Japan Ceramic Roof Tile - Large Antique Temple Kawara

Description
Tiled roofs (hongawarabuki) are a distinguishing feature of most Japanese homes, as well as Buddhist temples, Shinto (native religion of Japan) shrines and many other types of old buildings. Kawara is the word the Japanese use to describe roof tiles in general, though there are in fact many styles and types of tiles with regional variations, and a large and specialized vocabulary is used to describe these. Japanese roof tiles are typically very well made and often outlive their intended function protecting structures from the elements. As a result, old roof tiles can sometimes be spotted in Japan being reused for unique and interesting purposes. Old roof tiles are sometimes used to reinforce earthen retaining walls, or stacked one next to another to make garden borders. Roof tiles are also buried vertically along dirt walkways with just the tips exposed a fraction of an inch above the surface to create artistic patterns and to act as paving surfaces. Decorative end caps called onigawara (ogre tiles) look especially nice as accent pieces within the home or on patios and especially when positioned amidst garden foliage.

About the Listed Item
The antique Japanese roof tile offered with this listing is in fair condition with chips as well as marks and scratches from age and years of outdoor exposure. There is a crack at the front of the tile. This crack does not seem to affect the structural integrity of the tile which is quite sound. There are holes on either side of the rear section of the tile which are used to secure the tile to the frame of the building, and a small bit of attaching wire remains in place in one of the holes. This heavy ceramic tile includes a heavy block-like body which supports the decorative elements which emerge from the body in raised relief. The decorative element of this tile incorporates an image of splashing water captured with artful representation. Water images were once a very popular motif incorporated into many aspects of Japanese architecture, as it was thought that the water symbols did act as a ward against the dangers of fire. The splashing cascade depicted with the featured tile is especially beautiful and maintains a sense of lively, animated form despite decades of outdoor weathering. The dealer from whom we purchased the tile informed us that the item was recovered from a Buddhist temple undergoing repair and remodeling work in the city of Shizuoka, Japan. The tile dates from the early to mid Japanese Showa period (1926-1989) or before.

Size:
Height (at front including decorative molding): 9.0 inches (23.0 centimeters)
Width (at front including molding): 9.4 inches (24.0 centimeters)
Depth (front to back including molding): 7.0 inches (18.0 centimeters)
Weight: 11.7 pounds (5.34 kilograms)

Important Note:
Please be sure to note the shipping cost for this large and heavy item. Shipment is via international Express Mail Service (EMS) which includes a tracking number and full value insurance.

item code: R2S7-0003384
ship code: B & D

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Japan
• Ceramic
• Roof
• Tile
• Antique
• Temple
• Kawara
• Buddhist
• Buddhism
• Architecture
• Tokaido
• Softypapa

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[credenza1]

Lovely piece of work.

[Peekingduck]

Wow!

That's really nice.