The Great Beasts
Dragon of Azure
Tortoise and Snake knight of Black
Vermillion Bird
The hard Steel Tiger of White
And the Yellow Earth Kirin
Spirit of Great Spring
Towards the Eastern night sky.
The Azure Dragon.
Benevolent, Creative
Rules Rora with Compassion
Spirit of Winter
Towards the Northern night sky.
The Black Snake Tortoise
Intelligent, Strength of Ten
Rules Toro with Great Knowledge
Spirit of Autumn
Towards the Western night sky
The Steel White Tiger
Righteous, Brave, Honourable
Rules Kayo with Bravery
Spirit of Summer
Towards the Southern night sky
The Vermilion bird.
Polite though is Impulsive
Rules Senshihechi with Grace
Spirit of Seasons
In a place, I cannot say
The Yellow dragon.
He changes through the seasons
Like the emperor through reign.
The special Renga is made to honour the 5 great beasts and is written on every shrine which honours them. It was composed by a Hakata named Rekikiboku Shihon (Stem of a feather and ink Paper book). It is stated that Shihon was the first person actually to meet the 5 beasts face to face and survive. Seiryu was noted to have been very nice and welcoming, as spring is. Genbu is strong and, at times, ferocious like winter. Byakko is calming but cold like Autumn. Suzaku was hot-headed and almost attacked Shihon. Oryu was hard to find, but he was found in an area in which Shihon couldn't write, but he was wise and nice to Shihon, though he does change emotions very quickly.
