The raccoon dog is a creature of interest in Kyoto. It looks like a raccoon, but has a round body of a small bear. Represented in many small carvings and sculptures, it has a smiling face. It is considered a symbol of welcome, wealth and happiness.
Dragons are also present in many forms in the various temples and shrines. I saw a gorgeous painting of one dragon in black ink that spanned an entire wall of about 20 feet long. Other forms were small key chains, images on t-shirts and paintings available for sale at the temples and shrines. What I find so appealing about the dragon images is that they are usually painted in vibrant colors and have swirling curls and lines that contrast with their sharp teeth and jagged back ridges. These creatures fly too, so they whirl dangerously in the air.
Singha, Fu dogs or lion-dogs are present in many forms as sculptures in gardens and in paintings. They are depicted with curly manes and a single horn in the center of the head. They are typically juxtaposed to lions, which appear with only curly manes. Lion-dogs are usually on the left and have gritted teeth as though saying /nm^m:/, which is the last character in Japanese; Whereas the lion is usually on the right hand side and has an open mouth, because they “speak” the /aah/ sound, the first character in Japanese. Think of it as the representation of alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.
Other animals of curious interest are: the phoenix, the cow, the stork, and the carp. All these animals make their way into the lore of the temples, shrines or into the daily lives of the people.
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