Okinawa’s iconic shīsā resemble exotic lions and have been part of the unique culture of the R

Okinawa’s iconic shīsāresemble exotic lions and have been part of the unique culture of the Ryūkyū Islands for centuries. Their use on rooftops is a relatively recent development, though, dating from the late 1800s. Perched atop the house, the fierce-faced creatures watch over the structure and its inhabitants.