Gozumezu - Cow's Head and Horse's Head

Japanese: 牛頭馬頭 - ごずめず

In Buddhism, they are prison guards from hell who have the heads of cows or horses and the bodies of humans.

[Example] I think that even if we die and go to hell and become demons with cow-heads and horse-heads, it would be extremely difficult. [Narushima Ryuhoku * Yanagibashi Shinshi｜1874]

[Example] Anyway, all these people, amidst the swirling flames and smoke, were led to the prison guards of Gozu and Batou. Abuse Small Like leaves blown away by a strong wind, we are lost and fleeing in all directions. [Ryunosuke Akutagawa *Hell Screen｜1918]

Source: Dictionary of Four-character Idioms About Dictionary of Four-character Idioms Information

Japanese:

仏教でいう、頭が牛や馬の形をし、からだは人である地獄の獄卒。

[使用例] われ想うに奴輩死して地獄に入り、牛首馬頭の鬼とならんと欲すといえとも、またまさに難かるべし［成島柳北＊柳橋新誌｜1874］

[使用例] とにかくそういういろいろの人間が、火と煙とが逆捲く中を、牛頭馬頭の獄卒に虐さいなまれて、大風に吹き散らされる落葉のように、紛々と四方八方へ逃げ迷っているのでございます［芥川龍之介＊地獄変｜1918］

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