Overview

In general, these figures are referred to as komainu (lion-dogs). However, more precisely, the figure, bearing a horn on top of its head, is the lion-dog. The one without a horn is a guardian lion (shishi). As king of the beasts, a pair of guardian lions were placed on the Buddhist altar, an idea that originated in India. With the introduction of Buddhism, such animal guardians made their way into Japan. The pairing of guardian lion and lion-dog began in the Heian period. The physical expression of this pair here, dated to the mid-Kamakura period, is somewhat realistic.