#kannon statue

[nobrashfestivity]

Juichimenkan Nonzo Eleven-faced Kannon statue

1 width, colored silk, hanging width, middle width, left and right, half width, length 169.0, width 90.0,

Heian period, 12th century

The eleven-faced Kannon is the most popular deity among the Henge Kannon, and has been actively created since the Nara period. This image is the only eleven-faced Kannon worship image on silk dating back to the Heian period, and is in an extremely good state of preservation. It is a masterpiece that represents Buddhist paintings in Japan, with its rich colors and large yet delicate kirikane pattern. At present, eleven faces are drawn above the head, including the Buddha face at the top, but near-infrared photographs and other sources have revealed that one face was altered during the production stage, and before the alteration, there were statues from the Nara period. It was a statue of ten faces above the head, which is common in Japan. In addition, unlike other Buddhist paintings in the late Heian period, the image of the principal image of Esoteric Buddhism is drawn diagonally to the left, unlike the usual front-facing image, and the special Yogan-in, with the palm of the right hand facing inward. It shows a distinctive image that cannot be seen. These iconographic features are thought to be based on the old iconography inherited in the land of Nara, and more specifically, there is a high possibility that the iconography established in the Nara period is the source. Another distinctive feature of this image is the strong vermillion kumadori applied to the Kannon's flesh, which is also thought to be a continuation of the tradition of old Buddhist paintings from the Nara period to the early Heian period. The Nara revival elements seen in this image can be said to be a common characteristic of Buddhist paintings related to Nara produced from the late Heian period to the Kamakura period. It is known from the ink inscription on the mounting that during the Edo period, it was considered the honjibutsu of Tatsuta Shingu, the guardian shrine of Horyu-ji Temple in Nara, and that it was also transmitted to Hoki-ji Temple near Horyu-ji Temple for a period of time.

Nara Museum

[elleofakind]

Hayakawa Port and Hayakawa Kannon: Odawara’s Coastal Gems

Nestled within the historical context of Odawara, the Hayakawa area is a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and cultural significance. Odawara’s Hayakawa district is a hidden treasure, offering a mix of coastal beauty, fishing heritage, and spiritual serenity. For visitors looking to experience the quieter side of Odawara, away from the city’s historical landmarks, Hayakawa Port…

[emaadsidiki]

Rain and Kannon. (梅雨) Tsuyu in Tokyo, Japan.

[renegade-hierophant]

Sendai Tendou Byakue Daikannon (仙台天道白衣大観音), located in Sendai, Japan. It portrays the bodhisattva Byakue Kannon (白衣観音, "White-robed Kannon", a.k.a. The Goddess of Mercy) bearing the cintamani gem (如意宝珠, Nyoihōju) in her hand.

It is the tallest statue of a goddess in Japan and as of 2023 is the 8th tallest statue in the world at 100 metres (330 ft).

[bonguri]

20241005 Yakachigawa 4 by Bong Grit Via Flickr: 観音様の周りも彼岸花。 Photo taken at Yakachi river, Handa city, Aichi pref.

[nthflower]

I can't take bleeding mugshot trump seriously 😭😭😭

Also I know the ending song I am pretty sure it's just the piano version of another techno song flare I think. It sounds so good that way I need the full version.

[seasonofthebxtch]

Sendai Daikannon statue, located in Sendai, Japan.

[artschoolglasses]

Nyoirin Kannon, Todai-ji

Nara, Japan

[cookinguptales]

Have you ever considered writing tabikaeru fic? I'd be fascinated to see what you'd do with that since I like your writing and your frog translations

You know, I hadn't ever considered it? But I probably could, if you really want to see it. I've been to a lot of the places that Glen (my little frog) has. And I can think of some places in Kyoto (where I went to school) that he'd probably enjoy.

My cute lil traveling man...

