Shisa Day (Shisa no Hi)

What Is Shisa Day?

Every April 3rd is "Shisa Day" (Shisa no Hi) in Japan. The date comes from a pun reading 4 as "shi" and 3 as "sa," and it was established in 2002 in the Tsuboya district of Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, said to be the birthplace of the shisa, to spread shisa culture across Japan. Tsuboya is known as a pottery (yachimun) district where many potters have made shisa. It's a day to get to know Okinawan life and traditional crafts.

The Origins and History of the Shisa

Tracing the roots of the shisa reveals a great cultural current that crossed Asia.

• A relative of the lion: Like the Egyptian sphinx, Chinese stone lions, and the komainu guardian dogs of mainland Japan, the shisa is said to trace back to lion statues of the ancient Orient. The oldest lion carving in Okinawa is found on the stone coffin of King Eiso at Urasoe Yodore, and stone lions were also placed at the gates of Shuri Castle and at Tamaudun, the royal mausoleum.
• The oldest village shisa: According to the Ryukyuan historical record "Kyuyo," in 1689 villagers troubled by frequent fires followed the advice of a feng shui master and placed a lion statue facing Mount Yaese-dake, after which the fires stopped. The statue said to have been placed then is the "Tomori Stone Lion" in Tomori, Yaese Town, said to be the oldest and largest surviving village shisa.

The Meaning Behind Their Shapes and Placement

People's wishes are built into the shapes and placement of shisa.

• Open and closed mouths: Shisa are often placed in pairs on gateposts. Generally, the one with an open mouth is male and invites good fortune in, while the one with a closed mouth is female and keeps misfortune out. This may reflect the Buddhist "a-un" concept, but there are various views on which is male and which is female.
• Shisa on rooftops: "Roof shisa" are often a single figure with an open mouth, set to face directions believed to be paths for evil spirits, or facing south to ward off fire.

Interesting Facts About Shisa

• Where the word "shisa" comes from: It is the Okinawan pronunciation of "shishi" (lion), and "shishi" is said to derive from "simha," the Sanskrit word for lion. In the Yaeyama Islands it is also called "shiishii."
• They only went up on roofs after the Meiji era: During the Ryukyu Kingdom, commoners were not allowed to use roof tiles. Shisa began appearing on commoners' roofs only after the Meiji era, when tiled roofs were permitted. Roof shisa were often made by plasterers from broken roof tiles held together with lime plaster.
• Head-only shisa: Besides crouching figures, historic roof shisa include "chiburu shisa," which consist of just the head.
• A close bond with "yachimun": In Tsuboya, a pottery (yachimun) district, many potters have made shisa. As houses shifted to reinforced concrete, it became common to place ceramic shisa on gateposts and the like.
• Village shisa still standing: As of 2021, 153 stone lions placed to protect villages (village shisa) were confirmed.

Tips for Marking Shisa Day

• Give the shisa you have at home a good cleaning and wish for a safe new fiscal year
• Enjoy Okinawan food or sanpin jasmine tea while learning about Ryukyuan history and culture
• Make your own original shisa through a pottery workshop or clay crafting
• If you have a chance to visit Okinawa, go see Tsuboya Yachimun Street or the Tomori Stone Lion

Guardians That Ward Off Misfortune and Invite Good Luck

April 3rd is a day to turn our attention to the shisa, long cherished in Okinawan life. Watching over homes and villages from gateposts and rooftops, shisa carry people's simple wishes. Why not look at shisa with all their different expressions and think about Okinawan culture?