Last Update: May 2009
Twenty-Eight Constellations
28 Moon Lodges, 28 Lunar Mansions
28 Deities in Shingon & Tendai Mandalas
Jp. = 二十八宿 = Nijūhasshuku
Chn. = 二十八宿 = èrshíbā sù

WHAT’S HERE North Seven South Seven East Seven West Seven 28 Mantras Big Dipper Mandala Genzu Mandala Myoken - Pole Star Nine Planets / Dieties Big Dipper Dieties Glossary Resources RELATED PAGES Four Celestial Emblems Four Heavenly Kings Star Mandalas 12 Zodiac Mansions 12 Generals of Yakushi 28 Legions of Kannon 28 Benefits from Jizo

CELESTIAL DEITIES, HEAVENLY STARS
An astrological grouping from ancient India that refers to 27 or 28 points that the moon passes through in one month and the associated star constellations found in the cosmic background. Each of these points (constellations) is associated with a deity, although the point-deity association varies among nations and sects. A similar grouping of 28 was developed independently in China. The Chinese merged their system with that from India following the introduction of Buddhism to China around the 1st and 2nd centuries CE. Unlike India, the grouping in China was always 28. It is the Chinese system that was imported by the Japanese. The 28 moon lodges or 28 lunar mansions (as they are often called in English) are divided into four clusters, with each cluster made up of seven constellations. The four clusters represent the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west). Each cluster is associated with one of Four Celestial Emblems (turtle, red bird, dragon, white tiger), a Buddhist guardian deity (the Four Heavenly Kings), a season, a color, and numerous other attributes. These associations and attributes are presented below. In Japan, the 28 deities of the 28 moon lodges are often represented in the Big Dipper Mandala (Hokuto Mandara 北斗曼荼羅) and Star Mandala (Hoshi Mandara 星曼荼羅) of Japan’s esoteric sects. The great complexity of Asian astronomy and Buddhist cosmology gets even more complicated, for there is no single standard for classifying and deifying the celestial bodies. Below, for each of the four clusters, we feature two of the most common groupings of the 4 X 7 = 28 matrix.

Star Mandala 星曼荼羅 Modern Japanese Reproduction Ichijikinrin Butchō 一字金輪仏頂 at center. Seven Stars of Big Dipper, plus the Nine Planets, appear in inner section. Twelve Zodiac Animals appear in middle section. 28 Celestial Maidens appear in outer section. More photos below. Photo at left from this J-site

NORTH Seven Lunar Mansions of the Tortoise (Two Common Japanese Groupings for Seven Northern Moon Lodges) GENBU 玄武 (Tortoise) Black, Winter Water, Cold, Void GROUPING ONE - CHINA, JAPAN Northern Moon Lodges Japanese Reading | Chinese | Sanskrit Source: Shukuyō-kyō 宿曜経 GROUPING TWO - JAPAN Deities in GENZU MANDALA 現図曼荼羅 Shingon/Tendai Deities (Celestial Females) Jp. Reading | Chinese | (Sanskrit) | Deity Name 1 Toshuku 斗宿 Uttara-Aṣāḍhā 1 Kyoshuku 虚宿 (Dhanistha) 愛財天 2 Gyūshuku 牛宿 Abhijit 2 Kishuku 危宿 (Satabhisaj) 百薬天 3 Joshuku 女宿 Śravaṇā 3 Shisshuku 室宿 (Purvabhadrapada) 賢鉤天 4 Kyoshuku 盧宿 Śraviṣṭha (Dhaniṣṭhā) 4 Hekishuku 壁宿 (Uttara-bhadrapada) 百辞天 5 Kishuku 危宿 Śatabhiṣā 5 Keishuku 奎宿 (Revati) 多羅天 6 Shisshuku 室宿 Pūrva-Proṣṭhapada 6 Rōshuku 婁宿 (Asvini) 阿湿毘「イ＋爾」天 7 Hekishuku 壁宿 Uttara-Proṣṭhapada 7 Ishuku 胃宿 (Bharani) 満者天 TURTLE’S BUDDHIST COUNTERPART = BISHAMONTEN 毘沙門天 Star Chart by Steve Renshaw & Saori Ihara KEY TO BELOW LIST (corresponds to left column above) Chinese | Meaning | Jp. Star Reading | Sanskrit Spelling | (Western Constellation) 1. 斗, Dipper / Measure, Hikitsu Boshi, Uttara-Aṣāḍhā (Phi Sgr, Sagittrius) 2. 牛, Cow / Ox, Inami Boshi, Abhijit (Beta Cap, Capricorn) 3. 女, Female, Uruki Boshi, Śravaṇā (Epsilon Aqr, Aquarius) 4. 虚, Emptiness, Tomite Boshi, Śraviṣṭhā / Dhaniṣṭhā (Beta Aqr, Aquarius) 5. 危, Roof Top, Umiyame Boshi, Śatabhiṣā (Alpha Aqr, Aquarius/Pegasus) 6. 室, Room / Encampment, Hatsui Boshi, Pūrva-Proṣṭhapada (Alpha Peg, Pegasus) 7. 壁, Wall, Namame Boshi, Uttara-Proṣṭhapada (Gamma Peg, Pegasus)

NORTH Seven Celestial Maidens in Northern Cluster, Genzu Mandala 現図曼荼羅 Shingon Sect of Esoteric Japanese Buddhism. Click image to enlarge. Source: Museum Reihokan Koyasan (J-Site, Shingon) 1 愛財天 2 百薬天 3 賢鉤天 4 百辞天 5 多羅天 6 阿湿毘 「イ＋爾」天 7 満者天