[cat-a-holic]

The story of Japan’s Kakure Kirishitan (Japanese for hidden Christians) is one of remarkable resilience and ingenuity. Forced underground by persecution in the 17th century, these communities practiced their faith in secret for over 200 years. One fascinating aspect of their survival strategy was the clever use of Buddhist imagery, particularly statues of Kannon, the Buddhist Bodhisattva of Mercy, to represent the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child.

[whencyclopedia]

Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera, otherwise known as the 'Temple of the Pure Water Spring', is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. The site is famous for its impressive viewing platform, three-storey Koyasu pagoda and the medicinal pure waters of the Otowa Spring. Kiyomizu-dera is Kyoto's most popular tourist attraction, the Main Hall is an official National Treasure of Japan and the complex is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Foundation & Key Features

The Kiyomizu-dera temple is located on Mt. Otowa, part of the eastern hills on the outskirts of Kyoto. The temple belongs to the Buddhist Kita-Hosso sect and was founded in 778 CE by Enchin Shonin some 16 years before Heiankyo (the former name of Kyoto) was itself established as the new capital of Japan. Enchin Shonin was a priest from Nara, the capital of Japan from 710 to 784 CE, who claimed to have received a vision which directed him to the exact location of a spring, the Otowa spring which gives its name to the site. Even today, many visitors consider the waters of the spring to have magical properties and the three branches of it are each given a romantic association: health, longevity, and exam success. No wonder, then, that Kiyomizu is popular with both young and old, but if the reader visits in person and wishes to take the waters, remember that one should drink from one stream only, so choose wisely.

In 798 CE, the military leader of Japan, Sakanoue Tamuramaro, embellished the site with a large hall which was reassembled from its former position in the palace of Emperor Kammu (r. 781-806 CE). Kammu had decided to leave his old capital of Nara because of the overly strong influence the Buddhist monasteries had on the government there, and it was for this reason that the emperor permitted the building of new temples at Heiankyo only on the city's periphery. In any case, the southern monasteries continued to be influential and there was a particular and long-standing rivalry between the Kofukuji temple of Nara and the Kiyomizu-dera, the latter being, at least officially, a subsidiary of the former.

The temple complex is set in woodlands and entered via the monumental red and white Niomon Gate which, flanked by two massive statues of Buddhist guardian kings, was built in the 15th century CE. Next to it is the Sanjunoto pagoda. There is an additional gate at the west side of the estate, the Saimon Gate, which dates to the Momoyama Period (1568-1600 CE) and which is an official National Treasure of Japan. Within the wooded complex are the Hondo or Main Hall; a secondary hall similar in design to the Hondo, the Okunoin Hall; the Jishu Shrine and the Jeju-in garden which recreates famous landscape features mentioned in classic literature. Another hall, the Zuiguido Hall, is kept completely dark inside and is meant to represent the womb of Buddha's mother so that walking through it is a metaphor for one's spiritual rebirth.

One of the highlights of Kiyomizu-dera is the Koyasu, an impressive three-storey pagoda complete with spire, which was designed to house sacred texts and relics. Built between 1607 and 1633 CE, it is an excellent example of Momoyama architecture. The structure is another National Treasure of Japan and is particularly associated with granting trouble-free childbirth for those who visit it. Finally, Kiyomizu-dera is also the home of a famous statue of the bodhisattva of compassion Kannon (aka Kwannon or Guanyin in Chinese). The remarkable figure has ten heads, 1,000 arms, and is credited to Kiyomizu-dera's founder Enchin. Being classified as a 'hidden Buddha' or hibutsu, the figure is only displayed to the public every 33 years.

Continue reading...

[aho-dapa]

Tbh there's something about the way Ichigo, Kisuke, and Sōsuke are all reflecting off of each other in canon

Like this is sooooo influenced by my random uraichizen thoughts but

Like, considering Kisuke's Bodhisattva allegory with Guanyin/Kannon and his knowledge of the world, the idea that he preserves the status quo of the worlds by not actively doing anything in comparison to Sōsuke (from what we can see). He is a Bodhisattva in this sense. He's seen the truth, he teaches others the truth or hints at it because true Enlightenment can only be with the self. But.

