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Ibaraki-doji was an <i>oni</i> (demon / ogre) in Japanese tales and legends from the Heian Era. The demon was known to go on murderous rampages throughout the countryside and across Kyoto. She would also fool innocent travellers and kill them, wearing various disguises to lure them in.<br/><br/> Once, she tried to kill the legendary samurai Watanabe no Tsuna as he was travelling, appearing as a beautiful maiden who needed help. When Tsuna approached, the girl transformed into an <i>oni</i> and grabbed him by his hair, flying through the air to Mount Atago. Tsuna, not panicking, easily cut off the demon's arm however, causing Ibaraki-doji to flee. Tsuna took the arm back as a trophy to his estate.<br/><br/> Seven days later, Tsuna was visited by his aunt Mashiba, and when he told her of his ordeal with the <i>oni</i>, she asked to see the severed arm. When Tsuna complied and brought it out, Mashiba suddenly transformed into Ibaraki-doji, who grabbed the arm and then flew away. So shocked was Tsuna that he did not try to stop the demon.
Shiragi Saburo, born as Minamoto no Yoshimitsu, was a samurai from the Minamoto clan who lived during the Heian Period. He was brother of the famed Minamoto no Yoshiie. Yoshimitsu is renowned for founding the martial art, <i>Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu</i> (jujutsu).<br/><br/> It is said that Yoshimitsu studied where to strike vital points and joint lock techinques by dissecting the corpses of men killed in battle. He served during the Later Three-Year War (1083-1087), and was made lord of Kai Province for his service.
'The Tale of the Heike' is a Japanese epic account of the conflict between the Minamoto and Taira clans over control of Japan which occurred near the end of the 12th century CE, known as the Genpei War (1180-1185). The tale is often described as a Japanese 'Iliad', and has been translated into English multiple times.<br/><br/> The Genpei War occurred during the late Heian Period, and ultimately saw the fall of the Taira clan and the rise of the Minamoto clan. Minamoto no Yoritomo, clan leader, then established the Kamakura shogunate, which would rule over Japan for roughly 150 years. The Kamakura shogunate began the suppression of the emperor's power and the rise of samurai influence and power.
Sei Shonagon (c. 966-1017) was a Japanese author and a court lady who served the Empress Teishi (Empress Sadako) around the year 1000 during the middle Heian period, and is best known as the author of 'The Pillow Book' (<i>Makura no Sosh</i>).<br/><br/> She achieved fame through her work 'The Pillow Book', a collection of lists, gossip, poetry, observations, complaints and anything else she found of interest during her years in the court. Her writing depicts the court of the young Empress as full of an elegant and merry atmosphere.
Guanyin, short for Guanshiyin, is a bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism often associated with compassion and mercy. While she is often portrayed as a woman, she is beyond gender and can be depicted as both male and female.<br/><br/> Guanyin is often referred to as the 'most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity', due to her miraculous powers and her loving compassion. She is not only worshipped in Buddhism, but also in Taoism and Chinese folk religion, with various stories and legends about her. Guanyin plays a very important role in the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West.'<br/><br/> She is known by various names in different nations, with the Japanese calling her Kannon/Kwannon, or more formally Kanzeon, while in Thailand she is called Kuan Im. She is extremely popular, with temples dedicated to her found throughout South and East Asia, especially in China and Chinese folk religion.
Sei Shonagon (c. 966-1017) was a Japanese author and a court lady who served the Empress Teishi (Empress Sadako) around the year 1000 during the middle Heian period, and is best known as the author of The Pillow Book 'Makura no Soshi'. <br/><br/> She achieved fame through her work The Pillow Book, a collection of lists, gossip, poetry, observations, complaints and anything else she found of interest during her years in the court. Her writing depicts the court of the young Empress as full of an elegant and merry atmosphere.
Sei Shonagon (c. 966-1017) was a Japanese author and a court lady who served the Empress Teishi (Empress Sadako) around the year 1000 during the middle Heian period, and is best known as the author of The Pillow Book 'Makura no Soshi'. <br/><br/> She achieved fame through her work The Pillow Book, a collection of lists, gossip, poetry, observations, complaints and anything else she found of interest during her years in the court. Her writing depicts the court of the young Empress as full of an elegant and merry atmosphere.
Sei Shonagon (c. 966-1017) was a Japanese author and a court lady who served the Empress Teishi (Empress Sadako) around the year 1000 during the middle Heian period, and is best known as the author of The Pillow Book 'Makura no Soshi'. She achieved fame through her work The Pillow Book, a collection of lists, gossip, poetry, observations, complaints and anything else she found of interest during her years in the court. Her writing depicts the court of the young Empress as full of an elegant and merry atmosphere.
Sei Shonagon (c. 966-1017) was a Japanese author and a court lady who served the Empress Teishi (Empress Sadako) around the year 1000 during the middle Heian period, and is best known as the author of The Pillow Book 'Makura no Soshi'. She achieved fame through her work The Pillow Book, a collection of lists, gossip, poetry, observations, complaints and anything else she found of interest during her years in the court. Her writing depicts the court of the young Empress as full of an elegant and merry atmosphere.