When I saw Komainu for the first time, I smiled as I found them funny. I called them “lions,” but my friend told me they were dogs. The word "Inu" means "dog" in Japanese language. I was interested in them and learned a bit of their history. Sando Komainu (visiting road) guarding the entrance or the inner shrine firstly appeared in the Edo era. Meant to ward off evil spirits, Komainu statues are almost identical, but one has an open mouth and the other closed. This represents the beginning and the end of all things. Some Komainu can be also found inside shrines. All of them are different and I really like them, maybe because I was born in the Year of the Dog – Inu desu!
- 1 min read
Komainu Lion-like Statues
Guarding the entrance of many Shinto jinja
By Elena Lisina
Community writer
Leave a comment
0 comments in total
Book your trip
Find a nearby hotel
Explore some of the best nearby hotels and deals for the perfect place to stay in Japan.
Top Articles
-
1
Guide to Golden Week
Planning -
2
Tokyo Takes 2nd Place on Top Coffee Cities List
Food -
3
Mount Omuro
Shizuoka -
4
Kurobe Unazuki Canyon Route to Link with Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
News -
5
Yuranza
Culture - Sponsored -
6
Valley of Witches: a New Ghibli Park Attraction
Aichi -
7
2024 Grand Sumo Tournaments
Culture -
8
Tokyo One of the World's Most Walkable Cities
Transportation -
9
Haneda Airport Ranked World's Cleanest
Transportation -
10
Sapporo Beer Opens New Brewery in Tokyo’s Ebisu
News
-
1
Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
2
Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
3
Hachiko Statue in Shibuya
Tokyo -
4
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Kyoto -
5
Shibuya Crossing
Tokyo -
6
Daikoku Car Meet
Kanagawa -
7
Kanamara Penis Festival
Kanagawa -
8
Guide to Suica Cards
Transportation -
9
Guide to PASMO Cards
Guide -
10
Japanese Urban Legends
Culture