Mountainous Area Folklore Investigation Material No. 17: "Miyama-sama (Oyama / Miyama-sama)"

Classification: Mountain Worship / Mountain God Faith / Folklore Investigation Area: Surroundings of Mt. ○○, ○○ Prefecture Author: Folklore Research Lab, □□ □□ Notes: Created based on interviews and field surveys.

Folklore

It is said that a mountain god called "Miyama-sama" has lived on Mt. ○○ since ancient times.

Variations in notation such as "Oyama-sama" or "Miyama-sama" are seen depending on the literature, but all are considered to refer to the same entity.

Few have seen his form, and testimonies are inconsistent, with some saying he was a white-haired youth, a giant beast, or a black shadow. On the other hand, the possession of physical characteristics of birds and beasts, such as "deer antlers," "black wings," and "beast legs," is spoken of commonly across multiple regions.

He is said to sometimes guide those lost in the mountains back to their village and at other times never allow them to descend the mountain; he cannot be definitively classified as either a benevolent god or a fierce god.

Rituals

A small shrine has been confirmed near the summit of Mt. ○○.

Numerous animal bones, horns, feathers, molted skins, and pressed flowers have been found inside, but almost no traces of artificial processing are recognized. There is no consistency in species or age.

It is unknown whether these were used for rituals or accumulated naturally.

※ Currently a restricted area.

Testimonies

"He was holding a puppy crying in the mountains. His expression? I don't know. —After all, he didn't have a face." (1959, Male)

"A large white deer with antlers was walking with an ordinary fawn. When I tried to shoot it, my body suddenly stopped moving... after that... sorry, I don't remember." (1885, Hunter)

"Sometimes, a voice like something wailing comes from the mountain. The mountain gets rough on those nights, so you must never go near it." (Date unknown, Oral tradition)

Researcher's Observations

In many mountain god legends, there are not a few examples where the deity is not given a gender or is spoken of as a goddess. In contrast, this folklore shows a consistent tendency to be recorded as the figure of a youth or a man.

However, there are also many examples where he is spoken of as a beast-like or shadow-like entity, and further investigation is required to determine whether these refer to the same object of faith or if different traditions have become intermingled.