The Nioh (Agyo & Ungyo)
The Nioh ( Benevolent Kings ) are a pair of protectors who stand guard outside the temple gate at most Japanese Buddhist temples , one on either side of the entrance.
Their fierce and threatening appearance wards off evil spirits and keeps the temple ground free of demons and thieves.
In Japan , each is named after a particular cosmic sound.
The openmouthed figure is called "Agyo ," who is uttering the sound "ah ," meaning birth.
His closed -mouth partner is called "Ungyo ," who sounds "un " or "om ," meaning death.
仁王（阿形と吽形）
仁王（ 慈悲深い王）は、大部分の日本の仏教寺院（入口の両側の1つ ）の寺院の門の外で見張っている 一組の保護者です 。……
