# Chinese lion

唐獅子 karajishi

![Chinese lion](https://www.furoshiki.com/motifs/karajishi.svg)

A curly-maned guardian lion that wards off evil. Paired with the peony (karajishi-botan), the king of beasts with the king of flowers, it is a protective and celebratory design used on wedding goods.

China (Tang dynasty), with Buddhist art

The curly-maned lion came from China as a Buddhist guardian (Monju bosatsu rides one) and is linked to the komainu at shrine gates. A Buddhist tale says the lion's only fear, a parasite in its mane, dies in peony dew, so the lion rests under peonies; the pair, karajishi-botan, became a favourite of Momoyama and Edo decoration. The Hayashibara Museum's lacquer wedding set (綾杉地獅子牡丹蒔絵婚礼調度, Important Cultural Property, 17th century) is covered in lions and peonies for an Ikeda-family bride.

Used on wedding goods, festival costume and furoshiki as a protective, auspicious pairing; see the botan (peony) motif.

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Source: https://www.furoshiki.com/motifs/karajishi/