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All Japan Nikko 'Imaginary Elephants'

'Imaginary Elephants'

These sculptures were created by a 17th-century artist who had never seen an elephant.

Nikko, Japan

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
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The Imaginary Elephants.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The Imaginary Elephants.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The elephant sculptures by Kanō Tan’yū.   Andrea Schaffer
An elephant-like gargoyle of Tōshōgū Shrine.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The Kamijinko (Upper Sacred Storehouse).   DXR
The “elephant” on the left.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The “elephant” on the right.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Tōshōgū Shrine complex of Nikkō, Japan, is famed for its architectural and sculptural beauty, most notably the Three Wise Monkeys and the "Sleeping Cat". These are two of the so-called Three Sculptures of Nikkō. The final sculpture is the least known of them, commonly referred to as "Sōzō-no-Zō", the "Imaginary Elephants."

The sculpture is located on the gable of the Kamijinko (Upper Sacred Storehouse), where a pair of strange-looking beasts grin with crescent-shaped eyes. The sculpture on the left is green and white, while the other is black. Both are complete with golden tusks and were crafted in Japanese style.

The Kamijinko was constructed in 1635 and the designs for its sculptures were commissioned to the famed painter Kanō Tan'yū. Tan'yū however, had never seen an elephant before. He had no choice but to design the animals according to readings and from word of mouth descriptions

Prior to the creation of the sculpture, there had only been three instances where live elephants were brought to Japan. Only powerful samurai lords were able to see the animals. Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, was gifted an elephant in 1602, but it was not until 1728 that another one arrived in Japan.

Tan'yū's designs were very accurate and included impressive details. There are a few more stylized elephants on the shrine's premises, including a pair flanking the "Imaginary Elephants," along with gargoyles guarding the roofs.

Related Tags

History & Culture Design Sculptures Elephants Shrines
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Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Published

November 30, 2020

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'Imaginary Elephants'
Nikko, 321-1431
Japan
36.757394, 139.599056

Nearby Places

'Nemuri-Neko' ('The Sleeping Cat')

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Three Wise Monkeys of Tōshōgū Shrine

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Nikko

Nikko

Japan

Places 8

Nearby Places

'Nemuri-Neko' ('The Sleeping Cat')

Nikko, Japan

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Three Wise Monkeys of Tōshōgū Shrine

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Photo of Nikko

Nikko

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