Zuijin

A zuijin from japanese mythology holding bows and arrows with a wearing sword

In Shinto, Zuijin (随身, lit. "Obeying-Orders Being" or "Attendant Deity") - are Kami warrior-guardian figures, Kami that guard over shrine gates are considered to be Kado-Mori-no-Kami or Kadomori-no-Kami, the gods who watch over the gates. They're often depicted as holding bows and arrows , wearing swords or three silver rings. It appears on glass-like materials. The name was originally applied to the bodyguards of the Emperor of Japan. Statues of Zuijin are now often placed flanking shrine gates, similar to the Niō and Gozu and Mezu. The Zuijin are also associated with Dosojin, protector of crossroads and other boundary areas. Sometimes they are considered deities of protection, preservation and war, especially from epidemic or evil spirits.

History

Zuijin (also called as zuishin) was a government official in Konoefu (近衛府, the Headquarters of the Inner Palace Guards) during and after the Heian period ; zuijin followed nobles to guard them when they went out.On t(hd shrine outings around the Izumo province near Matsue, Hearn took note of the local folklore, often describing in great detail the history and customs of the area. It’s what made him, in some people’s opinion, one of the founding figures of Japanese folklore . Above all, he was a major influence on the most famous folklorist of them all, Yanagita Kunio. In the passage below, Hearn writes of the Zuijin figures who can sometimes be found at the entrance ways to shrines. (Here in Kiyoto the most notable example are those at Yasaka Jinja in [[Gion] +, which in Edo times was a prime exemplar of syncretism.) On either side of the great gateway is a shrine compartment, inclosed by heavy wooden gratings on two sides; and in these compartments are two grim figures in complete armour, with bows in their hands and quivers of arrows upon their backs, –the Zuijin, or ghostly retainers of the gods, and guardians of the gate. Before nearly all the Shinto temples of Izumo, except Kitzuki, these Zuijin keep grim watch. They are probably of Buddhist origin; but they have acquired a Shinto history and Shinto names. Originally, I am told, there was but one Zuijin-Kami, whose name was Toyo-kushi-iwa-mato-no-mikoto. But at a certain period both the god and his name were cut in two-perhaps for decorative purposes. And now he who sits upon the left is called Toyo-iwa- ma-to-no-mikoto; and his companion on the right, Kushi-iwa-ma- to-no-miko to. Before the gate, on the left side, there is a stone monument upon which is graven, in Chinese characters, a poem in Hokku, or verse of seventeen syllables, composed by Cho-un: Ko-ka-ra-shi-ya Ka-mi-no-mi-yu-ki-no Ya-ma-no-a-to. My companion translates the characters thus:-‘Where high heap the dead leaves, there is the holy place upon the hills, where dwell the gods.’ Near by are stone lanterns and stone lions, and another monument-a great five- cornered slab set up and chiselled-bearing the names in Chinese characters of the Ji-jin, or Earth-Gods-the Deities who protect the soil: Uga-no-mitama-no-mikoto (whose name signifies the August Spirit-of-Food), Ama- terasu-oho-mi-Kami, Ona-muji-no-Kami , Kaki- yasu-hime-no-Kami , Sukuna-hiko-na-no-Kami (who is the Scarecrow God).

Yadaijin

Yadaijin is one of the two deity statues in Zuijin (Imperial guards during the Heian period) costumes that are placed at the both sides of Zuijin-mon gate, holding bows and arrows on the observer's left. Kadomori, a guardian deity at the shrine gate. He is dressed in Kettekino-ho (open sleeve seams outer robe), putting on Kenei no kanmuri (headdress) with Oikake (accessories for the headdress), wearing a sword, holding bows and arrows. He is called Yadaijin (Minister with arrows) after his arrows, and Zuijin-mon gate is sometimes called Yadaijin-mon gate. However, he is not a Daijin (minister) but a Zuijin (attendant) called Kadono-osa (public officer).

Also, he is referred as Amanoiwatowake no Kami (one of the deities from Japanese mythology). Or it is said that the image of Yadaijin comes from Amenooshihi no Mikoto and Amatsukume no Mikoto in the lead, removing Amenoiwahagi (big rocks), holding Kabutsuchi-no-tachi (the ancient sword), 天波十弓 (bows), and 天真児矢 (arrows) at the time of Tensonkorin (the descent to earth of the grandson of the sun goddess).

Sadajin

On the right of the observer is Sadajin (左大臣), the elder left hand man. His attire is similar to Yadajin’s, with the same Kenei no kanmuri (headdress), Oikake (accessories for the headdress), and weapons, including a large bow and arrows.

The main difference between the two guardian deity statues is that Sadajin’s mouth is open, while Yadajin’s is closed. This is meant to symbolize the first breath in and the first breath out, a concept borrowed from Budhhist traditions.

See also

• Dogū
• Haniwa
• Hōko (doll)
• Shikigami
• Terracotta Army
• Totem