[The aesthetics of what protects] - The story of the Komainu tote bag

"The Aesthetics of Protection" - The Story of the Komainu Tote Bag

A pair of beasts stand quietly within the shrine grounds. Agyo has its mouth open, and Ungyo has its mouth closed. These are the Komainu, guardian dogs that have protected the hearts of the Japanese people for over a thousand years.

WABISUKE chose this design for this tote bag. The striking black and white contrast of the pattern is not just decorative. It is a design that embodies the power to protect. It is a fabric that brings quiet prayer and beauty into your everyday life.

What is a Komainu?

The origins of Komainu go back to ancient China and Korea, and are said to have been introduced to Japan during the Nara period. Originally, they were a pair of lions and dogs, but from the Heian period onwards, they became established as "komainu." Placed at the entrances of shrines and temples, they have been beloved as guardians of sacred grounds, warding off evil spirits.

As the phrase "Aun no Kokyū" (breath of harmony) suggests, Komainu symbolize the beginning and the end. The open-mouthed A-shaped statue represents the birth of life, while the closed-mouthed Un-shaped statue represents its end. In other words, Komainu are beings that watch over the flow of time itself.

WABISUKE's interpretation

The guardian lion dog depicted on this tote bag has been reconstructed to resonate with the younger generation by abstracting its traditional form. It is somehow pop and somehow sacred. This balance is the essence of WABISUKE's aesthetic.

This guardian lion guards the "daily life" of its owner. On the way to work, during a trip, or when out shopping... This tote bag was created as a silent companion during such moments.

Using it becomes a prayer

Carrying this tote bag is more than just fashion. It's an act of remembering the things inside you that you want to protect. Your family, your dreams, your beliefs -- the Komainu gently embrace each of these prayers.