鬼瓦(おにがわら)

おにがわら
noun
ridge-end roof tile (often with a demon face)
buildingculture
1. decorative tile at a roof's ridge ends
A large ornamental tile placed at the ends of a traditional roof ridge, often carved with a demon or lion face. Traditionally believed to ward off evil spirits and fire, much like a gargoyle.
鬼瓦(おにがわら)を見(み)る。
To look at a ridge-end tile.
この寺(てら)の鬼瓦(おにがわら)は迫力(はくりょく)がある。
This temple's ridge-end tile is quite striking.
鬼瓦(おにがわら)は魔除(まよ)けとして屋根(やね)の両端(りょうたん)に置(お)かれる。
Ridge-end tiles are placed at both ends of the roof to ward off evil.

Usage

Despite the name (鬼(おに) = demon/ogre), many 鬼瓦(おにがわら) depict lions, waves, or family crests instead of a demon face; all serve the same protective, apotropaic role.

Common collocations

Related words

Related Words

Related: 屋根(やね) (roof)
Related: 丸瓦(まるがわら) (round roof tile)
general
Added 2026.9.11 13:35 · Revised 2026.10.13 16:58
30500/30857_onigawara