Gion Cult

is a Shinto cult. Originally it revolved solely around Gozu Tenno, but during the Separation of Shinto and Buddhism of the Meiji era the government mandated it shift to revolving around Susanoo.川村『牛頭天王と蘇民将来伝説——消された異神たち』（2007）

The main shrine is Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto or Hiromine Shrine in Hyogo Prefecture.

Gozu Tenno was originally a Buddhist-style Onmyōdō deity, and is generally considered to be the guardian deity of Jetavana, the monastery where the Buddha studied. The description in is prominent. In China, he was influenced by Taoism, and in Japan, he further merged with Susanoo, the Kami of Shinto. This is because both Gozu Tenno and Susanoo were considered to be plague gods. He was considered to be the Buddha Bhaisajyaguru.

The cult began in the Heian period, and the original form of the Gion faith was to prevent epidemics by comforting the god of pestilence. In the late 10th century, the citizens of Kyoto began to hold a festival at Yasaka Shrine (then known as Gion Shrine) which became known as Gion Matsuri. By the Middle Ages, the Gion faith had spread throughout the country, and Gion shrines or Gyototenno shrines were created to enshrine Gyotenno, and the Goryokai (or Tenno Festival) was held as a ritual procession.

In the Meiji era (1868-1912), the Separation of Buddhism and Shinto banned Buddhist rituals at shrines and prohibited the use of Buddhist words such as "Gozu Tenno" and "Gion" in the names of deities and company names, so Gion Shrine and Gozu Tenno Shrine became shrines dedicated to Susanoo and changed their names.

There are many other cults of Susanoo that are not derived from the Gion faith, but rather from indigenous Shinto traditions without Buddhist influence. These include Susa Shrine, and Yaegaki Shrine.

Hiromine Gion Cult

At Hiromine Shrine there is a quite different Gion cult revolving around agriculture rather than protection from disease. Interestingly Susanoo/Gozu Tenno is often observed as more intimidating in this tradition taking on elements of a Landlord deity.

Gion shrines

There are many Gion shrines, Yasaka Shrine being the most prominent. Others include:
* Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社) in Gion, Higashiyama, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture – Head shrine of the Yasaka shrine network
* Tsushima Shrine (津島神社) in Tsushima, Aichi Prefecture – Head shrine of the Tsushima shrine network
* (広峰神社) in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, which has a very different Gion cult focused on agriculture
* in Osaka City

References

External links

祇園信仰研究会
- 有志による研究会

Shinbutsu shūgō

Shinto cults
Goryō faith
{{Shinto shrines