Toh Gen Kyo vol.34 - MIHO MUSEUM

Lions were introduced to China in the Han dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.) and came to be regarded as sacred ancient beasts, like dragons and phoenixes. Later, the bixie—a mythological horned lion-like beast—appeared. During the Southern and Northern dynasties (5th–6th century), when Buddhism became popular, lions guarding the Buddha’s dais were introduced from the West and mythical horned lion-like creatures emerged as tomb figurines. During the Tang dynasty (618–907), lions playing in palmettes were introduced from the West as a symbol that connected heaven and earth. These motifs could be seen on the backside of bronze mirrors. Some mirrors also have designs with phoenixes and Pegasuses or horned and hornless lions.


Lions were introduced to China in the Han dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.) and came to be regarded as sacred ancient beasts, like dragons and phoenixes. Later, the bixie—a mythological horned lion-like beast—appeared. During the Southern and Northern dynasties (5th–6th century), when Buddhism became popular, lions guarding the Buddha’s dais were introduced from the West and mythical horned lion-like creatures emerged as tomb figurines. During the Tang dynasty (618–907), lions playing in palmettes were introduced from the West as a symbol that connected heaven and earth. These motifs could be seen on the backside of bronze mirrors. Some mirrors also have designs with phoenixes and Pegasuses or horned and hornless lions.


		It is not clear exactly how such phenomena are related to the pairing of the horned komainu and hornless shishi as mythical beasts in Japan. However, we can confirm the pairing of lions guarding images of the historic Buddha from the Hakuhō period (ca. 645–710) and the replacement of the palmette motif with the Chinese design of auspicious floral arabesques. The motif of lions playing in peonies and arabesques appeared in China during the Song dynasty (960–1127) and was introduced to Japan in the Kamakura period (1185–1333). Since then, the iconography of lions and peonies has long become a familiar theme in Japan.