Okinawa’s capital, Naha is located in the southern part ofOkinawa island.
Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost prefecture of Japan.It consists of hundreds of Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1,000 kilometers long which extends southwest from Kyushu(the south westernmost of Japan’smain four islands) to Taiwan.
I spotted these lions looking statue at almost every corner of the street at Okinawa and had no idea what they are. The left one is always spotted with closed mouth and the right one always with open mouth.
Managed to find it out on "Wikipedia" about them:
Shisa(the name for them) is a traditional Ryukyuan decoration, often in pairsresembling a cross between a lion and a dog, from Okinawan mythology.
They are wards, believed to protect from some evils. Theleft shisa has a closed mouth, the right one an open mouth. The open mouthwards off evil spirits, and the closed mouth keeps good spirits in.
Shisa is various designs can be seen everywhere
I got myself a miniature of it for keepsake.
Even on the drawstring pouch!
How about some good luck charms?
They can even be found on the local Starbucks mugs!
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