#door gods

[demospectator]

“Altar in the Chinese Joss-house, San Francisco.  A probable illustration of Eastern Glory Temple from Harper’s Weekly, March 25, 1871.

The Eastern Glory Temple of Dupont Street

The “Eastern Glory” Temple (東華廟; canto: “Doong Wah miu;” pinyin: “Donghua miao”) reportedly opened in 1871 possibly at 929 Dupont Street.  The Daily Alta California of February 10, 1871, reported that a temple “just completed by the six companies” was located in the third story of a row of buildings “on the west side of Dupont street on the west side of Dupont street, between Washington and Jackson.”

The reporter who had been invited to the inaugural rites at the new temple observed that the temple’s central hall honored “Pak Tie,” one of three gods whose statues were so honored.  The temple also venerated in its center hall, Gwan Dai (關帝; pinyin: “Guāndì”), the God of War, and Hung Sing, the God of Water.  Other deities were venerated in side rooms.  

Less than a month later, the Daily Alta California on May 1, 1871, printed a critical letter to the editors from a reader, pointing out numerous inaccuracies in the previous news report.  This letter contains the first reference to the temple as the “Tung Wah Min” in reference to its origins in southern China and, perhaps more significant, the poetic inscription which referred to the waves of blessing flowing to the men of eastern Cantonese men.  The letter then described the temple’s veneration of “Pak Tie” (北帝; lit. "North Deity;" canto: “Buck Dai”), also known as the “God of the Eastern Peak.”  

In his superb mapping project of the temples of old San Francisco Chinatown (found here), Peter Romaskiewicz asserts that pioneer photographer Eadweard Muybridge’s photograph “843 -- Chinese Joss House, Guardian of the Temple” c. 1871 was taken in the Eastern Glory Temple.  The altar or central shrine shown in the photograph is consistent with the newspaper descriptions.  

“843 – Chinese Joss House, Guardian of the Temple” c. 1871 - 1875.  Photo by Eadweard Muybridge (from a private collection).  The stereograph shows an altar in a temple that is probably the Tung Wah Miu (東華廟; canto: “Doong Wah miu;” pinyin: “Donghua miao”) or the “Eastern Glory” temple to non-Chinese.

“843 – Chinese Joss House.  1, God of Southern Sea. 2, God of Sombre Heavens. 3. God of War”  Detail of the altar of the Eastern Glory Temple, c.1871 - 1875, detail from a photo by Eadweard Muybridge (from the Marilyn Blaisdell collection).  In Chinese, the God of Southern Sea would be 南海洪聖大��, Sombre Heaven is 玄武（or 真武）大帝, and the God of War is often ascribed to 關公 (canto: “Gwan Gung”).

The plaque seen in the Muybridge photo no. 843 presents deity names including “Pak Tie” (canto: “Buk Dai;” pinyin: “Beidi”).

As was the case of Chinatown’s other pre-1906 temples, the Eastern Glory temple was known for its elaborate ceremonies and festivals, which attracted Chinese immigrants from all over San Francisco and beyond. During these events, the temple would be filled with the sounds of traditional Chinese music and the smell of incense, as worshippers prayed and made offerings to the gods.

Assuming that Romaskiewicz accurately located Muybridge’s altar idols image no. 843, the numerical sequence of Muybridge’s other temple images indicates that Muybridge took at least two (and possibly three) photos before entering the Eastern Glory Temple and several other photographs at the same location after capturing image no. 843.

Two photos, 840 and 841, of “menshen” or door gods (文門神; canto: “munh moon sun”) have survived in various public and private collections.  The door gods are usually presented in divine pairs, or  Shenshu (Chinese: 神荼; Jyutping: “San4 Tou4″).  

