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Important Cultural Property

Round Eaves Tile with Lotus Design in Green Glaze from the Imperial Palace of Ancient Kyoto

平安京大内裏瓦 緑釉蓮華文軒丸瓦
Round Eaves Tile with Lotus Design in Green Glaze from the Imperial Palace of Ancient Kyoto (平安京大内裏瓦 緑釉蓮華文軒丸瓦)
PLATE IImage: Kyoto National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Archaeological Object · Heian period, 9th century · held by Kyoto National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation
Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Date
801–900
Dimensions
Diameter19.6cm
Catalogue ID
cobas-512

Find more

Ryokuyû is a type of glaze, which contains lead and turns green when fired at low temperatures. At Heijôkyô, the imperial palace of ancient Nara, ryokuyû tiles were used for the first time to cover the roofs of the palace, halls, and pagodas. At Heiankyô, the imperial palace of ancient Kyoto, the roofs of the main buildings, including Daigokuden (Great Hall), and the halls and pagodas of Tôji and Saiji Temples were also covered with ryokuyû tiles. These tiles were made not to cover the entire roof, but to decorate the eaves, the main ridge, and descending ridges of the roof.

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Round Eaves Tile with Lotus Design in Green Glaze from the Imperial Palace of Ancient Kyoto（平安京大内裏瓦 緑釉蓮華文軒丸瓦）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-512. Kyoto National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/round-eaves-tile-with-lotus-design-in-green-glaze-from-the-imperial-palace-of-ancient/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.
Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)
  • Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
  • Category: Archaeology:Media:Earthenware, stoneware, porcelain|Archaeology:Region:Japan
  • Size: Diameter19.6cm
  • Genre: Archaeological Artifacts
  • 員数: 1点
  • 種別: 考古:材質:土・陶・磁|考古:地域:日本
  • 分類: 考古
  • 法量: :径19.6cm

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