Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts

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Page：339

Todaiji Temple: Roof Tile with the Face of a Monster

JAPAN, Nara; Nara period (710–794), 8th century; Earthenware; H: 50.8 cm
Recovered from the lecture hall of Todaiji Temple, this 8th century tile was used to decorate the ends of the main ridge or roof hips. The arched tile has the face of a monster with protruding eyes, widened nostrils, two indentations on the bridge of the nose, and an open mouth revealing its fangs, one of which is missing. The tile is decorated with traces of beads around the face and zigzag motifs in the upper section.

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