HELLO! It is a blog: How Unique Japan.
We always share the uniqueness of Japan through this web page!
This time, we will ask you about the animal, the lion.
So, when you imagine it, what ideas would come first? Big fur around the necks, the huge paw with sharp claws, or the deadly fangs? If you do, please keep these ideas for later.
For this time, we would like to introduce that. However, it is a changed version due to the reputation of the lions in Asian countries.
It is called SHI SHI. It means Lion in the Kanji capital, 獅子.
Please take a look at the picture above. That is the Shishi, the Lion.
What are they?
Looking is different.
And the Shishi even works as a lucky charm for visitors in shrines or temples by dancing.
Indeed. It is a godly animal.
Shishi does it in celebration seasons. For example, in the festivals or New Year ceremonies. (Such a dance is called Shishi-mai / dance).
His dance is a way of invoking good luck and promoting a healthy life. Besides, he sometimes BITES our head to purify our bad luck.
(While it is dancing, the Shishi would intend to bite our heads.)
If he bites us, we will keep good health during the new year, and if some of us were children, they would be clever.
The history
Why do they work like that? And why is his appearance different from the real one (real lion)?
They are concerned with its reputation in ancient times.
The original one came from China a long time ago. The historical theory says it probably arrived in 752 AD with Buddhism.
At that time, Japan held a huge ceremony to open the Todaiji temple.
It was when the Japanese emperor invited the Chinese Buddhist monks. So, the emperor imported some Chinese cultures, religions, models of rules for the country, and the Shishi altogether.
Indeed. It was purely entertainment for high-ranking individuals (nobles).
The reason of its unique form
So then, why did some Chinese believe in such a lion’s appearance?
It is simple. Do you remember we asked you what you imagined about the lion?
That is it! They imagined it based on rumors without accurate observation, as lions do not inhabit China. Strong fangs, claws, and a threatening face with big eyes, nose, and jaw. Oh, and Big fur around its neck.
But the most shocking rumor for the Chinese was that he was a strong animal, like a King. It is why they created the lion as a servant of god.
In conclusion, it is interesting that the Shishi were originally Chinese imaginary creatures, similar to the Kraken or Minotaur from ancient mythology, yet they still hold significance in Japan.
To close
It is a tip of what the Shishi is. However, this blog is not over yet.
We wrote the articles about some because the Japanese also have an imagination about such creatures, monsters, and even gods, such as Oni (a Japanese monster), for instance.
Moreover, we still have articles categorized into four. They are about Japanese lifestyle, food, the Edo era, and religions.
If you are interested, please try them.
Thank you so much for reading this article.
See you for the next one!