Then there's the actual consequence of SS and what shinigami have to do to maintain the balance. Kisuke opposes Sōsuke and his views not because he believes it's right, but because he believes that the destruction of the worlds is not acceptable. It's a necessary evil.

Sōsuke has an ego with him wanting to become God, but there's also something almost tragic about his arc with reframing it from his perspective of Soul Society.

Soul Society is not a good place. Honestly horrible to live in. Especially when we find out that they sacrifice souls to hollows and vice versa in the name of balance.

Tbh, I ended up asking myself, from this viewpoint, is the Soul Society really worth protecting? Because it's goal is not about protecting people, but protecting the balance. Can the shinigami claim ignorance? Should they even be allowed to when they are complicit in destruction of lives? What would 'life' actually be considered in this universe? Do hollows deserve life as humans do? Except the SS ultimately sees both as a means to an end, hollows are just more of an obstacle.

Effwctively, shinigami are content sleeping on a bed of ground bones. I can see Sōsuke thinking this from a biased perspective.

But he's also not some savior either. He's arrogant and has a callousness to him that conflicts with this more sympathetic view of him.

His anger at Kisuke for knowing the truth of the world and not trying to change it seems genuine. There's an air of hypocrisy to his character I can't shake and it makes me wanna know more about why. Like the question of the greater evil vs the lesser evil.

Except Ichigo. He steps forward, finally knowing himself in full, to defeat Sōsuke, to defeat Yhwach, yet I can't help but feel like he's still so ignorant of the world he lives in. If he learned about their horrors, could he truly stand by in shadows waiting as Kisuke does, or would he become like another Sōsuke, for whatever reason. Or would he become a different path?

Sōsuke is also related to illusion and water, a reflection. We never see his bankai and I would even go so far as to think that he own powers don't work as they do in canon. There's still too many unknowns about him for me to be confident in them. But Ichigo’s own insights about Sōsuke's loneliness is just... it's so tempting to build off of that.

Because those feelings are likely a reflection of Ichigo from when he was a young age and his own confusing powers may have brought only more loneliness instead of understanding or connection.

I can't help but think that Kisuke represents Stagnation and Sōsuke represents Progess. Except poth come with an unsavory taste in the mouth. Kisuke waits, likely works towards a goal, bit it's far too slow for the people that have already suffered because of the world. Sōsuke steps forward, also hiding until he's sure of his strike, and he probably would have won if not for Ichigo. What is Ichigo then?

The only part of the Soul King that's named is his heart, which can bring about miracles, things unexplained due to emotions and desires. It acts similar to the Hōgyoku. Ichigo speculates that Sōsuke may have actually wanted to lose to him and that's... also a lot of implication about Sōsuke's character. There's also the idea that Sōsuke may have built Ichigo up. To what? Defeat him? Stand by his side? To make him less lonely? Or are these Ichigo’s unreliable feelings, are they simply Ichigo’s own reflected onto Sōsuke?

Both of Kisuke and Sōsuke's plans and views come with a price. And Ichigo remains ignorant, but he stills fights for everyone to not pay that price, even his enemies.

In a way, it's like Sōsuke decided to pay a huge price upfront to pay back later, Kisuke is frugal and making sure to balance everything while moving forward but that means people can't attain true wealth within their lifetime. Yhwach decided to destroy the concept itself despite that it means everyone will then have to pay that price.

Ichigo, is just, bursting through all of that. But he's also only one person. And idk, that feels important to how change must be made collectively when it's about a whole society. All Ichigo does is step forward, with other people, like the beginning of a wave.

Like, this is the end of the post but SŌSUKE AND KANAME??????? That alone needs a whole thesis and how it informs both of their characters since the only person Sōsuke actually trusts out of everyone is Kaname

[emaadsidiki]

A stroll through Asakusa streets.

