Komainu

A pair of komainu (construable as "Korean dog"). The two forms are called for the open mouthed statue, symbolically representing the beginning of all things, and for the closed mouth statue, symbolically representing the end of all things. Collectively they are known as a-un and together, they symbolically represent the beginning and the end of all things. The iconography and symbolism were imported, and not native to Shintoism. The a-un symbolism is the same symbolism as that which is associated with the Niō, the two Buddhist gatekeeper deities. == History ==

, China Origins In Asia, the lion was popularly believed to have the power to repel evil, and for this reason it was habitually used to guard gates and doors. The Komainu strongly resemble Chinese guardian lions and in fact originate from Tang dynasty China. The Chinese guardian lions are believed to have been influenced by Asiatic lion pelts and lion depictions introduced through trade from either the Middle East or India, countries where the lion existed and was a symbol of strength. During its transportation along the Silk Road, however, the symbol changed, acquiring a distinctive look. The first lion statue in India appears around the 3rd century BC on top of a column erected by King Ashoka. Used only indoors until the 14th century, they were made mainly of wood. During the Heian period (794–1185), for example, wooden or metal pairs were employed as weights and door-stops, while at the Imperial Palace they were used to support screens or folding screens. Heian period The custom of placing wooden, and later stone representations of the kara-inu and lions were established no later than the mid-Heian period (tenth century), though precise dating remains uncertain. Eventually they were also became apotropaic objects protecting Buddhist temples, As a protection against exposure to Japan's rainy weather, the komainu started being carved in stone. Edo period Starting in the Edo period the komainu began to be placed at the sandō (tr. "avenues of approach" They can sometimes be found also at Buddhist temples, nobility residences or even private homes. Starting from the Edo period (1603–1868) other animals have been used instead of lions or dogs, among others wild boars, tigers, dragons and foxes. == Parallels ==

Foxes at Inari shrines A variant of the komainu theme is the fox, acting as guardian of shrines dedicated to the Inari deity.). The statues do not symbolize the animals' proverbial malice, but the magic powers they are believed to possess. Sometimes the guardians are painted, and in that case they are always white. Although visible genitals are rare, the left fox is believed to be male, the right one female. Often the foxes wear red votive bibs similar to those worn by statues of other figures: for example, the Buddhist bodhisattva figure Jizō. In this case, however, the bibs seem to be purely a rite, whose origins are unclear. Okinawan shīsā The , the stone animals that in Okinawa guard the gates or the roofs of houses, are close relatives of the shishi and the komainu, objects whose origin, function and symbolic meaning they share. Their name itself is centuries old regional variant of . == Gallery ==