What is a Komainu(guardian lion-dog:狛犬)? : Shrines
- Published 2010.7.13
There are no two komainu statues which are the same, with each statue having its own unique characteristics. Similar to guardian lions in Egypt and India, the komainu stands guard in the shrine grounds. Coming to Japan during the Goryeo dynasty, the komainu is considered different than the shishi (left-handed guardian dog).
Shishi statues in China are almost completely the same as one another. In comparison to this, the shishi and komainu in Japan are considered two complete different animals, and differs from other countries because of this.
On the right hand side after entering a shrine stands the hornless open-mouthed “okuzou,” which is the shishi statue, opposite to the horned close-mouthed “unzou,” the komainu on the left hand side.
