Post by DawnSanada on Aug 25, 2023 16:30:08 GMT -5
First off I want to say this.
I'm putting this here so I don't forget to do it. AGAIN.
Second, I'm putting this in an easy-to-find place so everyone can learn from it.
__________________
A huge thanks to the hard-working XMezumiiru for sharing this information.
Mashou / Masho
4 Tennou / Shitennou
Same thing.
XMezumiiru - 'Masho' just means Demon General. It's just a title, so anyone could have it with enough power. What sets the original 4 Masho apart was having the specific armors and being labeled at Shitennou.
That could be another pain point for the remaining 3 Shitennou - the realization they were manipulated into being destroyers when they were supposed to be protectors.
That could be another pain point for the remaining 3 Shitennou - the realization they were manipulated into being destroyers when they were supposed to be protectors.
魔将 is the title Demon/Devil General. It comes from 魔 - Devil and 将 - General. It could be used in the real world, and does have some implications in religious texts. But, mostly, it's a fantasy word.
Shitennou is a real word and extensively used in Buddhism
Shitennou is a real word and extensively used in Buddhism
Me - Hm... so originally the boys were called Heavenly Kings while they were in the Youja World. Why change it when they suddenly started their conquering of Shinjuku? I wouldn't imagine their behavior would've changed at all from either place. Same fighting tactics, just a different location and enemy to face off against.
XMezumiiru - There isn't canon for this, so this is my own thoughts based on what the creators wrote and Buddhist mythology.
Shuten, Anubisu, Rajura, and Naaza are the Masho
Koma Toshitada, Sasaki Kujuurou, Kuroda Jirougorou, and Yamanouchi Naotoki are the Shitennou
The four humans destined for the Seasonal Yoroi were the reincarnation of the Shitennou, and would have come into their power as they learned more about their armors and duties. It would be the final step before their enlightenment.
Arago, the embodiment of pure desire, anger, and envy, found the four in moments of dispair and poisoned their thoughts. He renamed them into the Masho and warped their virtues and destiny with delusions. Arago had to keep them fighting, craving power, and jealous of each other, because if they started thinking for themselves, they would have realized what was happening and revolted.
By Arago calling his Masho both Masho and Shitennou, he fed into the desire for power and greed, while still tapping into the power they possess.
Shuten, Anubisu, Rajura, and Naaza are the Masho
Koma Toshitada, Sasaki Kujuurou, Kuroda Jirougorou, and Yamanouchi Naotoki are the Shitennou
The four humans destined for the Seasonal Yoroi were the reincarnation of the Shitennou, and would have come into their power as they learned more about their armors and duties. It would be the final step before their enlightenment.
Arago, the embodiment of pure desire, anger, and envy, found the four in moments of dispair and poisoned their thoughts. He renamed them into the Masho and warped their virtues and destiny with delusions. Arago had to keep them fighting, craving power, and jealous of each other, because if they started thinking for themselves, they would have realized what was happening and revolted.
By Arago calling his Masho both Masho and Shitennou, he fed into the desire for power and greed, while still tapping into the power they possess.
For the Japanese people watching this anime, they would have instantly saw the parallels with the Shitennou, Arago, and Buddhism. They would have gotten that background intuitively because it's part of their culture.
Here's an indepth look:
Vajrayana Buddhism plays a key role in YST. This is the esoteric Buddhism that was introduced into Japan between 700 and 1300 CE. Shingon 真言 Buddhism and Tendai 天台 Buddhism (both Vajrayana sects) played significant political roles between 1300 and 1600 CE, when Zen Buddhism rose to fashion after the Sengoku period. (Shingon was founded by Kōbō Daishi 弘法大師, who in myth is said to have never died and waits for evil to return. It is suspected Kaos is a representation of Kōbō Daishi)
One of the principle meditation and explanatory devices of Shingon and Tendai is the Ryōkai Mandala or Two World Mandala: Taizōkai 胎蔵界曼荼羅 or Womb World Mandala and Kongōkai 金剛界曼荼羅 or Diamond World Mandala.