A dreamy ambiance that is uniquely Tokyo, Japan.

[45622211111]

whenever you prayed to god for a companion - an angel on your side to guide you through life and make times less lonely - the devil himself has made it his very own purpose to never let that happen.

you had read the folklore on him. too many theoretical assumptions exist on his origin and how "misguided" most of them were, according to some history graduate's blog. he's either bad or… well, definitely never entirely good. one source states he was a conjoined twin who got purchased by a sick bastard and then killed off for his own sadistic tendencies.

some say he originates from the mountain, his complexion too powerful for the human eye. so, he becomes a kannon statue, spiritually guiding locals. others assume he was first found in a cave in full armor. sometimes he is a mere human who tries to escape his enemies. sometimes he kills a dragon with the spear in his four arms.

however, one urban legend goes as following: a group of foreign men try to dismantle an old temple. a giagantic wooden box lays in front of them. the head abbot warns them - do whatever you have to but don't open it. the manager returns the next day and greets the workers. they don't speak nor move. the cascet is open. a monk arrives. "i deeply apologize. you won't live long lives." a purification ritual won't save them butbhe can try. the affected ones are long gone.

the manager checks the paper glued to the box. the kanjis are loud and clear.

ryomen sukuna.

your first… ecounter wasn't really the first. there is no official date or day in the calender you could mark in retrospect. it just happened. like friendships, they bound throughout time without feeling the need to put a label on it.

except, the mean girls back at your high school couldn't come close to the curse on your left side.

"brat, you look absolutely disgusting."

oh, how you wish you could turn back time. you would confess: "yeah… you're targetting girls who don't give a shit about you and treat those who seek your validation like subordinates. for being hormonal monsters though? damn, it really gets worse from here on. sorry, i wasn't familiar with your game."

you are what? a month and a few weeks into this. you have learned not to cry or ruminate over his words. he is only a voice in your head, you repeat. now it is a mindset, hearing him bicker around like a free podcast that you try to pause with slippery fingers.

"i'm talking to you, woman."

"too bad, you have no face to do that- or should i say two-faced?"

you know that he knows that you know that his verbal impact on you has lost most of its value - to be exact, the insults he would throw at you at the most random moments. he makes you nostalgic - like you are time-travelling back to school. means it's nothing you haven't experienced yet. you realize that life will always put you in a room with at least one person who can't seem to stand you for whatever reason. oh, and you are stuck with him forever. hah! you can't escape him. might as well prepare as early as you can.

"what are you doing?"

"blocking proshippers on my tumblr."

you always thought he has limited access to you - that he could only reach you through nice small-talks. after all, he hasn't reached out to you for longer unless it is about how useless you apparently are.

turns out, he has control over you. when you think about it, he can basically see you whenever, wherever. the first weeks you refused to change out of your pyjamas. toilet breaks in the dark weren't allowed to last longer than needed. kinda reminds you of the sprints you would take whenever the lights in the halls were shut off at night.

you can't hear him but can imagine a scowl, theoratically speaking. you couldn't find images other than the google photographs of his statues or various ancient drawings.

"is staying in this cave of yours all you are capable of."

"didn't seem to bother you weeks ago." you swipe across your page, the light of your screen highlighting your droopy eyelids.

"woman, you can't do the same everyday, it's getting tiresome. you modern peasants are good-for-nothings - all gone soft. you wouldn't survive a day in my era, tch."

now that you give it a thought, for months you have been hiding in your room. the fear of your new guest making you look like a clown in public made you hesitant. talking about your non-existent social connections! - you haven't shared your little secret with anyone, yet.

eventually you had to get out for school.

the train station isn't as packed despite it being a thursday. the sky is a greyish blue, the sun shining through the clouds just enough. students and office workers in attire pass by. people order from the cozy underground bakeries. the smell of buttery pastry mixed with gas penetrates your nostrils. a smile forms on your lips at the familiar atmosphere.

you ascend the concrete stairs, careful not to clash into the rushing kids. something behind you echoes with a vibrating impact.

