I was on my way home from a stopover at Minamikannonzan for the post-festival of the Gion Festival. I casually glanced at the lanterns on the houses.

Minamikannon Mountain and townscape

Ah, it's Shoki!
On the roof of the first floor, there is a little lucky charm to ward off evil. Somehow, I felt like I had not seen it for a long time.

Shoki-san found in the Hoko-cho area

Shoki-san is a tile doll with a height ranging from 2 to 30 cm. He is usually dressed in a kurucho (blue robe) with a stern expression, holding a sword, and staring straight ahead with both eyes peeking out.Although small in size, he is a dependable presence who exterminates the demons that try to invade the house, rain or shine, day after day, night after night, never missing a single day.It is.

The origin of Shoki Shoki dates back to China, to the Tang Dynasty.real personThe demon Shoki appeared in the dream of Emperor Xuanzong, who was on the verge of illness, and vanquished a demon that was trying to steal Yang Kui Hui's treasure. Since then, it is said that Emperor Xuanzong had the figure of Shoki-san painted and spread the word that he could ward off evil spirits. From that legend,Shoki-san dispels plagues and demons.It came to be believed that In Japan, not only to ward off pestilence and evil,protection against fireThey also serve as a

In fact, it is said that during the reign of King Gojo, Jong Kui failed the National Examination and was so ashamed of his failure that he took his own life. It is said that the reason for his failure was that his appearance was too Kaiwei. However, theThe Kaiyuki's appearance is a charm to ward off evil for the rest of his life.The first time, the company decided to do so.

Shoki-san found in the Hoko-cho area

by the way,Why is Shoki standing on the roof?

The following episode is found in a document from the Bunka-Bunsei period. An apothecary in Sanjo had installed a large devil's tile on his roof, and the wife of the house across the street saw it and fell asleep. He asked her to remove it, but she refused, so he took a countermeasure,When he had a tile-maker make a statue of Shoki the Plague-Queller to put on his roof, his wife's illness was completely cured.The first time, the people of the city were given the opportunity to make their own food. This spread among the general public.

Another thing is that there are many temples in Kyoto. Temples repel demons and other evil spirits with their spiritual power and demon-repelling tiles, and the repelled demons enter ordinary houses. So, here we go,In Kyoto, it became popular to put the "Kowamotei" on the roofs of houses in order to protect them from demons.I also heard that it was a

Until a decade ago, it was a commonplace good luck charm you would see when walking along Kyoto's Oji Lane. That is.Now, when I walk around looking for them, I'm surprised I can't find them.Once again, I felt the changing times.

This time, I photographed a stalactite I found in the Myoshinji area on a different day from the one I found a little further north from Minamikanonzan. Looking closely,They are slightly different in size, face and expression.Most were on the roof, facing the front, but some stood at the devil's gate (northeast corner).

Myoshinji Temple of the Rinzai sect in Ukyo Ward

Onigawara (wing demon decoration) at Myoshinji Temple

Myoshinji Street

Shoki-san on the roof found in the Myoshinji area.
It is said that it was popular in Kyoto to put it on the roof of a house to protect it from demons.

I was able to hear interesting stories from the people in the house I was photographing.When raising the stalactites to the roof, one must be careful that no one sees them. If they see it, it loses its efficacy.It is said. Also, when there is a Shoki Shoki standing on the roof of the house across the street,Slightly slant your body so that your eyes do not meet each other's.They pay attention to such things as

Shoki-san facing diagonally to the side (Myoshinji area)

In particular, this summer has seen many disasters. Earthquakes, torrential rains, heat waves, and typhoons. ...... It is precisely because of this summer,We hope that the power of Shoki-san will drive away evil spirits and protect the city of Kyoto.

I found this at a private house in Shizuhara, Sakyo-ku. This is also a Shoki-san? Horse-headed Kannon?