Vintage Japanese Shishi Lion - 1930s Showa Era (25D-151)

Vintage Japanese Shishi Lion, Showa Era (SKU 25D-151)

Expressive crackle-glazed ceramic shishi guardian with bold folk-art charm

Hand-built in richly textured white glaze, this vintage Japanese shishi (lion-dog) sculpture captures the fierce, protective spirit of the komainu seen at shrine and temple gates. The artist has exaggerated the wide, staring eyes and bared fangs, giving the piece a powerful, almost humorous presence that feels very much in the mingei folk-art tradition.

The body is covered in a thick, lustrous glaze with pronounced crazing and iron spotting, creating a beautiful aged surface that enhances every carved line of the mane and face. Displayed on a tokonoma, shelf, or desk, this Showa-era shishi lion serves as an auspicious guardian figure and a striking example of characterful Japanese studio pottery.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Showa period, circa mid-20th century
• Material: Glazed ceramic with crackle (crazed) finish
• Use: Decorative guardian figure for interior display; ideal for tokonoma, butsudan side piece, or collection of Japanese antiques
• Features: Hand-modeled shishi lion with exaggerated fangs and eyes; thick white crackle glaze with iron speckling; strong mingei folk-art character; visible kiln marks and natural glaze pooling that emphasize its one-of-a-kind, vintage Japanese charm
• Dimensions: 5"W x 5"D x 9"H
• Condition: Vintage condition with intentional heavy crazing, minor firing flaws, and small glaze losses to high points consistent with age and use

A spirited shishi guardian that brings both protection and personality to any Japanese-inspired interior.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.