Shisa, the guardian deity of the home, is said to absorb happiness (fortune) through the male's mouth, while the female, with her mouth closed, prevents it from escaping.
[The Meaning of Kafu]
"Kafu" is an Okinawan dialect word meaning "kafu," meaning "happiness" or "good news."
[What is Shisa?]
Shisa are said to have originated from the Egyptian Sphinx, and are believed to have been introduced to Ryukyu from China via Egypt and the Silk Road during the Ryukyu Kingdom's Age of Discovery (14th-15th centuries).
Shisa, which spread throughout Okinawa as talismans and guardians, are said to absorb happiness (fortune) through the male's mouth, while the female, with her mouth closed, prevents it from escaping. Shisa are also said to have the power to purify rather than ward off evil spirits (majimun).
Okinawa's guardian deity is also a symbol of marital harmony, making it the perfect gift.
[How to Place Shisa]
Facing the Shisa, place the male (with its mouth open) on the right and the female (with its mouth closed) on the left.
Komainu and A-un statues are placed at the entrance to shrines, and these also act as a kind of barrier, and Shisa are said to perform the same function as these statues. Facing them south is said to prevent fires, while facing northeast is said to protect the home from typhoons and floods. It is said that evil spirits (majin) pass through people's paths, so it doesn't matter whether you place them inside or outside the entrance. The most important thing is to place them where you want and where you feel comfortable displaying them.
[Meaning of Seated and Horizontal]
Seated posture: Seated and firmly protecting the home
Side posture: Things will go well with a positive attitude
Material: Stone or sand solidified with resin
Weight: Male: Approx. 192g
Female: Approx. 186g
Size: [Male] Width: Approx. 6.8cm, Height: Approx. 6.4cm, Depth: Approx. 5.3cm
Size: [Female] Width: Approx. 6.8cm, Height: Approx. 6.3cm, Depth: Approx. 5.3cm
