hizakui　膝喰

KEY WORD :　art history / sculptures

A decoration in the shape of a lion's head *shigami 獅噛, found on the knees of an armored sculpted figure. The hizakui is attached to the top of the shin-armor *suneate 脛当. In Buddhist statuary, many guardian figures, tenbu 天部 (*ten 天）, are portrayed in armor, and the lion's head represents strength and courage. It is thought to have originated in ancient Greek and Roman imagery.

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(C)2001 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.　No reproduction or republication without written permission. 掲載のテキスト・写真・イラストなど、全てのコンテンツの無断複製・転載を禁じます。