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Kanso House

Antique Japanese Carved Temple Fragment of a Shi Shi Temple Dog

Antique Japanese Carved Temple Fragment of a Shi Shi Temple Dog

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Regular price $185.00
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A hand-carved wooden shishi (獅子) — the mythical lion-dog guardian of temples and shrines — once part of the architectural ornamentation of a Japanese sacred building. Shishi were placed on beams, brackets, and eaves as powerful protectors, believed to ward off evil, invite good fortune, and safeguard the structure and those who entered it.

This fragment shows beautiful miyadaiku craftsmanship: bold curling tufts of fur, expressive features, and the muscular stance that defines the shishi form. The back reveals a flat mounting surface with a carved tenon, indicating it originally sat as a kibana (decorative beam-end) or similar structural embellishment. Miyadaiku were temple craftsmen and skilled carvers, responsible for constructing and maintaining shrines and temples using traditional joinery and hand tools.

Decades of gentle weathering have softened the surface, leaving a warm grey-brown patina and visible grain reminiscent of driftwood. Originally, carvings like this were often coated in chalk-based pigments or lacquer in vivid colours before age and exposure reduced them to their natural wood.

A rare and expressive piece of Japanese folk-Buddhist carving — full of character, protective symbolism, and quiet presence.

Dating to the Late Edo to early Meiji Period, carved from sugi (Japanese cedar).

Condition is good for a surviving architectural fragment. The lower legs and underside show natural age cracks and wear consistent with long-term exposure.

Dimensions: 8cm tall × 10cm long × 6.5cm wide

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Genuine Antiques and Vintage from Japan

We hand pick our Antiques and Vintage items from Japan. We scour temple markets, antique shops and visit Antique dealers to find the most interesting and beautiful objects we can. We focus on authenticity, style and construction. Ensuring that you are getting the very best from Japan.

A lifetime of use

Patina

Patina is something earned over years of use and care, we like to leave it on as much as possible as it adds to the authenticity and story of each piece. Daniel has been restoring Japanese Antiques for 25 years, over that time he has learned both traditional and modern techniques for repairing and caring for treasured pieces.

Authenticity Guaranteed

All of our pieces are guaranteed original and authentic, each piece is researched to ensure our descriptions are as accurate as possible. We love history and discovering all about the artefacts we uncover for you.

All you need to know

Shipping

We dispatch all orders within 2 business days via Australia Post. For extra large items, we may use a courier and will communicate with you about the options.

CHRISTMAS POSTAGE CUTOFF DATES
16 December for Standard Shipping
21 December for Express Shipping

Standard shipping costs (Australia):

  • $0- $100 order: $10
  • $100-$200 order: $15
  • $200+ order: FREE SHIPPING

Standard Post takes 3-8 days to arrive to Australian destinations.

Express Post takes 1-2 days, unless there are delays due to peak postal times (ie Christmas).

You will be notified of any delays from our end (prior to shipping) as soon as possible.

Once shipped, you will receive a tracking number so you can check the AusPost website for arrival details.

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Returns

If you are not satisfied with your purchase or your product is damaged? We’ll take care of it.

The promises we keep:

  • 30 days of reflection after receiving the product. 
  • Need an exchange? We will send you the new product within 4 business days of the day of receipt. 
  • Would you prefer us to refund your money? We will refund you within 3 days of receipt.

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About us

Kanso House is an online store, occasionally hosting popups in Victoria, Australia.

We are a family run small business with a passion for beautiful functional objects.

We're here to help with any questions

You can chat live using the ? icon in the bottom right of your screen, or email us at hello@kansohouse.com.au and we'll reply within 24 hours.