Japanese Roof Tiles Kawara

These roof tiles have high cultural importance since they have been decorating the japanese scenery for more than 1 400 years.

Japanese roof tiles kawara.

You cannot travel to japan without noticing the tidiness attention to detail and deliberate use of design to improve the look of dull and everyday objects to create a beautiful living environment. Kawara is a variety of clay tile. The origin of japanese kawara was brought from china via korea in the late 6th century with the arrival of buddhism. Kawara offers various roofing materials commonly used in the philippine market such as clay and ceramic roof tiles stone coated metal roofing asphalt shingles and composite roof tiles.

What exactly is a kawara. The term originally refers to a slab of clay that has been baked until it hardens. Karakusa gawara or on the roof corner peaks featured in japanese architecture. The japanese roof tiles called kawara are one of the most noticeable elements of the japanese landscape especially in kyoto which still has many traditional houses.

The purpose of japanese roof tiles is to prevent evil from coming into the home temple castle. Kawara traditional roof tiles of japan not only keep the rain out they have personality meaning and spiritual symbolism. It is thought that the oldest kawara were used in asuka temple in nara prefecture south of kyoto. Roofs of japanee traditional houses are generally covered with ceramic tiles called kawara 瓦 and these are often decorated with the decorative ornaments like shachihoko 鯱.

These decorave ornaments often have meanings like keeping away bad spirits to protect the house etc.