Shachihoko: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Japanese mythological creature}} |
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{{Unreferenced|date=November 2011}} |
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{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Japanese words and phrases]]}} |
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[[File:Kinshachi crow.jpg|thumb|248x248px|Shachihoko on the roof of Nagoya Castle]] |
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A {{nihongo||鯱・鯱鉾|'''Shachihoko'''}} – or simply {{nihongo||鯱|'''Shachi'''}} – is a sea monster in [[Japanese folklore]] with the head of a [[dragon]] and the body of a [[carp]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weblio.jp/content/%E3%81%97%E3%82%83%E3%81%A1%E3%81%BB%E3%81%93|script-title=ja:しゃちほこ|publisher=三省堂 大辞林|language=Japanese}}</ref> covered entirely in black or grey scales.<ref name=":0">Joya. ''Japan and Things Japanese.'' Taylor and Francis, 2017;2016;, {{doi|10.4324/9780203041130}}</ref> According to the tale, Shachihoko lives in the cold northern ocean. Its broad fin and tails always point up toward heaven, and its dorsal fins have numerous sharp spikes. It can swallow a massive amount of water and hold it in its belly, as well as summon clouds and control the rain.<ref name=":1">Meyer, Matthew. “Shachihoko.” ''YOKAI.COM'', https://yokai.com/shachihoko/ . Accessed 3 December 2022.</ref> Although believed to come from the sea, they are often constructed high on the roof standing upside down.<ref name=":0" /> |
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[[Image:Shachi.jpg|right|thumbnail|A ''shachihoko'' float used in [[Karatsu Kunchi]] festival]] |
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鯱 is a [[kokuji]] character; when pronounced {{nihongo||鯱|shachi}}, it also means "[[orca]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weblio.jp/content/%E3%81%97%E3%82%83%E3%81%A1|title=しゃち|publisher=三省堂 大辞林|language=Japanese}}</ref> |
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A {{Nihongo|'''shachihoko'''|鯱鉾}} is an animal in [[Japanese folklore]] with the head of a [[tiger]] and the body of a [[carp]]. It was believed that this animal could cause the rain to fall, and as such, temples and castles were often adorned with roof ornaments (''[[Shibi (roof tile)|shibi]]'') crafted in the form of a ''shachihoko'', in order to protect them from fire. |
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== Origins == |
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The above [[kanji]] can be pronounced in two different ways. When pronounced "shachihoko", it refers to the mystical animal mentioned above. When pronounced "shachi", it usually means [[orca]]. This is a source of confusion, even among the Japanese.{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} |
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According to one version of the modern view, Shachihoko evolved from ''[[Chiwen]]'', an animal in the Chinese tale from the [[Han dynasty]] (202 BC - 220 AD), and is known as Shibi in Japan.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Shachihoko or Shachi - Creature with Tiger Head & Fish Body |url=http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shachihoko.html |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=www.onmarkproductions.com}}</ref> First found in the Eastern Han dynasty portrait brick “Visitation”, Chiwen appears as a component that covers the roof ridge and protects the building from fire.<ref name=":3">Wu Wei, and Hong Shan."The Analysis of Chinese Traditional Ridge Decoration Symbol of Chiwen." ''Packaging Journal'', vol. 5, no. 1, 2013, pp. 68-72.</ref> The animal is popularized in Japan during the [[Nara period|Nara]] (710 AD - 794 AD) and [[Heian period]] (794 AD - 1185), and become a widely used element of Japanese roof construction during the [[Sengoku period]] (1467 - 1651).<ref name=":1" /> |
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Other descriptions propose that Shachihoko probably derived from the ancient Vedic sea creature in Hindu mythology, known as ''[[Makara]]'', a Sanskrit term for sea monster. It is a powerful protector and servant of various deities that appears in half-fish and half-beast, often depicted with a dragon emerging from its mouth and characterized by an elongated nose that resembles an elephant.<ref name=":2" /> In Southeast Asia, Makara is frequently used to adorn temple lintels and arches or as rain spouts.<ref name=":1" /> |
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[[Image:Okayamajou26.JPG|right|thumb|180px|A ''shachihoko'' decorates the roof of [[Okayama Castle]]]] |
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== Functions == |
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[[File:Tōdai-ji hdsr IMG 3813.jpg|thumb|291x291px|Shachihoko on Tōdaiji Kondō (Nara)]] |
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Since most ancient architecture is made of wood, they are often under the threat of fire. Shachihoko, believed to have the ability to store water and control the rain, are often constructed in a male and female pair at each end of the roof ridge as protector spirits of the castles. Although the exact technique is unknown, it is said that its grotesque appearance and particularly the spouting hole might send out water to quench fire.<ref name=":0" /> Meanwhile, despite usually having similar styling, Shachihoko could vary in scale, which potentially makes it an important symbol for reflecting the grade of ancient buildings and proving the wealth of the constructor.<ref name=":3" /> It is thus believed that when Shachihoko is first used on roofs in the [[Muromachi period]] (1333 - 1573), it serves as a representation of the feudal lord's authority.<ref name=":4">Mitchelhill, Jennifer. ''Castles of the Samurai: Power and Beauty''. Kodansha International, 2003.</ref> |
