komainu 狛犬

guardian dog / Löwenhund

Komainu are lion-like stone dogs that function as guardian figures warding off evil spirits – see also niô – and are almost always found in pairs next to the entrances to temples and shrines. In ancient times, the temple guard dog sitting on the left is called a shishi (lion) and the one on the right is called a komainu (lit. “Korean dog”). While one always poses with its mouth open, the other keeps it closed. One of the two usually wears a horn on his head.