Oni Gawara refers to the decorative roof tiles in traditional Japanese architecture, often depicting a demon’s face (oni) or an ogre-like design. These tiles are typically placed at the ends of the roof ridge and serve both a decorative and protective role, believed to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. The craft developed in the late Edo period and became prominent during the Meiji era, when clay tile roofing spread widely in Japan. Produced in many regions using their local clays, each region’s onigawara have distinctive features and motifs.