noun
directional deity; god of directions
A generic term for various deities associated with directions in Japanese folk religion and Onmyōdō. Not a single god, but a category that includes figures like Konjin, Ten'ichijin, and others. Used in contexts of directional taboos and calendar-based prohibitions.
方位神を祀ることで、方違えの災いを避けるとされる。
It is said that by enshrining a directional deity, one can avoid calamities from unfavorable directions.
陰陽道では、方位神のいる方角への移動は凶とされた。
In Onmyōdō, traveling in the direction where a directional deity resides was considered inauspicious.
Ten'ichijin is another specific directional deity within the 方位神 group, whose location changes daily.
The practice of avoiding unlucky directions, closely related to the concept of 方位神.
Compound of 方位 (hōi, 'direction') and 神 (jin, 'god, deity'). The term is a generic label used in Japanese folk religion and Onmyōdō to refer to various deities governing directions.