Lion - Shishi

The name of the lion, a ferocious mammal of the carnivorous order Felidae. It can also be written as "shishi." Since ancient times, it has been considered the king of all beasts, and was praised as "Shishi-o" (lion king). Due to its majestic appearance and swift and fearless nature, it has become a symbol of power, authority, and kingship among many ethnic groups. In East Asia, an imaginary beast was created based on this. In Buddhism, it is the vehicle of Manjusri Bodhisattva, and "shishi-ku" (lion's roar) is a metaphor for Shakyamuni's sermons, as the lion's roar subjugates all beasts. "Shishiza" means the seat of Buddha, and by extension, the seat of a high priest. Because lions were believed to have the spiritual power to subdue evil spirits, a custom arose of using them as guardians of gates and doors, and in Japan too, lion statues were placed in front of shrines and on the grounds of the imperial palace, paired with lion-dog statues, to ward off evil spirits. The "lion dance," performed at New Year's and festivals while wearing a lion's head, is also a form of incantation to ward off evil spirits, and was introduced to Japan from China. Incidentally, "karashishi" (meaning foreign lion) can refer to decorative lions in paintings and sculptures, and the combination with peony flowers is particularly spectacular and extravagant.

[Kanetsuki Nobuyuki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

哺乳(ほにゅう)類食肉目ネコ科の猛獣ライオンlionの称。「師子」とも書く。古来百獣の王とされ、たたえて「獅子王」ともよんだ。その威容および迅速勇猛な性質から、多くの民族において力や権威、王権などの象徴となっている。東アジアでは、これをもとに想像上の獣が考えられた。仏教では、文殊菩薩(もんじゅぼさつ)の乗り物であり、「獅子吼(く)」は、獅子の咆哮(ほうこう)が百獣を威服させるところから、釈迦(しゃか)の説法を比喩(ひゆ)する。「獅子座」は仏の座席、転じて高僧の座をいう。獅子には悪魔を圧する霊力があると信じられたために、門や扉の守護物とする習俗が生じ、日本でも、神社の社前や宮中の鎮子(ちんし)に、狛犬(こまいぬ)と対をなして獅子の像を置き魔除(よ)けとした。新年や祭礼に「獅子頭(がしら)」をかぶって舞う「獅子舞」も、悪霊退散の呪術(じゅじゅつ)であり、日本へは中国から伝来した。なお、「唐(から)獅子」（外国の獣(しし)の意）は、絵画彫刻に装飾化した獅子をいう場合があり、ことに牡丹(ぼたん)の花との配合はもっとも絢爛(けんらん)豪華な意匠である。

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