Star or lunar mansion
Bishuku
尾宿
A lunar mansion listed as one of the twenty-eight mansions. The twenty-eight mansions are an old astronomical division that tracks which stars the moon appears near. Here we introduce the forms in which those divisions are depicted as Buddhist deities.
This introduction is based on materials from Shōhōin (Tobi Fudō). It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
The name and role of Bishuku
A lunar mansion listed as one of the twenty-eight mansions. Its Japanese name is Ashitareboshi, and it is recorded as corresponding to Mu Scorpii among present-day constellations. Matters of good and bad fortune are also given in a list.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Twenty-eight divisions of stars for reading the moon's course
The twenty-eight lunar mansions are an old astronomical division that tracks which stars the moon appears near. They are arranged in four groups of seven, east, north, west and south, and are linked with the Azure Dragon, the Black Tortoise, the White Tiger and the Vermilion Bird. Their way of dividing the sky differs from that of the twelve palaces, which divide the sun's path into twelve.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Star faith preserved in calendars and images
The twenty-eight mansions have also been connected with judging good and bad fortune in the calendar and with faith that venerates the stars. Shōhōin notes that the forms of the individual mansions are not fixed, and presents images based on the Butsuzō Zui. They are introduced here as historical calendar notes and belief, not as a definitive judgment of whether today's actions are lucky or unlucky.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：尾宿」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：二十八宿」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：九曜星」（2026-10-14 確認）