renji　蓮子

KEY WORD :　architecture / roofing tiles

Raised dots or bead-like forms that represent the seeds in a stylized lotus flower pattern decorating many pendant tiles *gatou 瓦当 attached to semi-circular eave end tile *nokimarugawara 軒丸瓦. A lotus flower pattern with has a circular center that represents a seed pod holding lotus seeds was popular from the Asuka period (552-645) through the Heian period (794-1185). The number of renji varies. A variation of the typical renji has the usual raised dot but is encircled by a ring giving it the appearance of a fish-eye. It is called gyogan renji 魚眼蓮子. A fragment found at the ruined temple, Saidaiji 西大寺 in Nara, built sometime between 600-50 AD has a center raised dot with a ring around it, but the remaining eight dots are plain. A notable example was excavated from the ruins of Zenshouji 善正寺 in Osaka, dated to between 645-700.

REFERENCES:

*naiku 内区, *fukuben rengemon　複弁蓮華文

EXTERNAL LINKS:

NOTES:

(C)2001 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.　No reproduction or republication without written permission. 掲載のテキスト・写真・イラストなど、全てのコンテンツの無断複製・転載を禁じます。