2025.04.10

Taira Shomon, the guardian god of Tokyo ~ The power spot of "Yin" that is unparalleled and powerful ~ (5)

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The Five Elements of Yin and Yang is a philosophical system that originated in ancient China, and seeks to understand all phenomena in the universe, from the natural world to human society, through the two basic concepts of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. It is not just a system of thought, but has also influenced and applied to a wide range of fields such as festivals, divination, annual events, medicine, agriculture, and the military.

Article Contents

Ancient wisdom and its modern significance for understanding the five elements of yin and yang and the universe
- The source of all things created by yin-yang opposition and harmony

Ancient wisdom and its modern significance for understanding the five elements of yin and yang and the universe

In Japan, too, its influence from ancient times to the present day is profound and rooted in culture, lifestyle, and way of thinking. This article delves into the core of the Yin-Yang Five Elements Philosophy and examines its components, interrelationships, applications, and significance in modern times.

The source of all things created by yin-yang opposition and harmony

Yin-Yang philosophy is based on the concept that all phenomena in the universe are composed of two opposing properties, "yin" and "yang." Yin and Yang are not absolutely opposed, but dependent and complementary to each other, maintaining balance and creating harmony.

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Yin properties

Static, passive, passive

Dark, cold, damp

Feminine, terrestrial

Moon, Night, Winter

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Yang nature

Dynamic, Active, Aggressive

Bright, warm, dry

Masculine, heavenly

Sun, Day, Summer

Yin and Yang do not exist independently of each other, but are constantly changing and influencing each other. For example, during the day, yang time dominates, but towards night the yin nature gradually intensifies. Similarly, in summer, yang energy is at its maximum, but towards autumn, yin energy gradually increases.

When the balance of yin and yang is disrupted, it is believed that disharmony will occur. For example, it is said that when the yin-yang balance in the body is disrupted, it causes illness, and when the yin-yang balance in society is disrupted, confusion and conflict occur. The Yin-Yang philosophy emphasizes the importance of balance and aims to maintain harmony.

The Five Elements: The Five Elements of All Things and Their Interactions
The Five Elements Philosophy is based on the concept that everything in the universe is composed of five elements (or energy): wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each of the five elements has its own unique nature, and by influencing and circulating with each other, all things are generated, changed, and extinguished.

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The nature of the five elements

Trees: Growth, development, creativity. Spring, east, blue, liver.
Fire, passion, vitality, energy. Summer, southern, red, heartfelt.
Soil, stability, nurturing, receptivity. For soil, center, yellow, spleen.
Gold, contraction, condensation, reform. Autumn, western, white, lung.
Water, wisdom, flexibility, vitality. Winter, northern, black, kidney.

The five elements have a relationship that influences each other, and these relationships are classified into two categories: "aisho" and "sokoku".

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Sosho

A relationship in which the five elements create and help each other. One element promotes the other and helps it grow.

Wood fire: Wood burns to create fire.
Fire (Fire begets earth) - When the fire burns out, it turns into ash and returns to the earth.
Clay gold (soil gives birth to gold) ・ Metal is born from the soil.
Gold (gold gives birth to water) - Water droplets adhere to the surface of metal.
Aquatic trees (water gives birth to trees) and water grows trees.

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Sokoku

A relationship in which the five elements suppress and cancel each other out. One element controls the other, inhibiting excessive growth.

Trees take root and suck up nutrients from the soil.
Fire melts metal.
土手水 (土 shaves water) ・ Soil dams water.
A metal axe cuts wood.
水剋火 (水は火手る) ・Water extinguishes fire.

By maintaining a balance between the two elements, the five elements maintain a harmonious state and support the stability and development of all things.

