狛犬(こまいぬ)

こまいぬ
noun
komainu; guardian lion-dog
1. komainu; guardian lion-dog
A pair of lion-like stone statues traditionally placed at the entrance of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan, believed to ward off evil spirits.
神社(じんじゃ)の入(い)り口(ぐち)に狛犬(こまいぬ)がある。
There are guardian lion-dogs at the entrance of the shrine.
この狛犬(こまいぬ)は江戸(えど)時代(じだい)に作(つく)られた。
This komainu was made during the Edo period.
狛犬(こまいぬ)の一方(いっぽう)は口(くち)を開(あ)け、一方(いっぽう)は閉(と)じている。
One komainu has its mouth open, and the other has its mouth closed.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The two 狛犬(こまいぬ) at shrine entrances represent 'a' (阿(あ)) and 'un' (吽(うん)):

  • 阿(あ) - mouth open, beginning sound of Sanskrit alphabet
  • 吽(うん) - mouth closed, ending sound

Together they represent the beginning and end of all things, similar to 'alpha and omega.'

ORIGIN: The name 狛犬(こまいぬ) comes from 高麗(こま) (Goryeo/Korea), reflecting the continental Asian origin of these guardian figures.

RELATED SHRINE/TEMPLE ELEMENTS:

  • 鳥居(とりい) (torii gate)
  • 灯籠(とうろう) (stone lantern)
  • 手水舎(ちょうずや) (purification fountain)
  • 参道(さんどう) (approach path to shrine)

SIMILAR GUARDIAN FIGURES:

  • シーサー (Okinawan lion-dog)
  • 獅子(しし) (lion statue - often at temples)

Related Words

Related: 神社(じんじゃ) (Shinto shrine)
general
Added 2026.1.19 8:18 · Revised 2026.1.24 23:24
07000/07115_komainu