The Taizōkai Mandala is associated with the ultimate principle, ri 理, and focuses on the principle and cause of all manifestations of thought and life. It is the principle 理 and the cause 因. This represents the world of physical phenomenon and ultimate principle.
The Taizōkai Mandala is physically based, meaning suffering, death, and rebirth are within its realm of influence. It is watched over by the four directions, which in Japanese tradition are also the four seasons. The Shitennō protect the central Buddha and all that dwell in the mandala.
The Kongōkai Mandala aligns with mind or intelligence, chi 智 (Touma’s virtue), and the reason 果. It represents the cosmic or transcendental Buddha Dainichi Nyorai 大日如来 and complete wisdom. The center panel displays a mandala depicting Dainichi Nyorai surrounded by four other Buddhas known as the Gochi (or Godai) Nyorai 五大如来.
In the Kongōkai Mandala artform, the five elements are considered inanimate. Only by adding the sixth element - mind, perception, or spiritual consciousness - do the five become animate. The elements are Earth, Fire, Wind/Air, Water, and Void, followed by virtue or consciousness.
The two realms are reflections of each other or considered two sides of the same thing. Some compare the two mandala to water and wave, which are the same, but vastly different.
The Shitennō are Buddhist protectors of the four directions, guardians of the gates of the directions, and protectors of Dainichi Nyorai. They ward off evil, guard the nation, and protect the world from malicious spirits – they stand on evil spirits, crushing them. They are nearly always dressed in yoroi 鎧, look ferocious (funnusō 忿怒相), and carry weapons or objects (jimotsu 持物) said to eliminate evil influences and suppress the enemies of Buddhism. Each represents a direction, season, color, virtue, and element (Japan only, some variation exists in India and China):
Jikokuten 持國天 - Guardian of the Nation - East, Spring, Water, Strength, Blue
Zōchōten 增長天 - Lord who Expands, Lord who Enlarges - South, Summer, Fire, Prosperity, Red
Kōmokuten 廣目天 - Lord of Limitless Vision - West, Fall, Air, Awareness, White
Kōmokuten often by the Naga and snakes and is considered the healer
Tamonten 多聞天 - King of the North, Lord Who Hears All, The Black Warrior - North, Winter, Earth, Wealth, Black
The most popular and prolific Shitennō
Commands all other guardian Buddhas and spirits
Supposedly glows as bright as 1,000 suns
Is the protector of the righteous and patron of warriors
Eventually merged into Bishamonten 毘沙門天
They all have weapons, animals, halos, and dress attributed to them, however, it varies considerably throughout Japan’s history and locality, thus not included here. The common thread of their imagery is fierceness and power.
As the Masho were meant to be the Shitennō by the creators of YST, the correspondences and propensities for their characterization match up.
Shuten – Jikokuten
Rajura – Zōchōten
Naaza – Kōmokuten
Anubisu – Tamonten
Arago corrupted the Youjakai, robbing it and the Masho of their power and potentially their sanity. The Youjakai being a mirror of the mortal world would imply that it is the between-place of life and death, where the spirit passes through on its way to rebirth. The Shitennō guard the four gates between the worlds, and there are four gates to the Youjakai in the show.
By taking the Shitennō and turning them into Masho, Arago stopped them from doing their purpose, allowing spirits to travel in and out of the gates at whim. This would throw off the balance of both worlds and cause immeasurable suffering. Since Arago thrived on suffering, this makes sense.
But, it also deprived the Masho of their purpose and power, as abdicating control in Buddhist philosophy takes one lower on the spiritual path, increasing negative karma. Hence, we see the Masho losing power as the series progresses.
The foot soldiers are possibly the trapped spirits forced into the armor and made to fight. Without the Shitennō to guide them back to the mortal world and rebirth, they would be trapped. It’s unclear if the smoke that was released when the Troopers destroyed the armor was also a destruction of the spirit or it released them to move onto rebirth.
The actual setup of the Youjakai mirrors the Buddha Heaven Realms.