SOUTH Seven Lunar Mansions of the Red Bird (Two Common Japanese Groupings for Seven Southern Moon Lodges) SUZAKU 朱雀 (Red Bird) South, Red Summer, Fire GROUPING ONE - CHINA, JAPAN Southern Moon Lodges Japanese Reading | Chinese | Sanskrit Source: Shukuyō-kyō 宿曜経 GROUPING TWO - JAPAN Deities in GENZU MANDALA 現図曼荼羅 Shingon/Tendai Deities (Celestial Females) Jp. Reading | Chinese | (Sanskrit) | Deity Name 1 Seishuku 井宿 Punarvasu 1 Seishuku 星宿 (Magha) 摩伽天 2 Kishuku 鬼宿 Tiṣya (or Puṣya) 2 Chōshuku 張宿 (Purva-phalguni) 間錯天 3 Ryūshuku 柳宿 Aśleṣā 3 Yokushuku 翼宿 (Uttara-phalguni) 果徳天 4 Seishuku 星宿 Maghā 4 Shinshuku 軫宿 (Hasta) 阿悉多天 5 Chōshuku 張宿 Pūrva-Phalgunī 5 Kakushuku 角宿 (Citra) 質多羅天 6 Yokushuku 翼宿 Uttara-Phalgunī 6 Kōhuku 亢宿 (Svati) 自記天 7 Shinshuku 軫宿 Hastā 7 Teishuku てい宿 (Visakha) 尾捨「イ＋去」天 RED BIRD’S BUDDHIST COUNTERPARTS = PHOENIX 鳳凰 & ZŌCHŌTEN 増長天 Star Chart by Steve Renshaw & Saori Ihara KEY TO BELOW LIST (corresponds to left column above) Chinese | Meaning | Jp. Star Reading | Sanskrit Spelling | (Western Constellation) 1. 井, Well, Chichiri Boshi, Punarvasu (Mu Gem, Gemini) 2. 鬼, Ogre/Demon, Tamahome Boshi, Tiṣya/Puṣya (Delta Cnc, Theta Cnc, Cancer) 3. 柳, Willow, Nuriko Boshi, Aśleṣā (Delta Hya, Hydra) 4. 星, Star, Hotohori Boshi, Maghā (Alpha Hya, Alphard) 5. 張, Stretched Net, Chiriko Boshi, Pūrva-Phalgunī (Nu Hya, Crater) 6. 翼, Wings, Tasuki Boshi, Uttara-Phalgunī (Alpha Crt, Corvus) 7. 軫, Chariot Cross-Board, Mitsukake Boshi, Hastā (Gamma Crv, Corvus)

SOUTH Seven Celestial Maidens in Southern Cluster, Genzu Mandala 現図曼荼羅 Shingon Sect of Esoteric Japanese Buddhism. Click image to enlarge. Source: Museum Reihokan Koyasan (J-Site, Shingon) 1 摩伽天 2 間錯天 3 果徳天 4 阿悉多天 5 質多羅天 6 自記天 7 尾捨 「イ＋去」天

EAST Seven Lunar Mansions of the Blue-Green Dragon (Two Common Japanese Groupings for Seven Eastern Moon Lodges) SEIRYUU 青龍 (Dragon) East, Blue-Green Spring, Wood GROUPING ONE - CHINA, JAPAN Chinese | Sanskrit Names Eastern Moon Lodges Source: Shukuyō-kyō 宿曜経 GROUPING TWO - JAPAN Deities in GENZU MANDALA 現図曼荼羅 Shingon/Tendai Deities (Celestial Females) Jp. Reading | Chinese | (Sanskrit) | Deity Name 1 Kakushuku 角宿 Citrā 1 Bōshuku 昴宿 (Krttika) 作者天 2 Kōshuku 亢宿 Niṣṭyā (or Svāti) 2 Hisshuku 畢宿 (Rohini) 木者天 3 Teishuku 氐宿 Viśākhā 3 Shishuku 觜宿 (Mrgasiras) 烏頭天 4 Bōshuku 房宿 Anurādhā 4 Sanshuku 参宿 (Ardra) 米湿天 5 Shinshuku 心宿 Rohiṇī, Jyeṣṭhaghnī 5 Seishuku 井宿 (Punarvasu) 服財天 6 Bishuku 尾宿 Mūlabarhaṇī (or Mūla) 6 Kishuku 鬼宿 (Pusya) 増益天 7 Kishuku 箕宿 Pūrva-Aṣādha 7 Ryūshuku 柳宿 (Aslesa) 不染天 DRAGON’S BUDDHIST COUNTERPART = JIKOKUTEN 持国天 Star Chart by Steve Renshaw & Saori Ihara KEY TO BELOW LIST (corresponds to left column above) Chinese | Meaning | Jp. Star Reading | Sanskrit Spelling | (Western Constellation 1. 角, Horns (perhaps Angle, Corner), Su Boshi, Citrā (Alpha Vir, Spica) 2. 亢, Neck, Throat, Ami Boshi, Niṣṭyā or Svāti (Kappa Vir, Virgo) 3. 氐, Root or Shoulder, Tomo Boshi, Viśākhā) (Iota Lib, Alpha Lib, Libra) 4. 房, Chamber or Breasts, Soi Boshi, Anurādhā (Delto Sco, Pi Scho, Libra) 5. 心, Heart, Nakago Boshi, Rohiṇī or Jyeṣṭhaghnī or Jyeṣṭhā (Sigma Sco, Antares) 6. 尾, Tail, Ashitare Boshi, Mūlabarhaṇī or Mūla (Mu Sco, Scorpius) 7. 箕, Basket, Mi Boshi, Pūrva-Aṣādhā (Gamma Sgr, Eta Sgr, Sagittrius)

EAST Seven Celestial Maidens in Eastern Cluster, Genzu Mandala 現図曼荼羅 Shingon Sect of Esoteric Japanese Buddhism. Click image to enlarge. Source: Museum Reihokan Koyasan (J-Site, Shingon) 1 作者天 2 木者天 3 烏頭天 4 米湿天 5 服財天 6 増益天 7 不染天

