We arrived at Kadeena Air Force base. At that time, Okinawa had not been fully returned to Japan, but that was to follow shortly. Shi Shi dogs permeated the island.

Shi Shi dogs

Legend has it that a Chinese Emperor of old, gave a little statue as a present of friendship to the Okinawan Emperor, to promote goodwill and trade. The people hated it because it was ugly. It seems that there was a sea monster that regularly rose up, killing and terrorizing the people of Okinawa. The next time this snake-like sea monster came up, everybody fled, except the Emperor. He ran down to the shore and held up the little Shi Shi dog statue. It scared the sea monster to death, causing it to fall back into the sea and be turned to stone. There is a group of rocks there, that are supposed to be the remains of the fallen sea monster. Ever since then, the people have loved the Shi Shi dog. A pair of these lion-like dogs are placed outside the entrance to each household. One has a snarl, which is supposed to keep the bad spirtits out, and one with a smile, which supposedly keeps the good spirits in. Pictured below is the largest one on the island. Most are only inches high.

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