A small Japanese carved wood architectural decorative beam end (kibana) in the form of a lion dog. The lion dog, shishi, is an auspicious symbol of good luck and protection. The lion dog beam end carved from keyaki (zelkova) wood, would have originally been part of a Buddhist temple. With wear, losses from age and exposure. On contemporary metal wall mount. Edo Period (1600-1868) 6" deep x 5-1/4" high x 4-1/2" wide