There is a very close relationship between the location of the ancient Imperial Palace (平安宮, Heian-kyū), the urban structure of Kyoto, and certain religious precepts.

This is particularly true in relation to the presence of the Four Sacred Beasts, mythological creatures with immense powers who protect the city.

The Imperial Palace in Kyoto was finally destroyed in 1227 and was never rebuilt. The south-eastern corner of the Imperial complex was located in the middle of the current Nijō Castle. But even though the palace is no longer there, the Four Fantastic Creatures have not stopped dwelling in Kyoto.

On the current Senbon Street, a gray plaque with an inscription marks the location of the Suzakumon, the entrance gate to the Imperial Palace. From there, the Suzaku Ooji (Suzaku Road) once ran from the Imperial Palace to Lake Ogurake, passing through the entrance gate to the city, the Rajomon.

Lake Ogurake was reclaimed and transformed into agricultural land, a project completed in 1941. The lake had a surface area of 8 square kilometers, a circumference of 16 kilometers, and an average depth of 90 centimeters. A small portion of the original Ogurake survives within the Kyoto Racecourse, and according to myth, it is home to the powerful Suzaku, the red bird that protects the south and rules the summer.

But other places in Kyoto are just as important. Such as the Kamogawa River, where Seiryu, the blue dragon that protects the east and rules the spring, winds its way.

Or Sanindo Street, where you can spot Byakko, the white tiger that protects the west and rules over autumn.

Finally, there is Genbu, the black turtle with a snake's tail, which protects the north, rules over winter, and lives in some mysterious ravine on Funaokayama Hill.

In short, these Sacred Beasts protected what was once the imperial palace and continue to this day to preserve the four cardinal points of Kyoto from the presence of evil.

However, there is another direction: the northeast, the unlucky direction, the place from which, according to legend, the destruction of the city could come, the mysterious and invisible Kimon (literally: demon portal).

“At night, in Kyoto, we turn off all the lights so that the Oni cannot find us.”

This is how some elders warn about the proximity of the Kimon, the portal of the Oni. It is said to be slightly oval in shape, but no one has ever survived to tell the tale. In any case, fortunately, the city is protected by the magic of the Four Sacred Beasts, and no one, not even the Oni, can ever break that spell.

Much of the information contained in this post is in the book: Kyoto Segreta, by Sasori, a very talented Italian writer who lives in Kyoto. Unfortunately, I don't know him personally. However, I felt it was only right to show him some appreciation and gratitude.

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