Oinu - Dog

...Since ancient times, it has been considered a sacred beast, and it was believed that it could understand human speech, distinguish between good and evil in human nature, and harm the wicked and protect the good. It is also said to be a messenger of the mountain god or a temporary form, and is worshiped under the name Oinusama. Particularly famous in the early modern period were Mitake Shrine in Chichibu, Kanto, and Yamaju Daigongen in the Chubu region, as well as shrines in the Kumano region and temples in the Tajima and Wakasa regions that printed it on amulets, and it seems that the belief in Shugendo also contributed to its spread. ...

*Some of the terminology explanations that mention "Oinu" are listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…古代から聖獣と考えられ，人語を解し人の性の善悪を見分けて悪人を害し善人を守ると信じられた。また，山の神の使者とも仮の姿ともいわれてオイヌサマの名で信仰の対象ともなっている。とくに近世有名であったのは関東秩父の三峰神社，中部地方の山住大権現で，熊野地方の神社や但馬，若狭地方にもこれを守札に刷って出した社寺があり，修験道の信仰もその流布にあずかったらしい。…

※「オイヌ」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

出典｜株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典 第２版について | 情報