鯱 (hǔ) - Shachi — a mythical sea creature in Japanese & commonly seen as roof ornaments on Japanese castles.

鯱Tone 3

hǔ ｜ 19 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

鯱 · hǔ

Shachi — a mythical sea creature in Japanese folklore with a tiger's head and carp's body, believed to protect against fires;

commonly seen as roof ornaments on Japanese castles.

Shachi — a mythical sea creature in Japanesecommonly seen as roof ornaments on Japanese castles.

Usage highlights

Golden shachihokoCastle shachihokoRoof shachihokoShachihoko ornamentShachihoko sculptureShachihoko legend

Synonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The golden shachihoko glitters atop Nagoya Castle (名古屋城の金の鯱).
  • Shachihoko are believed to cause rain and protect buildings from fire (鯱は雨を呼び火災から守ると信じられている).
  • This temple features shachihoko decorations on its roof (この寺の屋根には鯱の飾りがある).
  • The shachihoko is sometimes called a 'dolphin' in English contexts (鯱は英語で時々「イルカ」と呼ばれる).

Collocations

  • Golden shachihoko(金の鯱)
  • Castle shachihoko(城の鯱)
  • Roof shachihoko(屋根の鯱)
  • Shachihoko ornament(鯱の飾り)
  • Shachihoko sculpture(鯱の彫刻)
  • Shachihoko legend(鯱の伝説)

Idioms

  • Like a shachihoko bringing rain(鯱が雨を呼ぶように)
  • Protected by shachihoko(鯱に守られて)
  • Shachihoko on the castle roof(城の鯱)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originated in Japanese mythology as a hybrid creature combining tiger and carp features.
  • Traditionally placed on castle roofs as talismans against fire, believed to summon rain.
  • The golden shachihoko on Nagoya Castle is one of Japan's most famous cultural symbols.
  • Represents protection, strength, and the power to control water elements.

FAQ