renji 蓮子

Raised dots or bead-like forms that represent the seeds in a stylized lotus flower pattern decorating many pendant tiles *gatō 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 seedpod holding lotus seeds was popular from the Asuka period through the Heian period. 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 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 Zenshōji 善正寺 in Osaka, dated to between 645-700.