karajishi

The "Lion of Fo," also known as a karajishi, is a stylized representation of a snarling lion found in Chinese art. Originally, these figures served as guardian presences, often placed in Buddhist temples. They are frequently depicted in pairs, with the male lion shown playing with a ball and the female with a cub. These motifs appear on various forms of Chinese pottery and have also been imitated in Western art. The term "Lion of Fo" is sometimes mistakenly referred to as "lions of Buddha," and they are also occasionally misidentified as dogs. The karajishi is a symbolic ornament, often associated with protection and Buddhist traditions within Chinese culture.