Tokyo

Jan 8, 2015 - 1 min read

Mount Takao’s Guardian Deities

Walking within eyesight of dark shadows

By Steve Morton

Community writer

Remember, you are always being watched!

Even before you start your ascent up this mountain you will immediately notice the first of many dark figures peering down at you

As you make your way up the slopes, you will notice many figures located on either side of the hiking trail

Some are situated in amongst the trees, making it difficult for you to see them but easy for them to see you

Whilst some of the figures are not so intimidating, others are very scary. And these are the ‘good guys’!

A guardian deity watches over the entrance to Takao’s sacred Yakuo-in Temple

When entering Yakuo-in Temple’s precinct, many of these deities are placed in between most of the religious structures, banishing evil doers from entering this holy place

An angry looking figure holding what looks like a rock; fortunately it didn’t throw it at me!

A kinder looking deity at the bottom of the staircase leading up to Yakuo-in Temple

You can even find these figures hiding in amongst some stone tablets

A deity with its sword drawn, ready to banish any evil doer

A friendlier looking face

As if there aren’t enough deities’ lining Takao’s ascending slopes, you will also find many of them concentrated near the top of this mountain

When climbing up Mount Takao’s long slopes, you will soon begin to feel that someone or something is watching you. This is quite an understandable sensation because, in fact, you are being watched; very closely!

Fortunately, this time it’s not big brother. Instead, dozens of guardian deities are viewing yours and everyone else’s approach up this sacred mountain.

Believed by many to banish evil and protect the ‘good’, these distinctive black figures can be seen all along Takao’s slopes from top to bottom peering down at your every move. As long as your soul is pure, you have nothing to fear!

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Steve Morton

By Steve Morton

Community writer

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