A lion-dog or shrine dog; a guardian statue seen in temples. Usually found in pairs, one on either side of an entryway, one with the mouth open to represent the syllable a or the start of things, and the other with the mouth closed to represent the syllable un or the end of things (similar to the phrase alpha and omega).

a shrine, especially a Shinto shrine

a shrine, especially a Shinto shrine

a town in Watarai District, Mie Prefecture

護る: to protect, to defend / to watch carefully / to abide (by rules), to observe (regulations)

(archaic) to stand watch over something, to be on the lookout for something (such as a watchman controlling entry to a place) / (archaic) to protect or defend something, to ensure that something is safe

(Classical Japanese) to be watching continuously, to be on watch repeatedly, to be on look out / (Classical Japanese) to protect something, to take care of something

(Classical Japanese) to be watching continuously, to be on watch repeatedly, to be on look out / (Classical Japanese) to protect something, to take care of something

(Classical Japanese) to be watching continuously, to be on watch repeatedly, to be on look out

shrines and temples