English: A shisa, or lion-headed dog. In Okinawan tradition these figures act in pairs to guard a home. This closed mouthed shisa is considered the more powerful of the two. It guards against mischievous spirits. An open mouthed shisa holds the spirits of men when they enter a home. Men's spirits remain in protective custody above the roof until they leave the building. Then the shisa returns the man's spirit. Shisa allow women's spirits to pass because local custom considers women spiritually pure.