Komainu (Korean Dog) and Shishi (Chinese Lion)

Although not native to East Asia, lions are referenced in Buddhist scriptures, and pairs of guardian lions appeared early in China. Protectors of entrances and gateways, they first appeared at Buddhist temples and later at entrances to sites of the Chinese imperial court—most famously at the Forbidden City, the imperial palace in Beijing. Guardian lions were introduced to Japan as early as the 8th century, and were known as Shishi 獅子, a Chinese term that simply means lion. By the 9th century, they had evolved into a pair unique to Japan, with the addition of a komainu 狛犬, or Goguryeo Dog, referring to an ancient Korean kingdom. These were made distinct from the Shishi with the addition of a small horn on the forehead. Also, the komainu often has a closed mouth and the shishi an open one, inspired by the open- and closed-mouth guardian deities (Niō 仁王) placed in the gateways to Buddhist temples. Although originating in Buddhist temples in Japan, they are more often associated today with Shinto shrines.