Shachihoko
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File:Shachi.jpg
A shachihoko float used in Karatsu Kunchi festival
A shachihoko (鯱鉾 or 鯱?) or shachi ( 鯱?) is an animal in Japanese folklore with the head of a tiger and the body of a carp.[1] It was believed that this animal could cause the rain to fall,[why?] and as such, temples and castles were often adorned with roof ornaments (shibi) crafted in the form of a shachihoko, in order to protect them from fire.
When pronounced "shachi", 鯱 also means orca.[2]
A shachihoko decorates the roof of Okayama Castle
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