XXXVI - Nikko

Another imaginary elephant guarding the entrance to Taiyūin-byō shrine on Yashamon gate.

XXV - Nikko

And above the koma-inu, beautiful green and gold dragons.

XXIV - Nikko

Every inch of Tosho-gu is covered with intricate designs and mythical beasts. The Shishi (石獅子, "stone lion" or "lion dog", also called Koma-inu こま犬) are among the most common ones.

This particular one adorns Yomeimon (陽明門) gate.

XXIII - Nikko

A more detailed picture of the bird carvings on Tosho-gu Shrine.

XXII - Nikko

Every surface in Tosho-gu Shrine is covered in intricate carvings, rich colours and gold leaf. These beautiful kujaku (孔雀, "peacock") and Hō-ō (鳳凰, "phoenix") perched amidst their carved trees and flowers caught my attention.

XVIII - Nikko

Before visiting Nikko, I had absolutely no idea where the famous three wise monkeys actually came from. Well, now I do.

The san'en (三猿, "three monkeys") embody the Buddhist principle "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil", with an amusing word-play based on the similarity between shizaru (し猿, "don't do") and saru (猿, "monkey").

It's sad how in the western world these monkeys have a negative connotation instead, and symbolize those who turn a blind eye towards evil in order to live peacefully.

This carving was created by the famous (and possibly fictional) artist Hidari Jingorō (左 甚五郎).