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shibi@ιτ”φ
KEY WORD :@architecture / decorations
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Also written ιυ”φ, εo”φ, –Ž; also called tobi-no-o ιτ‚Μ”φ, kutsugata ŒBŒ` (shoes tile) because it is thought to resemble proto-modern shoes. A type of roof ornament used on the main ridge *oomune ‘哏 of temple and palace architecture. It resembles the tail of an animal, but its origin is not known. It is believed to protect a building against fire. It was widely used in China, and was popular in Japan in the Asuka and Hakuhou periods. Shibi are traditionally made of tile and the oldest surviving example in Japan is found on the west side of the *Kondou ‹ΰ“° at Toushoudaiji “‚΅’ηŽ› in Nara. It dates from the 8c. There is an unusual use of shibi at Nankoubou “μŒυ–V in Ehime prefecture, where they were placed on corner ridges *sumikudarimune ‹χ~“, and on the off-spring ridges *chigomune ’tŽ™“ of the main hall *hondou –{“°. The popularity of shibi waned by the end of the Kamakura period. Later shibi were made of a wooden frame covered with a sheet of copper. A few stone shibi also exist. One variations includes the fish-shaped *shachi ιΝ.
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Toudaiji Kondou “Œ‘εŽ›‹ΰ“° (Nara)

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NOTES
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(C)2001 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.@No reproduction or republication without written permission.
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