An Okinawan shisa (lion-dog) on a traditional Okinawan red-tiled rooftop. Shisa are placed on the roofs of homes, or in front of entrances, to ward off evil spirits. These guardian lion-dogs originated in China and were later exported to Korea, Japan, and Okinawa. All variations of the Okinawa shisa are close relatives of the Japanese shishi and the komainu lion-dogs, objects whose origin, function and symbolic meaning they share.
Okinawan Shisa
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Shisa Lion-dog in Okinawa Japan 865KB
(2009) Okinawa's Guardian Shisa Lion-dog.
Shisa Lion-dog in Okinawa Japan 1.22MB
(2009) Okinawa's Guardian Shisa Lion-dog.
Shisa Lion-dog in Okinawa Japan 3.22MB
(2009) Okinawa's Guardian Shisa Lion-dog.
Former U.S. Marine and Art Director and contributing photographer to both Okinawa Living Magazine and Okinawa Outdoors Magazine as well as a contributor to Okinawa Guide and the Best of Okinawa Living book published by MCCS Okinawa. I lived 15-years in Okinawa Japan, 2-years in China and am currently a resident and photographer in Denver, Colorado.
John Russell Burgreen III