"hey girl, you good?" you ask, yet, you move onwards again unless you wanted to get morphed into jam by the mass. you catch another girl helping the high schooler by collecting some items from the floor, then they sprint away.

"weak."

you shake your head. is he serious? "why would you say that." it's not a question. you are occupied with not overrunning the group of seniors in front of you. the sounds of rails' screeching are audible.

he exhales, dragging the interjection with what sounds akin to disbelief.

"look at these losers depending on each other as if the ground will swallow them if they move fast. can't believe this is what humans have become - old and weak. it's pathetic."

you always see how people in wheel chairs rush to the station, faces painted with fear as the doors close on them. or how the tactile guides on the floors are blocked by the rest who seem to suddenly be in dire need of the earth's space - as if they couldn't act different for a second.

"you love to look down on others, don't you? - belittling anyone and anything that isn't you, huh?" there was no way you could explain him basic decency without getting a breakdown under the concrete roof.

"ahh, aren't you one to learn quick? i do whatever i desire, brat." the tone in his last words goes down, new in comparison to his nonchalant bickering you would normally get to hear.

you don't - or can't risk provocating him further. your skin is getting warm and you would rather save yourself from getting emotional.

next: shibuya station.

you enter the white train as the last person, immediately sitting down on a seat near the exit. your mouth and throat are dry, arms tensing as you burry them in your pockets. an announcement goes through and in the next second, the doors close.

the mesmerizing view of trees and small houses surrounding a lake enters, making you lean back and try to enjoy it. you ask yourself why you feel so moody and suddenly feel reality creep into you. what felt like an episode of hallicunations or the after-effects of surfing the internet for too long, you still find yourself struggling with the same question: why?

not even anonymous questions on forums come close to contemporary enlightenment. you wouldn't want to fall victim to the horrendous waiting area of your family doctor. you weren't desperate enough to get a one-way ticket to an asylum for speaking on what you struggle with. they are usually cautious with diagnosing patients for various health concerns but would fill out a form to transfer you to any facility before you could even blink.

you weren't crazy, you were just talking back to the voice inside your head. does that sound crazy?

the warm shades light up the train, the pane coloured in oranges and browns. you close your eyes at the contact. opening them, you let your gaze wander around the room. the seats across you were empty, a lady reading her daily newspaper. ahead, there are two students around your own age. one has spiky white hair that was shining in the light, a brunette next to him.

you must have been eyeing him for too long as he meets your gaze. before you can even try to act uninterested, he gives you a lazy smile. dark patches surround his lower lash lines, the corners of his eyes squeezing with sincerity.

you turn your head away and don't dare to look at him until he exits at the next station.

your clothing flutters as the bus drives away. taking a few steps, you are framed by green. the soft breeze dances around you. is that gratitude that you feel right now? you breath out and decide to walk along the path. as long as you could just relish the tranquility it would be fine.

as long as.

a harsh tug makes your shoulder fly back, not being able to bite down a groan. what a son of a bitch, you huff. all these men are of the same species indeed.

"what are you doing here?" your brows furrow at the sickening grin. what type of question is that supposed to be?

"what do you mean?" you bark back.

you were too busy trying to understand his behaviour to notice where you are.

zen'in estate. extra engraved in platinum, because there is enough money to throw into the air.

"for applications as a cleaning lady you're at the wrong place."

normally, you don't mind the term he is using. you have always respected their work, since school times, no matter if they tried to throw you out for re-entering the class late to collect your books. but no, that wasn't the problem.

you couldn't allow his shit-eating face to talk to you in that voice.

