Onigawara

Onigawara (Japanese鬼 瓦, " teufelsgesichtiger tile ") is a decorative element in Japanese architecture, which also serves as a talisman. This is a tile that is designed in the Heian and Nara period with floral and animal motifs, from the Kamakura period, however, mostly as a caricature of a leprechaun ( Oni ). The brick is usually mounted at the end of the ridge. Sometimes Onigawara also work in wood or stone. They frequently have volutes or wave- shaped ornaments, which are called " Hire" (鳍, fins ). Plastic Onigawara be made ​​since the Muromachi period.

Examples

Detail: a Oni - ita (鬼 板), literally the board which carries the puck grimace

Detail of a Onigawara with the characters mizu (水, water) to protect against fire

Onigawara at the Nijo Castle with a three-leaved mallow as Mon ( family crest )

Onigawara motif with a gem in the waves

Onigawara with purses motif

Onigawara, the hermits and shamisen master Kinko representing

Onigawara with magical hammer motif ( Uchide no kozuchi )

Onigawara with Carp motif