“840 – Chinese Joss House, Guardian of the Temple” c. 1871.  Photo by Eadweard Muybridge (from the Marilyn Blaisdell collection and a stereoview titled “Guardian of the Door” in the collection of California State Library).   Based on the negative no. 840, Muybridge probably took this photo of the other entry door to the Eastern Glory Temple before photographing the altar idols and door seen in his images no. 841 and 843.  The guardian seen in this image is Shubao (叔寶; canto: “Sook Boh”) , one of two Tang dynasty generals whose image was ordered placed upon gates by the Great Ancestor of the Tang (“Emperor Taizong”).  

Since the Tang dynasty, the deified generals Qin Shubao (Chinese: 秦叔寶; Jyutping: “Ceon4 Suk1 Bou2”) and Yuchi Gong (Chinese: 尉遲恭; Jyutping: “Wai3 Ci4 Gung1”) became most ubiquitous as martial door gods (武門神; canto: “moe munh sun;” lit. “military gate gods”).  Moreover, the first Chinese in California identified often referred to themselves as “Tohng yahn” (lit. “Tang dynasty people”).

“841 – Chinese Joss House, Guardian of the Temple” c. 1871.  Photo by Eadweard Muybridge published as a stereograph by Bradley & Rulofson (from the collection of the Getty Museum).  Based on the “841” number, it can be inferred that Muybridge probably took this photo before entering the Eastern Glory Temple and photographing the altar idols seen in his image no. 843.  The guardian seen in this image is Yuchi Gong(尉遲恭; canto: “Gwai Chee Gung”), one of two Tang dynasty generals whose image was ordered placed upon gates by the Great Ancestor of the Tang (“Emperor Taizong”).      

Based on a comparison of the numerical labeling of the images,  and a comparison of the partial signage seen in Muybridge’s photo no. 843, it is possible to connect several images taken of the temple’s resident priest(s) and astrologer outside the entrance.

“844 – Chinese Joss House. Tanist [sic] Priest in full costome.” Photographer Eadweard Muybridge (from the collection of the California State Library).

“Chinese Joss House, Tauist [sic] Priest In Full Costume” c. 1875 (from the collections of the Bancroft Library).

“845 - Chinese Joss House, Astrological Priest”(from the collection of the New York Public Library). This photo appears to have been taken in front of the same building as the photo no. 842 of the Taoist priest.

“846 – Chinese Joss House, Priests discussing Theology.”

“847 – Chinese Joss House. God of the Earth.”

Muybridge’s dogged persistence, and the apparent cooperation of the temple staff, produced an extant photographic record of the Eastern Glory temple provides perhaps the best documentation of the pre-1906 temples in San Francisco Chinatown.

Despite the challenges faced by the Chinese community in San Francisco, including discrimination, poverty, and violence, the Eastern Glory Temple remained a source of strength and resilience. It provided a sense of belonging and identity for the community, and helped to preserve traditional Chinese culture and beliefs in a foreign land.

However, the temple’s days came to an abrupt end in 1906, when a massive earthquake struck San Francisco and destroyed much of Chinatown. The Eastern Glory Temple was among the many buildings that were destroyed in the disaster.  Despite its relatively short existence, the Eastern Glory Temple remains an important symbol of the resilience and perseverance of the Chinese community in San Francisco. Today, its legacy lives on through the many temples and cultural institutions that continue to thrive in Chinatown and beyond.

[updated: 2024-5-5]

[hinamie]

10 years later

[dearestgentlereaders]

and he wonders why his wife would question whether he was ever punished as a child as if he isn’t the most dramatic bitch around

[spneveryseason]

[furiouskettle]

huzzle just swoocing in to chattelltalk ALL about the coolsome idea it just had

[egophiliac]

(almost) four years in, and I finally had time to draw something for the anniversary! woo! 🎉🎉🎉

[shoomlah]

I'm not sure what else I can do for the apparently VORACIOUS Spies In Dresses fandom, but might I offer you the original sketches in this trying time

[vivribbon]

new playlist concept

[bigfatbreak]

In canon, a kwami's power must be used through a human wielding a miraculous, otherwise it'll have unforeseen consequences. So, in your AU, does Imago stealing Marinette's agonies cause any sort of trouble?

honestly the biggest unforeseen consequence is that this dude is around and being himself

no but for real, there should be a hypermassive consequence for a kwami unfettered peeking their head in, but there's not because of shit we'll get into later.

just consider it like this for the time being: now that Marinette is a sage and is capable of communing with the gods, she as a living being can be used as that intermediate conduit for power instead of the miraculous gems. If it was Tikki, for example, using her power raw with sage!Marinette, Mari would be able to access the power of creation or be swayed by it - however, it would put a massive strain on her, as she's not a miraculous but still capable of acting as that pipeline.