"well, uh, i'm a barber. i heard they need a life-saving trim and bleach to safe some rusty and split ends. seems like i'm at the right place, sir." your hand scratches the back of your neck, your face slightly pouting.

here we go.

his nose stretches, mouth and eyes going sour. he weirdly breaks his necks to the side. you didn't lie about his head.

before you know it, you are being showed back, amost crashing down on the asphalt. your heart rate speeds up, your lips separating. has this man just touched you? not only that, he moves towards the mansion as if he hasn't physically violated you.

it wouldn't be the first time you would get into a fight with a male, nuh uh, the annoying boys in elementary school have and will always be the blue print. too bad there isn't a female teacher who is going to baby him.

instead, you have a literal curse on your side - only symbolically of course. you were quite keen on proving him something. yes, you were riled up to get rid of the tension in your body. enough is enough.

your jelly legs carry you to his stairs. you form a fist and strike out, your arm moving with the entire weight of your body.

pam!

his head bends forward. you are satisfied with the vista, his posture still bent over. you pant loudly. oh god.

your legs move. you swear you could have stumbled down.

the look of the empty street worries you a bit too much for your own standard. the adrenaline doesn't let you stop until you are in the company of a filled main street, minutes later. you huff and puff, head scanning for a white head with black, ugly ends. what was he even on? he should have a serious conversation about his hair instead of hitting women.

it not like you don't already share a room with a mysoginist. are you a perhaps a magnet? and if so, why?

but you can't fight the feeling of accomplishment. something akin to the superheroes in your favourite comics. the pride and encouragement you would sense whenever you read them. girl, you are her. you can't help the grin on your face as you head to the restaurant in the middle of the street. if you don't indulge now, then when? there couldn't be a more perfect timing for this. you wouldn't want to go home to his nagging yet.

"i have to say… i wasn't expecting it from you."

you roll your eyes. there wasn't the need for you to answer him, especially not with the music blasting in the saloon. the saliva in your mouth is assembling as the aroma of food engulfs you.

"brat, i'm talking to you."

"..."

"disrespectful brat."

"… oh wow, nasty by tinashe, what a banger."

finally, the waitress drops by with your order. you interchange smiles. the second she walks away, you sink your teeth into the big sandwich. finally. spices, bread and meat overflow your tastebuds. the sauce makes you shake your head in an impressed manner. at the end of the day, food was the only component in your day-to-day that has never dissapointed you. no chance.

"what are you shaking your head like a drunk busker, tch, some things don't change with you humans."

another bite. you are too chill to respond, hack, you don't hear him anymore. you take a sip of your beverage.

"what's that?"

you chew.

"what's what?"

"the thing you're eating."

oh. you can't help but burb. the food is very fulfilling, you didn't care how grossed out he must have appeared.

"it's döner."

"..."

if he somehow wanted you to make him give a piece of your meal - although that was impossible - that was still a big no. he doesn't deserve it. and even if it is possible, you would have already gulped down the döner before he could physically descend. the thought alone is creepy but that was for another time to contemplate.

"what's the other thing." he must have taken notice of the images in the menu.

"ah, you mean kebab?" you can't escape the slices of meat that shout "eat me! eat me!" and you again indulge the flavour. you take joy in imagining his face - disgusted, corner tucked down as he crosses his arms. his four arms. you are being reminded of his four legs. god, make it go away.

"what's the difference?"

hmm, wouldn't you want to know that, weatherboy? - is what you would have said, if you weren't nice.

"so this has bread-"

"i can see that brat."

"uh… seriously, good question. so, kebab is eaten on a plate with… maybe tomato sauce, rice and salad and other side dishes. döner is the thing that turns around on that stick," you point at the open kitchen behind the bar, "and is served in thin slices in this pide. this is an invention by turkish migrant workers in 70s' germany if i remember correctly," you raise the bread with the sesame seeds. now that you have possibly answered his question, you take your last bite.

"what's german about it then?"

"i don't know - the country?

"hmm."

ideas for this series are welcome (sfw) virgin (proudly), loser, loner, asocial reader x antique sukuna curse. reblogs are appreciated. hope this is a enjoyable??

