also: はちしょうじん
noun
eight directional gods (Onmyōdō)
In Onmyōdō, these eight gods govern the auspicious and inauspicious directions for each year according to the traditional calendar. A specialized term encountered in historical or esoteric contexts.
See also: 陰陽道
陰陽道では、八将神が毎年の吉凶方位を司るとされる。
In Onmyōdō, the eight directional gods are said to preside over the lucky and unlucky directions each year.
陰陽道 is the broader esoteric cosmology and divination system, while 八将神 refers specifically to the eight directional deities within that system.
From 八 (eight) + 将 (general/leader) + 神 (god). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term is associated with Onmyōdō directional lore.