Virtual Akigawa 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #7 Jizo-in Temple

 

     It is unknown when Gozu Tenno (literally "Ox-Headed Heavenly King") Shrine was founded in Totohara. 

     The Japanese word Gion comes from Jetavana, which was one of the 5 most famous Buddhist monasteries or viharas in India. The five are believed to have already existed while the Buddha was still living. Gion Shrine enshrines the guardian god of Jetavana, who was called Gozu in Japan. The root or the source of the guardian god of Jetavana was Bhaisajyaguru, who one day chose to be born as a son of Mudang as a part of the syncretism of Buddhism. The son had a bull head, and grew up to find no bride to get married with. One day, he set out on a journey to find a bride. In brief, at last, he got married to a daughter of Naga, who lived in the ocean. Gozu might have had the power to control water as a natural process.

     Gozu was first enshrined at Hiromine Shrine in today’s Himeji. Later, he was invited to today’s Kyoto when the Kamo River flooded and plague spread, they wished for the healing and anti-flood power of Gozu. He was made the main deity of Gion Shrine, or Yasaka Shrine today, in Kyoto.

     It is unknowable why the god was invited to Totohara.

     Jizo-in Temple was founded as the shrine temple of Gozu-Tenno Shrine.  After the Meiji Restoration, the shrine was renamed Yasaka Shrine, and the temple was abolished.

YasakaShrine

Address: 320 Totohara, Akiruno, Tokyo 190-0152