Deity of shinbutsu shūgō (kami–buddha syncretism)
Shōshinshi
聖真子
This is a figure of the fusion of kami and buddhas (shinbutsu shūgō), listed as one of the Seven Sannō Shrine Gongen. The Seven Sannō Shrines are a group of beliefs, handed down on Mount Hiei and at Hiyoshi at its foot, in which kami and buddhas are joined.
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
Shōshinshi and Usa-gū
Shōshinshi is a name connected with Usa-gū, one of the Seven Sannō Shrines. Today Hiyoshi Taisha enshrines Tagorihime no Kami there, and Shōhōin gives Amida Nyorai as the historical original buddha (honjibutsu). The names of the kami and the buddha associated with the same shrine can be traced while keeping in mind the differences of period and tradition.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・日吉大社・日吉大社
Prayers to Hiyoshi Ōkami for warding off misfortune and for daily life
Hiyoshi Taisha calls the kami of its shrines collectively Hiyoshi Ōkami, and introduces their divine virtues, such as protection from unlucky directions, warding off misfortune, good relationships (enmusubi), and the safety of the household. Faith that protects the Buddhism of Mount Hiei and faith that guards the northeast of the capital have overlapped in this place. The wishes mentioned here are the shrine's explanation regarding Hiyoshi Ōkami as a whole.
Source: 日吉大社
The name and role of Shōshinshi
This is a figure of the fusion of kami and buddhas, listed as one of the Seven Sannō Shrine Gongen. Shōshinshi is described as Hachiman Daibosatsu, who appeared in Shiga District of Ōmi, and the original buddha is said to be Amida Nyorai.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
The Sannō kami who protect Mount Hiei
The Seven Sannō Shrines are seven shrines connected with the faith of Mount Hiei and Hiyoshi at its foot. Shōhōin explains that the group of shrines grew from the original Ōbie and Obie to become the Upper Seven Shrines among the Twenty-one Sannō Shrines. Because of their history of joining kami and Buddhism, the name "gongen" and the present-day shrine names are introduced separately.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
The same kami, called by different names in different periods
Old names such as Ōmiya, Ninomiya, Shōshinshi, Sannomiya, Hachiōji, Marōdo, and Jūzenji reflect the history of the fusion of kami and buddhas. The names of kami, original buddhas, and shrines are not the same kind of name. Not confusing the historical correspondences with the enshrined kami and divine virtues that the shrine explains today is a key to understanding Sannō faith.
Source: 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：聖真子」（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：山王七社権現」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 日吉大社「日吉大社について」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 日吉大社「山王祭について」（2026-10-15 確認）