Jan 21, 2015 - 1 min read

Soho-in

Menagerie of carved mythical creatures in Machida

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

Wonderful wood carving on the gate

Carving of a shishi - a mythological creature with powers of protection

A carved baku, a mythological creature said to eat bad dreams

Looking through the gate toward the main hall

An ornate metal plate protects a corner of one of the doors on the big gate

Wood carving of a dragon

I really love the wood carvings on Japanese temples and shrines!

Strangely trimmed trees

Temple building in the winter afternoon sun

The doors of the temple were slightly open

Unusual winged and bearded statue

Japanese bells are rung by being struck with a swinging wooden pole

Praying statue in the garden

O-Jizo statues in red hats and aprons

This temple in Machida City has a large, impressive gate with beautifully carved mythical creatures. There are shishi, which are the same creature as koma-inu (the 'lion-dogs' that guard the approach to Shinto shrines) and are believed to have protective powers. There are also baku, strange animals with elephant trunks and tiger's paws, that are believed to eat nightmares, and to complete this mythical menagerie there are also dragons.

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Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

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Nicole Bauer

Nicole Bauer 10 years ago

Hi Cathy, you are really giving Machida a whole new face. Great find! I also completely agree with Iain, Tokyo never fails to surprise!! Many thanks.

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Cathy Cawood

Cathy Cawood Photographer 10 years ago

Thanks Nicola! Machida is full of nice surprises.

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Justin Velgus

Justin Velgus 10 years ago

Your excellent close ups really show the detail of artistry in the subjects you captured!

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Cathy Cawood

Cathy Cawood Photographer 10 years ago

They are really well done, aren't they!

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Iain Stanley

Iain Stanley 10 years ago

You could spend a year in Tokyo and not see half of its offerings!!

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