Shisa are the dog/lion hybrids imported from China into the Ryukyu kingdom. Traditionally in China (and in Okinawa), they are a little scary looking since they're supposed to be protectors. Nowadays they're happy purveyors of Okinawan culture. This rotating tower of happy gremlin-esque shisa are sitting underneath a Hanagasa.
Hanagasa are flower hats worn by female Okinawan dancers for a specific dance. Now people wear them for other performances too.
See a more recent shisa photo here.
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