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.
You often see them as a pair of guardians at temples and shrines, one is with mouth open, the other with mouth shut.
Only Botan (peony) can go with Karajishi, no cherry blossoms, no maple leaves or no chrysanthemums.
Karajishi is the king of animals, symbolizes strong man. Peony is the queen of flowers, symbolizes beauty. Karajishi-Botan is for a man among men, king of kings.
Inside themselves they often have bugs that destroy them, called “Shishi shinchu no mushi” that means “betrayers”. They sleep under peonies. Because the morning-dew on the peonies kills the bugs.
by Tattooist Ryugen