Overview
Roof shisa are modelled on the spot by the tiler from leftover plaster - so every one differs, and the island's roofs are covered in unrepeated sculpture.
About this place
Shisa (シーサー, shīsā or shiisaa) is a traditional Ryukyuan cultural artifact and decoration derived from Chinese guardian lions, often seen in similar pairs, resembling a cross between a lion and a dog, from Okinawan mythology. Shisa are wards, believed to protect from some evils. People place pairs of shisa on their rooftops or flanking the gates to their houses, with the left shisa traditionally having a closed mouth, the right one an open mouth. The open mouth shisa traditionally wards off evil spirits, and the closed mouth shisa keeps good spirits in.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source ja.wikipedia.org ↗Key facts
Founded / opened：1600s Highlights / collection：Lions placed on roofs and gateposts, Made on site by plasterers Genre：Sculpture, Crafts and ceramics
Source ja.wikipedia.org ↗Before you go
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Crafts and specialties of this prefecture
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