Hōsōgami
Hōsōgami, also known as Hōsōshin or smallpox devil, is a demon believed to be responsible for causing smallpox in medieval Japan. People tried to appease the smallpox demon by assuaging his anger, or they tried to attack the demon since they had no other effective treatment for smallpox. Methods used to try to assuage or please the smallpox demon were using a sanshin, a musical instrument, "lion dances, flowers, incense, and poetry.
When
- First attested
- 500 CE
- Attested period
- 500 – 2020
- Historical notes
- Believed to cause smallpox in medieval Japan.
Sources
Source passages
“Smallpox demon (Japanese: 疱瘡神, Hōsōgami, Hōsōshin) or smallpox devil is a demon which was believed to be responsible for causing smallpox in medieval Japan. In those days, people tried to appease the smallpox demon by assuaging his anger, or they tried to attack the demon since they had no other effective treatment for smallpox”
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