Ever blooming lotus sea
8 heavenly mountains surrounding the central mountain (castle)
4 gates of entry
The central mountain housing the master that the Shitennō guard
Imagery of demons and spirits hiding in many corners and backgrounds
Another interesting aspect of the Shitennō are they are the protectors of the Godai Nyorai 五大如来. These five are emanations of the absolute (transcendental) Buddha. They embody five fundamental wisdoms - wisdom against anger, envy, desire, ignorance, and pride - to help us break free from the cycle of death and rebirth.
Dainichi Nyorai 大日如来 – center, void - converts ignorance and bewilderment into the wisdom of primordial awareness
Ashuku Nyorai 阿閦如来 – east, earth - converts anger and aggression into mirror-like wisdom
Hōshō Nyorai 宝生如来 – south, fire - converts pride and greed into the wisdom of equanimity
Amida Nyorai 阿弥陀如来 – west, water - converts desire, lust and passion into the wisdom of discriminating awareness
Fukūjōju Nyorai 不空成就如来 – north, air - converts jealousy and envy into all-accomplishing wisdom
The connection between the Godai Nyorai and the Troopers isn’t as strong. However, following their mental/emotional development, each of them starts the series with the negative trait and develops the positive trait as they get stronger.
Ryo – Hōshō Nyorai (learns to control himself and puts his needs aside to save the others)
Seiji – Dainichi Nyorai (develops the ability to see beyond himself to the truth of the situation)
Shin – Amida Nyorai (conquers overconfidence to be cautious of too much power)
Shuu – Ashuku Nyorai (turns illusion against the creator by controlling his aggression)
Touma – Fukūjōju Nyorai (uses his mind to understand and have compassion)
As the Masho rediscover who they are and their purpose with the armor, they would become the Shitennō, rather than Masho. The Youjakai would become more of a revolving realm where spirits purge negative karma to be reborn.
It also implies that Shuten will return to the Masho and reclaim his armor. Kayura is a poor fit for the armor and spiritual ideals.
The Japanese have five elements, but they differ from Western elements. The five elements make up all physical objects in the world. The pentagram-type drawing is the Godai or five elements and their interactions with each other. They have a creative, destructive, overacting, and insulting method of interactions. Based on Chinese philosophy, they are:
Fire
Earth
Metal
Water
Wood
Red is fire, yellow is earth, light blue is metal, dark blue is water, and wood is green. At the center of the star is the yin/yang symbol. Arrows show the "Creation cycle" passing along the circles in a clockwise direction and the Overacting Cycle (Cheng) traveling counter-clockwise around the circle. The Insulting Cycle (Wu) travels down the left side of the star and the Destruction Cycle (Ke) travels down the right side of the star.
The Godai or five elements and their interactions with each other. They have a creative, destructive, overacting, and insulting method of interactions
Vajrayana Buddhism plays a key role in YST. This is the esoteric Buddhism that was introduced into Japan between 700 and 1300 CE. Shingon 真言 Buddhism and Tendai 天台 Buddhism (both Vajrayana sects) played significant political roles between 1300 and 1600 CE, when Zen Buddhism rose to fashion after the Sengoku period. (Shingon was founded by Kōbō Daishi 弘法大師, who in myth is said to have never died and waits for evil to return. It is suspected Kaos is a representation of Kōbō Daishi)
One of the principle meditation and explanatory devices of Shingon and Tendai is the Ryōkai Mandala or Two World Mandala: Taizōkai 胎蔵界曼荼羅 or Womb World Mandala and Kongōkai 金剛界曼荼羅 or Diamond World Mandala.
The Taizōkai Mandala is associated with the ultimate principle, ri 理, and focuses on the principle and cause of all manifestations of thought and life. It is the principle 理 and the cause 因. This represents the world of physical phenomenon and ultimate principle.
The Taizōkai Mandala is physically based, meaning suffering, death, and rebirth are within its realm of influence. It is watched over by the four directions, which in Japanese tradition are also the four seasons. The Shitennō protect the central Buddha and all that dwell in the mandala.
The Kongōkai Mandala aligns with mind or intelligence, chi 智 (Touma’s virtue), and the reason 果. It represents the cosmic or transcendental Buddha Dainichi Nyorai 大日如来 and complete wisdom. The center panel displays a mandala depicting Dainichi Nyorai surrounded by four other Buddhas known as the Gochi (or Godai) Nyorai 五大如来.
