This week, I have been observing the town I live in, Hirakata City. This is a photo of a dog who was lounging in a courtyard off the main drag. The breed is a Shiba Inu, a hunting dog and native to Japan. Shiba has two meanings, brushwood and small while Inu is the Japanese word for dog. Shibas are very good guard dogs and are currently the most popular dog in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Speaking of guardians...
Today, I was exploring my "back yard" after school and I ran across a tranquil shrine that was nestled in a grove of trees. I noticed that the entrance to each temple is protected by two menacing figures known as Shishi. The Kyoto National Museum states that the animal with the open mouth is a lion while the one whose mouth is closed is a cross between a lion and a dog. The open mouth signifies birth and is instrumental in scaring away demons. On the other hand, the closed jaw represents death and is also said to shelter the benevolent spirits.
Speaking of guardians...
Today, I was exploring my "back yard" after school and I ran across a tranquil shrine that was nestled in a grove of trees. I noticed that the entrance to each temple is protected by two menacing figures known as Shishi. The Kyoto National Museum states that the animal with the open mouth is a lion while the one whose mouth is closed is a cross between a lion and a dog. The open mouth signifies birth and is instrumental in scaring away demons. On the other hand, the closed jaw represents death and is also said to shelter the benevolent spirits.
1 comment:
So are you saying that your neighborhood has gone to the dogs? (Sumimasen...). You provide interesting info here, but not so much on your neighborhood. I was looking for something along the lines of the Bestor film we saw in class.
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