Katsuogi and Chigi

Katsuogi (鰹木, 堅魚木, 勝男木, 葛緒木^?) or Kasoegi (斗木^?) are short, decorative logs found on Japanese and Shinto architecture. They are placed at a right angle along the ridge of roofs, and are usually featured in religious or imperial architecture.

They are often placed on the roof with chigi, a forked ornamentation used on Shinto shrines.
Chigi may be built directly into the roof as part of the structure, or simply attached and crossed over the gable as an ornament.

The katsuogi, a short decorative log, is often found behind the chigi. Depending on the building, there may be only one katsuogi accompanying the chigi, or an entire row along the ridge of the roof.

Katsuogi predate Buddhist influence and is an architectural element endemic to Japan.^[1]  Today, katsuogi and chigi are used exclusively on Shinto buildings and can be used to distinguish them from other religious structures, such as Buddhist temples in Japan.