Shisa シーサー are creatures from Okinawan myth, part lion and part dog. They are considered guardians, and found in many forms throughout Okinawa. Statues adorn castles, residences, and stores. Small figurines decorate shelves, and are used as charms on jewelry and cell phones. Shisa are frequently found on the finials of roof tiles.
Shisa factory
Often shisa are found in pairs, one male and one female. However, there is conflicting legend about which is which. Some say one with an closed mouth is male to keep bad things from entering, whereas others say it is female to keep goodness in.
Decorative shisas
The same is true for the shisa with an open mouth. Some say it is male and scares away bad things, others say it is female and shares goodness. Whichever is the case, the shisa are thought to provide protection and ward off evil. Small shisa figurines make excellent souvenirs from your visit to Okinawa.
Taketomi shisa
Many stories exist concerning the origins of the shisa, and how they came to be protectors as they are known today. According to one legend, a small boy was given a shisa as a gift from an Okinawan nobleman. One day, a dragon appeared to destroy the boy’s village, and the shisa came to life and saved the village.
Shisa Kabira
Another story tells of the shisa caming to Okinawa many years ago as a gift for a Ryukyuan king. It became famous for protecting the villagers of Madanbashi from a terrible dragon who lurked in Naha Bay. When the king had the shisa confront the dragon, the shisa roared like a lion, causing a great rock to fall from the sky onto the dragon and turning it into present-day Ganna-mui Island.
Shisa Dance
