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Home , Azure Dragon, Four Symbols, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger (mythology)

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MfG_E_kotee_embodiment_of_his_wish

１．Kote-E reliefs in the Kina-Saffran-liqueur buildings (１) Allocation (２) Interpretation

２．An insightful view of the Japanese naturalist, Prof.Aramata.

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１．Kote-E reliefs in the Kina-Saffran-liqueur buildings

There are several Kote-E reliefs (hereinafter called "Kote-E") buildings within , and usually they are decorated with one or two Kote-Es in each building. Therefore it is said that the buildings with Kote-E s here are distinguished not only maintaining its beauty but also displaying a lot of Kote-Es in each buildng. For these reasons, I think it is important to consider a reason why such a lot of Kote-Es are created an what is a thought of president at that time. My hypothetical interpretation is that they are an embodiment of his wish that first, his family would continue forever and second, success in business would continue forever.

Details are as follows: (１) Allocation of guardeans ( Considering orientations in Kote-E reliefs on the walls of the Kina-Saffran-liqueur buildings ) Meaning of the produced reliefs

1) Northern face of the building Animals of Chinese zodiac and relating plants in the reliefs contains a lot of meaning. For example, in the northern face of the second floor, and leaves are drawn. It is said ox means convesion in which some one ends and new one starts. It is said that the same meaning exists in autumn leaves. The other relief, Mouse, is thought as a symbol of descendants prosperity. I think refocus of the business by the new construction and praying the family fortunes rise are including in these reliefs.

2) Eastern face of the building Animals drawn on the Eastern face of outer walls are thought to mean the guardians to north, , and orientations. And they are also thought as fortunate animals eternally. I think protection the newly constructed office from and praying for

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permanent prosperity of business are including in these reliefs. I had noticed a tigre in the northern face don't have stripes, trademark of usual . It was the beginning of finding my new interpretation.

(２) Interpretation I interpret that it must be " tiger", guardians of the west orientation in Chinese ancient mythology., and it has shifted to north wall. They are the of the East, the Bird of the South, the of the West, and the Turtle of the North. Each of them represents a direction and a season, and each has its own individual characteristics and origins. Symbolically and as part of spiritual and religious belief, they have been culturally important in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. These mythological creatures are thought that the of the East represents , the of the South represents Fire, the White Tiger of the West represents , and the Black Turtle of the North represents . In this system, the fifth principle is represented by the Dragon of the Center, also symbols of emperors of the Chinese dynasties.

I interpret two Chinese drawn in the space under the eaves and sacred beasts drawn on decorated windows in the first and second floor-locations as follows.

In the order corresponding to east, west, south and north, the Azure Dragon, the White Tiger, the Vermilion Bird and the Black Turtle should be allocated in the guardians in each orientation. The face of this decorating these animals is directed to the east. So animal of the east may be the most imporant, inevitable one.

Therefore, let white tiger shift to the north wall, and instead of the white

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tiger of the west, Kirin, legendary Chinese animal with a single horn, a deer like body, horse like hoofs, and an ox like tail, and is regarded as same rank with the , is allocated.

In the space under the eaves, meaning high sky, Azure dragon is allocated. On decorated windows in the second floor, meaning sky, the two Vermilion Birds, and on decorated windows in the fiast floor, meaning earth, allocating Kirin running wide planes and the Black Turtle in water surface, are allocated respectively. It can be interpreted as the most exquisite arrangement, dragons are allocated as a center.

MfG_E_kotee_embodiment_of_his_wish

(The = four mythological creatures) They are the Azure Dragon of the East, the White Tiger of the West, the Vermilion Bird of the South,and the Black Turtle of the North. Each one of them represents a direction and a season, and each has its own individual characteristics and origins. Symbolically and as part of spiritual and religious belief, they have been culturally important in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. (The Four Sacred Beasts of China) The Sacred Beasts are comparable to the Greek Titans in that they are above the Gods of their domain. Unlike the titans, however, the beasts co-exist with the gods and are their ruling body. Many of the gods' decisions are made by the beasts and it is known that no Chinese god has ever turned against a sacred beast.

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２．An insightful view of the Japanese naturalist, Prof.Aramata.

H.Aramata,"Aramata Art magazine",Shin-Syosha(2010)

More than 20 years ago, Prof. Aramata, Professor of Tamagawa University, well-known naturalist) had insighted the meaning of TheFour Sacred Beasts of China and Chinese zodiac drawn on the warehouse walls of Kina-Saffron- Shu brewery Prof. Aramata recognized them as an embodiment of the founder's wish that first, the family would continue forever (descendants prosperity) and second, success in business would continue forever (business prosperity) .

I think one of the important ideas the founder, Yoshizawa Nitarou, had is to fulfil all the buildings and the garden by symbols of inviting good lucks and talismans against evil. The typical symbols in the Kina-saffron-Shu Brewery are Chinese dragons and I-no-me. Both are considered as guardian deity or talismans against evil. You can find several Chinese dragons on the walls of buidings, Byou-bu, and Ramma in the buildings including the reception house. In particuilar, the Chinese dragons are guardien for Buddhism. You can find a lot of I-no-me pattern inside the receptio house, decorating all the corners of window-glass. I-no-me pattern is one of the oldest patterns in Japan, eyes-pattern of wild-pig. It is thought as behaving as talismans against evil.

Aramata Hiroshi (1947- ) Japanese naturalist, Novelist. Visiting Professor, Tamagawa University Professor, Musashino Art University

MfG_E_kotee_embodiment_of_his_wish insightful view of Aramata