Mythical creatures are so great.  What’s better than made-up monsters from a thousand years ago, immortalized in art that perpetuates to this day?

The komainu are mythical lion-like beasts that sit in pairs usually in front of temples in Japan (and China) to ward off bad luck and evil nonsense.

I fell in love with these guys while I was in China.  There are some huge stone animals along a walkway in Shanghai that I wanted to photograph (not enough time!).  But I managed to snag a shot with one that I became particularly fond of.

WUV YOUUUU