Gozu-Tenno, Ox-headed King 牛頭天王 Gozu-Tenno, literally "Ox-headed King," is an object of worship that is a god with a head of ox in Japanese folk beliefs once common before Meiji Restoration happened in the late 19th century. He has two different personalities; as a guardian king in an India's Buddhist monastery Jetavana (祇園精舎 Gion-Shoja in Japanese); and as a god of pestilence who brings infectious diseases. Though his origin is shrouded in mystery in fact, he is believed to have come from outside of Japan and equated with 武塔神 Muto-no-kami appeared in 蘇民将来 Somin Shorai Folklore , a Japanese mythological god 素戔嗚 Susanoo , or Bhaisajyaguru (薬師如来 Yakushi-Nyorai in Japanese), Medicine Buddha. Despite its alien-like looking, Gozu-Tenno cannot be found in other region's Buddhism. It is a figure unique to Japan developed with influences from different kinds of religions such as esoteric Buddhism, Taoism, The Way of Yin and Yang, and Japanese indigenous religion. In Go
Gegyo, Hung fish 懸魚 Gegyo Traditional Japanese architecture often features ornamental charms that symbolize water. It is because most buildings are made of wood therefore fire-prevention is one of the greatest concerns for long years. The most famous is 鯱 shachihoko , fable tiger-headed fish , placed on edges of castle's roofs, but developed after the late-16th century under the influence of an unbeatable warlord , 織田信長 Oda Nobunaga . On the other hand, The usage of 懸魚 gegyo can date back at least to the 7th century in Japan as far as historical materials show. Gegyo literally means "hung fish" and fish here stands for water, a charm for fire prevention like shachihoko . It is believed that advanced architectural techniques that may include gegyo were introduced to Japan from China together with the influx of Buddhism happened in the 6th century. Gegyo is a decorative ornament found in the center of a bargeboard under a projecting gable . Gegyo in Japan developed int