Ishimo Style Komainu

• Good Luck Charm
• Komainu / Guardian Statues

Komainu are sacred animals that are enshrined to ward off evil spirits and protect gods and shrines. The beasts on the left and right are of different breeds, the one on the right is a lion with its mouth open in the “A” sound, and the one on the left is a Komainu with its mouth closed in the “Un” sound and horns on its head. Komainu are not only used to ward off evil, but because of their shape, they are also seen as a symbol of protecting people’s lives and happiness.

Among the various styles of Komainu, the Ishimo-style Komainu is a design associated with Kyoto, crafted by the renowned third-generation stonemason Yoshimura Moemon. Noteworthy features of the Ishimo style include powerful legs, expressive faces, and tails adorned with dynamic swirls. These sculptures, bearing the name of the artisan “Ishiku Moemon,” can be found in revered locations such as Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Shikichi Shrine, Kamigoryo Shrine, and Shimagoryo Shrine.

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