WEST Seven Lunar Mansions of the White Tiger (Two Common Japanese Groupings for Seven Western Moon Lodges) BYAKKO 百虎 (White Tiger) White, Autumn, Metal GROUPING ONE - CHINA, JAPAN Chinese | Sanskrit Names Western Moon Lodges Source: Shukuyō-kyō 宿曜経 GROUPING TWO - JAPAN Deities in GENZU MANDALA 現図曼荼羅 Shingon/Tendai Deities (Celestial Females) Jp. Reading | Chinese | (Sanskrit) | Deity Name 1 Keishuku 奎宿 Revatī 1 Bōshuku 房宿 (Anuradha) 随事天 2 Rōshuku 婁宿 Aśvayuj (or Aśvinī) 2 Shinshuku 心宿 (Jyesth) 尊天 3 Ishuku 胃宿 Apabharaṇī (or Bharaṇī) 3 Bishuku 尾宿 (Mula) 辰天 4 Bōshuku 昴宿 Kṛttikā 4 Kishuku 箕宿 (Purvasadha) 杏天 5 Hisshuku 畢宿 Rohiṇī 5 Toshuku 斗宿 (Uttarasadha) 大光天 6 Shishuku 觜宿 Invakā (or Mṛgaśiras) 6 Gyūshuku 牛宿 (Abhijit) 対主天 7 Shinshuku 參宿 Bāhu (or Ārdrā) 7 Joshuku 女宿 (Sravana) 寂天 WHITE TIGER’S BUDDHIST COUNTERPART = KŌMOKUTEN 広目天 Star Chart by Steve Renshaw & Saori Ihara KEY TO BELOW LIST (corresponds to left column above) Chinese | Meaning | Jp. Star Reading | Sanskrit Spelling | (Western Constellation) 1. 奎, Stride / Foot, Tokaki Boshi, Revatī (Delta And, Andromeda) 2. 婁, Hill / Lasso / Bellows, Tatara Boshi, Aśvayuj or Aśvinī (Beta Ari, Aries) 3. 胃, Stomach, Ekie Boshi, Apabharaṇī or Bharaṇī (35 Ari, Aries) 4. 昴, Stopping Place / United, Subaru Boshi, Kṛttikā (17 Tau, 16 Tau, Pleiades) 5. 畢, Net (related to Rain?), Amefuri Boshi, Rohiṇī (Epsilon Tau, Taurus) 6. 觜, Turtle Snout, Toroki Boshi, Invakā or Mṛgaśiras (Lamda Ori, Phi Ori, Orion) 7. 參, Investigate / Three, Kagasuki Boshi, Bāhu / Ārdrā (Delta or Beta Ori, Orion)

WEST Seven Celestial Maidens in Western Cluster, Genzu Mandala 現図曼荼羅 Shingon Sect of Esoteric Japanese Buddhism. Click image to enlarge. Source: Museum Reihokan Koyasan (J-Site, Shingon) 1 随事天 2 尊天 3 辰天 4 杏天 5 大光天 6 対主天 7 寂天

Source of Below Diagram of 28 Celestial Maidens: Philipp Franz von Siebold. 1832-54 Nippon. Archiv zur Beschreibung von Japan. Nippon Archiv zur Beschreibung von Japan, Leiden (1831 CE) Learn about this monumental pre-Meiji publication at this outside site. JAPANESE MANTRAS FOR 28 CELESTIAL DEITIES Courtesy this J-Site EAST: 東方七宿 1. 昴宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　きりちきゃ　のうきしゃたら　そわか 2. 畢宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　ろきに　のうきしゃたら　そわか 3. 觜宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　ひりぎゃしら　のうきしゃたら　そわか 4. 参宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　あんだら　のうきしゃたら　そわか 5. 井宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　ぶのうばそ　のうきしゃたら　そわか 6. 鬼宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　びじゃや　のうきしゃたら　そわか 7. 柳宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　あしゃれいしゃ　のうきしゃたら　そわか SOUTH: 南方七宿 1. 星宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　まぎゃ　のうきしゃたら　そわか 2. 張宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　ほらは　はらぐ　のうきしゃたら　そわか 3. 翼宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　うったら　はらろぐ　のうきしゃたら　そわか 4. 軫宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　かしゅた　のうきしゃたら　そわか 5. 角宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　しったら　のうきしゃたら　そわか 6. 亢宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　そばてい　のうきしゃたら　そわか 7. 氐宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　そしゃきゃ　のうきしゃたら　そわか WEST: 西方七宿 1. 房宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　あどらだ　のうきしゃたら　そわか 2. 心宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　せいしゅった　のうきしゃたら　そわか 3. 尾宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　ぼうら　のうきしゃたら　そわか 4. 箕宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　ふるばあしゃだ　のうきしゃたら　そわか 5. 斗宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　うったらあしゃだ　のうきしゃたら　そわか 6. 牛宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　あびしゃ　のうきしゃたら　そわか 7. 女宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　しらまな　のうきしゃたら　そわか NORTH: 北方七宿 1. 虚宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　だにしゅた　のうきしゃたら　そわか 2. 危宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　しゃたびしゃ　のうきしゃたら　そわか 3. 室宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　ほらば　ばつだらやち　のうきしゃたら　そわか 4. 壁宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　うたのう　ばっだらば　のうきしゃたら　そわか 5. 奎宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　りはち　のうきしゃたら　そわか 6. 婁宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　あしんび　のうきしゃたら　そわか 7. 胃宿 のうまく　さんまんだ　ぼだなん　ばらに　のうきしゃたら　そわか

Big Dipper Mandala (Mandara)
Hokuto Mandala 北斗曼荼羅 (Big Dipper Mandala).
Says JAANUS: A variety of mandala dedicated to specific deities and used when performing the Hokutohō 北斗法 or "Big Dipper Rite" for averting natural disasters and other calamities. It is sometimes also referred to as Hoshi Mandala (Star Mandala) 星曼荼羅, but whereas the Hoshi Mandara may designate any mandala (mandara 曼荼羅) that represents the deification of heavenly bodies, the term Hokuto Mandara primarily refers to the version prevalent in Japan that is centered on the deity Ichijikinrin Butchō 一字金輪仏頂, in this case called Shaka Kinrin 釈迦金輪 since he assumes the form of Shaka Nyorai 釈迦如来, the Historical Buddha. He is shown surrounded by the seven stars of the Big Dipper and the nine planets in the central enclosure, by the twelve signs of the zodiac in the second enclosure, and by 28 lunar mansions in the third enclosure. A circular mandara is used by the Tendai 天台 sect. A square mandara is used by the Shingon 真言 Sect, and there are minor differences in the disposition of the deities. A renowned example of a circular version is kept at Hōryūji Temple 法隆寺 in Nara, and a square version preserved at Kumedadera Temple 久米田寺 in Osaka. Other variants of the Hokuto Mandara (in the broadest sense of the term) are the Myōken Mandara 妙見曼荼羅 centered on the Bodhisattva 菩薩 (Jp. = Bosatsu) Myōken 妙見, the Shūnananzan Mandara 終南山曼荼羅 reflecting Taioist influences, and the Hokuto Mandara of Chinese provenance centered on Shijōkō Butchō 熾盛光仏頂 (Tōhon Hokuto Mandara 唐本北斗曼荼羅). <end JAANUS quote>

