noun
A specialized architectural term referring to a tile placed at the eave end, consisting of a broad concave tile and a decorative cap. See also 平瓦 (broad concave tile) and 瓦当 (decorative cap).
この寺院の軒平瓦には、蓮の模様が刻まれている。
The eave-end roof tiles of this temple are carved with a lotus pattern.
瓦当 is the decorative cap or end piece of a roof tile, often found as part of 軒平瓦.
Compound of 軒 (のき, 'eaves'), 平 (ひら, 'flat'), and 瓦 (がわら, 'roof tile'). The reading がわら is a rendaku form of かわら.