Japanese Homes and Their Surroundings

by Edward Sylvester Morse

Fig. 74.—Yedo-gawara, or Yedo-tile eaves.

This is evidently the most ancient form of tile in the East, and in Japan is known by the name of hon-gawara, or true tile. [Fig. 73] represents the form of the hon-gawara used in Tokio.

Fig. 75.—French tile eaves.

The most common form of tile used in Tokio is represented in [fig. 71], called the yedo-gawara, or yedo tile. With this tile the upper convex tile is dispensed with, as the tile is constructed in such a way as to lap over the edge of the one next to it. [Fig. 74] illustrates the eaves of a roof in which a yedo tile is used, having the bordering tiles differing in form from those shown in [fig. 71]. A modification of this form is seen farther south in Japan (fig. 72, B), and also in Java.

Fig. 76.—Itami tile for ridge.

A new form of tile, called the French tile, has been introduced into Tokio within a few years ([fig. 75]). It is not in common use, however; and I can recall only a few buildings roofed with this tile. These are the warehouses of the [pg 90] Mitsu Bishi Steamship Company near the post-office, a building back of the Art Museum at Uyeno, and a few private houses.