Hokuto Mandala 北斗曼荼羅, Heian Period
Square version, Kumedadera Temple 久米田寺, Osaka
28 deities in outer circle, 12 zodiac signs in middle circle,
days and planets in inner circle, and main deity
Ichijikinrin Butchō 一字金輪仏頂 at center.
Ichijikinrin (aka Shaka Kinrin) is an emanation of
Shaka Nyorai (Historical Buddha). Photo courtesy this J-site

ABOVE PHOTO. Says the Kyoto National Museum: Under the central Buddha are seven medallions shaped like an "S" turned on its side, or a scoop. Inside each medallion is a figure wearing a headdress. These are the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper, the most important stars in the Star Mandala. They are shaped like this to represent the constellation of the big dipper. Other medallions in the center section represent planets such as Mercury, Venus and Saturn, and the Sun and Moon.

Hokuto Mandala 北斗曼荼羅, Heian (Fujiwara) Period
Circular version, Hōryūji Temple 法隆寺, Nara
Kakemono. Color and gold leaf on silk. L = 118.2 cm, W = 83.3 cm
28 deities in outer circle, 12 zodiac signs in middle circle,
days and planets in inner circle, and main deity
Ichijikinrin Butchō 一字金輪仏頂 at center.
Ichijikinrin (aka Shaka Kinrin) is an emanation of
Shaka Nyorai (Historical Buddha). Photo courtesy this J-site

ABOVE PHOTO. Considered the greatest of extant paintings of the Star Mandala. Such mandala, either round or square, were used when petitioning for relief from disasters or to pray for longevity. Says the Kyoto National Museum: “These days it is more common to tell fortunes from the twelve signs of the zodiac, but in the old days it was more common to tell fortunes from the seven stars of the Big Dipper. Your fate depended on which of the seven stars was ruling on the month and day you were born. The ruling star on the day the fortune telling is performed was also important. The sun, moon and planets and the twenty-eight signs played secondary roles to the seven stars of the Big Dipper. People prayed to these stars to help prevent disasters and to live longer.”

Genzu Mandala (Mandara) 現図曼荼羅
Literally the “current depiction” of the Taizōkai Mandala (胎蔵界曼荼羅) in Japan, commonly known in English as the “Womb World Mandala.” Says JAANUS: A version of the Taizōkai Mandala that is widely used today in Japan. The original version, brought to Japan from China by Kūkai 空海 (774-835), was kept at Tōji Temple 東寺 (Kyoto), but because it began to show signs of wear in Kūkai's later years, a copy was made in 821, year of the reign of Emperor Kōnin 弘仁, so this first copy is known as the Kōnin Version. The version presently used at Tōji is the fourth copy, made in the Genroku 元禄 era (late 17c), and is known as the Genroku Version. In addition, three mandala 曼荼羅 fragments were discovered in 1954 in the attic of the treasure house (hōzō 宝蔵) at Tōji Temple, and of these the so-called Kōhon 甲本 (Version A) is thought to be a fragment of the second copy of the Genzu Mandala, made in 1191, while the so-called Einin 永仁 Version is thought to be a fragment of the third copy, made in 1296 (Einin 4). The Genzu Mandala is considered to have been brought to completion by Kūkai's teacher, Huiguo 恵果 (Jp. = Keika, 746-805), and it represents the final form of the Taizōkai Mandala, which evolved from the mandala of the Dainichi-kyō 大日経 (Skt. = Vairocanabhisambodhi Sutra) via the Taizō Zuzō 胎蔵図像 and Taizō Kyūzuyō 胎蔵旧図様. Its composition varies somewhat, but it consists of approximately 400 deities systematically arranged in 12 sections called:

1. Chūdai-hachiyō-in 中台八葉院
2. Henchi-in 遍知院
3. Jimyō-in 持明院
4. Rengebu-in 蓮華部院
5. Kongōshu-in 金剛手院
6. Shaka-in 釈迦院
7. Kokūzō-in 虚空蔵院
8. Monju-in 文殊院
9. Soshitsuji-in or Soshitchi-in 蘇悉地院
10. Jizō-in 地蔵院
11. Jogaishō-in 除蓋障院
12. Gekongōbu-in 外金剛部院  (the 28 deities typically appear in this section)

Compared with the approximately 120 deities mentioned in the Dainichi-kyō this represents a more than threefold increase in the number of deities. The term "Genzu 現図 (current depiction) was first used by Godai-in Annen 五大院安然 (841-889/898?) of the Tendai 天台 sect. Later, in his Shosetsu Fudōki 諸説不同記 a detailed comparison of the iconography of the deities depicted in the Taizōkai Mandara, the imperial prince and Buddhist priest Shinjaku 真寂 (886-927) used the term to designate the orthodox Taizōkai Mandara as transmitted by Kūkai in contradistinction to that brought to Japan by Shūei 宗叡 (809-884) and preserved in the Tendai sect, and it subsequently passed into general usage. The term "Genzu" should therefore be used to refer to the current depiction of the Taizūkai Mandala. <end JAANUS quote>

 
L: Star Mandala 星供曼荼羅図　金剛峯寺
R: Star Mandala 星供曼荼羅　清浄心院
(Big dipper & nine planets appear in same section on the latter)
28 deities along the outer border
Above two photos courtesy Museum Reihokan Koyasan

Myōken 妙見
Sanskrit = Sudrsti
Northern Pole Star
Myōken (Myoken) is the deification of the north Pole Star. The term Myōken 妙見 literally means “heavenly eyes” or “heavenly sight,” or “one who sees all.” The deity is known in Japan by various other names, including Myōken-jin 妙見神 (a Shinto deity), Sonjyō-ō 尊星王, Myōken Son 妙見尊, Hokushin 北辰, Hokushin Bosatsu 北辰菩薩, and Hokuto Myōken Bosatsu 北斗妙見菩薩. Belief in Myōken reportedly began in Japan in the 9th century after his/her attributes were described in the Nihon Ryōiki 日本霊異記 (alternate readings include Nihon Rei-iki or Nippon Reiiki). The text's full title is Nihonkoku Genpō Zen'aku Ryōiki 日本国現報善悪霊異記, which is commonly translated as "Miraculous Stories of Karmic Retribution of Good and Evil in Japan.” Although called a Bosatsu (Skt. = Bodhisattva), the deity is more properly considered a Deva (Jp. = TEN). His/her attributes are not firmly set, but in Japan the deity often appears with two arms or four arms, is shown seated on a cloud or standing atop a dragon or turtle, and is prayed to for relief of disaster, the healing of eye diseases, and to prevent calamities of fire.

