This article explores the embodiment of Kongō Zaō 金剛蔵王, the tutelary deity of Kinpusen, by analyzing narratives of his apparition from the Heian to the Nanbokuchō periods and their evolving interpretations. The study positions the deity’s body as a locus of meaning and a powerful metaphor for the union of religious and political realms. It focuses on the Kinpusen Himitsuden 金峰山秘密伝, written by the monk Monkan Kōshin 文観弘真 in 1337 at the Southern Court’s palace in Yoshino to legitimize Emperor Go-Daigo’s rule following the downfall of the Kenmu regime and the outbreak of the civil war. Kongō Zaō is depicted as a localized emanation of the Buddha, embodying multiple Buddhas, addressing the spiritual needs of the era. The article examines Zaō’s embodiment as a model for the emperor’s liturgical body, providing insights into the intricate interplay between Buddhism, local kami cults and kingship in medieval Japan. The investigation enhances our understanding of the integration of local cults and of the idea of Japan within a Buddhist framework, highlighting the dynamic role of the body in Buddhist thought. The body is presented not just as a site of spiritual practice, but as a force that shapes new meanings, informing both religious practices and political structures.