The reason Marinette has no ill effects from Imago, however, is because Imago is playing with a catch 22. Their purpose was to take agony away from Marinette, so even the exhaustion of accessing the unfettered power of a god was something he stole from her, so it seems like zero consequences have been had. In truth Imago is now SO tired holy moly and they DO NOT LIKE IT LMAO

[loveisactivated]

❛Even if I can't comfort you, I will make sure you know that I will be a safe space for you.❜ MONSTER NEXT DOOR (2024)

[a-door-to-somewhere]

So if you haven't seen Marks update video, he says that edge of sleep is coming out OCTOBER 18TH. And also that for legal reasons he isn't allowed to tell us which site it's actually coming out on until it actually does??? Never heard of anyone doing this, it seems like hyping EoS up as much as possible would be in their best interest???

Mark also mentioned that if we get the series into top 10 on the site, it'll somehow help iron lung along, and he implied that he thinks it'll be easy. So it can't be any big site. He also implied that it's currently possible to figure out.

Is this just a plan for the producers to test the fanbase's ability to actually show up and watch things???

[bamsara]

I love Arson he's my favorite heater but I should really get a cheap laptop one day so I can leave the house to write because the Noise. Is . Too Much. I need to go write in the forest

[thiscoldheart]

LOVE NEXT DOOR (1.09)

[heretherebedork]

Diew flipping God for a kiss, very important.

[pharawee]

How to have sex carefully in tent. I'm ready. Can we do it?

—MONSTER NEXT DOOR · Episode 9

[bet-on-me-13]

Bruce Wayne was never Batman.

So! The night that Bruce Wayne's parents got shot, he developed an Unbreakable Resolve. He needed to get rid of the Crime that had taken his Parents away from him, no matter what.

But that night, he also developed a deep-seated fear of Death. He was face to face with his own Demise and instead of dying himself he saw his Parents die instead. He was Terrified of ending up like them.

But he still needed to stop Crime. He couldn't just let criminals go unpunished, and while he was still using his wealth to try and prevent it before it began, he knew there needed to be something to stop crime After it had been committed. And the Cops were useless on that Front.

He eventually found a solution while looking through his Parents Family Heirlooms.

Ancient Books dating back to the founding of Gotham and even before then, telling of a Creature from another world who his Ancestors had helped in the Past. A Being of Fear and Shadow, who owed a debt to the Wayne Family. He needed that Being. A Monster of Shadows and Fear was exactly the answer to scaring criminals away from committing crimes and punishing those who did.

But he needed to find the Being from another world first.

So he left home, traveling across the Globe training with the best Magicians and Demonologists in the world in search of the Monster who owed his Family a Debt. His travels took him far, from the streets of LA where he met a man named Zatara, to the Snowy Mountains of Nanda Parbat where he learned of the Lazarus Pits and the Demon's that came out of them.

While studying the Lazarus Pits, he was trained by the organization who guarded them. They despised Weakness, and while their leader was in awe of his Intelect he was less impressed by his body's conditioning. If he was to study the Lazarus Pits, he would first have to earn the Right in Combat.

He eventually managed to pass their Tests and eventually left them, having handed over a Copy of his research as the price for being allowed to Study the Pits.

Years later, he finally returned to Gotham, fully equipped to Summon the Being that owed him a Debt.

Bruce drew up the Summoning Circle as perfectly as he possibly could, he had one shot at it.

