https://nz.trip.com/moments/detail/naha-57429-136316252?locale=en-NZ
諸文武Taiwan, China
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Okinawa, Japan | A V

Okinawa, Japan | A Variety of Shisa Guru Pottery Integrates Protection into Everyday Life At the pottery studio on Tsuboya-dori, Shisa Guru are no longer just rooftop guardians. Step inside, and you'll find them in a variety of poses and forms: some majestic and majestic, others innocent and adorable, and even some colorfully painted with childlike charm. Even more interestingly, Shisa Guru are no longer limited to traditional pottery sculptures; they've expanded into everyday items. They can be found on cups, bowls, vases, even keychains and small ornaments. These ingenious designs have made the once solemn guardian deities more accessible and engaging. This kind of artistic transformation is the essence of Okinawan culture—the belief in protection is subtly integrated into everyday details, allowing people to interact with it without even noticing. Bringing home a Shisa Guru pottery piece is more than just a souvenir; it also carries the smiles and protection of Okinawa into our lives.
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Posted: Sep 25, 2025
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Okinawa, Japan | A Variety of Shisa Guru Ceramics, Guarding the Island's Breath Tsuboya-dori, just off Kokusai-dori in Naha, stretches quietly along its banks, yet it's brought to life by the presence of Shisa Guru. The pottery studios here showcase a diverse array of Shisa Guru: Some, with bared fangs and claws, possess a thunderous aura; Some, with their charming smiles, resemble the friendly neighborhood children; Some, vibrantly painted, blend tradition with modernity; Some, unadorned, bear traces of earth and flame. Walking into each small shop, the ceramic Shisa Guru arrayed on the shelves is like an exhibition of expressions. They aren't stereotypical symbols, but rather an extension of the craftsman's inspiration and the essence of the land. Holding one in your hands, you can feel the weight of the clay and the individuality imbued by the artisan.

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Okinawa, Japan | Strolling Through Doors: Inside is Daily Life, Outside is the Journey Okinawa's streets are free from the cramped confines of high-rise buildings. Instead, they are filled with low-rise red-tiled houses and gates guarded by shisa dogs. Walking along Naha or Tsuboya-dori, you'll often be captivated by the array of doorways—some with pottery jars stacked in front, others adorned with hand-woven straw ornaments, and still others with lions of varying expressions perched on the doorposts.

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Collect a Shisa dog and bring home the island's guardian. Off Kokusai-dori in Naha, turn onto the tranquil Tsuboya-dori and you'll feel like you've stepped into another time and space. Winding stone paths are flanked by old red-tiled houses and pottery studios. This area, a pottery town since the Ryukyu Kingdom, is also one of the birthplaces of the Shisa dog. Shisa dogs are uniquely Okinawa's guardian beasts, with faces ranging from majestic to innocent. Those with open mouths pray for warding off evil, while those with closed mouths protect blessings. Walking along Tsuboya-dori, you'll find Shisa dogs of varying shapes displayed outside nearly every pottery shop: some with eyes wide open, as if shouting away disaster; others with beaming smiles, evoking joy. Collecting a Shisa dog is like taking home a piece of Okinawa's blessings. Palm-sized ceramic Shisa dogs are the most popular, perfect for display in the entryway or on a desk, allowing them to quietly guard you as you leave and return home each day. There are also some brightly colored modern designs that transform the traditional heaviness into childishness and warmth, making people want to take them all away.

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