Comments on: Shachi is life.

By: Daily HDR photo of a Shachihoko, a dragon-fish castle guardian — JapanDave

Daily HDR photo of a Shachihoko, a dragon-fish castle guardian — JapanDave — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:38:02 +0000

[...] If you want to read more on these guys, my friend Daniel O’Grady wrote a bit about Shachihoko at his blog. [...]

By: 真秀

真秀 — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:46:44 +0000

Now I know too. Thanks, I was wondering if there was something significant about those, or if I was just seeing things.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:03:28 +0000

Matt, The things of which you speak are Onigawara (鬼瓦). I found a link that may prove useful but you’ll need to flex your JLPT muscles.

http://watashiteki.seesaa.net/article/97196263.html

Thanks for the question. Now I know.

By: コルーズ・真秀

コルーズ・真秀 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:08:14 +0000

Okay,

Here is the link to a photo.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Poolofzen/MattSJapanTrip08#5436444386462802594

Also, you can see a bunch of them all over the roof-line in this photo
http://picasaweb.google.com/Poolofzen/MattSJapanTrip08#5436445422082532306

They may just be a variation on the Shichi theme. But, Himeji Castle has both. Enjoy!

Matt

And of Course, congratulations to you for all your hard work and passing the JLPT. I’m sure it is hard to practice Japanese when everyone wants to speak English with you!

By: コルーズ・真秀

コルーズ・真秀 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:56:55 +0000

Thanks again on the JLPT…. Still a bit confused as to how I passed!!!! -I think they mixed my score up with someone… (Not that I’m complaining!) Now I’m left wondering…. “Now what?”

It isn’t the Kara Hafu.(Though the Kara Hafu are very cool)… I’ll send you a picture. stand-by…..

By: matiasStella

matiasStella — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:10:15 +0000

nice post! I’ve always wondered about those roof adornments while travelling.

good stuff

By: admin

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:14:16 +0000

Hi Matt,

Glad you enjoyed the post. I really had fun writing this one.

I’m not exactly sure what you’re talking about with regard to the “silhouette of a samurai sitting in seiza” but I wonder if your not talking about a Kara hafu (唐破風) or one of the other types of gables (of which Himeji certainly has its share). Perhaps a picture woul’d be best.

Congrats again on the JLPT.

By: コルーズ・真秀

コルーズ・真秀 — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:37:20 +0000

What a great post! I always wondered what the significance of these guys were. And of course, nothing in Japan is without its cultural importance! My favorite are the ones affixed to Osaka Castle. They all have very similar designs don’t they.

I like your jokes about their fire prevention abilities and the male fish keeping his mouth shut!

Here’s a semi related question…. along the same lines as the Shachi. On many of the castles, (Especially Himeji) there are odd shaped fixtures along the roof. I think they look like the silhouette of a samurai sitting in seiza… or maybe just a obake looking down on us mortals. Since I first saw one I wondered what it’s was there for. My Japanese friend didn’t know. Like the fish, they don’t seem to have much structural purpose. (Honestly, I doubt that they are much more successful at putting out fires.)

Let me know if you know what I’m talking about, I have a photo I can send if you like.

Matt