[Theory] SOSP Sons were inspired by Niō guardian figures

[Mikoto]

I was doing some research into buddhist symbolism and stumbled onto this background information regarding nio-mon temple gates in Japan.

Spoiler

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Figure 1

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Figure 2

According to a Japanese story, there once was a king who had two wives. His first wife bore a thousand children who all decided to become monks and follow the Buddha's law. His second wife had only two sons. The youngest was named Non-o and helped his monk brothers with their worship. The eldest, Kongō Rikishi 金剛力士, however, had a much more aggressive personality. He vowed to protect the Buddha and his worshipers by fighting against evil and ignorance. Kongō Rikishi was the first of the heavenly kings, called Nio Niō (or Kongō). The second is called Shukongōshin 執金剛神. Within the generally pacifist traditions of Buddhism, stories of Niō guardians like Kongōrikishi justified the use of physical force to protect cherished values and beliefs against evil.

Other Naming Conventions
In Japan, the Niō guardian figures are named Misshaku Kongō 密遮金剛 (aka Agyō 阿形) and Naraen Kongō 那羅延金剛 (aka Ungyō 吽形). They represent the use of overt power and latent power, respectively. Naraen is also called Narayana (Sanskrit). Conceived as a pair, the Niō compliment each other. Misshaku represents overt power, baring his teeth and raising his fist in action, while Naraen represents latent might, holding his mouth tightly closed and waiting with both arms tensed but lowered.

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Figure 3

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Figure 4. Pages are taken from Naruto Chapter 462 via

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Looking at at the expressions of figures 1 & 2 you'll see some obvious similarities in the expressions of the two sons in figure 3. And if you look at figure 5, the weapon that guardian is holding is called a vajra, which oddly enough is the symbol shown in figure 4 represented in the Senju clan flag. A vajra is a weapon in buddhism that represents the opposing forces of creation and destruction that bring balance to the universe. It's kind of a yin yang symbol.

仁王 = Niō (Jp. = Benevolent Kings)
Emanations of Vajrapani Bodhisattva

阿形
Agyō, Agyo, Agyou, Naraen Kongō 那羅延金剛
Also known as Kongō Rikishi 金剛力士.
A manifestation of Vajrapani (Skt.) or Vajradhara (Skt.)
A manifestation of Vairocana (Dainichi Nyorai) in esoteric sects.
Typically shown with mouth open.

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Mudra of the Six Elements.
In both Japan and Korea, however, Dainichi's hands are more often depicted in the Mudra of the Six Elements, which is also called the "Mudra of the Fist of Wisdom" or the "Wisdom Mudra." This mudra is called Chiken-in in Japan, and it is Dainichi's characteristic hand gesture in Japan (although not always), in which the index finger of the left hand is clasped by the five fingers of the right. This mudra symbolizes the unity of the five worldly elements (earth, water, fire, air, and metal; or earth, water, fire, air, and space) with spiritual consciousness. This is Dainichi's mudra for all the statues sold in this estore. For a review of the most common mudra in Japan, please see the Learn More section below.

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The Niō statue guardians are also considered the representation of opposing yet unified forces. They're said to represent the "creation of all things". Please see the above quotes. Interestingly, the Nio figures represent Dainichi Nyorai Buddha in two bodies. Dainichi Nyorai is known for his domination of the five elements and as the all-encompassing lord of the cosmos in esoteric buddhist practice such as Shingon buddhism.

To my mind Dainichi then could represent the Juubi, with the two sons of the sage as emanations of the Juubi's creative and destructive forces, much like the Niō guardians. This is reinforced even further when seeing the white lotus that Dainichi sits upon, much like the Gedo statue. What do you think?

 

[Tingun]

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This guy has like 50 abs.

 

[Imperfect]

Yeah, they use those statues in the background of the games too.

 

[Mikoto]

They were also present when Itachi was confronted by Danzo to assassinate his clan and save his Sasuke, if you recall.

 

[AllomnisymbolsparttwoT]

Excellent job! :I Another proof of Kishi using myths and legends in his manga and overall history and the characters in the series well done rep + thanks

 

[Zorø]

yhh okayy

 

[Gyakusetsu]

Good job and yes Kishimoto does takes inspiration from multiple similar themed items. This is true old school story telling because this is how these legends came about. I did a thread on this as well.

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Fujin and Raijin, the Nio Kings, Aizen Myo-O and Fudo Myo-O all interconnected. Kishimoto even blended elements of the author personal life of Jiraiya Goketsu Mongatari when creating Jiraiya.

 

[SIR HERDERP PRESIDERP SDO]

Excellent read, This further gives credence to the hypothesis that the Elder and Younger Sons of Rikūdo were created with the Jūbi's essence through Banbutsu Sōzō aka Creation of All Things *_*

 

[Mikoto]

Excellent job! :I Another proof of Kishi using myths and legends in his manga and overall history and the characters in the series well done rep + thanks

Thank you, glad you approve!

Good job and yes Kishimoto does takes inspiration from multiple similar themed items. This is true old school story telling because this is how these legends came about. I did a thread on this as well.

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Fujin and Raijin, the Nio Kings, Aizen Myo-O and Fudo Myo-O all interconnected. Kishimoto even blended elements of the author personal life of Jiraiya Goketsu Mongatari when creating Jiraiya.

Yes indeed! I also like how he used the story of the Tengu of Mount Kurama for the design of PS

Excellent read, This further gives credence to the hypothesis that the Elder and Younger Sons of Rikūdo were created with the Jūbi's essence through Banbutsu Sōzō aka Creation of All Things *_*

Thanks man, I knew you wouldn't fail to catch that

 

[Mr Hiru]

Excellent read, This further gives credence to the hypothesis that the Elder and Younger Sons of Rikūdo were created with the Jūbi's essence through Banbutsu Sōzō aka Creation of All Things *_*

I quite believe in this, since their heir were too pure and their essence didn't disappear through time. If it were not like this (or by some other strong reason), then a Senju could be born from the Uchiha due "recesive genes".

 

[Mikoto]

I quite believe in this, since their heir were too pure and their essence didn't disappear through time. If it were not like this (or by some other strong reason), then a Senju could be born from the Uchiha due "recesive genes".

Yes, that has always bothered me as well. But it was when, in the recent chapters, where Madara revealed more about the tablet when speaking with Hashirama in their flashback that really convinced me. Madara points out that one god divided himself into two! It couldn't be more clear at this point.

 

[Jikukan]

So this means kishi is more like kakashi the copy ninja

 

[SIR HERDERP PRESIDERP SDO]

This is a little off-topic but I think I found the "real" Uchiha Tablet Lol:

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This is a tablet narrating the legend of Daidarabotchi which is another alias of the Juubi.

And guess where it's found? in a city called Mito in Japan. Lol

 

[Almighty Ra]

Awesome read and great info

 

[H a n]

Great info dude. o.o

 

[B00m]

Nice find! Always cool to find influences.

(You're avatar kills me everyv time I see it btw)

 

[Mikoto]

This is a little off-topic but I think I found the "real" Uchiha Tablet Lol:

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This is a tablet narrating the legend of Daidarabotchi which is another alias of the Juubi.

And guess where it's found? in a city called Mito in Japan. Lol

ubelievable! Great find

Awesome read and great info

Thanks!

Great info dude. o.o

Glad you enjoyed it!

Nice find! Always cool to find influences.

(You're avatar kills me everyv time I see it btw)

Obama no Jutsu!