debate among researchers whether the worship of Sekizan Myōjin was initially promoted in response to the veneration of Shinra Myōjin (centered in Onjō-ji) or the other way around. According to texts contemporary with the early conflict between Jimon and Sanmon, both deities were believed to actively partake in it, and in mythological terms it was reinterpreted as a rivalry between them; monks from Mount Hiei also maintained that Shinra Myōjin was only a servant of Sekizan Myōjin, but this was not accepted by these from Onjō-ji. Detailed accounts of their involvement in the conflict are given in Sannō rishōki (日吉山王利生記) and Genpei jōsuiki. Reportedly emperor Go-Sanjō was visited by both of them in his dreams, with Shinra Myōjin urging him to let the Onjō-ji monks build their own ordination platform (the lack of which was the original cause of disagreement), and Sekizan Myōjin threatening to use his bow and arrows against anyone who will authorize its construction. Both Sekizan Myōjin and Shinra Myōjin are also considered related to Matarajin. Faure argues that they historically formed an “implicit triad”, with Matarajin enshrined on top of Mount Hiei as the protector of the three pagodas of Enryaku-ji, and Sekizan Myōjin and Shinra Myōjin respectively on its eastern and western feet. A degree of interchange of attributes and functions between them has also been noted. However, in contrast with the other two, Matarajin never came to be regarded as a myōjin. Shintōshū, a fourteenth century Buddhist text, identifies Sekizan Myōjin with Gozu Tennō. It also states that Mutō Tenjin is his honji. Additionally, like Gozu Tennō, he could also be linked with Susanoo. Suwa engi, one of the three sections of Shintōshū focused on Suwa and its deity, refers to Sekizan Myōjin as the father of Kōga Saburō and his brothers. Worship Sekizan Myōjin is worshiped in the Tendai school of Japanese Buddhism. His temple is known as (赤山禅院). It is located on the western foot of Mount Hiei, to the northeast of Kyoto. The location was selected based on the fact that the eastern side already was the site of a shrine dedicated to the deity Sannō (山王). It was originally erected in 864 by Anne (安慧; 795–868), one of the disciples of Ennin, but was destroyed after his death, only to be subsequently rebuilt in 884, after Sekizan Myōjin reportedly appeared in a dream of the priest Sōō (相応; 831–918). Shortly