祭（いのひまつり）festival on the day of the boar
i no kami matsuri 亥の神祭 festival for the deity of the wild boar

inoko mochi 亥の子餅（いのこもち）rice cakes for the wild boar festival
They were prepared in the hour of the boar and eaten as a harvest thanksgiving. This a custom coming from China. Here the deity honored is also seen as the God of the Fields (ta no kami).
Many tea masters close the summer hearth on this day.

inoko ishi 亥の子石（いのこいし）Inoko stone
inokozuki 亥の子突（いのこづき）hit the ground
gencho 玄猪（げんちょ） / gogenjoo 御厳重（ごげんじゅう）
..... genshoo 厳祥（げんしょう）
onarikiri おなりきり

Inoko is a festival on 旧暦10月の亥の日 the day of the wild boar in the tenth lunar month.
On this day 田の神 the Ta no Kami - God of the Fields goes back to the mountains.
While pounding the earth with a special mallet on long strings, the children sing the Inoko song:

祝わんものは鬼うめ蛇うめ、角の生えた子うめ



Today we celebrate, bury the Oni demons in the ground,
bury the snakes in the ground,
bury demon children with horns in the ground."

On this day people are also not allowed to go to the fields to pick daikon 大根 large radish.

. oni 鬼 the Demons of Japan .




Interpreting Japanese Society: Anthropological Approaches - edited by Joy Hendry
- books.google.co : inoko -

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


inoko mochi, i no ko mochi 亥の子餅 rice cakes for the boar festival



They were prepared in the hour of the boar and eaten as a harvest thanksgiving. This a custom coming from China.
They were thought to prevent illness, especially the common cold in winter and would bring many children to the family.
Here the deity honored is also seen as the God of the Fields (ta no kami).

Festival of the Goddess 摩利支天 Marishi Ten and her animal, the Wild Boar.



. kaze no kami 風邪の神 Deity of the common cold - Legends .

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


inoko ishi 亥の子石 Inoko stone

at 峠条 Taojo, Hiroshima



The stone looks almost like a matsutake 松茸 mushroom. Its head has a diameter of 20 cm and the length is 40 cm.
It is 11,5 kg heavy. It is decorated with colorful paper ornaments and a lot of ropes.
While singing the inoko uta 亥の子唄 Inoko song,
it is carried to all the homes and hit on the floor of the entrance.
This purifying ritual is also called (as a pun)
inoko mochi o tsuku 亥の子餅をつく preparing Inoko mochi.

In 船越 Funakoshi this ritual was called
kenka inoko ケンカ亥の子 fighting of the Inoko

inoko uta 亥の子唄 Inoko song - with many versions - and further information
- reference source : 13.plala.or.jp/discover-fnks...-



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


inoko iwai 亥の子祝い celebrating Inoko



- reference source : K.やまだ in SAGA　 -

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


. toshitokujin 歳德神 Toshitoku Jin, God of the Year .
Another name for Tanokami.
Toshitoku san トシトクさん in Hiroshima (see below)

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


. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

Some legends are related to taboos concerning the daikon 大根 radish.
The common theme is:
People should not cut radish on the day of Inoko, because if someone hears the sound of cutting, he will die.
Farmers are also not allowed to go into 大根畑 the radish fields to pull radishes.

. daikon 大根 radish legends .

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


hebi 蛇 snakes and oni 鬼 demons
On the evening of the Inoko day, young men walk around the village to homes where a baby boy was born this year.
If the family does not give them some money, they shout:

亥の子の晩に祝わん者は鬼産め蛇産め
Families who do not celebrate the Inoko evening
will have a Demon child, will have a Snake child !



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

.......................................................................
今治市 Imabara 玉川町 Tamagawa

The Kotatsu heater is first used on the day of Inoko.
If people celebrate Inoko, they will be blessed for one year.
If people eat eggplants on this day, 風邪の神様 the Deity of common cold disease will come to stay in the house.



. kotatsu コタツ　炬燵　こたつ,　おこた　heatable table .

.......................................................................
北宇和郡 Kitauwa district

愛媛県北宇和郡日吉村下鍵山 - ほんとは幟もある
- reference source photos : lupus.is.kochi-u.ac.jp/shiota... -

.......................................................................
松山市 Matsuyama

hi no tama 火の玉 ball of fire
On the evening of the day of Inoko, children were walking around when someone called out to be careful of a ball of fire. It was almost blue and had a tail, passing slowly over the roofs of the village.

.......................................................................
南宇和郡 Minamuuwa district 愛南町 Ainan

yamainu, yama-inu 山犬 wolf
The wolves from the hamlet 油袋 Yutai.
If children bring Mochi after a birth and on the Inoko day, the wolves walk between their legs or jump over their heads as a blessing.
In 三瓶町 Mikame the wolves also just follow the children.

.......................................................................
越智郡 Ochi district 魚島村 Uoshima

nobori 幟 flag on a pole
On the day of Inoko fermers pray to the deities to prevent bad luck and offer them seeds of mugi 麦 barley.
If they do not do this, all their barley seeds will be lost, they will get ill and even die.

