Statues of a guardian dog and a lion have been placed at Kyoto University of Art and Design in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, as a prayer for an end to the spread of the new coronavirus.
Each statue is about three meters tall and weighs approximately 200 kilograms. The dog and the lion's eyes are red, and they look as if they're wearing armor.
Kenji Yanobe, a professor at the university who is also a contemporary artist, created the statues together with students. They were originally exhibited at a festival at Hieizan Enryakuji temple in Otsu last November, as a prayer for any calamity in society to subside. As the new coronavirus continued to spread, it was decided to display them on the university campus.
Students and the general public are not allowed to enter the university precincts for the time being to prevent infection. The two statues sit on a large stairway and look down on the town.
"Now is the time for the guardian dog and lion to help ease people's anxiety," said Yanobe, 54.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
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