>>What are 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 guardian deities, are said to absorb happiness (fortune) through the male's mouth, while the female, with her closed mouth, prevents it from escaping.
Shisa are also said to have the power to purify rather than ward off evil spirits (magumushi).
Okinawa's guardian deity is also a symbol of marital harmony, making it the perfect gift♪
>>How to Place<<
Facing the shisa, place the male (with its open mouth) on the right and the female (with its closed mouth) on the left.
Komainu and A-un statues are often placed at the entrance to shrines, and these are also a type of barrier, and shisa are said to perform the same function as the komainu and A-un statues.
Facing it south is said to prevent fires, while facing it northeast is said to protect the home from typhoons and floods.
It's said that demons (magimushi) pass through people's paths, so it doesn't matter whether you place it inside or outside your entrance.
The most important thing is to place it where you want and feel comfortable displaying it.
>>The Meaning of Seated and Horizontal <<
Seated pose: "Standing firmly and protecting the home"
Side pose: "Things will go well in a smooth manner"
[Material: Stone and sand solidified with resin] [Size: Height: 6cm, Width: Approx. 5.5cm, Depth: Approx. 5.2cm]
What is a 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 guardian deities, are said to absorb happiness (fortune) through the male's mouth, while the female's closed mouth prevents it from escaping. Shisa are also said to have the power to purify rather than ward off evil spirits (magimushi). Okinawa's guardian deities are also a symbol of marital harmony, making them the perfect gift!
How to place a shisa: Facing the shisa, place the male (with its open mouth) on the right and the female (with its closed mouth) on the left. Statues of lion dogs and A-un placed at the entrance to shrines also serve as a kind of barrier, and shisa are said to perform the same function. Facing them south is said to prevent fires, while facing northeast is said to protect the home from typhoons and floods. It's said that evil spirits (magimushi) will come 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 feel comfortable displaying them.
The meaning of "za" and "yoko": "Sit down and protect your home" and "yoko" mean that things will go well.
