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Must-See Art and Cultural Hotspots in Japan

Art Festivals & Events

ONIGAWARA :Legend of Exorcism

This special exhibition is held to commemorate the restoration of the south gate of the First Daigor hall, which is currently underway at the Heijo Palace site in Nara City. Onigawara (鬼瓦)is the gargoyle roof tile in East Asia. The history of Japanese Onigawara began in present-day Nara Prefecture under the influence of China and the Korean Peninsula. It has evolved in its own way and is unique. This time, we exhibit Onigawara excavated from the Heijo Palace site and the ancient temples of Nara, as well as Onigawara used in Horyuji Temple in the medieval times and the Edo period. Through these, please understand the history of Japanese Onigawara and of people's emotion on Onigawara.

Heijokyu Izanai-kan (Guidance Center of the Heijyo Palace Site)
Gargoyle Roof Tiles (Onigawara) welcoming you