To Stan: What's Sanshobo religion affliation?

Deerock · Post by **Deerock** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 23:02 -0700

Hi Stan sensei. As the title said, I always wondered about Sanshobo's faith/believe. My guess is Shinto since I am a Buddhist (Chinese Zen Buddhist) myself and I know a Buddhist priest when I see one.

Plus I haven't seen any statues in his temple too. (Or I might have missed it too. hehe). Anyway, please show me the way (truth) and enlighten me.

Dennis

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 23:53 -0700

I did not give it much thought when I created Sanshobo. He was just going to be a very minor character in one story--Revenge of the Tangled Skein. However, I really liked him and so did a lot of readers who wrote in and asked return.

I hadn't done much research on Shinto or Buddhism. Sanshobo did say that he was acquainted with the head priest of Atsuta Shrine. So, perhaps he's Shinto, however I understand that many of the samurai who turned to the priesthood became members of the Zen Buddhist sect. I'm leaning toward making him a Buddhist priest myself. There were so many sects.

takematsu · Post by **takematsu** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 7:01 -0700

I did not give it much thought when I created Sanshobo.

Here's where I get to feel extremely presumptuous
I had always rather assumed that Sanshobo was some subset of Buddhist based on the mode of dress he's shown in (vs the bunch o' Shinto seen at the end of Grasscutter II), and by the lack of torii in front of his digs (which are a little more obvious than any Buddha statuary, unless it's one of those giant bronze deals

)

My guess is Shinto since I am a Buddhist (Chinese Zen Buddhist) myself and I know a Buddhist priest when I see one

Keeping always in mind that the ones you're used to are neither Japanese nor from the 17th century. Have a look here, under "Motsuke koromo sugata" for a chap that looks a good deal like Sanshobo.

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 9:04 -0700

Looking at my research note, the name "Sanshobo" was taken from the name of a Buddhist priest who lived in feudal Japan. He is nowhere as famous as Musashi's priest Takuan.

Deerock · Post by **Deerock** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 11:34 -0700

Hi guys, thanks for replying me.

Here's where I get to feel extremely presumptuous
I had always rather assumed that Sanshobo was some subset of Buddhist based on the mode of dress he's shown in (vs the bunch o' Shinto seen at the end of Grasscutter II), and by the lack of torii in front of his digs (which are a little more obvious than any Buddha statuary, unless it's one of those giant bronze deals

)

What is Tori?

Keeping always in mind that the ones you're used to are neither Japanese nor from the 17th century. Have a look here, under "Motsuke koromo sugata" for a chap that looks a good deal like Sanshobo.[/quote]

Whoa! THat's one awesome site, thanks a lot. Yup, I tend to forget that there are so many sect of Buddhism and so many cultures practice Buddhism. Still, thanks a lot for the tips, guys.

Dennis

Here are some drawings of my own warrior priest, Dayu. Although he doesn't lives in Shaolin Temple, he lives with his shifu (since he is an orphan) in a small temple and his shifu (sensei) practice s Shaolin kungfu.

http://members.shaw.ca/cleaving/Dayu%20training_.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/cleaving/Dayu_ROTATION_1.jpg
[/i]

takematsu · Post by **takematsu** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 13:35 -0700

What is Torii?

It's those stereotypical gate/uprights things. No, it's NOT a helpful discription, so I've arranged a picture or two.