❂　(sukuna ryomen x loser!reader(fem))

[pinkrosealice]

I'm bored, and more importantly for the sake of this post, I am someone who's a huge fan of the games made by Weather Factory. I also am an aspiring academic in religious and mythological studies hence why the games made by WF are so appealing to me.

Thus I'm going to share some of my theories/headcanons on which real life deities mythical beings and other religious figures are alternate identities / names /titles for the Hours of The Secret Histories universe, just for the fun of it.

1. The Mare is known as Batō Kannon, or Hayagriva Avalokiteshvara in East Asia. Likewise The Apple Bright is probably Cánshén / Memyō Bosatsu and maybe maybe be The Queen Mother of The West.

2. The Wheel is not just Kubera but all of the Lokapāla & Dikpāla / Four Heavenly Kings / 12 Deva . Particularly I think his status as a Zeus-like figure that gives birth to the Dionysian Moth invokes Indra, his status as the "low-red sun" would equate him to Surya and his eye symbolism would connect him to Shiva in either his Mahakala or Ishana incarnations.

3. The Thunderskin is Xipe Totec, what with the flaying, the association with protection from disease, and the connections to perpetual natural cycles. And if that's the case, The Thunderskin is the Red Tezcatlipoca

4. Thus I think that The Colonel and The Lionsmith might correspond to two of the other four Tezcatlipocas. However I am not certain as to which of the two Edge Hours would be the Blue Smoking Mirror and which one would be the Black, as The Colonel is associated with scarred and amputated mythological figures and the Black Tezcatlipoca is missing a leg and despite being associated with the night was also one of the Five Suns which would explain The Colonel's association with the Lantern Principal. Buuuuuttttttttt The Black Tezcatlipoca is also so so so associated with Jaguars and felines are in The Lionsmith's wheelhouse so who knows I might not actually be on to something with that particular line of mythological speculation after all.

5. Just as The Wolf-Divided is almost certainly inspired by the Nordic Monstrous canines such as Fenrir/Garmr and especially his offspring Sköll and Hati, I think so too Snow must be Hel. After all, The Wolf and Snow are deeply associated beyond just them sharing the Winter Principal. The fact that Chione, a Name-Emanation of Snow was defeated or suppressed by The Colonial whom we know is Wodan/ Odin also helps to confirm this for myself.

6. Given her patronage of The Invisible Serapeum, and that one of her Names is called the "Lady of Veils" I think there's a strong possibility that The Forge of Days was known to the Egyptians, particularly those under Roman rule, as the goddess Isis.

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I have a few other speculations and mythological associations that I've made in my mind but those would take a bit more explaining in order to make any sort of sense. So I will save my Watchman is Apollo and how that relates to whatever the hell is going on with Janus and his whole deal in The SH universe for another time.

[megyulmi]

➠ Shared worship of Bodhisattvas associated with Megumi and Yuuji’s domains:

Since we know that Megumi’s domain hand symbol is associated with Bodhisattva Kannon (Japanese manifestation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara) and Yuuji’s domain hand symbol is associated with Bodhisattva Jizō (Japanese manifestation of Bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha), I wanted to mention a few connections in their worship from the Japanese Buddhist tradition.

To note, Kannon and Jizō are two of the most venerated Bodhisattvas in Japanese Buddhism, who have distinct roles and attributes, yet a notable connection (similarity) between them, reflecting the intertwined nature of the compassionate qualities they embody.

Generally, both Kannon and Jizō are revered for their compassion. Kannon is known as the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, who hears the cries of beings in distress and offers aid. Jizō, similarly, is the protector of children, travellers, and souls in the afterlife, often depicted as a compassionate figure who aids those in suffering. Additionally, they are both seen as saviours and protectors. Kannon offers salvation and relief from suffering, often invoked in times of need. Jizō is believed to help souls in the six realms of existence, particularly in the realms of hell, where he provides comfort and aid to suffering beings.

