Koma-inu: Guardian Lion-Dog, 1185-1333, Cleveland Museum of Art: Japanese ArtPlaced at the entrance
Koma-inu: Guardian Lion-Dog, 1185-1333, Cleveland Museum of Art: Japanese ArtPlaced at the entrance to shrines and temples in Japan, lion-like guardian figures warded off evil spirits. These lion-dogs are distinguishable by their faces: one looks fierce, mouth closed, while the other seems mid-roar, mouth agape. The idea of guardian-lions likely came to Japan from China via Korea, giving rise to the name koma-inu meaning “Korean dog.”Size: Overall: 49.6 cm (19 ½ in.)Medium: wood with traces of polychromyhttps://clevelandart.org/art/1924.351.2 -- source link
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