also: えやみのかみ
noun
god of pestilence; deity who spreads infectious diseases
Refers to a mythological or folkloric deity believed to cause epidemics. Often used in historical or literary contexts.
昔の人々は、疫病の神を鎮めるために祭りを行った。
People in the past held festivals to appease the god of pestilence.
この神社は疫病の神を祀っていると言われている。
This shrine is said to enshrine a deity of pestilence.
疫病神 is a more common term for a plague god or a jinx-like person who brings bad luck, while 疫病の神 is a more literal 'god of pestilence' often used in mythological contexts.
Compound of 疫病 (ekibyō/yakubyō, 'pestilence') + の (possessive particle) + 神 (kami, 'god'). The reading やくびょう is a regular sound change from えきびょう.