“This kanji features a roof (or house) radical on top. Below it are symbols for shell money, a jar filled with sake, and a king (or jade). Together, they represent a house filled with precious things, meaning ‘treasure.’
treasure(寶)
devour(貪)
This kanji consists of two parts: a ‘cover’ (or cap) radical on top, and the ‘shell’ radical below, which represents money used in ancient times. Together, they symbolize covering and hiding wealth to keep it all for oneself—hence meaning ‘to devour’ or ‘to be greedy.’
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The city emblem(国立市章「梅」)
Kunitachi City, home to Yaho, adopted the plum flower as its emblem in honor of Yaho Tenmangu Shrine’s famous plum garden. As you can see, the city emblem depicts a plum blossom. This symbol was designed by Seki Gantei , a local artist who lived here in Yaho.
Where is Yaho?
Where is Yaho?
Town
Town
Culture
Culture
Nature
Nature
Yabo Tenmangu
Yabo Tenmangu
History
History
Seki Bin（關 敏）
Seki Bin (1930–2023) was born here in Yaho. He became a sculptor alongside his older brother, Seki Gantei—a very rare case at the time for two brothers to both become artists.
Interested in displaying his art in public spaces for many people to enjoy, Seki Bin entered Tokyo University of the Arts (Tokyo Geidai) to study sculpture. However, creating large bronze sculptures was extremely expensive. He gave up on bronze and decided to work with stone instead, as it was both affordable and durable.
Yet he faced another obstacle: the university didn’t offer a stone sculpture course. Undeterred, he found a tombstone carving company, where he learned how to select and carve stone, as well as how to make his own tools, such as chisels and hammers. Through this experience, he developed a unique technique that gave stone a soft, silky appearance.
He left behind more than 50 stone sculptures here in Yaho—including the reclining bull at Yabo Tenmangu Shrine and the Benzaiten at Nanyoji Temple. You can enjoy his artwork anytime throughout Yaho in Kunitachi City, making the entire town feel like an open-air museum!
*Seki Bin-an open-air museum map(PDF)
Where is Yaho？
Where is Yaho?
Town
Town
Culture
Culture
Nature
Nature
Yabo Tenmangu
Yabo Tenmangu
History
History
reverse(逆)
right(正)
This kanji depicts a footprint stopping in front of a line.
It represents halting a person before they head in the wrong direction. Therefore, this kanji came to mean ‘right’ or ‘correct.’
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Statue of Benzaiten(南養寺 弁財天)
This statue of Benzaiten at Nanyoji Temple was carved by the stone sculptor Bin Seki, who was born and raised here in Yaho. In 1985, he created this statue from a single massive Indian stone using only a chisel and hammer. Since Benzaiten is known as the deity of art, you could say Bin Seki himself embodied the goddess through his masterwork!
| 名称 | 南養寺 |
| 所在地 | 〒186-0011 東京都国立市谷保６２１８ |
Where is Yaho？
Where is Yaho？
Town
Town
Culture
Culture
Nature
Nature
Yabo Tenmangu
Yabo Tenmangu
History
History
plain(素)
This kanji consists of two parts: unbundled, uncolored threads on top, and a bundle of colorful threads below. Therefore, this kanji came to mean ‘plain’ or ‘bare.’
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thread(糸)
This kanji depicts a bundle of thread. As you might expect, it simply means ‘thread’.
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Statue of a reclining bull（座牛の像）
Legend has it that when Sugawara no Michizane passed away, a bull pulled the cart carrying his body. Along the way, the bull suddenly stopped and refused to move, seemingly out of grief for his death. This statue at Yabo Tenmangu Shrine represents the bull from this famous legend.
| 名称 | 谷保天満宮 |
| 所在地 | 〒186-0011 東京都国立市谷保５２０９ |
| HomePage | https://www.yabotenmangu.or.jp/ |