Dec 18, 2014 - 1 min read

Dairin-ji in Kanagawa

Strange carved beasts under the eaves

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

Temple gate rising above a long white wall

Buddha and bell rope

Cute sweeper statue

The temple hall, framed by the gate

Two fearsome looking guardians

Another carved beast

The main hall of the temple

A carved beast which slightly resembles an elephant

There must be a story behind this statue

Dragon crouched over the water basin

These tiles seem to have a clover motif!

View of Dairinji's gate from the street

This attractive temple in Nagatsuta looks very striking from the street because of its tile-capped white wall and very beautiful gate. It has a number of interesting statues including some impressively scary gate guardians. The main hall is also a beautiful building, and you should make sure you don't miss the strange and wonderful carved beasts under the eaves.

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Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

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Justin Velgus

Justin Velgus 9 years ago

Those elephant like things are called "baku." These mythcial creatures eat nightmares, so despite their bizarre appearance (like the gate guardians), they are actually there to expel evil energy.

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Cathy Cawood

Cathy Cawood Photographer 9 years ago

They eat nightmares? How cool is that!

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