Ganzan Daishi

Ganzan Daishi, also known as Jie Daishi, is a revered posthumous title for Ryōgen, a 10th-century Tendai Buddhist monk who served as the eighteenth head priest of Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei. He is venerated in Japanese Buddhist tradition for his role in reforming and strengthening the Tendai sect, and he is popularly associated with protective and exorcistic functions, often depicted in the fearsome "Tsuna Daishi" or oni-like form used on talismans believed to ward off misfortune and evil influences. Temples and amulets bearing his image remain widespread in Japan, reflecting his enduring legacy in folk religious practice tied to purification and protection.