shisa figurines

E566375

Shisa figurines are traditional Ryukyuan guardian lion-dog statues, typically placed on rooftops or at entrances to ward off evil and bring good fortune.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
Shisa figurines 0

Statements (39)

Predicate Object
instanceOf cultural symbol of Okinawa
protective household deity
traditional Ryukyuan guardian statue
artStyle Okinawan folk art
associatedWith Okinawan identity
tourism in Okinawa
canBe colorful and stylized
traditional and realistic
culturalContext Okinawan folk beliefs
Ryukyuan religion NERFINISHED
depicts mythical lion-like creature
derivedFrom Chinese guardian lions
hasForm lion-dog
hasFunction bring good fortune
ward off evil spirits
hasGenderAssociation male and female pair
hasOrigin Okinawa Prefecture, Japan NERFINISHED
Ryukyu Islands NERFINISHED
influencedBy Chinese Buddhism NERFINISHED
East Asian guardian lion traditions
languageName シーサー (Japanese)
material ceramic
clay
concrete
stone
orientation facing outward to protect property
regionalVariation different designs across Okinawan islands
ritualUse installed during house construction or renovation
status important element of Okinawan architecture
symbolicRole household guardians
protectors against misfortune
timePeriodOfOrigin Ryukyu Kingdom era
typicalArrangement pair of statues
typicallyPlacedAt gates
house entrances
rooftops
shops and businesses
usedAs decorative items
souvenirs

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Ryukyuan pottery hasPart shisa figurines