Kaga lion head keeping up the tradition
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Kaga lion head keeping up the tradition |
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HISTORY It was used for the training of martial arts The origin of Kaga's lion head was that when Maeda Toshiie, the founder of Kaga Clan entered into Kanazawa Castle, the citizens of Kanazawa sent a wooden lion head as a gift, wishing peace and stability in the region. Later the lion heads were used as talismans or as well-wishing ornaments of seasonal festivals. They are also used in lion dances called bo-furi, as the dancer uses bo (pole), or stick and sword. In Kanazawa, each town has a lion head as the town's guardian. Such lion heads are sculptured by famed artists and exhibited as token of power. CHARCTERISTICS Glaring eyes and sizes are important. The materials used in lion heads are paulownia from the foot hills of Mount Hakusan. As lacquer and gold leaf are used in abundance, the lion heads are considered as handicrafts or quality furnishing. The lion heads' glaring eyes are characteristics. They are large in size compared to other such lion heads. During the Edo period, the sculptors from Craftsman's House and the sculptors of Buddhist images manufactured lion heads. A number of fine craftsmen emerged. Even to this day, lion heads are the centers of festival attraction. |