.......................................................................
温泉郡 Onsen district

On the day of Inoko, children walk past the homes and sing the Inoko song about snakes and demons.
- 亥の子亥の子、亥の子の晩に餅搗いて祝わぬ者は、鬼うめ蛇うめ、角の生えた子うめ -




.......................................................................　Hiroshima 広島県 .....

.......................................................................
因島市 Innoshima

Toshitoku san トシトクさん Deity of the Year
He comes on the day of Inoko, therefore people leave the door open and also the kotatsu コタツ heated table for him to come and sit in the home.

.......................................................................
庄原市 Shobara 東城町 Tojo

daikon 大根 radish taboos




.......................................................................　Kochi 高知県 .....

On the day of Inoko, people are not allowed to eat gokoku 五穀 the five grains:
soy, wheat, barley, proso millet, and foxtail millet.




.......................................................................　Nara 奈良県 .....
大柳生町 Oyagyucho

kitsune キツネ fox
Before the war on the day of Inoko there was an exhibition of the village harvest of the year.
But the foxes built a long procession with lanterns and stole all the food.




.......................................................................　Niigata 新潟県 .....
南魚沼郡 Minami-Uonuma district 六日町 Muika machi

留守居の神 rusui no kami，恵比寿様 Ebisu sama，便所の神 benjo no kami
On the day of Inoko people prepare Inoko dango 亥の子ダンゴ round rice dumplings.



When most of the Kami left for Izumo, only Ebisu and the Benjo no Kami of the Toilet stayed back in the homes. They were the rusui no kami, Gods keeping back home. For them, the round rice dumplings were an offering. Also called
inokori dango 居残りダンゴ round rice dumplings for those left behind.


. kannazuki, kaminazuki 神無月 かんなづき "Gods are absent" month .
The tenth lunar month (now November), after the harvest when the Japanese gods had done their duty, they left their local shrines for a bit of a vacation and went to the Izumo Shrine.




.......................................................................　Okayama 岡山県 .....

On 亥の日 the day of the wild boar day in Northern Okayama, the weather usually turns bad with cold and rain.
This is called - inoko are 亥の子荒れ.

.......................................................................
勝田町 Katsuta

亥の子 inoko，産の神 san no kami，若年様 wakadoshisama，年神様 toshigamisama
The nando 納戸 storeroom of a house is often used as a bedroom for the young couple and a place to give birth. In the hamlet of 富坂 Tomisaka it is customary to have a shelf in a corner of this room and put offerings for Inoko there.
On another shelf san no kami 産の神 the Deity of Birth is celebrated.
In such a home, the deity of the new year is also celebrated as 若年様 wakadoshisama or 年神様 toshigamisama.

.......................................................................
真庭郡 Maniwa district 久世町 Kuse

oni オニ demons
On 亥の子の日 the day of Inoko, the farmers walk around the fields calling
イノコノヨウサ、イワワンモンハ、オニヲウメ、ジャヲウメ、ツノハエタコヲウメ
(The same song as given above.)
On the evening of this day people do not go to the radish fields . If someone hears the sound of a radish cut, he will die soon.

.......................................................................
新見市 Niimi city 哲西町 Tesseicho

daikon 大根 radish taboos

.......................................................................
総社市 Soja town

oni 鬼 demons
On the day of Inoko, when Tanokami goes back to become Yama no Kami, people sing the Inoko song
祝わんものは鬼うめ蛇うめ、角の生えた子うめ
(The same song as given above.)
and
daikon 大根 radish taboos



.......................................................................　Saga　佐賀県 .....
唐津　Karatsu

- quote -
Inoko Matsuri (young boar festival)
handed down to the Kitahata-Kamihirano region of Karatsu City is held on the day of the Boar of the lunar calendar. By around the end of the Meiji era, the Inoko-ishi (stone) was pounded around in each region but this tradition gradually faded and presently, in the Kamihirano region only, the event is handed down. At the time of the first Inoko, the people were glad at the birth of a boy while at the time of the second Inoko, the birth of a girl was welcomed. Children holding the inoko-ishi stone visit each home of the region, sing a festive song, and pound the stone.



Inoko Tsunahiki (tugs-of-war of young boars)
handed down in Uwaba, Chinzei-machi, Karatsu City was originally performed in order to boost the morale of the people of the region on the October day of the boar, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi dispatched troops to Korea, and the event has since been performed to date in order to celebrate the harvest. Sixty to ninety pieces of agricultural rope are twisted together to make two ropes 60 cm in diameter and 60 meters long, which are bound together at the center to form a rope with a total extended length of about 100 meters. After holding divine service, the people are divided into upper and lower groups and engage in a tug of war. Presently, three tugs of war are held at the signal of fireworks.
(Event-holding date: Second Saturday of November)
- source : bunkashisan.ne.jp/search -




.......................................................................　Shimane 島根県 .....
大田市 Oda city 安濃郡 Ano district 富山村 Tomiyama mura

daikon 大根 radish taboos

The Kotatsu heater is first used. This will protect the home from fire and disaster.






