Demon Tiles and Mud Walls Photo Exhibit

Besides wood and bamboo, two other traditional materials found in Kyoto’s built up environment are clay and mud. The most common use for fired clay is in roof tiles (kawara), which include the decorative corner and gable tiles in the shape of a demon’s face (oni-gawara). Mud, on the other hand, was the major constituent of traditional wattle wall construction, both in buildings and in outside garden and perimeter walls. In some cases, earthen walls were also reinforced with embedded tiles.

Demon tiles and earthen walls can be seen at many of Kyoto’s shrines and temples, but they are often overshadowed by the sites’ impressive wooden structures. The following photo album seeks to highlight some of the striking images and subtle textures found in traditional Japanese architecture when we look for clay and mud.