Foo Dogs

I like the swirling ceramic ribbon. Yamizaki, I think?

Gorgeous foo dog pair

Kutani. Nice sense of motion in this piece. Foo dogs

Kyoto Japan

Kannon, I think. I haven't seen one of these up close.

Gumps Collectible Foo Dog Christmas Ornament Set Pretty darned fabulous, actually.

Japanese Kutani, cobalt with blue stars, pre-1930, 9 inches tall, signed, $395. (copied from repin). Meanwhile...Ooh! Pretty!

Kutani did foo cats, too, apparently.

Komainu often called lion-dogs in English, are statue pairs of lion-like creatures either guarding the entrance or the inner shrine of many Japanese Shinto shrines or kept inside the inner shrine itself, where they are not visible to the public. The first type, born during the Edo period, is called sandō komainu , the second and much older type jinnai komainu. They can sometimes be found also at Buddhist temples, nobility residences or even private homes.

Japanese Kutani, Green and Aubergine, 1970's, 5 inches tall. Prettier than the one I've seen w/ orange ball. :)

Chinese Lions Animal imagery has always been an important element in Chinese art, but few have lasted as long—or remained as popular—as Chinese lions. Also known as ‘Foo Dogs’, or ‘Lions of Buddha’, Chinese lions are found outside palaces and temples, and are often carved into the building as door steps, eaves and beam ends. Admired in Japan and Korea as much as in China, the animal statues combine artistic achievement, symbolic power and a cute folksiness that makes them popular with people...

Nara