Onigawara

Onigawara (鬼瓦 lit. ogre tile) are a type of roof ornamentation found in Japanese architecture. They are generally roof tiles or statues depicting a Japanese ogre (oni) or a fearsome beast. Prior to the Heian period, similar ornaments with floral and plant designs (hanagawara) preceded the onigawara.^[1] The present design is thought to have come from a previous architectural element, the oni-ita, which is a board painted with the face of an oni and was meant to stop roof leaks. During the Nara period the tile was decorated with other motifs, but later it acquired distinct ogre-like features and became strongly tridimensional.^[2] Onigawara are most often found on Buddhist temples. The tile's name notwithstanding, the ogre's face may be missing.

Images

• 
• 
  Jōdo-ji
• 
  Zenkoku-ji
• 
• 
  Cintamani
• 
  Kinchaku
• 
  　Kinkou_Sennin
• 
  　Uchide no kozuchi
• 
  　Common carp

See also

• Shibi (roof tile)
• Shachihoko
• Gargoyle
• Chimera (architecture)
• Imperial roof decoration
• Japanese architecture

Notes

1. "onigawara　鬼瓦." JAANUS. Retrieved on June 12, 2009.
2. DeAgostini Kodera/Butsuzō DVD series, Hōryū-ji issue's pamphlet

References

• Parent, Mary Neighbour. (2003). Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.

External links