Okura Oriental Art Blog

May 5th is Children's Day in Japan. We cerebrate children's health and happiness on the day and display 'Kabuto', Samurai's armor's set or Samurai dolls called 'Musha-ningyo' at home. Koinobori or carp streamer decorate the landscape.

We found very small Koinobori in Roppongi(very close to our shop). There is no space to decorate big one in the center of Tokyo. You will see the Roppongi Hills　Building behind it. We can still see huge Koinobori in the country side. It is so beautiful and shows big happiness and luck!

May 5th is the final day during Golden week (Japanese holidays in spring). We also have 1 week holidays: from April  30th to May 5th.

We may spend most of the holidays in Tokyo, because it will be very quiet (except for Harajuku, Roppongi hills, or sightseeing places ). Yes, many people return to their home town. I think it is the best time to stay in Tokyo.

Please feel free from inquiring about our items in our website. We are always open on line.

Have nice holidays!!

The history of Japanese "Kawara (roof tile)," began from Asuka era, starting from A.D.645, as the arrival of Buddhism. At that time, “Kawara” was used only for temples. Yet, during Edo period, it was allowed to be used for general citizens’ houses by General Yoshimune, the 8th Shogun of Edo period. He decided to encourage people to rebuild their houses with roof tiles; not with woods only, so that the houses can be stronger against fire; too many accidents of fire was a big headache of the Shogun.

After the 8th century, people started decorating "Oni (ogre) masks" on the roof with a prey for peace and stability of establishments. Later, as the technical improvement of architecture, many different designs, such as a family emblem or a motif of water to avoid fire, appered, but all of them are called as “Oni Gawara (ogre face shaped roof tile)” as a whole.

Now, Japanese traditional house itself is hardly seen, but "Oni Gawara" is still popular especially for European and American architects as a unique Japanese tradition. Why don't you look up the sky and find the small piece with a long history? The picture is shown "Oni Gawara" of Todaiji Temple in Nara.