This small painting on paper dates from the early to mid Japanese Showa period (1928-1989) and features the image of a komainu shishi Shinto shrine dog. This original ink-on-paper piece was used as an original art template by kimono pattern-makers and features an unusual triangular shape. This unique Japanese art piece is in poor condition with some small holes, tears and creases. There are also some marks and stains as well as a darkened patina of age. A wonderful candidate for framing and display.

Shinto is the native religion of Japan and many Shinto shrines will include two fierce-looking dog statues guarding their entrance. The dogs (well, actually one is a lion), are normally seen as a pair and are typically found seated just inside the distinctive torii shrine gate. When entering the shrine the figure on the right (that’s the lion) with the open mouth is thought to be uttering the sound “ah” (meaning birth) while the figure on the left (dog) makes the sound “un” (meaning death). In combination the two figures are tasked with protecting the sacred ground of the shrine while the sounds they symbolically utter represent the cycle of birth and death. If my description is a bit confusing regarding dog vs. lion then this is because while the figures are historically different animals, contemporary Japanese usually describe both as simply “shrine dogs” or komainu. It is interesting to note that temples for Japan’s other major religion Buddhism, often have their own protectors guarding the gates. Buddhist temples are guarded not by komainu, but instead by carved images of deities who are thought to be brothers and who are called the Nio Guardians. The Nio are commonly seen standing with fierce postures on either side of many temple gates. Like the komainu, one brother has his mouth open while the other brother’s mouth is closed. Interestingly, the Nio are thought to be uttering the same sounds as the komainu with the same symbolic meaning of birth and death. This fact is yet another example of the interesting and harmonious coexistence in Japan of Buddhism and Shinto, which together form the spiritual foundation of contemporary Japanese life.

Size (approximate):
Length of left edge: 12.5 inches (32 centimeters)
Length of right edge: 12.9 inches (33 centimeters)
Length of top edge: 18.3 inches (47 centimeters)

item code: R3S6B3-0003301
category code: (nihonga) (kimonogara)
ship code: G3