Star or lunar mansion
Gyūshuku
牛宿
This is a lunar mansion listed as one of the twenty-eight lunar mansions. The twenty-eight lunar mansions are an old astronomical division that describes near which stars the moon appears. Here, that division is introduced in the form of 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 Gyūshuku
This is a lunar mansion listed as one of the twenty-eight lunar mansions. Its Japanese name is said to be "Inamiboshi", and it is explained that it corresponds to β Capricorni among today's constellations.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Tracing the form and the traditions
There are columns for favorable and unfavorable matters, with calendar notes that also mention times of day, and it is stated that there is nothing in particular under unfavorable matters. These are entries in calendar tradition and do not present good or bad fortune as fact.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Reading the moon's course: a division into twenty-eight star groups
The twenty-eight lunar mansions are an old astronomical division that describes near which stars the moon appears. They are arranged in four groups of seven, east, north, west and south, linked with the Azure Dragon, the Black Tortoise, the White Tiger and the Vermilion Bird. They are divided differently from the twelve zodiac signs, 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 lunar mansions have also been connected with judging good and bad fortune in the calendar and with faith that enshrines the stars. Shōhōin notes that the forms of the mansions are not fixed, and shows images based on the Butsuzō Zui. They are presented as historical calendar notes and beliefs, not as a definite judgment of good or bad fortune for actions today.
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：牛宿」（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）