[1] Atago Gongen is the name of a deity resulting from a fusion of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, specifically combining the worship in Mt.

The faith in Jizō Bodhisattva is considered to be the original Buddhist belief with Izanami as its patron deity.

Due to the influence of Onmyodo and the faith in the Kunado-no-Kami (local Japanese gods connected to protection from natural disasters and malicious spirits), Mt.

At the time, faith in the Tengū was popular as well, resulting in Atago Gongen being worshipped by some as ‘Taroubou’, according to sources such as Fujiwara no Yorinaga’s diary, the Daiki.

The faith in Atago Gongen began to diminish due to the revision and removal of Buddhist beliefs and ideology via the Ordinance for the Separation of Shinto and Buddhism in 1868.

This kami (Shintō deity), protector from flame and fire, mainly venerated on Mount Atago in Kyoto Prefecture, has also been identified as being Kagutsuchi or even Susanoo-no-Mikoto and sometimes even as Izanagi.

The support animal or messenger of this Atago Gongen is the wild boar, the symbol of courage, strength, and perseverance.

Many legends relate that warriors in difficulty have been rescued by wild boars or Atago Jizō 愛宕地蔵, which charged at their enemies, putting them to flight.” Nakamiya-jinja Shrine was built by the lord of Kinugasa Castle, and it used to stand on Nokubo area which was between Mt.

The philosopher Hayashi Razan lists the greatest of these daitengu as Sōjōbō of Kurama, Tarōbō of Atago, and Jirōbō of Hira.