Myōken Mandala 妙見曼荼羅 Deity Positioning Chart courtesy this J-site

Says JAANUS: Myōken is an amalgamation of the Shinto deity Myōken Shin 妙見神 and the deity of the Northern Polar Star (Dipper). Originally a deification of the Polestar (Hokushin 北辰) but later also regarded as a deification of the Big Dipper (Hokuto 北斗) because of confusion between the two. Although popularly regarded as a Bodhisattva 菩薩, and usually referred to as Myōken Bosatsu 妙見菩薩, properly speaking she belongs to the category of divinities called TEN 天 (Skt. = Deva), and in the Jimon 寺門 branch of the Tendai 天台 sect she is equated with Kichijōten 吉祥天. She is invoked in particular for apotropaic purposes and also for the healing of eye diseases. In Japan she appears to have been widely revered as early as the Heian period, and in medieval times she came to be worshipped especially among powerful provincial clans as a tutelary deity of the warrior class, evolving into the partially Shintoized deity Myōkenjin 妙見神. At the same time she was also adopted by the Nichiren 日蓮 sect and remains the object of a popular cult today. Artistic representations of Myōken exhibit considerable diversity. There is a set of 26 paintings, all different, at Daigoji Temple 醍醐寺 in Kyoto, but generally speaking she is depicted with either two or four arms and either seated on a cloud or standing on the back of a dragon. Myōkenjin has a halo showing the seven stars of the Big Dipper and holds a sword in one hand. There is also a mandala (mandara) 曼荼羅 devoted to her, the Myōken Mandala 妙見曼荼羅. <end JAANUS quote>

Hokushin 北辰 (Polar Star Deity) aka Myōken Bosatsu 妙見菩薩 L = 113.8 cm, W = 40.4 cm Color on Silk, 14th Century Tōji Temple 東寺, Kyoto

Says site contributor Gabi Greve:
Myōken is a purely Japanese Bosatsu, presumably an amalgamation of the Shinto deity Myooken Shin 妙見神 and the deity of the Northern Polar Star (Dipper). He (sometimes seen as a SHE) has been the protector deity of the clan of the CHIBA 千葉 since the Heian period. This clan later became followers of Nichiren, therefore Myooken is often venerated in temples of this sect. Myooken protects from fires, brings luck and prosperity and heals illness of the eyes. In Edo he was very popular, since there were many fires in the city. So festivals of Myooken were visted by many townspeople and always full of merrymaking. He also takes care of the behaviour of human beings and writes your good and bad deeds in his notebook. He is also venerated as a special protector deity of the land and country of Japan.

He stands on a tortoise with a thick tail or rides a green dragon. He is accompanied by a vasall who carries pen and paper (remember, he registers all our deeds). His hair is long and hanging down, like the fashions popular in the Heian period. He carries a sword and a wish-fulfilling jewel. Sometimes he is depicted with four arms, two of them carrying the sun and the moon.

In Japan, most of his statues are made of stone. <end Gabi Greve quote>

Myōken-zan Kokuseki-ji Temple 妙見山 黒石寺
Founded in +729 by Monk Gyōki 行基 as Tokozan Yakushi-ji Temple 東光山薬師寺 of the Tendai 天台 sect and renamed Myōkenzan Kokuseki-ji Temple in +849. The temple is famous for its Kokuseki-ji Sominsai Fire Festival, held on the evening of January 7th until the next morning.

Zuzosho: Esoteric Iconography of Myōken Bosatsu
Says the Japan Society: ”The earliest surviving images that can be definitely identified as Myoken Bosatsu appear in the Zuzosho, the ten volume esoteric iconographic manual compiled c.1135. The section entitled "Myoken Bosatsu" begins with a text that describes the characteristics of the deity, Sanskrit mantara (magic spells), and ritual procedures. In art, this deity’s head is often surrounded by the nimbus of the seven celestial sages (of the Big Dipper). The deity often rides a peculiar beast composed of an intertwined serpent and turtle, which represents the world in total, longevity, and health. MYOKEN is a warrior and is traditionally appealed to on the eve of battle.” <end quote by Japan Society>

Myōken worship suffered when the Meiji government forcibly separated Shinto and Buddhism (Shinbutsu Bunri 神仏分離) in the late 19th century. Says the Encyclopedia of Shinto: “Japanese scholar Hirata Atsutane, in particular, propounded a theology wherein Amenominakanushi (the first kami to come into being) was chief kami of the seven major stars of the constellation Ursa Major. As a result of this influence, Amenominakanushi was made a central deity at the Daikyōin Temple in the early Meiji period, and he was worshiped within sectarian Shinto (Kyōha Shintō ) as well. During the process of separation of Shinto and Buddhist objects of worship, the deity Myōken (the north star) was changed to Amenominakanushi at many shrines. <end quote> Many Suitengu Shrines throughout modern Japan still revere Amenominakanushi.

