POST YOUR LION/SHISHI!

Jake6500 · 2026-02-25T06:01:33Z

Hey Tosogu collectors,

I recently obtained my second Yanagawa Naomitsu piece, a beautiful lion and peony themed fuchigashira (possible tokubetsu hozon candidate?)

In celebration of this new acquisition I felt a mega lion thread would be fitting, hoping to get the rest of the forum involved!

Post your best lions, all types of Tosogu welcome! I'll start:

Brian · 2026-02-25T06:13:34Z

I edited the title to include shishi as many will know them more this way than as actual lions

Spartancrest · 2026-02-25T06:17:42Z

10 minutes ago, Jake6500 said:

I'll start:

You win!

Bugyotsuji · 2026-02-25T06:29:51Z

Yup.

(Dang, that’s going to be hard to beat!)

Jake6500 · 2026-02-25T06:51:13Z

Thanks Brian for the title edit, I'd like to make this thread an extensive one! The more contributions the better!

Geraint · 2026-02-25T08:41:15Z

Here is one, poor photograph but nice tsuba.

All the best.

Bugyotsuji · 2026-02-25T12:02:45Z

Rummaging through a drawer and found this themed koshiraé for a Yosozaemon.

Shishi menuki

Botan peony tsuba

Shishi kozuka

Bugyotsuji · 2026-02-25T12:06:00Z

Closer views!

and

Dan tsuba · 2026-02-25T12:46:49Z

Here is one of mine.

Hokke · 2026-02-25T12:56:27Z

Gunome · 2026-02-25T14:01:40Z

Gunome · 2026-02-25T14:13:57Z

Here is a Yanagawa Naomasa Fuchi Kashira

Kurikata · 2026-02-25T15:25:36Z

Mine....

Edited 14 hours ago by Kurikata

BrentC · 2026-02-25T16:52:35Z

Recently acquired this Kikuoka Mitsumasa.

BrentC · 2026-02-25T16:54:25Z

Exclus1ve · 2026-02-25T19:14:29Z

Very well!
Since many have already seen my avatar anyway…

I'll add a good work on the theme of "shishi dance")

The lion dance is usually performed as part of the New Year's celebrations. The dancer in front is dressed as a lion. The man behind him plays music for the dance on a flute. In addition to the man dancing as the lion's head, there are others who form the body. The second dancer in the lion costume is shown on the reverse of the kozuka. The lion dance tradition developed in China from a belief that the dance would protect villages from evil spirits. Stylized lions such as this are known as Chinese lions ("shishi") in Japan.

https://art.thewalters.org/object/51.691/