The Guardians

The Nio guardians or Kongorikishi are two muscular, otherwordly figures that stand at the gates of many temples in Japan. It is said that they are inspired by warriors who traveled with the Buddha to protect him.

Within the pacifist tradition of Buddhism, stories of the Nio guardians justify the use of force to protect sacred values and beliefs against evil forces.

For me they have always been compelling representations of the duality of human nature. Nothing is more tranquil than a Buddhist temple. And nothing more fierce than the faces of the guardians that stand at the gates.

Nio guardians in Mount Koya, Japan
The Japanese American National Museum has posted The Guardians, a finalist in the Little Tokyo Short Story contest. A cast of contemporary Japanese and American characters acts out a modern day tale of Kongorikishi.

Thanks to Naomi Hirahara for her encouragement in the writing of this story.