Now, let’s delve deeper into the intertwined nature of their worship. In this post, I mentioned that the veneration day of Jizō is celebrated on the 18th and 24th days of every month. Traditionally, the 18th day of the month was assigned to Kannon. However, the veneration of Jizō on that day is mentioned in a Japanese version of the Jizō and Ten Kings sutra, the Bussetsu Jizō Bosatsu Hosshin In’nen Jūōkyō (仏説地蔵菩薩発心因縁十王経), a product of the late Heian period said to be based on the Chinese version, the Yü-hsiu-shih-wang-sheng-ch’i-ching (預修十王生七經). According to more contemporary writings, commoners, merchants and townsfolk often held meetings together in honour of them throughout the Muromachi and Edo periods on the same date. In addition to this point, Reigenki (地蔵菩薩霊験記, stories of Jizō compiled by Jitsuei of Mii-dera in the mid-Heian period) and Konjaku (今昔物語集, ‘Anthology of Tales Old and New’) describe many Jizō devotees in the Japanese tales as Lotus Sutra reciters; a further examination of which shows that Jizō is expected to function rather like Kannon, who is a Bodhisattva most closely related to the Lotus Sutra, through the merits and virtue of it. When one thinks of Lotus Sutra, one usually thinks of Kannon, but old recordings show that their worship was shared not only in the manner of date but in the text as well.

The main reason is that the Lotus Sutra itself declares that the sutra will be of special value in the degenerate age and people were seeking benefits in their present lives as well as deliverance in the future. In satisfying such needs, Kannon, closely related to the Lotus Sutra, was an ideal Bodhisattva who would appear in this life, grant the mundane wishes of devotees, and even deliver them into Amida’s Pure Land (a concept of a celestial realm of a buddha or bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism where Buddhists aspire to be reborn). As repeatedly described in the above-mentioned Jizō stories of Reigenki and Konjaku, Jizō would also appear in this present life and help ignorant sentient beings in the age of degeneration. He would guide his devotees so that they would not fall into hell, and he would even save those who had already fallen into the pit. These characteristics of Jizō as a saviour parallel those of Kannon. The merit of the Lotus Sutra and the ultimate goal of these two Bodhisattvas were to assist their devotees’ rebirth in Amida’s Pure Land. Thus it is not difficult to understand why the Jizō cult was so closely related to the Lotus Sutra, why it was so widely accepted by the Japanese, and why statues of Jizō and Kannon often flank Amida Buddha. That Jizō would protect reciters of the Lotus Sutra and function similarly to Kannon is an idea continually appearing in later setsuwa (説話, a Japanese literary genre, consisting of myths, legends, folktales, and anecdotes) collections, particularly from the Kamakura period.

Another detail that ties the two Bodhisattva together is found in the Shijū Hyaku Innenshū (私聚百因縁集) that specifically mentions a sutra called the Renge Sanmaikyō (蓮華三眛経) which states that Kannon had entrusted all sentient beings in the Six Realms to Jizō and that this Bodhisattva consequently had six different names, one for each of the Six Realms where he appears, remains, and saves sentient beings. It shows their cooperation to aid all sentient beings.

The same cooperation can be found in Mizuko rites (水子供養, a Japanese Buddhist ceremony for those who have had a miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion). While Bodhisattva Jizō, a saviour figure devoted to children, has been the dominant figure in these rites, Kannon has also been given a prominent place in a number of temples devoted to this practice, given the long history of identification of Kannon with the needs of mothers and children-both to care for spirits in the ‘other world’ and to comfort those in the world of the living who oftentimes are struggling with personal remorse, regret, and guilt.

Whether Akutami Gege had such shared attributes of compassion, salvation and protection of the two Bodhisattva in mind when creating the hand symbols for Megumi and Yuuji’s domains, we cannot know, but it is still significant to find that characters as closely intertwined as Yuuji and Megumi throughout the storyline have elements drawn from the figures who could be considered as closely intertwined despite their distinct individual roles.