Keywords
Architecture
Roofing Tiles
Roof tiles glazed with more than two colors included various tones of brown, yellow and green which were the most commonly used. Traditionally, the glazes were based on a decorative combination of three colors popular during the Tang dynasty in China. Lead glazes were used and the colors were vivid. Examples of eave-end tiles with such glazes were unearthed at Heijōkyū 平城宮 site. An ogre tile with a three-color glaze was excavated from the ruins of Rajōmon 羅城門, the center south gate at the outer end of Suzakumon 朱雀門 thoroughfare at the Heijō capital, Nara.