A drop of his blood and a splash of Lazarus Water later, and the Circle began to glow an ominous Green. Slowing, a shifting shadow began to emerge from the Circle, at first only a mass of writhing darkness before their form Solidified.

The Books he had found on the Spirit said that it would take the form of the Summoners Greatest Fear, which just so happened to be Bats for Bruce. The Form that the Spirit chose reflected that, with large Dark Wings falling over their form as if they were a Cape, and horns looking like the Ears of a Bat. From the Darkness, two glowing eyes appeared.

"Spirit, hear me. My name if Bruce Wayne, and I am calling in the Debt owed to my Family centuries ago. My City is plagued with crime and malice, rotting from its Core. My efforts to prevent Crime from the side of the Light have been in vain, Crime persists despite my efforts. In order for my vision to be fulfilled, the Criminals of this City must have their hearts pierced by Fear. Fear of Retribution. Fear of Consequences. Fear of Vengeance."

Thoughout bis Speech, the Shadowed Figure stayed silent.

"That is why I have called you here. I want you to stalk these streets, punish the criminals of this City and strike fear into their hearts from the shadows, so that they know to stay in the light. I don't want you to Kill them, never kill them. Let them live with that fear in their Hearts until their final days."

After he finished his speech, the Figure finally spoke.

"Your Quest is an Honorable one. You seek the betterment of your people's, and are unafraid to resort to drastic measures to achieve that goal. It reminds me of my Liege's resolve." It Spoke, it's voice low and rumbling. "Very Well. From this day forth, I shall protect your City from the Darkness in its own Heart. I shall be your Dark Knight."

...

Had this idea out of nowhere and needed to write it down. In this AU, Bruce still wants to protect his City from crime, but is understandably traumatized from seeing the Deaths of his Parents. He has a deep-seated fear of Dying, so he chooses to forgo fighting crime himself.

Instead, he finds out about a Spirit that his Ancestors helped long ago, and decides that the most logical next step out be to Summon a Demon to protect his City. Instead of training his Body for a decade to become Batman, he trains his Mind and Studies as much about Magic and Demon's as Possible.

He still knows how to fight because he trained with the League. He approached them with an offer to study the Lazarus Pits and give them his findings, and they accepted. But Ra's didn't want a weakling on his Base so he also required Bruce to train his body. He saw his potential for combat, and was so disappointed that Bruce had chosen a different path. He could have been Great!

Bruce still has a thing with Talia that produces Damian, he is still a point of interest from Ra's since he is insanely smart and has huge potential, and he knows how to fight pretty well. Albeit not as well as in Canon.

Bruce becomes the Benefactor/Guy in the Chair for Fright Knight (who is the one he summoned if you couldn't tell), who looks like a "Bat Man" because of Bruce's fear of Bats. Fright Knight agreed to this because 1.) He had a debt to pay, 2.) Bruce reminded him of Danny, and 3.) He respected Bruce's ballsyness to Summon a demon and command it to protect people.

Bruce still adopts his Kids, but there are some changes.

Dick is adamant about fighting Crime, and eventually Bruce is forced to let him go on patrol with Fright Knight, who has started going by Batman. Thankfully Frighty managed to give him some blessings so he had minor powers and would be safer.

Jason is mostly the same, and he is so excited that Robin actually IS Magical. When he dies, Fright Knight, who had gotten attached to their Family, goes into the Zone to search for him. He is unsuccessful unfortunately.

Tim is kind of funny. He figured out that Dick was Robin, and Jason was the 2nd Robi , but assumed that Bruce was Batman. When he approached Bruce about becoming Robin so he would stop going down his violent Cycle, Bruce Redirected him to talk to Fright Knight, who was not taking his failure to find Jason well.

Damien grew up knowing that his Father was a Genius, and the Master of the Batman, which gave him a bit of an Ego. At first he thought of Fright Knight as a Servant, and tried to command him like he did with Alfred. Frighty corrected him quickly enough.

Any more ideas for this AU? I have so many, but I think I need to stop for now.