Looking into the statue of the Four Heavenly Kings standing at the gate of Seisho-ji Temple, the townscape was reflected in the protective glass

Reflected in the protective glass of the Seisho-ji temple gate — Reflected view on protective glass

More than 400 years have passed since Seisho-ji Temple moved to Atago, where it now sits, in 1600, the year Tokugawa Ieyasu built the outer moat of Edo Castle. Compared to when it was moved, the surroundings have changed dramatically, and the scene seen by the Four Heavenly Kings glaring at the temple gate has also changed considerably over time.

When I looked into the statue of the Four Heavenly Kings at the gate, the bus stop across from the gate, the advertisement posted there, and the building towering over the bus stop were reflected in the protective glass. None of the reflections in the scene seen by Four Heavenly Kings were there when Seisho-ji was founded. Are four heavenly kings, who do not have smart phones, keeping up with these trends of the times? Or are they fooling around with their rugged expressions even though they don't understand?

Judging from their outfits and belongings, I can't help but think it is the latter. The world is changing, but the Four Heavenly Kings' attributes have not changed at all; they are still wearing anachronistic armor and holding scrolls and pagodas in their hands in the 21st century. Perhaps the Four Heavenly Kings could change their attire according to the trends of the times. If we change the attributions, we may not be able to recognize them as the Four Heavenly Kings after the passage of time.

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