Both uchidachi and shidachi take on a stance in spring and autumn which is called "nio dachi". This refers to the pair of guardian deities of Buddhism called niō (仁王), which can be found as large statues at entrances of some of the ancient Japanese temples and shrines. The right statue is called "Misshaku Kongō" (密迹金剛) who has his mouth opened, this represents vocalization of "a." The left statue is called "Naraen Kongō" (那羅延金剛) who has his mouth closed, represents the vocalization of "um."