In the Kongōkai Mandala artform, the five elements are considered inanimate. Only by adding the sixth element - mind, perception, or spiritual consciousness - do the five become animate. The elements are Earth, Fire, Wind/Air, Water, and Void, followed by virtue or consciousness.
The two realms are reflections of each other or considered two sides of the same thing. Some compare the two mandala to water and wave, which are the same, but vastly different.
The Shitennō are Buddhist protectors of the four directions, guardians of the gates of the directions, and protectors of Dainichi Nyorai. They ward off evil, guard the nation, and protect the world from malicious spirits – they stand on evil spirits, crushing them. They are nearly always dressed in yoroi 鎧, look ferocious (funnusō 忿怒相), and carry weapons or objects (jimotsu 持物) said to eliminate evil influences and suppress the enemies of Buddhism. Each represents a direction, season, color, virtue, and element (Japan only, some variation exists in India and China):
Jikokuten 持國天 - Guardian of the Nation - East, Spring, Water, Strength, Blue
Zōchōten 增長天 - Lord who Expands, Lord who Enlarges - South, Summer, Fire, Prosperity, Red
Kōmokuten 廣目天 - Lord of Limitless Vision - West, Fall, Air, Awareness, White
Kōmokuten often by the Naga and snakes and is considered the healer
Tamonten 多聞天 - King of the North, Lord Who Hears All, The Black Warrior - North, Winter, Earth, Wealth, Black
The most popular and prolific Shitennō
Commands all other guardian Buddhas and spirits
Supposedly glows as bright as 1,000 suns
Is the protector of the righteous and patron of warriors
Eventually merged into Bishamonten 毘沙門天
They all have weapons, animals, halos, and dress attributed to them, however, it varies considerably throughout Japan’s history and locality, thus not included here. The common thread of their imagery is fierceness and power.
As the Masho were meant to be the Shitennō by the creators of YST, the correspondences and propensities for their characterization match up.
Shuten – Jikokuten
Rajura – Zōchōten
Naaza – Kōmokuten
Anubisu – Tamonten
Arago corrupted the Youjakai, robbing it and the Masho of their power and potentially their sanity. The Youjakai being a mirror of the mortal world would imply that it is the between-place of life and death, where the spirit passes through on its way to rebirth. The Shitennō guard the four gates between the worlds, and there are four gates to the Youjakai in the show.
By taking the Shitennō and turning them into Masho, Arago stopped them from doing their purpose, allowing spirits to travel in and out of the gates at whim. This would throw off the balance of both worlds and cause immeasurable suffering. Since Arago thrived on suffering, this makes sense.
But, it also deprived the Masho of their purpose and power, as abdicating control in Buddhist philosophy takes one lower on the spiritual path, increasing negative karma. Hence, we see the Masho losing power as the series progresses.
The foot soldiers are possibly the trapped spirits forced into the armor and made to fight. Without the Shitennō to guide them back to the mortal world and rebirth, they would be trapped. It’s unclear if the smoke that was released when the Troopers destroyed the armor was also a destruction of the spirit or it released them to move onto rebirth.
The actual setup of the Youjakai mirrors the Buddha Heaven Realms.
Ever blooming lotus sea
8 heavenly mountains surrounding the central mountain (castle)
4 gates of entry
The central mountain housing the master that the Shitennō guard
Imagery of demons and spirits hiding in many corners and backgrounds
Another interesting aspect of the Shitennō are they are the protectors of the Godai Nyorai 五大如来. These five are emanations of the absolute (transcendental) Buddha. They embody five fundamental wisdoms - wisdom against anger, envy, desire, ignorance, and pride - to help us break free from the cycle of death and rebirth.
