A customer from overseas asked about the two large statues in NEOJAPAN, so I wanted to share the question here.
I thought some of you might be curious as well!
Question:
“I’ve been wondering about those large statues in NEOJAPAN. Do they have any meaning in Japanese culture? Are they important deities?”
Answer:
These statues are called Kongō Rikishi, guardian figures that protect Buddhist law and temple grounds. In Japanese temples, they are usually placed on either side of the main gate, where they serve to prevent evil from entering the temple.
Of the pair, one is Agyō, with its mouth open, and the other is Ungyō, with its mouth closed. For this reason, they are also known as the A-Un statues. “A” is said to represent the beginning, while “Un” represents the end.
Many temples throughout Japan have Kongō Rikishi statues, and each pair differs slightly in expression and sculptural style. The Kongō Rikishi statues in NEOJAPAN are original works inspired by the famous guardian statues at the Nandaimon Gate of Tōdai-ji Temple in Nara. These statues exist exclusively at NEOJAPAN within Second Life.
I hope that NEOJAPAN would be a place where everyone can experience it with a pure and peaceful heart.
Please enjoy NEOJAPAN together with the beauty of Japanese culture.
#NEOJAPAN #SecondLife #Metaverse
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