noun
shachihoko; mythical tiger-headed fish
A mythical creature with a tiger's head and a fish's body, often used as a roof ornament on Japanese castles.
しゃちほこは火除けのまじないとして城の屋根に置かれた。
Shachihoko were placed on castle roofs as a charm against fire.
noun
shachihoko roof ornament
Specifically the roof ornament shaped like the mythical creature, believed to protect against fire by summoning rain.
名古屋城の金のしゃちほこは有名だ。
The golden shachihoko of Nagoya Castle are famous.
The origin is uncertain. The word may be related to 鯱 (shachi, 'orca') and 鉾 (hoko, 'halberd'), but the exact derivation is unclear.