Youkai Magnets
Description: Karajishi, Protector of the Buddhist Law. Karajishi means “Chinese Lion Dog” in Japanese, a magical being with supernatural powers and the power to drive off evil spirits. You will often find a pair of these Lion Dogs standing guard outside the gates of a Japanese Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple, to prevent evil from entering. The Shishi-mai (Guardian Lion Dance) is a traditional dance in Japan in which performers wear a lion costume and mimic a lion's movements to music. The dance is usually performed as part of New Year's celebrations as well as other traditional, cultural and religious festivals. Shishimai dance serves the purpose to ward off evil and bring good fortune. Original design by Blacklinesw9
Description: Anger, Jealousy, Resentment: A Hannya tattoo indicates that the wearer is unforgiving. Hannya originate from the Sanskrit term for wisdom—specifically Prajñāpāramitā, the highest form of Buddhist wisdom which leads to enlightenment. The juxtaposition of the highest form of wisdom and creatures who represent direct opposition to that wisdom comes from the use of the hannya mask in noh. In the play Aoi no Ue, a shugenja (an ascetic mystic) exorcises the spirit of the hannya Lady Rokujō from Lady Aoi. As it is driven away, the evil spirit cries out, “Oh, how horrible! The voice of wisdom is like a demon!” Since then, demon masks and wisdom have been associated with each other.
