noun
eave-end roof tile with decorative pendant
A traditional Japanese roof tile placed at the eave end, consisting of a convex semi-cylindrical tile (丸瓦) and a decorative disk-shaped pendant (瓦当). Used in temple and shrine architecture.
このお寺の軒丸瓦には、美しい模様が刻まれている。
The eave-end roof tiles of this temple are carved with beautiful patterns.
Compound of 軒 (のき, 'eaves'), 丸 (まる, 'round'), and 瓦 (がわら, 'tile'). The reading まる becomes まる due to rendaku.