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Decorative Beam-End Representing a Lion

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Beam-End Title: Decorative Beam-End Representing a Lion Material: wood (keyaki) Place of Origin: Kyūshū, Japan Date: Meiji Period, late 19th century Height(in): 11.75 Width(in): 6.88 Diameter(in): 12.24 Credit: museum purchase Object No.: 1989.008.017

Decorative architectural features such as this became quite popular on village shrines after the construction of the ornate Nikko Tōshōgu shrine in the early 17th century. The placement of certain motifs became standardized in the following century. Lions typically appear as the ends of tie beams which connect posts supporting the roof over the stairs to the main building.

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