On the way to my husband and my favorite yakuzen (Chinese medicinal cuisine) restaurant in Nara prefecture, there is a spot where you can see onigawara (a type of roof ornament). They aren't something we usually come across.

After enjoying our meal as usual, I took several photos of them, which have been put in the equal distance. The first three ornaments are called shichifukujin (the Seven Lucky Gods). They are believed to bring good fortune, and the three of them are smiling. They certainly look as if they could bring happiness.

The next photo below shows a variety of onigawara. To be honest, I'd never seen anything like this before. I found it's quit interesting. I guess they might be advertisements for a kawaraya (a shop for roof tiles) or perhaps samples to show customers. I took close-up photos as well. They are also believed to bring good luck and amulets.

You can still see them on the roofs of Temples or castles, but they rarely appear on ordinary houses anymore, since our houses have become more modernized.

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