Japanese legends, Davis retelling
Kwannon
Davis describes Kwannon as the Goddess of Mercy, appearing in numerous forms. Her many hands and their objects represent different capacities to respond to prayer. The account includes Bato-Kwannon, associated with protecting animals, and Hito-Koto-Kwannon, said to answer only one prayer.
Also known as Kannon
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In the sources
Account in the source
TraditionalDavis describes Kwannon as the Goddess of Mercy, appearing in numerous forms. Her many hands and their objects represent different capacities to respond to prayer.
Further detail
TraditionalThe account includes Bato-Kwannon, associated with protecting animals, and Hito-Koto-Kwannon, said to answer only one prayer.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows Davis’s presentation and spelling of Kwannon. His gendered language and Christian comparisons belong to his comparative approach, rather than defining all Buddhist understandings of the figure. The powers attached to particular forms are attributed religious accounts.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths and Legends of Japan
she nevertheless assumes a multitude of formsOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Davis, Myths & Legends of Japan, active reader leaf 221
Checked against the active prepared edition; reader leaf and original-page mapping verified, spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0221
- Original scan leaf
- 247
- Recorded leaf number
- 247
- Current Reader position
- 220
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths and Legends of Japan
the Kwannon who will only answer one prayerOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Davis, Myths & Legends of Japan, active reader leaf 222
Checked against the active prepared edition; reader leaf and original-page mapping verified, spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0222
- Original scan leaf
- 248
- Recorded leaf number
- 248
- Current Reader position
- 221
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed