Komainu
Komainu have been used outdoors only since the 14th century, despite being ubiquitous at shrines now. In Asia, people believed that lions had the power to repel evil, and for this reason, they were commonly used to guard gates and doors. In Japan, they were installed at the entrance of shrines and temples next to the lion-dog. To protect against Japan's rainy weather, komainu started being carved in stone.