Shachihoko: Difference between revisions

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There might not be a 'why'. It's a folk belief borrowed from an old chinese tradition to bring a watery element to roof tops in order to protect from fire. Hence they cause rain which stops fire.
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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 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|script-title=ja: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.
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|script-title=ja: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.


When pronounced "shachi", 鯱 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>
When pronounced "shachi", 鯱 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>

Revision as of 23:34, 17 January 2018

A shachihoko float used in Karatsu Kunchi festival

A shachihoko (鯱鉾 or 鯱) or shachi (鯱) 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.

When pronounced "shachi", 鯱 also means orca.[2]

A shachihoko decorates the roof of Okayama Castle

References

  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.
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