kyoshimon　鋸歯文

KEY WORD :　architecture / roofing tiles

Also called sen kyoshimon 線鋸歯文. Saw-tooth pattern. Kyoshimon includes the zigzag pattern *inazumamon 稲妻文, a chevron pattern yamagata 山形, and wave pattern hamon 波文. Zigzag patterns found on the pendant tile *gatou 瓦当, of a semi-circular eave end tile *nokimarugawara 軒丸瓦, and on the top or bottom outer borders of a concave eave end tile *nokihiragawara 軒平瓦. They were also used to decorate some Yayoi period bell-shaped bronzes doutaku 銅鐸. There were two main pattern types used on tiles. One was used to decorate the periphery of a tile　with a raised zigzag line which resembles the teeth of a common saw. It was a linear pattern placed between the outer edge and the bead pattern *shumon 珠文, confined between two concentric circles. In the example unearthed at the ruins of Senkyouji (Funabashidera) 船橋寺, the zigzag pattern reaches from the rim of the tile to the circle enclosing the lotus motif. The other is composed of a series of solid, sharp triangular teeth pointing toward the tile rim. These do not have a linear quality but look like very strong, solid saw teeth nokogiriba 鋸歯. They appear to be unattached to the outer part of the two concentric circles. Their pointed tips do not extend to the edge of the rim. This motif first appeared on tiles in the mid to latter half of the 7c. and is rarely found now. The pattern's popularity waned during the 8c and had virtually disappeared during the Heian period. However, two more examples were unearthed at the Aoki 青木 ruined temple site, and are considered to be early 10c. The technique shows high relief and has one tile with an inscription, Daiku Wanibe Sadayuki 大工和仁部貞行, giving the name of the carpenter.

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