The Four Symbols
History, Heritage and Religion

In the four episode arc (137-141) dealing with the Naginata of Kenkon, Hoshiyomi has four followers, Seiryu, Genbu, Byako, and Suzaku. These animal demons and their names are not completely random however and are in fact the four guardians of Kyoto. Seiryu the dragon protects the East, Byako the tiger protects the West, while Genbu the tortoise protects the North and Suzaku the phoenix protects the South. In addition to being protectors of the city each of the characters represents a season, and each has its origins in Chinese Mythology.