Komainu: The Guardian Lion-Dogs You’ll See at Every Japanese Shrine⛩️

Did you know about the statue in this photo? When you visit a shrine in Japan, you’ll almost always see these "dog-like" statues. They are called Komainu.

​Komainu usually come in pairs, standing guard at the entrance or in front of the main hall. If you look closely, the one on the right has its mouth open, while the one on the left has its mouth closed.

​This represents "A-un."
​"A" (open mouth) is the first sound of the alphabet, signifying the beginning.

​"Un" (closed mouth) is the last sound, signifying the end.

​Together, they symbolize the entirety of the universe (everything from beginning to end).

​It’s fun to compare them because their faces, poses, and fur patterns vary from shrine to shrine. This particular Komainu in the photo even has a cute little baby on its back!

​Also, at Inari shrines, you’ll find foxes instead of dogs. There are so many variations, so next time you visit a shrine in Japan, be sure to take a closer look!

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