Application of the Five Elements of Yin and Yang and Influence in a Wide Range of Fields The Five Elements of Yin and Yang Thought was transmitted from ancient China to Japan, where it was applied to various fields and achieved its own development.
Medicine (Kampo medicine) is based on the idea that the five organs of the human body (liver, heart, spleen, lungs, and kidneys) are mapped to the five elements, and that health is maintained by balancing the five elements of yin and yang in the body.
Based on the Five Elements Philosophy of Agriculture, we determine the type of crop, the cultivation season, the type of fertilizer, etc., and aim for a good harvest.
Astrology・ The date of birth, time, etc. are converted into the five elements of yin and yang to determine the fortune and auspiciousness of the individual.
It is said that the arrangement, direction, and color of buildings are determined based on the five elements of yin and yang, and the luck of the residents is enhanced.
Martial arts and martial arts techniques and tactics are built based on the Five Elements of Yin and Yang philosophy, and the aim is to predict the opponent's movements and carry out effective attacks.
Urban planning in Edo (Tokyo) is believed to have been based on the Yin-Yang Five Elements philosophy. The location of Edo Castle, the direction of the Demon Gate, and the placement of shrines and temples reflect the idea of the Five Elements of Yin and Yang.
Edo's Urban Planning and the Five Elements of Yin and Yang: A City Wishing for Protection and Prosperity
Edo (Tokyo) during the Edo period was meticulously planned by Tokugawa Ieyasu and his brain, Tenkai Monkmasa, based on the Five Elements of Yin and Yang philosophy. With Edo Castle at the center, a shrine located on the Onimon (northeast) was placed to prevent the invasion of evil spirits and to wish for the prosperity of the castle town.
As the center of the city, Edo Castle played the role of "soil" in the Five Elements Philosophy and became the foundation of stability and prosperity.
Guardian of the Demon Gate The Demon Gate (northeast) of Edo Castle was located at Chikudo Shrine and Yanagimori Shrine, which played a role in preventing the invasion of evil spirits and protecting the city.
While the head mound of Shomonzuka and Taira Shomon was feared as a grudge spirit, it was also worshipped as a powerful guardian deity. Located at the Demon Gate of Edo Castle, Shomonzuka is thought to have played a role in warding off evil spirits and protecting the city.
Improvement of water transportation By stretching the outer and inner moats so that ships could enter near the castle, the distribution network was improved and the economic activity of the city was revitalized. The urban planning of Edo was based on the Yin-Yang Five Elements philosophy, and wished for the stability and prosperity of the city and the happiness of the people.
The Five Elements of Yin and Yang Thought in the Modern Age: Passing on the Wisdom of the Past to the FutureEven in modern society, the Five Elements of Yin and Yang Philosophy are influencing our lives in various ways. For example, some health foods and supplements are based on the Yin-Yang Five Elements philosophy and aim to balance the body. In addition, feng shui and family physiognomy are also influenced by the five elements of yin and yang, and it is said that improving the living environment will increase luck.

The Five Elements of Yin and Yang is not just a superstition or an old idea, but is a treasure trove of valuable wisdom that teaches us the importance of harmony with nature, balance, and understanding things from diverse perspectives. In today's society, we are faced with various problems such as the destruction of the natural environment, increased stress, and the weakening of human relationships. The Yin-Yang Five Elements philosophy may give you a hint to find solutions to these problems.

The importance of harmony and balance shown by the Yin-Yang Five Elements Philosophy

The Five Elements of Yin and Yang is a philosophical system that originated in ancient China and attempts to understand all phenomena in the universe through the two basic concepts of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements.

Yin and yang are two contradictory qualities, yet they depend on each other, complement each other, and create harmony. The five elements are the five elements that make up all things, and through the relationship between abiosis and reincarnation, they influence each other and circulate each other, repeating the creation, change, and disappearance of all things.

The Yin-Yang Five Elements Thought has been applied to a wide range of fields, including medicine, agriculture, divination, architecture, martial arts, and urban planning, and has achieved its own development. Even in modern society, the Yin-Yang Five Elements philosophy can give us hints on how to find solutions to various problems such as health, the environment, and relationships.

The Yin-Yang Five Elements Philosophy can be said to be a system of thought with universal values that connects the wisdom of the past to the future and teaches us the importance of harmony and balance.

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