Black/White drawings of Myōken from pre-Meiji Japan
Source: 大全書、日本仏像 ISBN4-88405-335-4 C0095


Modern Myōken Statues available for online purchase
(L) store.yahoo.co.jp/kurita/1461.html
(M) butsuzou.com/list4/myouken21.html
(R) butsuzou.com/jiten/myouken.html


Myōken, Deity of the Pole Star and Big Dipper

Myōken of Nose 能勢の妙見大菩薩 (dated 1824)
Tanba Risshōzan Myōhōji Temple 丹波, 立正山, 妙法寺, Hyōgo Prefecture
Nose was the name of a feudal lord, and the Nose domain is near Osaka.
Mt. Myōken in Nose is a famous and sacred site of the Nichiren sect.
Myōken of Nose protects the nation, eradicates evil, vanquishes enemies
in the battlefield, and brings happiness and longevity to the people.
 The temple is affiliated with the Nichiren Sect, and holds an annual
Myōken festival in late July each year. Photo this J-Site.
Photo Courtesy this J-Site.

Myōken -- Other Research and Resources

• JAPAN SOCIETY: Myoken Bosatsu: The Adoption & Adaptation of the Pole Star Deity by Samurai and Townspeople in Pre-modern Japan
   
• The Worship of Stars in Japanese Religiouys Practice
  Edited by  Lucia Dolce. Special double issue of Culture and Cosmos.
  ISSN 1368-6534. Useful publication with many illustrations.
   
• Mt. Haguro 羽黒山. The three deities of sacred Mt. Haguro (and the Haguro Shugendo sect) are Myōken Bosatsu, the deification of the Pole Star and the Dipper constellation; Gundari Myoo, who represents the six marker stars of the south; and the central divinity Kannon Bosatsu.
   
• Myōken is mentioned in the Ryōjin Hishō 梁塵秘抄 (Treasured Selections of Superb Songs), which was compiled personally by Emperor Goshirakawa 後白河上皇 (1127-93) and released in 1179. It is the largest extant collection of Japanese songs that flourished between the mid-Heian to the early Kamakura period. Myōken was worshiped at that time mainly for the power to cure eye diseases.
   
• The Ryōjin Hishō (Songs to Make the Dust Dance). Translation by Yung-Hee Kim.
   
• The Ryōjin Hishō. Translations by Arthur Waley.

Three Legged Crow
A crow-like bird with three legs is also closely associated with Myōken. Says Maison Franco-Japonaise: “The founder of Haguro Shugendo (at Dewa Sanzan) is Nojo Taishi, who is said to have come to Haguro early in the seventh century. He was given the title of Shoken Daibosatsu in the 19th century. Legend says he was the third son of the late sixth century emperor Sushun, and the cousin of the famous Shotoku Taishi. He is depicted as a strange being, dark of skin and with exaggerated facial features, his mouth extending from ear to ear. It was to a place called Akoya, in a narrow valley full of thick growth, with a waterfall at one end, that Nojo Taishi was guided by a mystical three-legged crow, and it was here that he first did ascetic training. Here also he found a statue of Kannon Bosatsu and it was from here that he founded the three mountains (Dewa Sanzan) as a Shugendo site.”

Another deity named Nikkō Bosatsu is also associated with a black three-legged crow-like bird, and holds the Nichirin (sun disc) with a black three-legged crow drawn inside. People with eye disease or poor eye sight in Japan can purchase talismans or icons called Nissei Manishu 日精摩尼手, which show the bird inside the sun disc. Making proper pleas and prayers to the icon is said to cure one's eye problems.

Why the three legs? Unknown. Perhaps because the sun brings light to darkness? Perhaps because three mountains are sacred at Dewa Sanzan? Why the crow? Japan's love of wordplay provides a clue. A Japanese proverb says "You cannot see a crow in a pitch-black night (闇夜にカラス)." A similar Western proverb is: "It's not wise to herd black hogs on a moonless night."

Nine Luminaries, Seven Celestial Bodies, Five Planets
Japanese = Kuyō (Kuyo) 九曜 or Kushitsu 九執. Sanskrit = Nava-Graha. Chinese = Jiǔ Yào.
The nine celestial luminaries are the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rago, and Keito. Each is associated with a specific deity, day of the week, and compass direction. Among the nine, seven are part of another grouping known as the Seven Celestial Bodies (Jp. Shichiyō 七曜, Skt. Sapta Grahāḥ), which excludes Rago and Keito. The five planets Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn are associated with one of the five elements (see chart below). The nine luminaries appear often in Japan’s Star Mandala and in the Taizōkai 胎蔵界曼荼羅 or Womb World Mandala. The Japanese and Sanskrit names of the nine, plus their associations, are listed below.

Photos from this J-site
Deities of the Planets & Celestial Bodies (Jp. = Kuyō 九曜)
Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rago, and Keito

NOTE OF CONFUSION. In Japan, there is another grouping of seven stars known as the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper (Jp. Shichiyōshō 七曜星). It appears that the seven stars of the Big Dipper were conflagrated / confused with the Nine Luminaries (Kuyō 九曜) presented in the above table.

Seven Stars & Deities
of the Big Dipper 北斗七星
Origin = China. The Pole Star and the Big Dipper were important elements in Chinese Taoist cosmology well before Buddhism arrived in China in the 1st-2nd centuries AD. The Japanese imported the practice of star worship from China during the Nara Period (710-794 AD), and held rites to the Big Dipper to avoid catastrophe and ensure longevity and health. These beliefs and practices are still alive in Japan's modern-day esoteric sects, and incorporate elements of China’s Yin-Yang philosophies.

Japanese Names for Big Dipper & Seven Stars

• Hokuto （Big Dipper) 北斗　
• Hokuto Shichisei 北斗七星
  (Seven Stars of Big Dipper)　
• Nanatsuboshi 七星 (Seven Stars of Big Dipper)　
• Shichiyōboshi 七曜星
  (Seven Stars of the Big Dipper)
• Shichiyōsei 七曜星
  (Seven Stars of the Big Dipper)
• Hishakuboshi ひしゃく星
  (Seven Stars of the Big Dipper)
• Hotoku no Shichi Bosatsu 北斗の七菩薩
  (Seven Bosatsu of the Big Dipper)

