| In
869, Japan was struck with a terrible epidemic of plague. The Seiwa emperor,
residing in the Kyoto imperial palace, then sent his messengers to the
Gion shrine (the present Yasaka shrine) in order to placate the divine
wrath of Susano, the solar goddess Amaterasu's brother.
In offering to Gozu Tenno, a shinto divinity (also called Gion) supposed
to take care of the good health of her faithfuls, he also ordered his
servants to plant in the imperial garden, the 7th day of the 6th month
of the lunar calendar, 66 decorated halberds (hoko) representing the country's
66 provinces.
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