Showing posts with label kawara. gotsu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kawara. gotsu. Show all posts

Friday, June 17, 2011

Big Roof Kawara

ichiki6341

Kawara are ceramic rooftiles originally brought in from Korea to roof the first Buddhist temple in Japan in Asuka. Initially produced by immigrant artisans, they were only used on temples.

sail303

During the Heian Period is was stipulated that senior members of the court must roof their homes with them, but most people still used thatch or cedar-bark shingle until the Edo Period when mass production began.

sh9885

There are currently more than 1,000 different styles.

tera2465

The Iwami area and specifically Gotsu is a major producer of kawara, mostly in the distinctive red-earth color, though many colors are now available.

tad2367