Gozu Tenno Legends

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. Japanese legends and tales 伝説　民話 昔話 - Introduction .


. Gozu Tenno Legends 牛頭天王伝説 .
Updates are now here


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Gozu Tennō Densetsu　牛頭天王　伝説 Legends about Gozu Tenno

The Gion Festival 祇園祭
This festival originated as part of a purification ritual (goryo-e) to appease the gods thought to cause fire, floods and earthquakes.
In 869, the people were suffering from plague and pestilence which was attributed to the rampaging deity Gozu Tennō (牛頭天王).
Emperor Seiwa ordered that the people pray to the god of the Yasaka Shrine　八坂神社, Susanoo-no-mikoto. Sixty-six stylized and decorated halberds, one for each province in old Japan, were prepared and erected at Shinsen-en, a garden, along with the portable shrines (mikoshi) from Yasaka Shrine.


Heavenly King with an Ox-Head,
Ox-Headed Deva King
gozu tenoo, gozu tenno 牛頭天王
The Japanese god of plague



With the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism, Susa-no-O was identified with Gozu Tenno ("Bull-headed King of Heaven").

. Gion Festival (Gion matsuri 祇園祭り) .
- Introduction -



. Gozu Tenno Legends 牛頭天王伝説 .
Updates are now here



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