Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Komainu of Kunisaki

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Like shrines and temples everywhere, on Kunisaki Peninsular there are plenty of the guardian Komainu. This one with a flat head is supporting a lantern.

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This is a variation on a modern style. Some komainu, like here, have a baby under its paw.

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Often seen with elephants and dragons, the ends of beams are carved as komainu

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This one is sitting on top of a turtle.... something Ive never seen before.

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There are dozens of different styles of komainu, and part of the fascination with visiting shrines for me is to discover new variations.

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All of these were found on the Kunisaki peninsular in northern Kyushu.

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