The face of a decorative onigawara is a ceramic construction as well as a motif. Yamanashi’s Koshu process account places the addition of facial features between two drying stages, rather than presenting the tile as a single finished shape sent straight into a kiln.
Technique and structure
Tile clay is kneaded, cut into rectangular pieces with wire and stacked. The next named operation joins the cut clay and flattens it with a tataki tool. Initial shade drying lasts two to three days in the account. The mouth, eyes, nose and horns are then added during finishing, followed by further drying before firing. The sequence makes the assembly and additions visible as separate decisions. Its stated firing schedule of 1,150°C for 20 hours, followed by cooling and smoke treatment, belongs to this reference process, not a recipe for arbitrary clay or a home kiln.
A decorative form needs its own specification
The prefecture identifies tile clay and the Kagami area of Minami-Alps. It describes handmade examples with differing expressions. This guide does not reproduce a maker’s face design or establish that a decorative piece is suitable for a roof installation.
For an actual purchase, intended display, mounting and handling need a product-specific answer. The historical craft name alone is insufficient.
For international readers
Confirm whether the actual object is intended for architectural use or display and obtain its mounting instructions. No protective effect, load capacity or weather-resistance rating is claimed here.
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日本語
甲州鬼瓦：乾燥工程の間に作る口・目・鼻・ツノ
甲州鬼瓦の工程資料では、瓦粘土を針金で切り重ねて接着・平らにした後、日かげで二〜三日乾燥させ、口・目・鼻・ツノなどを付けます。さらに乾燥してから焼成する流れです。造形と乾燥の順序を説明し、装飾品の名前だけで屋根への適合や取付方法を判断しない解説です。