2005.1.74

Close up of Buddha Lion (head) with attendant performing on steps of building in San Francisco Chinatown. See below for text of story pasted on back of photo. Lion is on left side of photo and looks fierce; it has the look of a wild boar with large round nose and "tusks" of fringe extending from either side of the nose. It is mainly dark with lighter color painted decorations and "teeth". The area just behind the head is light in color and probably meant to evoke scales by overlapping pieces of material/cloth in a zig zag pattern. A pair of legs clad in stripped stockings of light and dark stripes and dark shoes is visible under the head. On the right side of the photo is the attendant. This person wears a mask that covers the entire head. The mask is bald, has painted on dark eyebrows, eyes, ears and a beard. A nose protrudes from the center of the face and a mouth is also visible. This person is wearing a white tee shirt, dark Chinese coat with a light colored lining -- visible by the turned back cuffs -- cloth belt knotted at the waist, baggy dark pants, shinguards of a dark color decorated with metal "nailheads" and tied shoes. His right hand holds a "palm leaf" fan and his left hand is by his left ear. They are at the bottom of five steps of a building. On the top steps/porch are approximately 12 Chinese(?) men looking at the lion. Several men are in dark suits, white shirts and fedoras. Two men are hatless in white shirts and ties. One young man is in a white tee shirt, dark jacket and beannie. Behind the men is an open door with ceiling chandelier and wall hangings with Chinese characters. From story pasted on back of photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO - FROM SAN FRANCISCO - PLEASE USE CREDIT "CHINATOWN PARADES ITS TRADITIONAL LION San Francisco, Jan. 29 -- The week-long celebration of the Chinese New Year reached a climax with the 'Dance of the Buddha Lion," shown above with its masked attendant. The fantastic figure, supported by Chinese stalwarts, paraded trhough Chinatown making calls on all business houses. Tradition requires those so honored to 'feed' the lion with money wrapped in lettuce leaves, the proceeds going to oriental charities." Associated Press Photo Fx ANYneg CX2 sj 1/29/36 2:15 pm

From white file folder Chinese Americans

Used: Oakland Tribune