Dainichi Nyorai 大日如来 – center, void - converts ignorance and bewilderment into the wisdom of primordial awareness
Ashuku Nyorai 阿閦如来 – east, earth - converts anger and aggression into mirror-like wisdom
Hōshō Nyorai 宝生如来 – south, fire - converts pride and greed into the wisdom of equanimity
Amida Nyorai 阿弥陀如来 – west, water - converts desire, lust and passion into the wisdom of discriminating awareness
Fukūjōju Nyorai 不空成就如来 – north, air - converts jealousy and envy into all-accomplishing wisdom
The connection between the Godai Nyorai and the Troopers isn’t as strong. However, following their mental/emotional development, each of them starts the series with the negative trait and develops the positive trait as they get stronger.
Ryo – Hōshō Nyorai (learns to control himself and puts his needs aside to save the others)
Seiji – Dainichi Nyorai (develops the ability to see beyond himself to the truth of the situation)
Shin – Amida Nyorai (conquers overconfidence to be cautious of too much power)
Shuu – Ashuku Nyorai (turns illusion against the creator by controlling his aggression)
Touma – Fukūjōju Nyorai (uses his mind to understand and have compassion)
As the Masho rediscover who they are and their purpose with the armor, they would become the Shitennō, rather than Masho. The Youjakai would become more of a revolving realm where spirits purge negative karma to be reborn.
It also implies that Shuten will return to the Masho and reclaim his armor. Kayura is a poor fit for the armor and spiritual ideals.
The Japanese have five elements, but they differ from Western elements. The five elements make up all physical objects in the world. The pentagram-type drawing is the Godai or five elements and their interactions with each other. They have a creative, destructive, overacting, and insulting method of interactions. Based on Chinese philosophy, they are:
Fire
Earth
Metal
Water
Wood
Red is fire, yellow is earth, light blue is metal, dark blue is water, and wood is green. At the center of the star is the yin/yang symbol. Arrows show the "Creation cycle" passing along the circles in a clockwise direction and the Overacting Cycle (Cheng) traveling counter-clockwise around the circle. The Insulting Cycle (Wu) travels down the left side of the star and the Destruction Cycle (Ke) travels down the right side of the star.
The Godai or five elements and their interactions with each other. They have a creative, destructive, overacting, and insulting method of interactions
But, they also have a very Buddhist influence on more familiar elements:
Earth
Water
Fire
Air
Void/Spirit
The Gorinto 五輪塔 ("five-ringed tower") or five element stupa/Japanese type of Buddhist pagoda. It's typically a funerary item, but also represents the Godai nyorai.
The other image is the Gorinto 五輪塔 or 5 element stupa. It's typically a funerary item, but also represents the Godai nyorai. Each piece in the stupa corresponds to one of five elements. The bottom story is square and corresponds to the earth ring (Chirin 地輪). Next is the spherical water ring (Suirin 水輪), surmounted by the triangular ring of fire (Karin 火輪). Above this is a reclining half-moon shape (Fūrin 風輪), representing the wind, and topmost is the gem-shaped ring of space (Kūrin 空輪). To link it to other parts of the cultural info, it was believed to be created by either Kobo Daishi or Konpon Daishi (founder of Tendai). The two intermingle without conflict.
The flow of elements mirrors the Troopers' personalities from the Buddhist side. The Earth is stability, strength, and grounding force. Water is flowing, receptive, and devastating when aroused. Fire is piercing and direct. Wind is flowing, never in the way, yet able to direct. And void is everything and nothing as needed, yet will take on the spirit of whatever is around.
The seasons are a little more nebulous. While it is known now what makes the seasons, before Western interpretations, the seasons were otherworldly and related to the spiritual realm. Technically, there are five recognized seasons in Japan: Spring, Rainy season, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
The rainy season is about two weeks near the end of July when travel becomes very difficult and can move depending on Tsunami and what happened the previous winter. So, not including it may make more sense than trying to get it to fit in.
