Teruya Stone Lion

Itoman City Designated Tangible Cultural Asset (Sculpture)
Placed as a Higeshi (fire guard) for the Teruya community, the stone lion of Teruya sits staring fiercely at Mt. Yaese which people feared as Hizan (fire mountain).
The community offers prayers to the stone lion during Higeshi-no-Ugan in October of the lunar calendar.  With no record remaining on the stone lion, its maker and production year are unknown.  Stone lions are also found in other parts of Itoman City, such as Zaha, Ozato, Yoza and Nashiro; but Teruya’s stone lion is particularly impressive and said to have high artistic value.
The lion was formerly located by the Teruya bus stop at 741-1 Aza Teruya but was transferred to its current site on March 11, 2002 to accommodate community growth and road expansion.  (The former location is marked on the sidewalk.)

Designated by Itoman City on April 1, 1977
Height: Approx. 1m / Max. Length: Approx. 60 cm / Max. Width: Approx. 40 cm
Made of Ryukyu Limestone
February 2017  Itoman City