Japanese Roof Dragon

However japanese mythology also includes stories of malevolent serpents and giant centipedes.

Japanese roof dragon.

In japanese paintings ryūzu kannon one of the 33 traditional forms of kannon in japan is typically shown atop a dragon a legendary member of the vedic group of serpentine creatures known in sanskrit as the naga. Japanese style design more than any other must be simple balanced have harmony and be done with great skill and care using natural materials. This 鯱 is a kokuji chinese character invented in japan that can also be read shachi for orca. The kojiki an ancient sacred text of japan s shinto religion describes an evil eight headed dragon named yamata no orochi that was slain by the god susanoo no mikoto.

Kirin the japanese version of the qilin of china which is part dragon and part deer with antlers fish scales and an ox s tail. Each ridge ends with 10 beasts. Kitsunebi flames created by the kitsune. In time chinese buddhist artists adopted the dragon as a symbol of enlightenment.

Along the ridges unions between the roof panels near the corner a row of small figures is placed. Said to be a protective creature and the guardian of the metal element. At the tail of the procession will be an imperial dragon representing the authority of the state. I joe do appreciate japanese style more than any other especially the sukiya or teahouse style.

Kitsune no yomeiri ghost lights. Here we see the imperial yellow glaze reserved for the emperor. Kitsune a fox spirit. Today dragons decorate roofs and gates of temples both as guardians and to symbolize the dragon s power of clarity.

Buddhist dragons often are depicted holding a mani jewel which represents the buddha s teaching. In japanese mythology the shachihoko 鯱 a mythical fish with a carp s arched tail tiger s head and dragon s scales roof decoration is believed to cause rain and protect against fire. Japanese words for dragon are written with kanji chinese characters either simplified shinjitai 竜 or traditional kyūjitai 龍 from chinese long 龍. These kanji can be read tatsu in native japanese kun yomi and ryū or ryō in sino japanese on yomi.

Elegant japanese wood fence styles.