Very unusual pair of komainu or guardian dogs to a Shinto (or Buddhist) shrine. The left one has its mouth open and has drooping ears, the right one keeps its mouth closed and has the ears perked up. Very fine and smooth bronze cast with rich brown patination.
Makers mark chiseled into the bottom of each lion dog. The name consists of a single character that can be read in a variety of ways: Yasushi, but also Hiroshi, Yutaka, Toru or Akira; followed by “saku” or “made by”.
Japan, Taisho era, 1910-1920.
Height: left 9 inches, right 9.1 inches (22.8 and 23.2 cm)
