Shisa are the “lion-dogs” that guard the temples and Shinto shrines and over the years have become a cultural icon in Okinawa. The male is usually depicted with its mouth open to ward off evil spirits, while the female has its mouth closed to keep in the good spirits.

My mother carved these two bookends based on two ceramic Shisa she bought in Okinawa. I think she added the MOB, my father’s initials, so she could give them to him as present. I inherited them when he passed on. And I inherited the original ceramic figures from my mother. They are shown here: