Roof Tiles Used on Castles in the 16th‒19th Century
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Round Eave-End Roof Tile with a Paulownia Crest
Found at the site of Fushimi Castle, Kyoto, Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th centuryJapanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
September 20, 2023 (Wed) - March 10, 2024 (Sun)In the 16th century, roof tiles were used on castles for the first time in Japan by the famed samurai warlord Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582). Later, castles around the country began to be roofed with tiles featuring a variety of designs including warlords’ family crests. In particular, the use of paulownia crests, which was originally exclusive to the imperial family, prevailed noticeably after the Imperial Court granted it to the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536–1598), who then allowed his retainers to use this type of crest.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Red Round Eave-End Roof Tile with Comma Shapes | Found at the site of Aizu Wakamatsu Castle, Fukushima | Edo period, 17th–19th century | J-25364-849 | |||
| Highlight | Decorative Roof Tile with Paulownia | Found at the site of Gifu Castle Tower, Gifu | Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century | J-24202 | |||
| Highlight | Round Eave-End Roof Tile with a Paulownia Crest | Found at the site of Fushimi Castle, Kyoto | Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century | J-24247-13 |