Until 1st May, 2026
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A PAIR OF WOOD KOMAINU (KOREAN GUARDIAN DOGS)
Lot 68 - AK0126
Japan, Edo period (1615-1868)
Each figure is boldly carved in three parts and assembled, shown seated on its haunches with a fierce expression characterized by a broad nose, menacing eyes, and a thick, curling mane. One lion with a closed mouth, uttering the syllable ‘um’, the other with the mouth open, uttering the syllable ‘ah’.
HEIGHT 64.7 cm, LENGTH 72 cm (each)
WEIGHT 20 kg (each)
Condition: Good condition with expected wear and natural flaws to the material, some tiny nicks, traces of insect activity, remnants of pigment, and noticeable chips and age cracks throughout the bodies. There are losses to the mane, tail, toes, and one forepaw. Each head bears a carved hole, originally intended to hold an attachment.
Male and female pairs of shishi guard the approaches to the holy enclosures of Shinto shrines. They are usually known as komainu (literally ‘dogs of Koma’ – Koma meaning Kokuryo, one of the three countries of ancient Korea). The lion not being indigenous to Asia, the concept of the shishi was probably originally introduced to Japan through China and Korea via India from the Middle East. They are found in Shinto shrines from the late Heian period onwards standing to the left and right of a pathway or entrance. That on the right has an open mouth, and that on the left has a closed mouth said to signify the universal sounds ‘ah’ and ‘um’ – the beginning and the end. Sometimes early examples have a single horn as with this pair.
Auction comparison:
Compare a related but single painted wood komainu (guardian lion-dog), dated to the 18th century, 47 cm (high), at Christie’s, Thoughts across the waters: Asian Art from the David Drabkin Collection, 28 September 2022, New York, lot 81 (sold for USD 10,080 or approx. EUR 9,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).
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