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Kongorikishi, or Nio, are a pair of demon-looking protectors found at the entrance to many Buddhist temples in Japan. The one pictured here can be found at Seiryo-ji Temple (Shaka-do) in the Sagano area of Kyoto. I’ll show you his partner in protection tomorrow.
Dragon fountains are very common at Buddhist temples in Japan. This one is from Higashi Honganji in Kyoto. If washing from water coming out of his mouth doesn’t cleanse you nothing will.
The bell under the thatched roof next to Sounji in Hakone is said to have been used by the famous daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi when he attacked Odawara.
This is the corner of the outside of the grounds of Higashi Honganji (東本願寺) in Kyoto along with a pine tree (松) early in the morning before the sun has been able to break through the clouds.
Behind and up the road from our hotel in Hakone were a couple of very peaceful temples. Pictured above is what lies behind Sounji. There was a large graveyard which led to some paths up the mountain. We took the mountain path (which was wonderful). On the other side you find yourself back near the river and the Hakoneyumoto Train Station. The Yumoto Fujiya Hotel is also right there. So you could start there and come over the mountain to get to 金湯山早雲寺.
It is said that Hojo Ujinao (whose grave is here at Sounji) has a ghost who wanders this place at midnight. I didn’t come back to find out. Maybe next time.
