Figure of a shishi (lion) on a rock. Decorated in iron-red, brown, black, green and gold. The animal is shown in action, as if landing after jumping. Its body is bent, the right hind leg is still raised, the left is bent and the mouth is open showing teeth and tongue. The rock, overgrown with budding peonies, is hollow and open on the base. The Japanese shishi has a fierce expression, bulging eyes, a curly mane and a tail. It is a mythical animal derived from Chinese iconography and is called Buddhist Dog, Fo-dog or Lion-dog in the West. As in China, the shishi, is a guardian and protects from calamity and evil (see cat. XX{}). Such figures were popular elements in Western interior decoration. No comparable examples appear to have been published.