Roof Tiles with Imperial or Family Crests Castles of Toyotomi Hideyoshi
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Round Eave-End Tile with a Paulownia Crest
Found at the Fushimi Castle Site, Kyoto, Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th centuryJapanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
September 9, 2025 (Tue) - February 1, 2026 (Sun)Some castles and other buildings built during the Azuchi- Momoyama period (1573–1603) were roofed with tiles featuring family crests or motifs associated with the imperial court.
The custom of decorating roof tiles with such designs became prevalent in phases.
Firstly, the imperial court granted the famed samurai warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598) permission to use several versions of a stylized crest of the paulownia plant, which were associated with the imperial court. Subsequently, Hideyoshi allowed his retainers to use those paulownia crests on their belongings.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Round Eave-End Tile with Comma Shapes | Found at the Nagoya Castle Site, Saga | Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century | J-24872 | |||
| Highlight | Round Eave-End Tile with a Paulownia Crest | Found at the Fushimi Castle Site, Kyoto | Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century | J-24247-22 | |||
| Highlight | Round Eave-End Tile with Comma Shapes | Found in Kyoto City | Azuchi-Momoyama period, 16th century | J-24174-1 |