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Mythical Protectors: Shishi and Baku Carvings of Ose Shrine神話の守り神「獅子」と「獏」：大瀬神社の美しい木鼻彫刻
One of the things I love most about certain Shinto shrines is their raw, unadorned beauty. Instead of being hidden beneath layers of paint or lacquer, the natural grain of the wood is left exposed, allowing the craftsmanship to speak for itself. Ose Shrine (大瀬神社・Ose-jinja), tucked away in a remote fishing village, is a perfect example of this timeless aesthetic.
A few notes regarding this shot of the shrine, for those of us who have wondered about various shrine features:
Shimenawa (注連縄)
This is the straw rope hanging from a beam at the front of the shrine, marking a sacred or pure space. Shimenawa can also be seen tied to torii gates, wrapped around sacred trees, or placed near sacred rocks and other sites on shrine grounds.
Shishi (獅子)
This lion-like, left-facing creature sits under the eaves of the shrine roof. Shishi are common architectural decorations, often depicted with their mouths open, and are believed to ward off evil spirits.
Baku (獏)
One of the more fascinating decorative elements found at shrines and temples, the baku is originally based on the tapir. Over time, baku carvings evolved to resemble an elephant's face, nose, and tusks, combined with a tiger's paws. This design became widespread in Japan between the 17th and 19th centuries. In Japanese mythology, the baku is revered for devouring nightmares and offering protection against evil.
Along with dragons, images and sculptures of baku and shishi are frequently placed under the eaves of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines as protective symbols and decorative elements.
Exploring the history of Ose Shrine proved more challenging than researching shrines located closer to major commercial or residential areas. From what I could discover, the shrine’s origins are rooted in legendary myths passed down through generations.
Local villagers recount that Cape Ose (大瀬崎・Osezaki) was once a small island formed by an upheaval of the seafloor during the 684 Hakuho earthquake. At the same time, a similar-sized landmass sank into the sea in what is now Kochi Prefecture, approximately 532 kilometers (330 miles) to the south.
Villagers believed that the gods removed the land from the south and made it reappear offshore. Over time, ocean currents from Suruga Bay carried rocks and sand, connecting the mainland to the small island and forming what is now Cape Ose.
Consequently, Ose Shrine was built to enshrine the guardian god of the sea: Hikitajikara-no-Mikoto (引手力命). For centuries, pilgrims — especially fishermen — have worshipped at this shrine, praying for bountiful catches and safety at sea.
- Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
- Timestamp: 2025/03/19・10:29
- Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
- 58 mm ISO 800 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/5.6
Google Maps links + list of reference for a deeper dive:
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