Jan. 8 - During our visit to the Yaeyama Island group in southern Okinawa, Ann and I were charmed by the ceramic figures of lion-dogs called shisa that decorate the residences or stone walls around the homes of many residents. Pairs of shisa guarded many homes. One shisa would have its mouth open to share the goodness, and the other kept its mouth closed to keep out the badness.

We saw shisa in many styles and colors, even including one stylized shisa made of broken roof tiles. Ann and I enjoyed comparing their unique expressions that seemed to convey the feelings of the artisan. These shisa lion-dogs will remain a fond memory of our vacation on the Yaeyama Island group, Okinawa.

Until next time,

Jim