of them appear in his dreams and give contradictory instructions regarding whether an ordination platform should be built in Mii-dera. A number of connections also existed between Shinra Myōjin and Matarajin (摩多羅神), including similar symbolism of their portrayal as old men (okina) in art and shared association with Mañjuśrī. However, despite the links between both of them and Sekizan Myōjin, Matarajin was never referred to as a myōjin himself. The bodhisattva Mañjuśrī (般若, Hannya) is regarded as the honji of Shinra Myōjin. This connection is mentioned in Onjōji denki, which also states that he was a son of Sāgara. In the Shinra Myōjin ki, he is specifically described as his third son. However, no other deities are ever attributed to Sāgara as sons. In Ryōhen's Nihon shoki maki daiichi kikigaki, Shinra Myōjin is instead described as female and as the second daughter of the same deity. Shinra Myōjin could also be identified with astral figures, such as Kokuzo or Myōken. He was closely associated with Sonjōō (尊星王). According to Keiran shūyōshū, Shinra Myōjin was the “trace” of Sonjōō, in this context identified with Dakiniten, and as a result “divine foxes” (shinko) were his messengers. Elsewhere Sonjōō was instead closely associated with Myōken, and according to Keihan (慶範; 1155–1221) the two names referred to the same deity respectively in heaven and on earth. The spirit of ,a historical priest from Onjō-ji, traditionally regarded as an onryō, could also be identified with Shinra Myōjin. A connection between them is mentioned in Onjōji denki, according to which Raigō implored Shinra Myōjin to punish emperor Go-Sanjō for deciding not to authorize the construction of a new ordination platform, to which the god responded by killing the latter. This tradition about Go-Sanjō's death is also documented in the Jimon denki horoku. Another emperor whose death was attributed to Shinra Myōjin was Nijō, who reportedly supported the monks of Mount Hiei over Mii-dera, which prompted the god associated with the latter to send two acolytes to inflict him with smallpox. Worship Shinra Myōjin is regarded as the protective deity of Onjō-ji (Mii-dera). It has been pointed out that the historical Ōmi Province, where the temple is located, had a close connection with Silla, and therefore the presence of Shinra Myōjin might be related to the settlement of Korean immigrants. The Ōtomo clan in particular was involved in promoting the veneration of this deity early on. However,