What is Byakko?
Byakko is one of the “Four Symbols” born in ancient China, a sacred beast in the form of a white tiger that guards the west. It represents autumn among the seasons, metal among the five elements and white among the colors. Together with Seiryu (east), Suzaku (south) and Genbu (north), it was believed to guard the four directions.
The Four Symbols and Byakko
In the “shijin soo” idea of capital planning, a great road to the west was considered fitting for Byakko. In the Heian capital, the San’indo road leading west is said to have represented Byakko. In China, the tiger was considered the king of beasts, and a tradition says that a tiger that lives five hundred years turns white and gains spiritual power.
Where Byakko’s name survives
The figure of Byakko is painted on the west wall of the stone chamber of the Kitora tomb in Nara Prefecture. The Byakkotai (“White Tiger Force”), the unit of young samurai of the Aizu domain who fought in the Boshin War at the end of the Edo period, was one of the units named after the Four Symbols (there were also Suzaku, Seiryu and Genbu units).
