Shachihoko: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Shachi.jpg|right|thumbnail|A ''shachihoko'' float used in [[Karatsu Kunchi]] festival]]
[[Image:Shachi.jpg|right|thumbnail|A ''shachihoko'' float used in [[Karatsu Kunchi]] festival]]


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.
A {{Nihongo|'''shachihoko'''|鯱鉾 or 鯱}} or {{Nihongo|'''shachi'''| 鯱}} is an animal in [[Japanese folklore]] with the head of a [[tiger]] 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|title=しゃちほこ|publisher=三省堂 大辞林|language=Japanese}}</ref> 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.


"shachi" also means [[orca]].<ref>{{citeweb|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>
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}}


[[Image:Okayamajou26.JPG|right|thumb|180px|A ''shachihoko'' decorates the roof of [[Okayama Castle]]]]
[[Image:Okayamajou26.JPG|right|thumb|180px|A ''shachihoko'' decorates the roof of [[Okayama Castle]]]]
{{reflist}}

{{Japanese folklore long}}
{{Japanese folklore long}}



Revision as of 22:34, 23 May 2013

A shachihoko float used in Karatsu Kunchi festival

A shachihoko (鯱鉾 or 鯱) or shachi () is an animal in Japanese folklore with the head of a tiger and the body of a carp.[1] 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) crafted in the form of a shachihoko, in order to protect them from fire.

"shachi" also means orca.[2]

A shachihoko decorates the roof of Okayama Castle
  1. ^ "しゃちほこ" (in Japanese). 三省堂 大辞林.
  2. ^ "しゃち" (in Japanese). 三省堂 大辞林.