Here some useful references about Japanese traditional architecture, in particular about roofing.
First, nowadays there are 3 standard tiled roof types in Japan:
- J-shaped tiles: these are Japanese style tiles, the main tile is named 桟瓦 (sangawara); these tiles are the evolution of the traditional 本瓦葺 (hongawara roof) still used for temple and shrines; they are used for traditional houses;
- F-shaped tiles: these are flat tiles;
- S-shaped tiles: these are Western style tiles.