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| Spiritual Animals in Toshogu
Shrine |
|
There are many sculptures of spiritual animals. Especially, imaginary
animals are treated as holy animals, and are believed that they
have a mysterious power.
Spiritual animals
are horse-dragon, flying dragon, giraffe and tapir. Most of these
were formed from imagination. Although, lion and elephant are existing
animals, these are very different from the real animals because
these were formed as imaginary holy animals.
There are 30 kinds
of imaginary animals in Toshogu, and you want to find them by all
means.
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|
Spiritual Animals
|
Horn
|
Tusk
|
Leg
|
Figure
|
Other Features
|
Combination
|
|
Dragon
|
2
|
x
|
Talon
|
Lizard
|
Long body, whiskers |
Cloud, water |
|
Flying Dragon
|
1
|
x
|
Crane
|
Fish
|
Dragon's face, has wings and tail |
Water |
|
Iki/Soku
|
1
|
Yes
|
Talon
|
|
Similar to dragon, nostril on the upper
lip |
|
|
Shin
|
1
|
x
|
N/A
|
|
Similar to dragon, exhales vigor |
|
|
Horse-dragon
|
2
|
x
|
Odd hoof
|
Horse
|
Face is similar to dragon, but no whiskers |
Water |
|
Giraffe
|
1
|
Yes
|
Even hoof
|
Deer
|
Bodily pattern is like a windmill |
Cloud |
|
Rhinoceros
|
1
|
x
|
Even hoof
|
Horse
|
Has a shell like a turtle, beard |
Water |
|
Lion
|
x
|
x
|
Beast
|
Beast
|
Point of nose is wide. |
Peony |
|
Tapir
|
x
|
Yes
|
Beast
|
Beast
|
Long nose like an elephant, curly nape |
Cloud |
|
Elephant
|
x
|
Yes
|
Thick
|
|
Narrow eyes, no fur |
|
| Spiritual
Birds |
Number |
Necklace |
Shape
of tail |
Combination |
Phoenix
Ran
|
3-4
0-1
|
Yes
X
|
Beltlike,
long, and notch like a saw
Beltlike, long, and no notch |
Paulownia
Plum, peony |
F*~σΝώY·ιώνώ―ΜL³π¦·
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