24 inch japanese antique gilded brass buddhist temple candle holder with lion dog pair, buddhist art

Love Japanese Style Like We Do

A very elegant and tall, antique Buddhist temple candle holder. In Buddhism the lighting of a candle represents the light of wisdom illuminating the darkness of ignorance.

The gilded brass candle holder is a cylindrical shape, formed of spheres, gradually decreasing in size as they move upwards. Just below the candle cup hang a pair of Japanese komainu, or lion dogs.

In both Buddhist and Shinto beliefs pairs of Komainu are linked to the concept of protection. One komainu has its mouth open, scaring away bad luck, and the other its mouth closed, keeping in good fortune.

The candle holder is assembled in two pieces with the upper candle cup section screwing into the base. The komainu decorations sit on hooks just below the cup.

The candle holder is in good condition for its age, with some scratches, tarnishing and signs of use and wear, adding to its antique appeal. There is candle wax in the candle cup. The hanging komainu are often missing, but this piece is complete. The artists seal appears on the base of the candle holder.

There are various shapes of old Buddhist candle holders and a collection looks great clustered together in a display. A pair of candle holders also makes a great center piece on a long dining table, and a great mantelpiece decoration.

- measures 60 cm (24”) tall x 13 cm (5.1”) wide.
- weighs 2 kg (4.4 lbs).

(listing for one 24” candle holder only)

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ABOUT OUR VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE ITEMS
We list pieces we feel are worthy of display. There may be scratches, dents, fading and signs of wear and tear. We try to explain the condition of each item exactly, but may miss something.

Information regarding the item and it’s age is obtained from dealers and our personal research. We do our best to give you the correct information but please be aware that we cannot guarantee this information.

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JAPANESE KOMAINU (LION DOGS)
Lions appeared in Indian temple art and Chinese Buddhist art as early as the third century. In those times, the lion was a symbolic protector of the dharma (the teachings of Buddha). Over time pairs of lions became protectors of imperial gates.

By the Nara period (710-794), lion guardians had come to Japan as well. In the ninth century, their form changed and the pair came to consist of one open-mouthed lion or shishi and one close-mouthed, horn-bearing, dog-like komainu. By the fourteenth century, the horn disappeared, and both animals of the pair came to be known as komainu.

When seen in pairs, one lion usually has its mouth open while the other’s is shut. This follows ‘Aun’, a Buddhist concept of protection. The male komainu stands on the left with its mouth open, scaring away bad luck and evil. The female, standing on the right, with a closed mouth, does not let good fortune escape.

Komainu guardian pairs can be found at the entrance to Shinto shrines as well as temples and can be seen on various Buddhist art objects.