Riding Shishi

[Baka Gaijin]

Who is riding the Shishi?

I’ve seen Tsuba depicting the character of Shoki riding a Shishi, with his attributes of Sword and Oni fleeing.

So, who is this?

His attribute looks like a fan, but what is he brushing away?

[Spartancrest]

I think the 'Shishi ' is a badly done tiger.

HOKEN ZENSHI (also Bukan Zenshi) the Taoist Rishi, Feng Kan. Shown riding upon, or sleeping near a tiger, or in company with the two mad Sennins, Hanzan (Kanzan) and Jittoicu (Shi Te)

 

From Henri Joly's LEGEND IN Japanese ART 1908

 

See MFA - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/12075

https://nihonto.com.au/product/yasuchika-tiger-and-monk-tsuba/

 

Like you say Shoki rides a Shishi

[Baka Gaijin]

Thank You Dale, 

I think you have nailed it.

 

[Spartancrest]

Malcolm there is another contender for your tsuba image. Monju Bosatsu  https://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/monju.shtml

and he does ride a Shishi.

 

"Shishi: They are usually associated with rocks, waterfalls and peonies. On such a lion rides Monju Bosatsu, whilst the same creature crouches at the feet of the “Sennin with the Shishi.” Legend has it that the shishis tested the vitality of their progeny by throwing the young ones from the top of a cliff ( shishi no saka otoshi ). Should the animal survive it was certain to live long."

from Henri Joly's "LEGEND IN Japanese ART"   P.162