鬼おに瓦がわら

noun

decorative ridge-end tile with a demon face

Traditional architectural ornament placed at the ends of roof ridges, often featuring a fierce demon face to ward off evil spirits.

• お寺てらの屋や根ねに鬼おに瓦がわらが並ならんでいる。

  Demon-faced ridge-end tiles line the roof of the temple.

• 鬼おに瓦がわらは魔ま除よけの意い味みがあるとされる。

  Onigawara are said to have the meaning of warding off evil.

noun

hideous face; scary face

Rare metaphorical use comparing a person's stern or frightening expression to the demon face on a ridge-end tile.

• 怒おこった父ちちの顔かおはまるで鬼おに瓦がわらのようだった。

  My father's angry face was just like an onigawara.