Niutsuhime no Okami
丹生都比売大神
Cinnabar, purification, Koyasan opening
About
The principal deity of Niutsuhime Jinja in Wakayama, venerated as the goddess of cinnabar (red mercury sulfide) used in ancient purification rites. In esoteric Buddhist tradition, she guided Kobo Daishi (Kukai) to Mount Koya via her white dogs, enabling him to establish the monastic center there.
Animal Messenger
White Dog (白犬)
White dogs guided Kobo Daishi to Mount Koya under this deity's direction.
Shrines Dedicated to This Deity
| Shrine | Prefecture | Network Role |
|---|---|---|
| Niutsuhime Shrine 丹生都比賣神社 | Wakayama | Head shrine (souhonsha) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
Who is Niutsuhime no Okami in Japanese mythology?
Niutsuhime no Okami (丹生都比売大神) is Cinnabar, purification, Koyasan opening. This deity appears in Kojiki & Nihon Shoki and is enshrined at 1 shrines across Japan.
What shrines are dedicated to Niutsuhime no Okami?
There are 1 shrines in our database dedicated to Niutsuhime no Okami, including Niutsuhime Shrine.
What myths involve Niutsuhime no Okami?
Niutsuhime no Okami appears in myths from Kojiki & Nihon Shoki. The deity is known as Cinnabar, purification, Koyasan opening.