GOZU-TENNO

Lux Ferre 9 January 2023

The emperor Gozu, ox-headed deity of the underworld in Buddhist mythology. He is the deity of disease and plague and is therefore invoked for protection against the calamities he brings. He is similar to other mythological figures such as the Ainu Kenash Unarabe, invoked because of fear and their power to do harm. Gozu-tenno is often identified with Susano-wo, who was banished to rule the underworld by his father, Izanagi.

SEE ALSO:

Japanese Mythology

REFERENCES:

Joly, Henri L. 1967. Legend in Japanese Art. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Co.

SOURCE:

Handbook of Japanese Mythology written by Michael Ashkenazi – Copyright © 2003 by Michael Ashkenazi

BOOKS FOR YOU TO READ IN OUR LIBRARY:

Japanese Ghost Stories – Lafcadio Hearn

Kwaidan: Ghost Stories and Strange Tales of Old Japan – Lafcadio Hearn

Japanese Mythology – Judith Levin

Pandemonium and parade : Japanese monsters and the culture of Yōkai – Foster, Michael Dylan

Japanese Ghost Stories Spirits, Hauntings, Paranormal Phenomena – Ross Catrien

Yurei The Japanese Ghost – Zack Davisson

The Book of Yokai Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore – Michael Dylan Foster

Ghosts And The Japanese Cultural Experience in Japanese Death Legends – Michiko Iwasaka, Barre Toelken

Categories: Japanese Mythology