Photo of collection object Koma-Inu (Mouth Open); One of Pair
Koma-Inu (Mouth Open); One of Pair, early 13th century. Hinoki (cypress wood) with traces of pigment, 21 x 11 1/4 in. (53.3 x 28.6 cm). Purchased with funds given by Mr. and Mrs. Milton F. Rosenthal and Dr. and Mrs. Robert Feinberg, A. Augustus Healy Fund, Frank L. Babbott Fund, and Designated Purchase Fund, 85.171.1. Creative Commons-BY.

Koma-Inu (Mouth Open); One of Pair

early 13th century

Maker Unknown

Asian Art

Many Shintō shrines have two statues of mythical lion-dogs standing at their entrance. One creature’s mouth is always open, while the other’s is closed. They serve the same purpose as images of Buddhist guardian deities: protecting the shrine from the forces of evil. This unusually early pair probably predates the practice of placing the beasts outside the door. With their wood bodies and painted surfaces (now largely worn away), they likely were made for display in a sheltered location.

These beasts are known in Japanese as koma-inu, or “Korean lions,” a name that acknowledges their foreign origins. The closest prototypes for the koma-inu are found in China, but the tradition of using lion-like figures as guardians can be traced to ancient India and Iran.
Maker/Artist
Maker Unknown
Classification
Sculpture
Formatted Medium
Hinoki (cypress wood) with traces of pigment
Locations
Place made: Japan
Dimensions
21 x 11 1/4 in. (53.3 x 28.6 cm)
Departments
Asian Art
Accession Number
85.171.1
Credit Line
Purchased with funds given by Mr. and Mrs. Milton F. Rosenthal and Dr. and Mrs. Robert Feinberg, A. Augustus Healy Fund, Frank L. Babbott Fund, and Designated Purchase Fund
Exhibitions
Arts of Japan
Rights Statement
Creative Commons-BY
Dominant Colors

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