Shachihoko

A Shachihoko (鯱・鯱鉾) – or simply Shachi (鯱) – is a sea monster in Japanese folklore with the head of a dragon or tiger lion and the body of a carp[1] covered entirely in black or grey scales.

[5] First found in the Eastern Han dynasty portrait brick “Visitation”, Chiwen appears as a component that covers the roof ridge and protects the building from fire.

It is a powerful protector and servant of various deities that appears in half-fish and half-beast, often depicted with a dragon emerging from its mouth and characterized by an elongated nose that resembles an elephant.

Shachihoko, believed to have the ability to store water and control the rain, are often constructed in a male and female pair at each end of the roof ridge as protector spirits of the castles.

[2] Meanwhile, despite usually having similar styling, Shachihoko could vary in scale, which potentially makes it an important symbol for reflecting the grade of ancient buildings and proving the wealth of the constructor.