Hori-name is a typical way of naming tattooists in Japan. In old times carvers also used to use this way. Hori means both carving and tattooing. Normally something with two syllables follows after the

It is said that right before Confucius was born a Kirin appeared and an auspicious scroll came out　from its mouth. The scroll said that child of water spirit would become a person who had a virtue of

The literal meaning is Chinese lion. Another name is Komainu. Komainu used to have a horn. Nowadays they are mixed and have no deference. And originally they were the same lion from Mesopotamia.