Niô, the “two kings”, also known as kongō rikishi, are a pair of protective gods who usually perform their function as temple guards at the entrance gates of a temple complex. Their strong, muscular figure and fierce, threatening facial expression are intended to keep demons and thieves away from the temple. The figure with the open mouth utters the sound “a” (birth / first letter of the Sanskrit alphabet) and is called a-gyo, the figure with the closed mouth growls an “un” (death / final letter of the alphabet) and is called un-gyo – see also komainu
other Devas
