Sugimoto Dera's "Nio" Statues

Enjoy a rare, unobstructed view of fierce temple guards

Larry Knipfing Mar 17, 2013 - 1 min read

The pair of "Ah-Un" guardians can be found at most temple in Japan

It is very rare to be able to get so close to these beautiful statues

They are at the main gate, protecting the temple from harm

A collection of Buddhist statues, with the temple behind them

The temple's main bell, with bamboo striker

The main temple. Notice the thatched roof

I love to visit Kamakura's Sugimoto Dera, mainly for the great unobstructed view at its main gate of the pair of "Nio" guardian statues. Almost any other temple you visit will have these fierce protectors of the temple enclosed in wire (as a protection against pigeons), but here, you can walk right up and enjoy viewing them very, very close. They are scary and beautiful at the same time, as well they should be. You will notice that one has its mouth open, and the other its mouth closed. This is called "Ah-Un" and represents the alpha to omega of our cosmic existence.

Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30 years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have pub...