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The most famous Shachihoko today is the kin shachi (golden dolphins) at [[Nagoya Castle|Nagoya castle]], which are plated in 18 karat gold, 0.15 millimetres thick. The male is 2.62 meters high, weighs 1,272 kilograms, and has 112 scales, while the female is 2.58 meters high, weighs 1,215 kilograms, and has 126 scales.<ref name=":4" /> However, with more realistic and modern approaches to fire protection, most Shachihoko now retains only an ornamental function as roof decoration. Because of its uncanny gesture, Shachihoko is used as a synonym for "standing upside down on the head, and the term "shachihoko-baru (鯱張る: to be stiffly dignified)" is also derived from its name.<ref name=":0" /> |
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==See also== |
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*[[Gargoyle]] |
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*[[Grotesque (architecture)]] |
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*[[Makara (Hindu mythology)]] |
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*''[[Onigawara]]'' |
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*[[Shibi (roof tile)|''Shibi'' (roof tile)]] |
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*[[Team Shachi]] (originally Team Syachihoko), a J-pop idol group which formerly used the animal in its name and logo |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
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* {{commonscat-inline|Shachi}} |
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{{Japanese folklore long}} |
{{Japanese folklore long}} |
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[[Category:Japanese legendary creatures]] |
[[Category:Japanese legendary creatures]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Japanese folklore]] |
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[[Category:Legendary fish]] |
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[[Category:Mythological tigers]] |
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{{Japan-myth-stub}} |
{{Japan-myth-stub}} |
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Revision as of 11:24, 11 February 2024
A Shachihoko (鯱・鯱鉾) – or simply Shachi (鯱) – is a sea monster in Japanese folklore with the head of a dragon and the body of a carp[1] covered entirely in black or grey scales.[2] According to the tale, Shachihoko lives in the cold northern ocean. Its broad fin and tails always point up toward heaven, and its dorsal fins have numerous sharp spikes. It can swallow a massive amount of water and hold it in its belly, as well as summon clouds and control the rain.[3] Although believed to come from the sea, they are often constructed high on the roof standing upside down.[2]
鯱 is a kokuji character; when pronounced shachi (鯱), it also means "orca".[4]
Origins
According to one version of the modern view, Shachihoko evolved from Chiwen, an animal in the Chinese tale from the Han dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD), and is known as Shibi in Japan.[5] First found in the Eastern Han dynasty portrait brick “Visitation”, Chiwen appears as a component that covers the roof ridge and protects the building from fire.[6] The animal is popularized in Japan during the Nara (710 AD - 794 AD) and Heian period (794 AD - 1185), and become a widely used element of Japanese roof construction during the Sengoku period (1467 - 1651).[3]
Other descriptions propose that Shachihoko probably derived from the ancient Vedic sea creature in Hindu mythology, known as Makara, a Sanskrit term for sea monster. It is a powerful protector and servant of various deities that appears in half-fish and half-beast, often depicted with a dragon emerging from its mouth and characterized by an elongated nose that resembles an elephant.[5] In Southeast Asia, Makara is frequently used to adorn temple lintels and arches or as rain spouts.[3]
Functions
Since most ancient architecture is made of wood, they are often under the threat of fire. Shachihoko, believed to have the ability to store water and control the rain, are often constructed in a male and female pair at each end of the roof ridge as protector spirits of the castles. Although the exact technique is unknown, it is said that its grotesque appearance and particularly the spouting hole might send out water to quench fire.[2] Meanwhile, despite usually having similar styling, Shachihoko could vary in scale, which potentially makes it an important symbol for reflecting the grade of ancient buildings and proving the wealth of the constructor.[6] It is thus believed that when Shachihoko is first used on roofs in the Muromachi period (1333 - 1573), it serves as a representation of the feudal lord's authority.[7]
The most famous Shachihoko today is the kin shachi (golden dolphins) at Nagoya castle, which are plated in 18 karat gold, 0.15 millimetres thick. The male is 2.62 meters high, weighs 1,272 kilograms, and has 112 scales, while the female is 2.58 meters high, weighs 1,215 kilograms, and has 126 scales.[7] However, with more realistic and modern approaches to fire protection, most Shachihoko now retains only an ornamental function as roof decoration. Because of its uncanny gesture, Shachihoko is used as a synonym for "standing upside down on the head, and the term "shachihoko-baru (鯱張る: to be stiffly dignified)" is also derived from its name.[2]
See also
- Gargoyle
- Grotesque (architecture)
- Makara (Hindu mythology)
- Onigawara
- Shibi (roof tile)
- Team Shachi (originally Team Syachihoko), a J-pop idol group which formerly used the animal in its name and logo
References
- ^ しゃちほこ (in Japanese). 三省堂 大辞林.
- ^ a b c d Joya. Japan and Things Japanese. Taylor and Francis, 2017;2016;, doi:10.4324/9780203041130
- ^ a b c Meyer, Matthew. “Shachihoko.” YOKAI.COM, https://yokai.com/shachihoko/ . Accessed 3 December 2022.
- ^ "しゃち" (in Japanese). 三省堂 大辞林.
- ^ a b "Shachihoko or Shachi - Creature with Tiger Head & Fish Body". www.onmarkproductions.com. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
- ^ a b Wu Wei, and Hong Shan."The Analysis of Chinese Traditional Ridge Decoration Symbol of Chiwen." Packaging Journal, vol. 5, no. 1, 2013, pp. 68-72.
- ^ a b Mitchelhill, Jennifer. Castles of the Samurai: Power and Beauty. Kodansha International, 2003.
External links
Media related to Shachi at Wikimedia Commons
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