Gray Onigawara Japanese Oni Mask Wall Hanging Handmade Ceramic Roof Tile

This gray Japanese onigawara-style oni mask presents a commanding yet dignified face of the demon guardian. Wide, rounded eyes beneath a furrowed brow, a broad sculpted nose and full cheeks give the expression its quiet intensity. A pair of small horns rises from the brow, and curved fangs are visible at the mouth. Flowing, wave-like locks of hair frame the face in rhythmic swirls. The surface carries a soft, even gray tone, which may appear slightly different depending on the lighting.

Onigawara are ornamental tiles traditionally placed at the ridge ends of roofs on Japanese temples, castles and traditional houses. They form part of a long protective tradition in Japanese architecture, in which the fierce face of the oni took its place high above the household.

Traditionally, the onigawara is regarded as a talisman. It is said to ward off evil and misfortune and to watch over the home and those who live within it. This is a matter of cultural belief and custom, and it is offered here in that spirit, as a meaningful emblem of protection.

This piece belongs to the Japanese traditional craft form of kawara tile work. It is made in Japan of kawara clay ceramic. It is well suited to display as a wall hanging in an entrance, a study, a tea room or a gallery-style interior, where its sculpted detail and restrained colour can be appreciated.

• Type: Onigawara-style Oni Mask Wall Hanging
• Color: Gray
• Material: Ceramic (kawara clay)
• Origin: Japan
• Dimensions: Length 10 cm x Width 20 cm x Height 25 cm
• Weight: 1 kg