Seven Stars, Zodiac Associations, Deities, and Attributes of Big Dipper Stars

1. Tonrōshō 貪狼星 |  Rat  |  Nichirin Bosatsu 日輪菩薩  | Yang, 陽徳を司る
2. Komonshō 巨門星 |  Ox & Pig  |  Gachirin Bosatsu 月輪菩薩  |  Yin, 陰刑を司る
3. Rokusonshō 禄存星 |  Tiger & Dog  |  Kōmyōshō 光明照菩薩  |  Yin, 障害を司る
4. Monkyokushō 文曲星 |  Rabbit & Rooster  |  Zōchō Bosatsu 増長菩薩   |  天理を司る
5. Renteishō 簾貞星 |  Dragon & Monkey  |  Ekoshō Bosatsu 依怙衆菩薩　  |  中央・四方を司る
6. Bukyokushō 武曲星 |  Snake & Sheep  |  Jizō Bosatsu 地蔵菩薩  |  天食五穀を司る
7. Hagunshō 破軍星 |  Horse  |  Kongōshu Bosatsu (Fugen) 金剛手菩薩  |  兵事を司る

The seven rule sequentially over the hours in a 24-hour day in a set order, which is Saturday, Thursday, Tuesday, Sunday, Friday, Wednesday, Monday. Saturday begins the sequence from midnight to 1am, followed by Thursday from 1am to 2am, followed by Tuesday from 2am to 3am, etc. HOWEVER, the day-deity association is unclear to me. 

Source of above image and names: Butsuzō-zu-i 仏像図彙. See expanded listing of the seven stars / nine luminaries by clicking here.

GLOSSARY OF JAPANESE TERMS & CELESTIAL CONCEPTS

• Hokuto Mandala 北斗曼荼羅 (Big Dipper Mandala).
   
• Hoshi Mandala 星曼荼羅. A generic type of Mandala 曼荼羅 dedicated to the celestial entities, and including the Hokuto Mandala 北斗曼荼羅 (Big Dipper Mandala).
   
• Jūnikyū (or) Jūnigū 十二宮. The twelve houses of the Zodiac, also known as the zodiacal mansions; they are typically depicted in the Gekongōbuin 外金剛部院 section of the Matrix Mandara (aka Taizōkai Mandala or Womb World Mandala 胎蔵界曼荼羅). Visit this J-site for photos of the 12 zodiac houses found in the Star Mandala of Japan’s Shingon sect.
   
• Kuyō 九曜 or Kushitsu 九執. The nine planets, which are the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rago 羅ご (Skt = Rahu), and Keito 計都 (Skt = Ketu). See above for details.
   
• Myōken (Myoken) 妙見. Deification of the Polestar and/or Big Dipper. See above.
   
• Nitten 日天 (sun) and Gatten 月天 (moon). Nikkō Bosatsu 日光菩薩 and Gakkō Bosatsu 月光菩薩 might also be included in this category.
   
• Nijūhasshuku 二十八宿. The topic of this page. The twenty-eight lunar mansions (Skt. = naksatras), also sometimes called the 28 moon lodges or 28 stations of the moon. The 28 points in the moon’s monthly orbit were deified. In Japan, they are commonly depicted in the Gekongōbuin 外金剛部院 section of the Matrix Mandara (aka Taizōkai Mandala, Womb World Mandala 胎蔵界曼荼羅) of the Shingon and Tendai sects. They appear in the form of celestial maidens (seven in each quarter) and also in the Hokuto Mandara 北斗曼荼羅 (see above).
   
• Seishuku (or) Shoshuku 星宿. The Japanese term for “constellation.” It refers to the celestial bodies, stars, constellations, planets, moons, and other heavenly objects that were incorporated into Buddhism and deified.
   
• Seishukubu 星宿部. Literally "sidereal division." A term used sometimes to refer collectively to the celestial bodies that have been deified in the esoteric Buddhist pantheon.
   
• Shichiyō 七曜. The seven days of the weeks, all deified. Visit this J-site for photos of the seven found in the Star Mandala of Japan’s Shingon sect.
   
• Shukuyō 宿曜. Another term for "constellation.” See entry for Seishuku above.
   
• Yōshuku 曜宿. Celestial bodies, celestial orbs, including the sun, moon, planets, and the 28 constellations. 

Why the Number 28? This is not easily explained, nor is the answer definitive. The number 28 represents many different important concepts in both ancient cosmology and early Buddhism. In Chinese astrology, for example, there were four celestial “palaces” in the sky (representing the four cardinal directions), each corresponding to seven stations (or lodges) of the moon’s path overhead. This yielded a total of twenty-eight combinations. This scheme was apparently incorporated in early Buddhism, for Buddhism has 28 Heavens (Skt. = Devalokas), which include six of the desire world, eighteen of the form world, and four of the formless heavens. The list goes on and on. There are the 28 Patriarchs of Mahayana Buddhism, the 28 Yaksas (protective spirits), the 28 Legions protecting Kannon Bodhisattva, etc. It is thus very likely that the 28 Benefits of venerating Jizō stem from the same influence.

POLE STAR RESEARCH
DRACO LORE. Dragon Star Constellation (courtesy Khandro.net)
Around 1,800 BC, the celestial indicator (the “pole star”) was not the modern-day North Star (Polaris), but rather Thuban, a star in the constellation known as Draco or Dragon. Draco is the 8th largest of the conventional constellations curving from the "pointers" of the Dipper (Ursa Minor) to brilliant Vega. To the observer of today, there is no bright star in the configuration. Yet, the passages in the great pyramid at Gizeh (Egypt) once acted as channels for the light of the star that is called Thuban. It is now known that those pyramids were oriented to Orion and, at the time of the building of the Sphinx, to Leo.

It has been demonstrated that Angkor Wat, the great Khmer (Cambodian) Buddhist shrine, was built in alignment with this celestial formation. However, in 1,150 CE the constellation of the Dragon was upside down over the site's medieval buildings, but impressively, in the era of 10,500 BC, traces of the very earliest structures there mirrored the Dragon constellation exactly.

The transition from one ruling celestial system to another is marked in the mythologies of the world by accounts of the overthrow of  Titans (Greek) or Ashuras (Indian) by Gods or Devas. Naturally, this displacement had to be justified, and so the serpentine heavenly Mother, Tiamat of the early Mesopotamians, is considered by devotees of the newer deity, Marduk, as an evil draconian monster.

The flying dragon whose abode is the heavens is universally recognized as a symbol of the Chinese culture and its people. Chinese refer to themselves as “Descendents of the Dragon.”

