The four gods, Shi-jin 四神, appeared in Chinese mythology, these four gods’ appearances are like beasts. It said that the four beasts guard all sides of the sky. The names of god beast are Genbu (玄武, god of water), Suzaku (朱雀, red Chinese phoenix), Seiryu (青龍, blue dragon), and Byakko (白虎, white tiger). They guard north, south, east, and west sky in order.
Koto city has these four god beasts’ monuments.
1. Genbu (玄武, god of water)
In 1992, a turtle monument was set up when the park in the Kameido station renovated.
The "Splash Turtle with Wings" called Hane-Kame 羽亀 selected as a northern god. This monument has three tiers of turtles. The lower is the grandfather, the middle is the father, and the top is the child. This has the function of a fountain, and water pops out from the back of the child turtle at a fixed time. The pond and the pedestal designed in a hexagonal shape that images turtle’s shell pattern, kora 甲羅.
2. Suzaku (朱雀, red Chinese phoenix)
Suzaku guards south. It located in the Wakasu-Koen park in the southern part of Koto city. This area is the reclaimed land, and the park opened in April 2006 as a municipal park. In commemoration of the open of the park, a monument of Suzaku was set up. Suzaku became a new symbol of the Wakasu-Koen park with a wind power generator.
3. Seiryu (青龍, blue dragon)
Seiryu guards east. The monument of Seiryu was set up in the square of Higashi-Ojima station (Toei Shinjuku line) when the rotary square repaired.
Seiryu placed on a semi-circle pedestal in the lawn. The Dragon Ball in the right hand is shining.
4. Byakko (白虎, white tiger)
Byakko guards west. The monument of Byakko was set up in front of the entrance of the Toyosu Civic Center in 2015 as the commemoration of the opening.
The color of Byakko is not white but golden.
Let’s go to the god beasts and get their power!
| Name of god | Guard direction | Set up place | Address | Set up year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genbu (Turtle) | North | JR Kameido station | 2-21-9 Kameido | 1992 |
| Suzaku (Phoenix) | South | Wakasu-Koen park | 3-2-1 Wakasu | 2006 |
| Seiryu (Dragon) | East | Higasi-Ojima station | 9-3-14 Ojima | 1997 |
| Byakko (Tiger) | West | Toyosu Civic Center | 2-2-18 Toyosu | 2015 |
(By TO)
The four gods have penetrated deeper into Japanese culture since ancient times. You can see them in our Koto city. Looking around them while walking would be fun. If you're interested in Japanese culture and history, please look at our website!
