Yokota Monuments
A pair of komainu, or lion-dogs, stand guard outside the Yuko Park and Sakura Shell at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 30, 2016. Komainu are often placed in front of shrines, gates and houses where they are said to provide protection from evil spirits. Common belief is that the open and closed mouths are derived from Buddhist symbolism. The mouths are shaped forming the sounds “a” and “un” which combine to form “a-un” which is the Japanese rendition of the Indian word 'om.’ Originating in Hinduism and adopted by Buddhism, the word’s meaning seems somewhat vague at times, but is sometimes described as the name of God or the sound of the vibration of the universe. In Japan, “a” and “un” are also symbolic of beginnings and endings, in the same way that Western countries use alpha and omega. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Senior Airman David C. Danford/Released)