Daishogun

A late Heian period wooden sculpture of Daishôgun. Metropolitan Museum of Art.

• Japanese: 大将軍 (Daishougun)

Daishôgun is a guardian spirit primarily associated with protection of the imperial capital and presiding over all four directions. He was particularly prominent in the Heian period, when sites such as Shôgunzuka and Daishôgun Shrine were established to help protect the capital.

The name literally means "great general," but is not directly related to the samurai class or samurai rulers (shogun).

References

• Gallery labels, "Daishogun, the Great General," Metropolitan Museum of Art.[1]