Aru Aru was a town on the island of Tsukishima , part of the state of Wa in Kara - Tur . By 1357 DR , it was a center of worship of Bishamon , and pilgrims from all over Wa traveled here . Geography . Aru was quite an isolated settlement , lying in a remote part of the northwestern coast of Tsukishima , huddled in the foothills of the Ikuyu Mountains . It was a difficult journey to reach Aru , as one had to traverse some of the most rugged passes of the mountains . History . Aru began as a simple shrine to Bishamon , and although only a few monks resided on the site , pilgrims still made the long and difficult journey through the Ikuyu Mountains to visit it . Since there were no facilities , they simply endured the elements during their stay . Eventually , owing to the number of pilgrims falling victim to the tough journey , buildings were erected on the site to allow them to stay in greater comfort . Through a combination of pilgrims setting up permanent residence and people setting up stalls to make a profit providing services to the pilgrims , the settlement began to grow . Over a few decades , a town existed on the site of the shrine , but since it had no or official government , it was not recognized as such . The monks used their skills to protect the population from surrounding threats such as bandit invasions . The shrine on the site of the town continued to grow as a result of increased donations from the population and the ever - increasing stream of pilgrims , and became the Shining Temple of Bishamon . Locations . Standing atop a high hill , the Shining Temple of Bishamon dominated the town . A gate stood at the entrance of the temple , guarded by massive lion s carved of ebony with eyes of gold and teeth of crystal . Climbing the hill was a 3000 - step stairway , flanked by rows of wooden pillars , dyed red and topped by ivory spires , leading up to the main temple building . In front of the temple stood a soaring apple tree — the fruit was said to bestow immortality on the deserving , but death to the wicked , but only Bishamon could pick them . Hanging from a branch of the tree was a brass bell that was tolled every hour in homage to Bishamon , the Wide Hearing . Within the temple sat cross - legged a colossal idol of Bishamon covered in gold . Before it were long rows of small brass statues of the most important priests of the faith of the last thousand years , numbering 3 , 333 in all . The strange statues depicted them with multiple heads and dozens of arms , to symbolize their good deeds . Activities . The Shining Temple of Bishamon was the undoubted center of the faith for many Wanese , especially commoners , peasants , and others of the lower classes ( nobles and upper classes preferred the Great Temple of Bishamon in Kurahito ) . Thus , pilgrims from across the country made the perilous journey over the islands and through the mountains to Aru to worship . They were rewarded with the amazing site of the Shining Temple . Much of Aru ' s meager industry was devoted to the comfort and service of pilgrims . There were frequent inns and stables to house them , and many merchants hawking all manner of religious wares and holy texts . Peddlers in the street sold ceramic apples in imitation of the sacred apples , and necklaces comprising 3 , 333 brass beads after the statues . Wealthy or footsore pilgrims could hire a palanquin to carry them up the 3000 steps . A special ceremony in Aru involved believers making an individual prayer of thanks to each and every one of the 3 , 333 priest statues in the Shining Temple . True faithful were required to do this each year . Government . Benju Matsutomo had been the daimyo of Aru since 1758 in Wa Years ( c . 1340 DR ) .