Kishimojin

Kishimojin In Japanese mythology, goddess of women in childbirth, prayed to for offspring; protector of the Buddhist world and of children in particular. Originally, Kishimojin was a cannibal woman in Hindu mythology, mother of 1,000 children. One child, Bingara, was converted by the Buddha, and later Kishimojin also was converted. In one myth she was condemned to give birth to 500 children to pay for her evil deeds, earning for herself the title Mother of Demons.

In a variation she was sent to hell and was reborn in the shape of a ghoul to give birth to 500 devils, of whom she was to eat one a day because in life she had sworn to devour all of the children in one village. She was converted by the Buddha in her second existence.

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow
Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante

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