God of Mt. Hiei
Ōyamakui 大山咋神
Also known as: Sannō, Ōyamakui-no-Kami
Element: Earth (土)
The myth
Ōyamakui is the god of Mt. Hiei, northeast of Kyoto, enshrined at Hiyoshi Taisha. Because northeast was considered the unlucky "demon gate", the god of that mountain was seen as a protector of the capital.
The same faith, called Sannō, came to Edo at Hie Jinja, where monkeys are his messengers.
What people pray to Ōyamakui for
- Warding off misfortune
- Work and career
- Children and safe childbirth
Why: As a guardian of the capital's "demon gate", he is prayed to for warding off misfortune and protecting businesses.
Where to meet Ōyamakui
The element shown is the one used by Kamimap's fun guardian-kami quiz, based on traditional five-element associations. It is not a religious teaching.