Oshira-sama


Oshirasama is a tutelary deity of the home in Japanese folklore. It is believed that when Oshirasama is in a person's home, one cannot eat meat and only women are allowed to touch it.
The festival day for Oshirasama is called meinichi. It is held on the 16th day of the first, third, and ninth month of the Japanese lunar calendar.

Legend

According to legend, Oshirasama was born from the love between a woman and a horse.

In popular culture

The deity is also a character for the film Spirited Away. In the American version of the film the character is called Radish Spirit.