It is believed that on rare occasions dragons have the power to transform themselves into handsome humans who, male or female, can mate with people. For example, former Japanese Emperor Hirohito claimed descent from Princess Fruitful Jewel, daughter of a sea Dragon King. It is this belief that lies at the root of the dragon, which is often used in Asia as the crest or emblem of a royal house. 

TENDAI SECT & BIG DIPPER
There are a total of 21 shrines at the syncretic Tendai shrine-temple multiplex located at Mt. Hiei 比叡 (Shiga Prefecture, near Kyoto)., known as the "21 Sannō Group" (Sannō Nijūissha 山王二十一社). These 21 shrines are split into three groups of seven -- the three groupings represent the three main Buddha/Kami of the Tendai complex, who are Shaka, Yakushi, and Amida. They in turn represent the three most important Shinto KAMI (deities) of the Hie shrine complex. These three Kami are Omiya (大宮), Ninomiya (二宮), and Shōshinshi (聖真子). The so-called Upper Seven Sannō Shrines (Sannō Kami no Shichisha 山王上七社) form the core of the Sannō complex. They are associated with Shaka, are known as the Big Hiei group, and are associated with the seven stars of the Big Dipper.

RESOURCES:

• Shukuyō-kyō 宿曜経. Also read as Sukuyōkyō. T 1299.21.392c6.
  One of the main sources for the 28 Constellations. Tang-era Chinese translation from Sanskrit. This is the abbreviated name of the sutra. Its long name is 文殊師利菩薩及諸仙所説吉凶時日善悪宿曜経, (Monjushiri Bosatsu kyuu shosen shosetsu kikkyō jijitsu zen-aku shukuyōk-yō). The Chinese translation is attributed to Amoghavajra (Jp. = 不空金剛 Fukū Kongō), a prolific 8th-century translator who was one of the most politically powerful Buddhist monks in Chinese history. The text was reportedly brought to Japan by Kūkai 空海 in the 9th century. LINK: www.l.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~sat/japan/downpage/v21.html
   
• Shukuyōgiki 宿曜儀軌 Tang-era Chinese translation from Sanskrit
   
• Shatōkankyō 舎頭諫経 or 舍頭諫太子二十八宿經
  Admonition of the Prince and the 28 Lunar Lodgings, T 1301.21.410-420
   
• Matōga kyō 摩登伽経 (Sūtra of the Mātaṅgī Girl, T 1300.21.399-410)
   
• Madōjo kyō 摩鄧女經 (Sūtra of the Mātaṅgī Girl, T 551.14.895)
   
• Shichiyō jōsai ketsu 七曜攘災決
  Expelling the Seven Planets' Fated Calamities, T 1308.21.426
   
• 七曜星辰別行法
   
• Digital Dictionary of Buddhism (C. Muller)
   
• JAANUS (Japanese Architecture & Art Net Users System)
• Star Charts and Moon Stations by Steve Renshaw and Saori Ihara
   
• Japanese Site Devoted to Star Deities
   
• Download Sutras from the Tokyo Univerity Page SAT

REFERENCES FOR NINE LUMINARIES
Plus Seven Celestial Bodies and Five Planets

• Butsuzō-zu-i 仏像図彙, the “Collected Illustrations of Buddhist Images.” Published in 1690 (Genroku 元禄 3). One of Japan’s first major studies of Buddhist iconography, with drawings by Tosa Hidenobu 土佐秀信 and text by Ito Takemi 伊藤武美. Hundreds of pages and drawings, with deities classified into approximately 80 (eighty) categories. Modern-day reprints are avaiable for purchase at most large Japanese book stores, or click here to purchase online.  
   
• Mandara Zuten 曼荼羅図典 (Japanese Edition). The Mandala Dictionary. 422 pages. First published in 1993. Publisher = Daihorinkaku 大法輪閣. Language = Japanese. ISBN-10: 480461102-9. Click here to purchase book from Amazon.
   
• Digital Dictionary of Buddhism (sign in with user name “guest”)
   
• Wikipedia (J-Site)

OTHERS REFERENCES

• 妙見菩薩と日蓮聖人
  aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/b/butchou.htm
  sukuyou.com/sindan/tc_3.html 
  hm.tyg.jp/~acmuller/canon/1048_.html
  hm.tyg.jp/~acmuller/canon/1299_.html#p0392c06
  buddhism-dict.net/cgi-bin/xpr-ddb.pl?4e.xml+id('b4e8c-5341-516b-5bbf')
  reihokan.or.jp/syuzohin/hotoke/mandara/28syuku.html
  chinapage.com/astronomy/constellation28.html
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shijin
  l.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~sat/
  mandalar.com/TattooBurst/index.html
  buddhism-dict.net/cgi-bin/xpr-ddb.pl?4e.xml+id('b4e8c-5341-516b-5bbf')
  sakai.zaq.ne.jp/piicats/setsubunn.htm
  kanji.zinbun.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~wittern/can/can4/t21/t21n1304.htm
  mandalar.com/TattooBurst/index.html
  kyohaku.go.jp/eng/dictio/data/kaiga/mandara.htm

 Shishin or Shijin (Japanese)
4 Guardians of Compass (Each with 7 Constellations)
Celestial Emblems of Chinese Emperor


Click any creature to jump to that page.

Tortoise (Black Warrior) = North, Winter, Black, Water
White Tiger (Kirin) = West, Fall, White, Metal
Red Bird (Phoenix) = South, Summer, Red, Fire
Dragon = East, Spring, Blue/Green, Wood



SHITENNO
Lit. = Four Heavenly Kings (Buddhist)
Four guardians of the four compass directions.
Associated closely with China’s Five Element Theory.


Four Shitenno, Horyuji (Hōryūji) Temple 法隆寺, Nara
Mid-7th Century. Oldest extant set of the four.
Kōmokuten 広目天, Zōchōten 増長天, Tamonten 多門天, Jikokuten 持国天
Painted Wood, Each Statue Approx. 133.5 cm in Height
Photos from Comprehensive Dictionary of Japan's Nat’l Treasures
国宝大事典 (西川 杏太郎. ISBN 4-06-187822-0.

Copyright 1995 - 2010. Mark Schumacher. Email Mark.
All stories and photos, unless specified otherwise, by Schumacher.
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