.......................................................................　Tokyo 東京都 .....
多摩村 Tama

daikon 大根 radish taboos

botamochi ボタモチ rice cakes



Botamochi are given to エビス様 Ebisu.

On the day of Inoko, a frog puts some Botamochi in a box and carries them on his back to the Daikon fields. The Daikon are already waiting and stick out their heads, calling
moo inoko ka もう亥の子か "Is is already Inoko time?"
(a pun with moo ii kai? in a children's game).


. botamochi ぼた餅 / 牡丹餅 "peony cakes .
round rice cakes covered with sweet anko powder.




.......................................................................　Tottori 鳥取県 .....
東伯郡 Tohaku district 琴浦町 Kotoura

inoko san 亥の子さん，Tanokami san 田の神さん
Inoko san is another name for Tanokami. In February on 亥の日 the day of the boar it comes down from 神棚 the Shelf of the Gods in the home and goes out to the fields.
On the day of the boar in the 10th lunar month, people offer fresh 餅 mochi rice cakes on the Shelf to welcome it back. The mortar for making Mochi must be washed clean and kept outside until the morning so that the "Young Wild Boar" can touch it and make sure it is his own home.


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

- reference source : nichibun yokai database -

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




inoko matsuri 亥の子まつり Inoko festival
The story about a boar who died through a ruse of the landlord
Once upon a time in a village in 天草 Amakusa
There lived a mean landlord and his mean daughter. The landlord used to lend money to people. On his land there was a huge boulder, which he could not move away by himself.
So he spread the word he would give his daughter as wife to anyone who would move the boulder.
But, well, the daughter of the mean landlord, nobody wanted her.
There came only one boar willing to do the job. The angry landlord spread another message "I give my daughter all all my riches to the one who moves the boulder!"
Now a few men came, but
not even the strongest man could move the boulder and in the end it was the boar who moved the boulder.
The landlord had to keep his word and let the daughter go as bride with the wild boar.
The happy boar put the bride on his back and gallopped back to his mountain. But as he was running, the mean daughter took a fire stone and straw, lit a fire and burned the back of the animal. Jumping in pain the boar fell from a cliff and died on the spot.
This episode made the rounds in the village and all felt sorry for the boar.
So they decided to have a festival for it on the Day of the Boar in October.

Nihon Mukashibanashi from the Oniike area, Amakusa Kumamoto 鬼池エリア
- reference source : nihon.syoukoukai.com/module -


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





. 12 Zociac animals 干支　eto, kanshi .
signs of the zodiac in Chinese astrology
. i (inoshishi) 亥 Boar (wild boar) .


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




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


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

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

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

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

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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #tanokamiinoko #godofthefields ##inoko #wildboar -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

tanokami yamanokami okoze legends

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
. Ta no Kami 田の神 - Table of Contents .
. Yama no Kami 山の神 - Table of Contents - .
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Yama no Kami 山の神, Yamanokami, God of the Mountain
and legends about okoze 虎魚 / 鰧魚 / オコゼ / ヲコゼ stonefish
okojo オコジョ dried Okoze, in some local dialects
- - - Okojo is also the name of a short-tailed weasel, see below.

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

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

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

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

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




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

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


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


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

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



hondo okojo ホンドオコジョ Mustela erminea nippon




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


okoze 虎魚 / 鰧魚 / オコゼ / ヲコゼ stonefish






. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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




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

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

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

A tree with two main stems is called Yamanokami no Hashigi 山の神のはしぎ "chopsticks of Yamanokami"
It is taboo to cut it town.

. Yama no Kami 山の神 God of the Mountain - Legends from Ehime .





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

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


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







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

Yamanokami is a very ugly female deity. On days of no hunting people bring Okoze as an offering.
They also pray that the Okoze offerings may be eaten by bears and thus keep them from attacking the hunters.
Some carry one Okoze in their breast pocket and let the face hang out to be seen by Yamanokami.





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

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

.......................................................................
利根郡 Tone district 片品町 Katashina

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




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

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

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


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




Imojochu liquor, Yamanashi 山梨の芋焼酎

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


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


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

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

. matagi タギ professional bear hunters .



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

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

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




.......................................................................　Nara 奈良県 .....
.......................................................................
吉野郡 Yoshino district 天川村 Tenkawa village

Some villagers see the Tengu as Yamanokami and call him グヒンサン Guhin san.
Others call him おこんぜ Okonze, O-Konze.



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

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

.......................................................................
三島郡 Mishima district 寺泊町 Teradomari

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

.......................................................................
上越市 Joetsu city

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



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

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



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




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

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





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

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




.......................................................................　Toyama 富山県 .....

. Yamanokami no tsukai 山の神の使い the messenger of Yamanokami .




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

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



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

- reference source : nichibun yokai database -





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




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


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

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

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

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

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

. kami　神　Shinto deities - ABC-LIST - .

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

[ . BACK to DARUMA　MUSEUM　TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #tanokamiokoze #godofthefields #okoze #stonefish #okoji #weasel #ferret -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::