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Did you know... The imaginary elephants

By Muza-chan on Jun 8, 2009 | In Did you know... | 4 feedbacks »

At Toshougu Shrine in Nikko, there are two elephants sculpted on one of the sacred warehouse (Kamijinko). One elephant is white and the other is black.

Kamijinko (Upper Sacred Warehouse) at Tohougu Shrine

The sculptor Tanyu Kano, had never seen a real elephant, so the ears and the tails are figured wrong.

Kamijinko (Upper Sacred Warehouse) at Tohougu Shrine

For this reason, the sculptures were called “the imaginary elephants” from the Toshougu Shrine.

Kamijinko (Upper Sacred Warehouse) at Tohougu Shrine

More photos from Toshougu Shrine Nikko in Japan Photo Gallery.

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 Tornadoes28 · http://toshogu.blogspot.com
Yes, I knew that. The artist did a pretty good job having never seen an elephant before.
06/10/09 @ 17:15
 Tornadoes28 · http://toshogu.blogspot.com
I also wanted to let you know that your title should say "Did you know" not "did you knew".
06/10/09 @ 22:34
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://www.muza-chan.net
Thanks ;)
06/10/09 @ 22:45
 Tiago Ralha · http://tripsandstuffs.blogspot.com
Fantastic!!! I'm eager to go to Japan :)
06/14/09 @ 15:17

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