Of interest is the shrine enshrining 10,000 images of Kannon. Also of interest is the thousand-year-old Keyaki tree and the large statue in front of the main gate of Ushi-oni . Legend states that in the 16th century, a devil animal with an ox head and a body like a fox appeared frequently on this plateau and scared the local people. A brave samurai named Kurando Yamada, an archery expert, shot the devil, cut off its head, and brought it to the temple in memory of the dead devil. The people called the animal Ushi-oni and believed that it had the power to purge an evil force.

In Taoist belief, he is conflated with the god Li Jing, whose iconography incorporates many of VaiÅ›ravaṇa's characteristics, such as carrying a pagoda. Sometimes shown holding a mongoose, representing victory over the Naga . Kangiten is regarded as protector of temples and worshipped generally by gamblers, actors, geishas and people in the business of “pleasure“.

He also carved an image of Kokūzō Bosatsu and dedicated it in the Okunoin. Originally called Sesaka-dera, this was built in 596 and was the ancestral temple of the Saeki clan, into which Kōbō Daishi was born. When he returned from China, he dedicated the Kongōkai and Taizōkai mandalas signifying the worlds of the cosmic Buddha and enshrined the Dainichi Nyorai as the honzon. Kōbō Daishi modeled the temple after Ch'ing-lung-si Temple in China and it took three years to build. There are more than 1500 carvings of Amida Buddha and his attendants in the rock wall behind the temple. Also carved in the wall are images of stupas and the words Namu Amida Butsu.

She carries an umbrella or parasol as a symbol of his sovereignty. She is also sometimes displayed with a mongoose, often shown ejecting jewels from its mouth. The mongoose is the enemy of the snake, a symbol of greed or hatred; the ejection of jewels represents generosity.

He is often shown holding the sun, moon, bow and arrows, a mirror, and has two hands in the Anjali mudra. The king of hunger, an ogre in perpetual anger, the king of quarrels. Of the three heads , the central head has a suffering expression, and the others appear angry.

Bishamonten is the scourge of evil doers, the black warrior, and one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods. This may have been the 88th temple, but it is not the end of the journey. What will you bring back and share with those awaiting your return?

Additionally, in Mikkyo it is one of the juniten (十二天) and is said to guard the north. In Japan it is one of the seven deities of good luck as a unique faith and is revered because it seems to benefit games especially. Has the name "Kuvera" from 毘沙門天 a name he had from a past life as a rich Brahmin mill-owner from Sri Lanka, who gave all the produce of one of his seven mills to charity, and provided alms to the needy for 20,000 years. He was reborn in the Cātummahārājikā heaven as a result of this good karma. One of Japan’s first major studies of Buddhist iconography. Hundreds of pages and drawings, with deities classified into approximately 80 categories.

This temple is thought to be an especially effective place to pray for victory in battle. This is because at the time of the Mongol invasions, Emperor Kameyama came here and prayed for the safety of the nation. They belonged originally to the Brahmanic pantheon, and in Buddhism were partly assimilated by the dragon. At Sanjusangendo in Kyoto, two of the 28 followers of Kannon in the temple are Taishakuten , and his attendant, Kinnara, who is playing the drum . Not commonly represented in the Buddhist artwork of Japan.

The Deva (meaning “celestial beings”) rank above theAsura and humans in the six stages of existence. Many devas have godlike powers, and reign over celestial kingdoms of happiness and splendor. Deva live countless years, but their lives eventually end, for the Deva are not yet free from the cycle of birth and death . That distinction belongs only to the Bosatsu, the Rakan, andNyorai . Among the Eight Legions, the Deva are represented most often by Bonten,Taishakuten, the four Shitennō , and the Goddess Benzaiten. Among the eight Yashaou, and one of Bishamonten’s attendants.