Featured What is the purpose of this carved wood mini foo dog?

I'm asking for help on behalf of my sister who was given this little carved wooden foo dog by an elderly man who lives in Minnesota and Florida. He traveled a lot, but didn't tell my sister anything about the foo dog, when or where he got it--maybe it was a tourist trinket he picked up on his travels. At some point, someone glued an inexpensive modern pin to the back, but it fell off. The way it's carved with an opening on the back to thread something through, I wonder if it was designed to be worn with a scarf or a tie belt. It also has what looks like a signature on the back.

My sister would like to know how old it might be, where it was made, what kind of wood it is, what its purpose is, and what the writing on the back says. We both appreciate any information and opinions offered.

 

Hi This is purely a guess - a sash buckle.

 

Thank you, Kiko, that sounds like a pretty good guess. I wondered if foo dogs are Chinese or Japanese and learned that in Japan they're called lion dogs. I also found somewhat similar examples that were called "Japanese OBIDOME Lion Sash Clip" with one or two openings on the back for the sash/belt to slide through.

 

Many nations have a version of foo dogs. India for example. I'm glad you found something similar.

 

Good to know, thank you.

 

Also referred to as “Shishi”

 

Thank you @J Dagger for that information....a new term for me. I spent quite a bit of time googling Shishi.

The first examples I found were "guardian lions" (Shisa) at Naminoue Shrine, Okinawa, Japan, so I'm wondering if the elderly gentleman who gave the little sash buckle to my sister may have purchased it as a souvenir while traveling in Okinawa -- or may even have been stationed in Okinawa while in the U.S. military and purchased it then.

According to a website (https://www.kanpai-japan.com/lifestyle/shisa-okinawa), "Shisa in modern culture...also known as 獅子 shi-shi ("lion") in the local language, are found everywhere in Okinawa....Shisa also have cousins called 狛犬 koma-inu (“lion-dog") which you can sometimes see outside temples all over Japan..."

I googled "koma-inu", and found examples of "lion-dog" figures but they didn't include the little sunburst designs like those on my sister's sash buckle. The only examples I found that included the sunburst designs were linked to Okinawa, but I certainly didn't do an exhaustive search to rule out other possibilities.

Anyway, it's been interesting and educational doing the research. Thank you again, J Dagger.

 

What a fascinating thread! I wonder if the spiral carvings on the top might represent the sun, a traditional Japanese symbol? Great detective work to you all!