It is supposed that this lion had Monju Bosatsu (Manjusri) on its back originally, and the color of rokusho (a paint made from copper rust, which exhibits green) and linear kirikane patterns are provided on the hair.
本来は文殊菩薩を乗せていたであろう獅子で、毛に緑青の彩色と線状の截金を施している