Located in the southernmost part of Japan, "Okinawa Prefecture" has its own unique culture and customs.
One of these is the "shisa," a lion-shaped animal found on the roofs and entrances of Okinawan homes and stores.
In Okinawa, "shisa" are considered "guardian gods," and they range from large and powerful to small and cute.
If you have ever visited Okinawa, you have probably seen it at least once.
In this article, I, a resident of Okinawa, will show you the origin and meaning of the shisa and how to wake it up if you want to install it in your house!
The "origins" of the seersucker
Shisa" is a traditional Okinawan guardian deity to ward off evil and prevent disasters.
It is said that its name comes from the Okinawan dialect pronunciation of "shishi" (lion) as "shisa" (see-sa).
The origin of the shisa dates back to the "Kingdom of Ryukyu (1429 - 1879)" before Okinawa became Japan.
Shisa were introduced to the Ryukyu Kingdom around the 14th to 15th century.
It is said to have been introduced to Okinawa from "China" via the Middle East and the Silk Road from the "ancient Orient civilization" that flourished in Western Asia and Egypt.
In ancient Egypt, the lion, the king of beasts, was placed in palaces and temples as a symbol of the king's power, as in the statue of the Sphinx, In the Ryukyu Kingdom, where lions were unknown, they came to be regarded as a charm against evil and a guardian deity.
The "oldest" shisa in Japan
The oldest shisa in Japan is "Tomimori's Stone Carved Big Lion" in Tomimori, Yaese-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa, built in 1689.
In the old days, many fires occurred in Tomimori, and under the advice of a feng shui master, a lion was erected facing Yaesedake, a volcano.
After the stone lion was placed, the fire subsided, and the shrine came to be worshipped as a "guardian god.
The height of "Tomimori's stone-carved lion" is 141.2 cm and its length is 175.8 cm, making it "the largest lion in Okinawa Prefecture" to protect the village. It is said to be the largest lion in Okinawa Prefecture.
If you have a chance to visit nearby, go see the "oldest shisa in Japan" that has been watching over Okinawa for three centuries.
There are "three main types" of shisa.
Shisa, the guardian deity of Okinawa, has different names and meanings depending on where it is placed.
The types of seersucker can be broadly classified into the following three categories.
1. palace lion
During the Ryukyu Dynasty, shisa were installed in castles and tombs, and were called "miya-jishi" (palace lions).
The "Palace Lion" is considered more of a "symbol of authority" than a charm or protection, and dates from the early days of the introduction of shisa to Okinawa. The carving technique is also very good.
"Most of them are placed in pairs on the left and right sides," but in some places they are placed as a single unit.
2. village lion
Shisa are placed at the entrance of the village or on high ground as guardian deities, and are called "village lions.
The "village lion" is a stone lion that protects the village from "invasion of evil spirits" and "fire," and is "the object of people's worship. It has become "the object of people's worship.
The village lion is most often a single one, set up at the entrance to the village or toward the heisan (fire-breaking mountain).
The aforementioned "Tomimori's stone-carved large lion," the oldest shisa in Japan, is also a type of village lion.
3. house lion
Probably the most common Okinawan shisa most people see and most often associate with Okinawa is the "Ieshishishi.
The "house lion" is a shisa placed on the "roof" or "gate" of a "private home" and became popular in Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912). - It became popular in Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912).
With the spread of red roof tiles to the private sector, roof tile makers began handcrafting shisa and placing them on their roofs as "guardian deities of private homes.
Depending on where they are placed, they are called "house lions," "roof lions," and "gate lions.
Ceasar's "gender."
Shisa actually has a "gender.
The way to tell them apart is simple: "open mouths" are "male" and "closed mouths" are "female ".
The "male" with his mouth open "drives away evil spirits" and the "female" with her mouth closed "keeps good fortune " meaning "to keep good fortune away.
When placing a shisa, the male is generally placed on the right side and the female on the left.
Since they have the role of protecting the house, both of them should be placed so that their "faces are facing forward.
Recently, the number of "cute shisa" has been increasing.
As mentioned above, "shisa" used to be installed to protect villages and houses from evil spirits, and "shisa" were usually made with a stern, glaring expression.
Recently, however, more and more seers have been seen smiling cheerfully or with cheerful, bright expressions.
There is a wide range of shisa, from large, luxurious ones to small, ornament-like ones, so it is recommended that you find one you like and buy it as a souvenir.
You can make your own Shisa in the "Shisa Making Experience"!
In Okinawa, you can also "try your hand at shisa making" at various places, including tourist facilities.
There are various types of painting experiences, such as painting colors on the Shisa or making your own from clay.
If it is painted or unglazed, you can take it home with you on the same day.
We encourage you to experience shisa making in Okinawa according to your travel itinerary!
Let your own original Shisa become the guardian deity of your home.
<Examples of facilities where you can experience shisa making in Okinawa>
Maaimai Shisa (cute shisa specialty store)https://www.mymy-si-sa.com/(* Short drive from Churaumi Aquarium) * Short drive from Churaumi Aquarium
Okinawa Art Experience Churakazehttps://happy-okinawa.jp/churak/Naha City, near Kokusai-dori Street
Tsuboya Pottery Kilnhttps://tousingama.com/tougeitaiken/) * Yomitan Village, Okinawa Prefecture
English 
Japanese 
Korean 
Chinese