The seasons have their mythical origins and associated connotations, as well:
Oni
Spring - Birth - Orchid/Thoughtfulness - Piercing - Azure Dragon - East - Rulership - Mental Body- Shitenno Jikokuten 持國天
These are all fast-growing, thoughtful symbols of ascension and understanding
Gen
Summer - Young Adult - Bamboo/Flexibility - Expanding - Breaking Down - Vermilion Bird - South - Governance - Emotional/Psychic Body - Shitenno Zōchōten 增長天
These are all things that remain/endure
Doku
Autumn - Middle Age - Chrysanthemum/Stateliness – Contracting - White Tiger - West - Military and Protection - Physical Body - Shitteno Kōmokuten 廣目天
These are all symbols of change, aggression, and following the will of the higher powers/obedience
Yami
Winter - Death - Plum/Rebirth - Stillness - Black Tortoise - North - Death/Rebirth - No Body (Death) - Shitenno Tamonten 多聞天
These are all symbols of drawing in coming together, which death was the biggest celebration, where all family came together to think about death and the afterlife and honoring dead ancestors was massive show of filial piety
Earth
Water
Fire
Air
Void/Spirit
The Gorinto 五輪塔 ("five-ringed tower") or five element stupa/Japanese type of Buddhist pagoda. It's typically a funerary item, but also represents the Godai nyorai.
The other image is the Gorinto 五輪塔 or 5 element stupa. It's typically a funerary item, but also represents the Godai nyorai. Each piece in the stupa corresponds to one of five elements. The bottom story is square and corresponds to the earth ring (Chirin 地輪). Next is the spherical water ring (Suirin 水輪), surmounted by the triangular ring of fire (Karin 火輪). Above this is a reclining half-moon shape (Fūrin 風輪), representing the wind, and topmost is the gem-shaped ring of space (Kūrin 空輪). To link it to other parts of the cultural info, it was believed to be created by either Kobo Daishi or Konpon Daishi (founder of Tendai). The two intermingle without conflict.
The flow of elements mirrors the Troopers' personalities from the Buddhist side. The Earth is stability, strength, and grounding force. Water is flowing, receptive, and devastating when aroused. Fire is piercing and direct. Wind is flowing, never in the way, yet able to direct. And void is everything and nothing as needed, yet will take on the spirit of whatever is around.
The seasons are a little more nebulous. While it is known now what makes the seasons, before Western interpretations, the seasons were otherworldly and related to the spiritual realm. Technically, there are five recognized seasons in Japan: Spring, Rainy season, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
The rainy season is about two weeks near the end of July when travel becomes very difficult and can move depending on Tsunami and what happened the previous winter. So, not including it may make more sense than trying to get it to fit in.
The seasons have their mythical origins and associated connotations, as well:
Oni
Spring - Birth - Orchid/Thoughtfulness - Piercing - Azure Dragon - East - Rulership - Mental Body- Shitenno Jikokuten 持國天
These are all fast-growing, thoughtful symbols of ascension and understanding
Gen
Summer - Young Adult - Bamboo/Flexibility - Expanding - Breaking Down - Vermilion Bird - South - Governance - Emotional/Psychic Body - Shitenno Zōchōten 增長天
These are all things that remain/endure
Doku
Autumn - Middle Age - Chrysanthemum/Stateliness – Contracting - White Tiger - West - Military and Protection - Physical Body - Shitteno Kōmokuten 廣目天
These are all symbols of change, aggression, and following the will of the higher powers/obedience
Yami
Winter - Death - Plum/Rebirth - Stillness - Black Tortoise - North - Death/Rebirth - No Body (Death) - Shitenno Tamonten 多聞天
These are all symbols of drawing in coming together, which death was the biggest celebration, where all family came together to think about death and the afterlife and honoring dead ancestors was massive show of filial piety
Raebae -
the implication was that the Youjakai before Arago was just the classic Shinto and Buddhist idea of the spirit realm, a place human spirits pass through during Samsara, and have the possiblity to become a yurei or a yokai, depending on both the life they lived and the emotions they felt as they died
Buddhism was pretty obsessed about the emotions people had as they died, because the mentality you had going into your death could affect where you ended up in your next trip through Samsara
a lot of it was expressed through death poetry, which is exactly that-- poetry written by someone days, hours or even minutes before they died.
Buddhism was pretty obsessed about the emotions people had as they died, because the mentality you had going into your death could affect where you ended up in your next trip through Samsara
a lot of it was expressed through death poetry, which is exactly that-- poetry written by someone days, hours or even minutes before they died.