Meiji Period Japanese Karashishi

Guardian lions, and foo dogs, are one of my areas of focus. I love the varied shapes and forms they take and how they have been portrayed over many centuries in Asia. Guardian lions were usually placed outside of temples in pairs. Karashishi, with mouth open, and Komainu, with mouth. closed. (Foo dogs on the other hand are paired with one having a paw on a globe and one having a paw on a cub.)

These are both karashishi, and are Japanese circa 1900, meiji period. This style of karashishi is often copied. The details having been diluted a bit in interpretation. The examples here have a long tongue, sharp teeth, and a grin that originates near the ears. A bit more sinister than Chinese or Italian majolica examples. 

There are some minor losses, the most noticeable being on the tip of one tongue.