When you visit a Shinto shrine
in Japan, a pair of komainu (lion-dog) statues is the first
thing that greets you. These creatures are not unusual in this
setting. If you look closely, one has a horn on its head, this
horned beast is known as a komainu or lion-dog, while the one
without is a shishi or lion. How did a lion, which did not
originally live in Japan, come to be a guardian over Japanese
deities? And how did it come to be arranged with the horned lion-dog
?
This
exhibition explores the distant origins of these sacred beasts,
beginning with Western images of lions. First, we will look at
expressions of the powerful and fearless lion in art. When one sees
lions, no one doubts their unrivaled strength. Though from ancient
times, there are also images of lions being defeated as seen here
(below). One lion is about to be slain, while the other has fallen
to the ground. Those who saw this image were likely to have admired
and respected the hero who brought down such fierce beasts in the
way that Hercules was admired for defeating a lion and donning its
skin.
Another ancient
lion image shows these animals as guardians standing quietly by
those or that which they protect. Lions can be found flanking or
below the person or thing they fearlessly guard from harm, conveying
the power and nobility of the protected.
