- Kōjin
Kōjin, also known as Sambō-Kōjin or Sanbō-Kōjin, is the
Japan ese "kami " ("god") offire , the hearth, and the kitchen. He is sometimes called Kamado-gami, literally "the god of the stove". He represents violent forces that are turned toward the good of humankind.Mythology
The name "Sambō-Kōjin" means "three-way rough deity", and he is considered a deity of uncertain temper.Ashkenazy, Michael. "Handbook of Japanese Mythology". Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio, 2003. 244] Fire, which he represents, is a destructive force, as shown in the myth of
Kagu-tsuchi , the original fire deity, whose birth caused his mother's death. However, Kōjin embodies fire controlled and turned toward a good purpose. He is said to destroy all impurity. He is also responsible for watching over the household and reporting any misdeeds to the "kami" of the village or city. These reports are discussed, and the according rewards or punishments assigned, by an assembly of gods inIzumo province in the tenth month of the traditionallunar calendar .Ashkenazy 186-187]Kōjin is sometimes identified as an incarnation of Fudō Myō-Ō, who is likewise depicted as surrounded by flames and tasked with dealing with misdeeds.
As Kamado-gami, he is sometimes depicted as female.
Worship
Traditionally, a representation of Kōjin is placed near the hearth. This representation might be a simple "
fuda " ("memorial tablet") in many homes, or it might be as elaborate as a statue, as is common in Buddhist temples. In his statues, Kōjin is depicted with flaming hair, fangs, and a contorted face, and he often wields a bow and arrows. He has two pairs of hands. Some representations of Kōjin present him as possessing three heads.The "Kōjiki" mentions an imperial script detailing instructions for worshipping Kōjin, in the form of Kamado-gami.
ee also
Kagu-tsuchi , "kami" of fireNotes
References
*Ashkenazy, Michael. "Handbook of Japanese Mythology". Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio, 2003.
*Philippi, Donald, trans., ed. "Kōjiki". Tokyo: Tokyo University Press, 1968.
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