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Lion-dog, iron glaze

Collection NumberA000493
TitleLion-dog, iron glaze
DateMuromachi period, 15th century
Artist, Kiln, Workshop瀬戸窯 Seto ware
Name of prefectures & citiesSeto city, Aichi prefecture, Japan
Description of works【Statues in a wild Japanese wolf style】
This pair reminds us of the wolves which used to live in the mountain villages in this area of Japan, rather than of the typical renditions. This may have been the result of combining the familiar Japanese wolf with guardian animals that ward off evil spirits. Their resemblance to Japanese wolves suggests that these ceramic komainu may have some connection to mountain religions in which wolves were worshiped.

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